Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting passengers (5) in vehicles (1) with at least one seat (4) arranged in connection to the rear part of the vehicle (1), which seat is arranged so that said passenger (5) when travelling in the seat (4) faces said rear part, comprising at least one inflatable element (6; 6'), a sensor for detecting a predetermined collision-like state of the vehicle (1), and means (8) for inflating the element (6; 6') in case of said state. The invention is characterized in that said element (6; 6') in an inactive, non-inflated state is arranged in connection to said rear part and, in an active, inflated state is arranged to assume an extension between said passenger and said rear part. By means of the invention, an improved airbag device for protecting passengers in a rearwards facing extra seat in a vehicle is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus or bracket for securing a load carrier strut that extends transversely over a vehicle roof on railings disposed along opposing side edge regions of the vehicle roof in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The apparatus includes two clamping jaws reciprocally movable in relation to one another under the action of a clamping device in a clamping direction substantially corresponding or parallel to a longitudinal centerline of a load carrier strut with which the two clamping jaws are adapted to be engaged. The clamping device is arranged to lock the two clamping jaws in variable, different or optional positions along a load carrier strut and the two clamping jaws each having a clamping surface for engagement with a railing.

Abstract: A diagnostic system (10) particularly though not exclusively for use in an engine management system is provided for generating a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) to indicate the operational status of a component or sub-system which is being evaluated by the diagnostic system. The diagnostic system includes a diagnostic function module (DF Module) (20, 20', 20") for each DTC or a group of related DTCs associated with a component or sub-system. The DF module including device (22) for executing an evaluation routine to evaluate the operational status of a component or sub-system to which the DTC of the specific DF module relates, and a diagnostic function scheduler (DF scheduler)(30) for determining which DF module may be allowed to execute an evaluation routine ant a particular time.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for extinguishing fires in engine compartments and the like including a layer of polymeric material disposed within the engine compartment, the polymeric material being expandable on exposure to localized elevated temperatures and being disposed at predetermined locations within the engine compartment so that upon exposure to localized elevated temperatures the polymeric material expands to extinguish the fires produced thereby.

Abstract: An earth working scraper including a semi-circular scraper assembly having a scraper blade and a plurality of wall sections. The wall sections form a compartmentalized space substantially interior the scraper assembly for carrying soil. A wheeled carriage is journalled to the scraper assembly with a plurality of support arms and is adapted to partially support the scraper assembly. An arched connector is fixedly attached to the scraper assembly and removably attachable to a towing vehicle, the arched connector being adapted to partially support the scraper assembly. At least one hydraulic cylinder is included in the combination which is journalled between the wheeled carriage and the scraper assembly. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is adapted to cooperate with the arched connector to raise and lower the scraper assembly and also to rotate the scraper assembly about a transverse axis therethrough.

Abstract: A sonic delivery system for dentistry. The sonic delivery system includes a hand piece housing an exciting energy source connected to a driver rod which is further releasably engaged with an energy transfer tip. The driver rod linearly extends and contracts in response to the exciting energy source producing a reciprocating linear movement of the driver and energy transfer tip. In one embodiment, a rotary coupler is connected to the driver to convert the reciprocating linear movement of the driver into rotary movement of the energy transfer tip. Preferably the exciting energy source is alternating current and the driver is a rod constructed of terfnol material.

Abstract: A beverage retainer and method of use in which a beverage container has two chambers which are fluidly separate from each other and are positioned next to each other for thermal conductivity. One chamber has a resealable closing member adapted to contain a chilling material. The resealable closing member is removed and chilling material, such as ice, is dispensed therein. The closing member is then secured so that the deposited ice is thereafter retained within the second chamber until removed. Preferably, the releasable closing member is mated with threads to the second chamber. The beverage container may also include a lid adapted to contain liquid within the first chamber. Preferably, this lid contains an aperture from which fluid is withdrawn. Further, the lid may include an aperture in which a straw is insertable. A handle assembly is attached to the two chambers to permit a user to conveniently hold the beverage container.

Abstract: A private care body with a front part, rear part, floor pan and body sides and a roof part includes a body lower part and a body superstructure with a beam structure welded fast on top of it; the beam structure includes a thin-walled, flange-free profile parts with closed cross sections made by roll-forming and welded together to each other with the component parts of the beam structure being hardened so that the material in the constituent profile parts has a yield limit of the order of 900-1000 N/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: An axially securable roller paint applicator that includes a substantially cylindrical body having an inner core constructed from form retaining material and an outer paint absorbent covering substantially surrounding the inner core. The body has a first end for location proximate to a handle assembly of a rotary roller paint applicator holder when the body is slidingly engaged upon such a rotary roller paint applicator holder. A second end of the body is located distally away from the handle assembly of the rotary roller paint applicator holder when the body is engaged upon the holder. An end cap is configured for engagement with the second end of the body for preventing axial movement of the body on the rotary roller paint applicator holder when the body is installed for use. The end cap has an interior surface configured for face-to-face releasable interlocking engagement with an exterior end surface of the rotary roller paint applicator holder.

Abstract: A roofing safety system having several components that when installed in various combinations permits access to all locations on the roof's surface and allows roofing personnel to be continuously secured to the safety system from the time the roofer leaves the ground to do a roofing job until he descends back to the ground when the job is finished. Included is a roofing crown anchor assembly for installment over an upper surface of a pitched roof's crown. Two end anchor assemblies are positioned upon the crown in opposing orientation with at least one flexible cord connected between the end anchor assemblies. Each end anchor assembly has a pair of end anchors located on opposite sides of the crown. Each pair of end anchors has a crown spanning belt connected therebetween that extends over the crown. The belt is constructed from pliable material that substantially conforms to the upper surface of the crown.

Abstract: A longitudinally compact vacuum generator having an incorporated check valve. The generator includes a valve assembly housing having top and bottom portions. An exhaust housing is coupled to the top portion of the valve assembly and a venturi inlet port is located in the bottom portion of the valve assembly. A vacuum inlet port is configured in fluid communication with a suction chamber within the valve assembly and a pneumatic valve pressure supply port is configured in fluid communication with a pneumatic pressure supply channel.

Abstract: A cargo floor for use in vehicles including front and rear floor portions with at least the rear floor portion being slidable out of the vehicle, the rear end of the front floor portion including an angled surface and the front end of the rear floor portion including an angled surface such that the forward and rear floor portions are longitudinally displaceable with respect to each other by interaction between these angled surfaces upon application of a forward force to the vehicle such as during a collision, and a joint connecting the forward and rear floor portions whereby the forward floor portion can be slidably moved along with the rearward floor portion and the rearward floor portion can be angularly displaced about the joint.

Abstract: A dental air-abrasion system having at least one air source for supplying pressured air to at least a primary air passageway and a secondary air passageway. The primary air passageway has an inlet conduit that establishes fluid communication between the air source and a venturi cup. The venturi cup is capable and intended to contain abrading particulate to be suspended in a primary air flow passing within the primary air passageway. The primary air passageway also has an exit conduit establishing fluid communication between the venturi cup and a manifold. The secondary air passageway includes a bypass conduit establishing fluid communication between the air source and the manifold. The manifold provides a fluid juncture for joining the primary air passageway with the secondary air passageway into a single uniform particulate delivery passageway. The uniform particulate delivery passageway terminates in a dispensing tip.

Abstract: A solar-powered reciprocating pump for submersible use in a well, such as a water well. The pump has a pumping section with a plunger therein. The pump also has a drive section with a rotating output shaft and a transmission section which converts the rotating output of the shaft into reciprocating motion of the plunger. In one embodiment, the transmission comprises a gear train. In a second embodiment, the transmission comprises a ball screw which is actuated by a reversible motor. In a third embodiment, the transmission comprises a reversible ball screw which provides reciprocating action in response to rotation of a shaft in a single direction. The pumping section comprises an outer case portion with a cylinder disposed therein such that an annular volume is defined therebetween. A system of flow passageways and inlet and outlet valves provide for pumping liquid into and out of the pump in response to movement of the plunger in both upward and downward directions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a thrilling amusement ride to a passenger stemming predominantly from the inducement of a feeling of being propelled downward toward the ground and from the inducement of a feeling of falling from the ride's supporting chair. The method includes positioning a passenger in a passenger support or chair of an amusement ride in a forward facing orientation. The passenger support is located at a drop position in a pre-fall orientation. This drop position may be an origination position, or may be a position to which the support is raised. The passenger support, together with the passenger, is tilted forward into a falling orientation which is at a predetermined tilt-angle to the pre-fall orientation. The passenger support, together with the passenger, is dropped and/or propelled from the drop position to a lower position while the passenger support and the passenger are in the forward tilted falling orientation thereby providing a thrilling amusement ride to the passenger.

Abstract: A new visibility aid for providing a mirror for assisting in the hitching of a trailer to a towing vehicle and method of use have been developed. The visibility aid comprises a mounting portion adapted to be fit to a receiving portion of a towing vehicle and an extension coupled to the mounting portion. Attached to the extension is a reflective member. The mounting portion is constructed of a bendable member arranged for being configured by the user for a custom fit to the towing vehicle. The visibility aid is also uniquely designed to be adapted by the user to form a custom fit with various types of towing vehicle. The mounting portion is coated with a buffering material to avoid scratch damage to the receiving portion of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An anchorage device is intended for securing a load carrier on a load carrier strut which is disposed on a vehicle. The anchorage device includes an openable clamp (9) produced from a flexible material and a tensioning device (18). The tensioning device (18) extends through mutually overlapping end portions (10, 15) of the clamp (9). The clamp (9) is, in the open state, movable to a position surrounding the load carrier strut. On tightening of the tensioning device (18), the end portions (10, 15) are fixed against the load carrier. The one end portion (15) has a closed aperture through which the tensioning device (18) extends. The other end portion (10) has an open recess for accommodating the tensioning device (18). Each of the end portions have abuttable surfaces configured for abutting engagement.

Abstract: A method for exchanging information between providers and users of products and services in which an information management system is established that is computer based and has information processing and storage capabilities. The system also has electronic communication connections that permit buyers and sellers to electronically connect with the information management system for information exchange. Limited electronic access to the information management system is granted to approved sellers of products and services. After approval, each such seller is enabled to access inventory information of that seller for amendment purposes. Similarly, limited electronic access to the information management system is granted to approved buyers of products and services and are provided a searching capability to search a compilation of a plurality of seller's inventory information using criteria specified by that approved buyer.