Abstract: An apparatus for covering or protecting vegetation, in particular landscaping. The apparatus includes an elongated sheet of material having an upper edge and a lower edge. Spaced along the length of the elongated sheet are a plurality of stake pockets extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated sheet. The stake pockets receiving a stake used to secure the cover to a surface, typically the ground. Accordingly, the elongated sheet surrounds or is placed adjacent to the landscaping and the stakes are either inserted into the stake pockets or attached to the sheet using the stake pockets and correspondingly hold the elongated sheet upright and in place. In addition, a plurality of eyelets on the elongated sheet can be used to both hang decorations and anchor the elongated sheet to the ground surface.

Abstract: A side guard for a roadway marker comprising an elongated rail member having a top and a bottom. A rooting pin extending from the bottom of the rail member. The rooting pin having a laterally open recess.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a towed trailer vehicle wherein a pivotable cover housing is mounted to the tongue of the trailer in spaced relation to the socket lock mechanism of a conventional ball socket attachment of a trailer hitch bar. The protective housing adapts to all standard ball and socket arrangements, does not require extensive rework of the tongue of the trailer, has adequate securing means, is low cost, and provides anti-theft protection while the trailer is in tow, as well as when the trailer is parked and/or unhitched from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a method of creating greater accuracies for wear compensation of a finishing tool during the finishing of workpieces, in which a reference surface is ablated by initially traversing the finishing tool over the reference surface and determining the actual wear of the finishing tool as a result of this initial feed motion of the finishing tool controlled by an NC feed program of an NC machine. The actual measured wear of the finishing tool as a result of the initial traversing feed motion over the reference surface is compared to a known empirical wear trend line for the workpiece and the feed motion of the NC feed program for the next workpiece is recalculated as a function of the comparative actual wear of the finish tool with respect to the known empirical wear trend line.

Abstract: A wiper arm for a wiper assembly of an automotive vehicle, the wiper arm being formed in a single piece from a metallic blank and having an inner end portion of generally U-shaped configuration in cross-section that is formed by drawing the blank in a progressive die, and an outer end portion that is formed with a C-shaped configuration in cross-section, by hemming. The outer end portion has a central portion with edge portions that are reversely folded to underlie the central portion, edges of the edge portions being disposed in close proximity to one another. An end portion of the outer end portion of the wiper arm is reversely folded to be spaced from and underlie a portion of the outer end portion thereabove, and the end portion is provided with an opening by which a wiper blade may be attached to, or removed from, the wiper arm.

Abstract: A retainer assembly that reduces misalignment of a conduit connection to a component. In addition, the assembly keeps the conduit in place on the component enabling the assembler to complete the assembly without having to hold the conduit. The assembly includes a connection block having a U-shaped retainer clip attached to the connection block. The retainer clip having an opening therein and a locking finger extending into the opening. The locking finger operative to engage a retention member located on the component to hold the connection block and conduit combination with respect to the component after which a fastener is used to secure the connection block and conduit combination to the component.

Abstract: A winch bar is provided for use in combination with a strap winding winch for flatbed trailers. The bar has a rotatable link member at one end thereof which is provided with a hook portion adapted to interface with the apertures of the hub on one end of a reel of the winch. Upon the hook engaging the apertures, the bar can be rotated at a safe distance from the truck bed in order to rapidly, safely and securely rewind the strap onto the winch reel.

Abstract: The invention is a quick connect coupling apparatus in the form of a test module for use in a robotic work performing application which accomplishes testing of an end effector in an offline location such that the integrity of each pneumatic circuit can be independently verified and any pneumatic components found leaking may be replaced at the offline location rather than result in downtime during production use.

Abstract: A composite sleeve seal for sealing a conduit connection including a body portion having collar sections spaced apart from one another to define gaps therebetween, and being interconnected to one another by link segments spanning the gaps. A seal portion interposes the collar sections in the gaps and surrounds the link segments to positively interlock the seal portion with the body portion to form the composite sleeve seal as one integral component.

Abstract: A hose coupling using at least one reinforcing ring to reinforce a hose coupling during a crimping process, the hose coupling having an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve coaxial with the inner sleeve, and a hose coaxially interposed therebetween. During the crimping process a crimping force is applied directly to the outer sleeve to form at least one depression that results in an area of peak crimp force on the inner sleeve, the depression helping to seal and lock the hose between the inner and outer sleeves. The reinforcing ring is positioned within the inner sleeve and concentric with the area of peak crimp force on the inner sleeve. Consequently, the reinforcing ring prevents the inner sleeve from deforming under the crimping force, thereby ensuring the integrity and long-term durability of the hose coupling.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for clamping and subsequently machining a disk- or ring-shaped workpiece, wherein the workpiece is set down on a contact surface of a contact member made from elastomeric material. The workpiece is axially pressed against the contact surface with an elastomeric-material clamping member of a clamping device and simultaneously fixed in place perpendicular to the workpiece axis. Subsequently, the workpiece is machined with a tool.

Abstract: An aircraft luggage locker is disposed in a compartment under a seat cushion which pivots about a horizontal axis. The locker includes a rack to receive luggage has a back wall from which extends a bottom wall and an opening at the end opposite the back wall. The rack is movable between a lying down position in which the back is in a generally vertical plane, the bottom wall is in a generally horizontal plane, and the opening is facing a wall of the compartment, and an inclined position in which the bottom wall is inclined to the horizontal and the opening of the rack is in a raised position relative to the back. Movement of the rack between the lying down position and the inclined position is a combination of a movement in translation in a horizontal plane and rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of movement in translation of the rack.

Abstract: A portable grill apparatus including a frame having a plurality of leg members pivotally attached to a support rod. An arm member is also pivotally attached to the support rod and extends outwardly therefrom on both sides of the support rod. A pair of rail members is suspended from the arm member. A firebox is supported by the rail members such that the rail members and correspondingly the firebox are suspended above the ground surface. The arm member pivots on the support rod to adjust the orientation of the rail members and correspondingly the firebox.

Abstract: A tubular connection for centering a tube within a female connecting block that has a throughbore with a chamfer, wherein a transition surface is defined between the chamfer and the throughbore. The tube has an upset bead, a tapered portion narrowing from the upset bead, and an end-form extending from the tapered portion, the end-form having an annular groove with an O-ring therein. The connection further includes a device for securing the tube within the female connecting block whereby the upset bead of the tube is caused to abut the female connecting block. The tube locates inside the female connecting block such that the end-form seals via the O-ring inside the throughbore of the female connecting block and the tapered portion of the tube sealingly engages against the transition surface of the female connecting block to keep the tube centered within the female connecting block and to form a secondary fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A method for producing a bung for a metal cask that does not require a conventional collar and seal, and that simplifies the operations for forming the bung. The method disclosed in the present application includes the following steps. First, a prestamping operation creates a preforming dome in the wall of the cask such that a cuvett is formed. Second, an approximately cylindrical shaft is formed by stamping and thus puncturing the wall of the cask at the location of the bung. Third, the protruding edge of the shaft is folded down the to form an external rolled edge. Fourth, encircling the shaft with a rigid ring constituted by at least two annular sections such that the metal does not tear during the formation of the threads. Finally, the method of the present invention includes the step of implementing a roller threading head to form internal threads in the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and programmable apparatus for the assembly of body components to an automotive body that has undergone a progressive series of framing and welding steps so as to produce a structurally rigid body frame, termed a body-in-white. More specifically, this invention relates to creating a new net locating scheme (X-Y and Z Cartesian coordinate system) for a body-in-white to direct associated tooling to create net attachment features on a rigid body frame with respect to a new net locating scheme so that components may be attached to an automotive body at a net location eliminating the need for any slip plane attachment techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming attachment pads in an inner body panel for the precise attachment of an outer body panel thereto. The apparatus positions a fixed anvil at a predefined net reference position while a face plate simultaneously “finds” the panel and is mechanically locked into position. Thereafter, the apparatus forms the inner body panel between a forming die and the fixed anvil. The face plate maintains the location of the surface metal around the die, resulting in the formation of a raised pad the outermost surface of which is at the predefined net reference position. A single such apparatus can form raised pads having different predefined net reference positions for different attachment locations. A reciprocating punch having a variable stroke length selectively provides either a hole or a slot in the raised pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming attachment pads on a panel for attachment of a clinch nut thereto. The panel is formed between a forming die and a fixed anvil, which occupies a predefined net reference position. A face plate simultaneously “finds” the panel and is mechanically locked into position using a novel force applying device. The face plate maintains the location of the surface metal around the forming die, thereby forming a raised pad at the predefined net reference position. The novel force applying device includes self-contained piston modules positioned in tandem. Each module includes a housing having a void and a piston mounted within the void. The piston includes a driven and drive surfaces, wherein fluid pressure acts against the driven surface to drive the piston in an advanced direction such that the drive surface of the piston abuts another piston for cumulative effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching an ornamental overlay to a vehicle wheel by injecting adhesive foam through an aperture of the wheel and into a cavity formed between the wheel and the overlay. A first nest engages the outboard side of the wheel/overlay assembly to seal the inner periphery of the overlay, the valve stem opening of the overlay, the lug bolt receiving holes of the wheel, the pilot aperture of the wheel, and/or the valve stem opening of the wheel. A secondary nest engages the inboard side of the wheel/overlay assembly to seal the wheel apertures and a plurality of turbine openings in the overlay. A nozzle disposed within the secondary nest is adapted to inject the adhesive foam into the cavity through either a gap between the periphery of a wheel aperture and the periphery of a corresponding turbine opening in the overlay, through a straight or angled hole within a spoke, or through a groove within a spoke.