Abstract: A method of making an electrical subassembly and a subassembly formed by the method which includes the steps of providing a conductive member having a predetermined configuration and a housing for receiving the conductive member, connecting the conductive member to the housing, and removing a portion of the conductive member so as to separate it into a plurality of discrete contacts, each contact being connected to the housing and thereby providing a desired circuit path through the subassembly. The subassembly includes one or more electrical components mounted thereto and can be readily attached to a support and wired to a desired circuit without soldering while enabling removal and replacement of an electrical component as desired.

Abstract: A packaging member comprises a base member and a pair of side members hingedly attached to opposite sides of the base member such that the side members can be alternatively and selectively disposed in two different positions with respect to the base member. In particular, the side members can be disposed perpendicular to the base member, or alternatively the side members can be disposed at predetermined angled positions with respect to the base member. When disposed perpendicularly to the base member, the packaging member has a substantially U-shaped configuration enabling the packaging member to serve as an edge protector, whereas when the side members are disposed at their angled positions with respect to the base member, the packaging member has a substantially trapezoidal configuration enabling stacking or nesting of the packaging member along with other similar packaging members so as to optimize storage, shipping, and handling or transportation costs.

Abstract: A self-drilling fastener includes an elongated shank region having first and second ends, a head at the first end and a drill point at the second end. Included in the shank region is a root having helical threads extending therefrom with a predetermined thread density. The threads are configured to extend onto the drill point, which point extends from the root, and has a conical point with a rounded tip and a flat side. The flat side defines a pair of drilling edges.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a housing (1) for receiving at least one storage cartridge for the product with a rear thrust wall for the product, a thrust piston (2), a drive comprising a front sprocket (5) for driving the piston (2) by friction, actuated by an intermediate feed rod (6) driven by a motor (3) in a reciprocating motion, and a control lever (4). The drive is adapted to effect any desired application of the product by a single actuation of the control lever (4).

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for positionally adjusting and releasably locking a chair backrest in any one of a plurality of positions on a seat support member between two extreme positions. The device includes a first bracket adapted to be rigidly secured to the backrest and a second bracket adapted to be rigidly secured to the seat support member and slidably receiving the first bracket for sliding movement between two extreme, longitudinally spaced, first and second positions. A locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the second bracket to the first bracket, the locking mechanism comprising a longitudinal array of lock stop members on the second bracket confronting a lock element secured to the first bracket, the lock stop members each having a locking surface.

Abstract: A rail member and ground clip assembly useable for mechanically and electrically coupling printed circuit boards to a chassis. The assembly has a stud protruding into an electrical contact opening in the rail member, a first end portion of the resilient electrical contact is disposed on a fastener boss proximate the electrical contact opening, a bifurcated curved portion of the resilient electrical contact protrudes at least partially through the electrical contact opening beyond a bottom side of the rail member, and the stud is disposed through an opening in the resilient electrical contact to engagably couple the resilient electrical contact to the rail member. The resilient electrical contact also includes a compression wave portion between the first end portion and the curved portion to bias the curved portion into engagement with the chassis. A non-threaded rivet fastens the rail member to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A fuel filler pipe valve assembly having a valve member with a partially substantially spherical portion pivotally disposed in a valve receptacle of a housing member, the valve member having a passage with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and the housing having an inlet opening coupled to the fuel filler pipe and an outlet opening coupled to a body panel. The valve member is pivotal in the valve receptacle to open and close the fuel filler pipe. The valve member is formed of a valve shell portion and a valve cover portion, and the housing member is formed of a housing shell portion and a housing cover portion. A rotatable drive gear disposed through the housing member is engagable with a gear member on a truncated portion of the valve member to pivot the valve member in the housing member.

Abstract: A terminal board-cable assembly has an electric supply cable, and a boxlike terminal board molded from synthetic plastic material and defined by a base having at least one electric contact projecting from a first face of the base, and by a cover which is able to be locked to the base against a second face of the base opposite the first base. The cable is inserted and fixed removably fixed inside the boxlike terminal board, and has at least one conducting wire connected to the electric contact. The cover was connected non-removably to the base by at least one screw fitted through the cover, and having the head recessed inside a seat on the cover, and a shank threaded inside a threaded dead seat on the base. The screw is a one-way type, fastener, that is, one having a head with a gripping member only enabling the screw to be rotated in the threading direction, so that the screw, once threaded inside the seat, cannot be unscrewed, thus making the assembly monolithic in the same way as a pressure molded assembly.

Abstract: A side release buckle having a female member with a receptacle for receiving a tongue portion of a male member. One or more openings through the male member are alignable at least partially with corresponding openings through the female member when the tongue portion of the male member is disposed in the receptacle of the female member, whereby the at least partially aligned openings of the male and female members form corresponding apertures through the side release buckle. The openings may include one or more rib members for strength. The side release buckles have, among other advantages, reduced weight without compromising strength, and are suitable for applications where it is desirable to vent the buckle, or permit underlying fabric or structure to be at least partially visible therethrough, or to accept a locking member to prevent or deter casual release of the male and female members.

Abstract: A refueling flap for a refueling trough on a vehicle body, wherein a damper is in operating connection with the refueling flap via a gear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating an electrical switch and providing a variable electrical resistance usable to sense displacement of a movable member. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving the electrical switch, a variable resistance element, and an actuator with a body member and a transverse cylindrical sleeve. An electrically conductive wiper is coupled to the actuator and contacts the variable resistance element, which varies with pivotal movement of the actuator. The body member is pivotably supported by an aperture of the housing about an axis of the cylindrical sleeve, and a spring member biases the actuator toward an initial position, wherein the actuator is pivotable against the bias of the spring to actuate the electrical switch and to provide the variable resistance by positioning the electrically conductive wiper along the variable resistance element.

Abstract: A corner post/edge protector structure comprises an apex portion, a pair of leg members disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to each other, and concave/convex transitional regions integrally interconnecting the leg members to opposite ends of the apex portion. The concave/convex transitional regions define axially extending strengthening ribs for enhancing the axial or columnar compressive strength characteristics of the structure when the same is used in conjunction with stacks or tiers of packages, containers, or palletized loads. In addition, the transitional regions permit outer and inner surface portions of the leg members to be coplanar with outer and inner surface portions of the apex portion so as to facilitate or enable compact storage of the containers, packages, or palletized loads within cargo holds and storage facilities.

Abstract: A unitary fastener collation tube for retaining a plurality of fasteners useable in a stand-up fastener driving tool. The fastener collation tube includes an elongated body member having a channel having a substantially T-shaped cross section for receiving the fasteners arranged side by side therein. At least one end of the elongated body member includes a resilient fastener retaining member engageable with an endmost fastener of the plurality of fasteners so as to retain the plurality of fasteners in the channel of the fastener collation tube, whereby the plurality of fasteners retained in the fastener collation tube are releasable from the fastener collation tube when the resilient fastener retaining member is disengaged from the endmost fastener.

Abstract: A quick release mig gun tip comprises a contact tip having an exterior frusto-conical surface and external threads, and a gas diffuser having an internal frusto-conical surface and internal threads. The threads are preferably stub acme threads. The contact tip is assembled to the gas diffuser by engaging their threads until the frusto-conical surfaces mate. Large currents can be conducted through the frusto-conical surfaces and the threads without causing excessive resistance heating. The contact tip threads are designed so that assembly and release of the contact tip requires only one turn relative to the gas diffuser.

Abstract: An inflatable dunnage bag comprises a first inflatable inner bag comprising an inflatable bladder surrounded by a pair of paper plies, and a second outer bag comprising two sets of paper plies disposed upon opposite sides of the first inner bag. The two sets of paper plies comprising the second outer bag are longitudinally offset with respect to each other so as to form flap members on first ends of each set of paper plies which overhang respective second ends of the opposite set of paper plies. The flap members are respectively folded over the second ends of the opposite set of paper plies as single entities and secured thereto by predetermined hot melt adhesive and cold glue bead patterns. The dunnage bag is thus particularly adaptable to being fabricated by automated equipment.

Abstract: A stress plate for use with a threaded fastener for securing relatively soft insulation to a solid base, such as in a roofing environment, includes a generally planar main body with an underside, an aperture on the main body configured for receiving the fastener, and a sleeve circumscribing the aperture and depending from the underside a sufficient distance to receive the fastener and maintain the fastener perpendicular to the plate, especially when the plate is located intermediate the fastener ends. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener is threaded with a defined pitch of the thread, and the sleeve is dimensioned to span at least one pitch of the fastener.

Abstract: An automotive fuel filler pipe ball valve assembly mountable in an opening of an automotive body panel. The assembly includes a housing member having a ball valve receptacle communicating with a housing inlet opening and a housing outlet opening, and a ball valve member having a passage with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The ball valve member includes a stem member extending through an opening in the housing member, wherein the stem member is engageable by an actuation member to pivot the ball valve member in the housing member, thereby opening and closing the ball valve assembly. One or more sealing members form leak-proof seals between the housing member and the ball valve member. The assembly is mountable onto the body panel by resilient engagement members breakable to separate the housing member from the automotive body panel during impact.

Abstract: A piston velocity control and stability control system is provided for a combustion powered tool having a self contained combustion engine. The system includes a ring that may be adjusted relative to exit ports in a cylinder of the combustion engine. The ring includes openings which may be incrementally aligned between a completely exposed, and a substantially closed position relative to the exit ports. Displaced air volume within the cylinder exits through the exit ports as a piston advances down the cylinder, and the velocity of the piston will be greatest when the exit ports are completely exposed. User initiated reduction of the effective size of the exit ports by adjustment of the ring will reduce piston velocity as described per application. A nosepiece used to guide the driver blade and position the blade over a fastener is isolated from the cylinder so that the nosepiece remains stable relative to the workpiece upon combustion and until the driver blade strikes the fastener.

Abstract: A stand-up fastener driving tool including a rotary driver having a rotatable shaft with a fastener driving member disposed on a distal end thereof and disposed within telescoping upper and lower tubes, wherein the lower tube has a nose-piece with an opening for retaining a fastener therein. The fastener driving member is extendable toward and away from the nose-piece upon contraction and extension of the lower and upper tubes. A plurality of fasteners are retained side by side in a magazine of the tool, and are individually releasable therefrom upon contraction and extension of the upper and lower tubes. A feed tube connects the magazine to the nose-piece, and includes a magnetized wall portion for capturing and retaining fasteners fed from the magazine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of embedding separated elements in a molded member wherein at least one side of the separated elements is covered by the molded member. The separated elements are interconnected by links to form a unitary member, which is disposed in a mold cavity formed by first and second mold plates. A support pin positioned on a first side of the unitary member supports the unitary member while a punch pin is extended toward a second side of the unitary member and through the link interconnecting the elements so as to sever the link. At least one of the punch pins or the support pins is retracted away from at least one side of the separated elements before injecting a molten material into the cavity so as to form the molded member.