Abstract: A utility rack adapter bracket for use with a rail assembly installed on the top of a pickup truck bed. The bracket allows a rack, such as ones manufactured by Yakima.RTM. or Touly.RTM., to be attached above the truck bed when covered or uncovered. The bracket is intended for use with a rail assembly as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,152,574 and 5,261,719 (Tucker).

Abstract: An electromagnetic and/or electric interference suppression device that reduces the severity of electromagnetic and/or electric interference of an asymmetric system. The suppression device utilizes an antenna to develop a voltage that is ideally equal to the interference voltage developed from interference signals. A tuned circuit having two opposing diodes, a capacitor, and an inductor mounted in series with each other, to create a voltage that approximates as closely as possible the interference voltage, neutralizing its effect on an asymmetric system.

Abstract: An insulating mounting bracket for a pressure vessel in an engine compartment of an automobile, the pressure vessel having an elongated cylindrical sleeve having an outwardly projecting flange for attaching the pressure vessel within an engine compartment. The elongated cylindrical sleeve has a corrugated surface creating air pockets in the space between the insulating bracket and the pressure vessel contained therein. In one embodiment, the sleeve is open at both ends, in an alternate embodiment the lower end of the sleeve is narrowed and used as a connecting point. In both embodiments, the sleeve accommodates condensate run off and prevents moisture from accumulating in the air pockets. The flange has fasteners molded integral with the insulating bracket to facilitate mounting within the engine compartment.

Abstract: Leisure trousers of fashionable design that in a most variable manner can be provided with pockets, applique works or similar, are provided. Fastening elements to which different protective elements can be fixed for protection of body parts exposed to potential injury in different kinds of sports are provided for within the leisure trousers. Herein protection of the areas of knee and hips in particular, and also other body regions, is of major interest. Preferably the protective elements are fastened to inner trousers suspended on the inner waistband of the leisure trousers, wherein the protective elements can be detachably fastened on the inner trousers by bur-type closing members.

Abstract: A formliner for use in manufacturing a decorative panel made up of a layer of concrete or other cementitious material interconnecting a layer of spaced apart bricks or other decorative elements, secured in the cementitious material. The formliner is made of a resilient elastomeric material and has a generally planar layer with a plurality of upstanding laterally and transversely extending ribs that extend from the generally planar layer to define a plurality of brick receiving recesses. Each brick is received in a respective recess with its front face positioned toward the generally planar layer. The ribs extend partly up the sides of the brick from the generally planar layer to allow cementitious material to partly fill the spaces between the sides of the bricks. Cementitious material is prevented from reaching the front faces of the bricks within the recesses by a plurality of ridges that extend from the ribs to sealingly engage an adjacent surface of the brick within the recess.

Abstract: An ornamental wheel cover integrally retained on the lug nuts of a vehicle wheel that provides positive positioning of the cover to the lug nuts. The lug nuts preferably have a flange that defines an upper shoulder. The cover is provided with a number of elongated tubular extensions axially projecting from the cover that are each partially slotted to provide a plurality of cantilevered fingers. Each finger has an undercut groove that has a shoulder which positively positions the cover to the upper shoulder of the lug nuts of the wheel. Below the undercut groove is a bulbous portion that contacts the lug nut below the flange. When the cover is attached to the wheel, the elongated tubular extensions are aligned with the lug nuts and the cover is moved axially inwardly of the wheel so that the cantilevered fingers separate slightly as the bulbous portions pass over the flange of the lug nut.

Abstract: A polygon scanner utilizing a fluid film bearing and method for its use in a flat field imaging device having a relatively large format size, a very high scan rate and high resolution. The polygon scanner has a polygon scan optic connected to a motor, a fluid film bearing, and a windowed enclosure. Repeating cross-scan error components are mapped and actively corrected using a piezoelectric actuator to directly displace the laser element or using a mirror in the optical path that is tilted by means of an electro-optic device to influence a virtual displacement of the optical beam. The repeating components of in-scan errors are similarly, and independently, mapped and corrected by summing with the output of a phase detector in a line scan speed control system.

Abstract: A method for injection molding a material consisting of a suspension of particles. The suspension of particles moves through convergent passages in an obturator and an injection channel so that the particles remain in suspension. The press has a head in which a portion of the feed channel and a portion of the injection channel, when the channel is open, is formed by a passage in an externally controlled obturator, the controlled obturator for the feed channel and the one for the injection channel being one and the same or adjacent, and disposed close to the injection orifice.

Abstract: A data code having at least one unit, each unit being divided into at least two regions having similar dimensions. Selected regions of each unit are shaded to represent a unique value. Each unit has a unique arrangement of shaded regions to represent a particular characteristic whereby the data code may represent a decimal, a hexidecimal or a binary notation. This code does not require accurate printing, thereby enabling a user to read the code directly. A code sensor is used for reading the code.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight closed coupling male spring lock fitting for direct connection to an air-conditioning hose having an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and an annular cage, the inner sleeve having stepped portion that receives an inner surface of the annular cage. The annular cage surrounds the outer diameter of the inner sleeve and is spaced a distance from one end of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve abuts an outer surface of the annular cage and prevents axial movement of the annular cage. The outer sleeve is retained in a retaining groove on the outer diameter of the inner sleeve, adjacent the stepped portion. The closed coupling of the outer sleeve and annular cage significantly reduces the overall length and weight of the fitting in comparison to prior art fittings and the inner sleeve may be machined opposed to conventional tube roll-forming processes.

Abstract: An improved oil filter unit for attachment to a bight portion of a "J" tube of an accumulator dehydrator includes a rigid, preferably metal pick-up tube or projection. The rigid projection prevents collapse of an extension of a disk held by the oil filter unit during assembly of the oil filter unit to the aperture in the "J" tube. The rigid projection also includes an extended lower end which extends closer to the bottom of the accumulator to allow less oil to be in the accumulator for lubricating the compressor of the air-conditioning system, thereby realizing a significant cost savings compared to prior art accumulators.

Abstract: A pressure vessel housing that can be brazed and leak tested before adding desiccant material, eliminating the risk of damaging desiccant bags during assembly. The desiccant is added to the housing of the pressure vessel through an existing inlet opening in the top of the accumulator housing, thereby eliminating the potential for damage to the desiccant and the desiccant container while maintaining the integrity of the housing because no additional openings in the housing are required to access the desiccant material. A screen permanently mounted inside the pressure vessel supports the loose desiccant material and another screen removably attached to the inlet opening provides access to the loose desiccant material housed within the pressure vessel. A method of making the pressure vessel allows the accumulator assembly to be leak tested before the desiccant is added, reducing scrap and allowing repair of accumulator assemblies.

Abstract: A process for metal plating a high impact, high temperature plastic suitable for forming trim elements of an automobile. The process is particularly directed to plating an elastomer-modified PPA resin, and entails closely controlled process steps that include selectively etching the elastomer and the PPA matrix with a solution containing chromic acid, then effectively removing from the substrate any retained chromium which would adversely affect the ability of metal plating to adhere to the substrate, and thereafter protecting the substrate from attack by sulfuric acid. The process is particularly effective for electroplating a PPA resin modified with about five to about 30 weight percent EPDM.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting and applying a force to opposite sides of a workpiece, such as a resistance welding device adapted for use on an automated assembly line. The apparatus is configured to be extremely rigid to ensure accurate movement and positioning of a pair of contacts with respect to a workpiece. The apparatus includes a frame member supported by a base with first and second shafts that are secured to the frame member and slidably supported by the base. The second shaft prevents rotation of the frame member about the first shaft during operation of the apparatus. The frame member carries one of the contacts, and is biased away from the workpiece and toward a second position nearer the workpiece. An extendable member and a link are both pivotably mounted to the frame member, and support an anvil carrying the remaining contact. The link is engaged with the base when the link is in a first rotational position, at which point the second contact is held away from the workpiece by the anvil.

Abstract: A door lock bracket for serving as a striker which secures an automobile door closed in conjunction with a door latching assembly. The door lock bracket is formed from a one-piece stamping which includes a flange portion for mounting the door lock bracket to the door post of the automobile, an apertured portion for receiving the door's latching mechanism, and a base portion interconnecting the flange and apertured portions. The door lock bracket is structurally uncomplicated, so as to facilitate the manufacture of the door lock bracket using a relatively simple multiple-step bending operation. As a result, the door lock bracket is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, yet can be formed to be strong and structurally rigid for extended and repeated use throughout the life of the automobile.

Abstract: A process for metal plating a high impact, high temperature plastic suitable for forming trim elements of an automobile. The process is particularly directed to plating an elastomer-modified PPA resin, and entails closely controlled process steps that include selectively etching the elastomer and the PPA matrix with a solution containing chromic acid, then effectively removing from the substrate any retained chromium which would adversely affect the ability of metal plating to adhere to the substrate, and thereafter protecting the substrate from attack by sulfuric acid. The process is particularly effective for electroplating a PPA resin modified with about five to about 30 weight percent elastomeric materials.

Abstract: A mechanical drive linkage for a blind spline broaching machine wherein a rotary motion provided by a servo driven helical ball or roller screw is converted to a linear reciprocal motion of a ram through the use of a kite link and a pivot link that as a part of their motion communicate with guide tracks in order to prevent side loads from being applied to the ball screw, its carriage, or the ram of the blind spline broaching machine.

Abstract: An accumulator dehydrator, for use in an automotive air-conditioning system, includes an inlet, an outlet tube located below the inlet, a deflector for preventing liquid refrigerant fluid from entering an inlet end of the outlet tube located just below the deflector and a deflector assembly for connecting the deflector to the outlet tube of the accumulator. The assembly includes a thermoplastic bushing connected to a passage in the deflector and having the outlet tube received therein, the bushing creating a sufficient interference fit between the deflector and the outlet tube to prevent the deflector from moving during operation. In an alternate embodiment, the bushing includes an extended skirt having a diameter coinciding with an inner diameter of the deflector, the extended skirt preventing liquid refrigerant fluid from wrapping around the lip of the deflector and entering the inlet end of the outlet tube.

Abstract: A flexible wear sleeve for protectively surrounding one or more flexible cables or conduits leading to a spot-welding machine or an arc-welding machine or robot, the wear sleeve being formed by joining opposed edges of a flexible web to one another by a zipper connection. The flexible web is formed from a tough, durable material, such as a KEVLAR.RTM. material, and its opposed edges are also provided with elements of a VELCRO.RTM. connection to overlie the zipper and protect the zipper from contact with welding flash and/or foreign material. The flexible web is provided with at least one longitudinally extending pocket, and a flexible rod is inserted into the pocket to provide the flexible wear sleeve and the flexible cables or conduits protected thereby with an elastic memory to cause them to return to an undistorted configuration after removal of a distorting load therefrom and to provide a controlled bend radius thereto.

Abstract: A cutting device embodying a housing that fully encloses the knife blade in its retracted position. The cutting device has access slots in the sides of the housing that provide access to the interior of the housing without having to disassemble the housing. The cutting device can be operated manually through the access slots, or pneumatically by attaching a nose mount air cylinder to a threaded hole in the housing. An air source can be attached to an end of the housing opposite the threaded hole, for automatically removing scrap from the cutter.