Abstract: A rotary joint comprising a stationary head including a fluid chamber therein, the chamber opening at a bottom surface of the heaf, a rotatable nipple having an outer surface and an internal axial passageway in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and a seal member disposed on the outer surface of the nipple. The seal member comprises a rigid body including a radial flange portion having opposite first and second surfaces each carrying at least one seal, the seal of the first surface sealingly engaging the bottom surface of the head. The seal member and the nipple are radially moveable in relation to the fixed head while maintaining sealing engagement between the at least one seal of the first surface of the radial flange portion and the bottom surface of the head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a right angle connector onto a tube end portion. The tube end portion is positioned in a mold cavity; an axially extending core is positioned in the mold cavity with the axis of the core at a right angle to the axis of the tube end portion and with an inboard end of the core positioned proximate the open end of the tube end portion; a molten plastic material is injected into the mold cavity in surrounding relation to the core and the tube end portion; and the core is removed to form a connector fixedly secured to the tube end portion and having a central axial bore communicating with the open end of the tube, extending at a right angle to the central axis of the tube end portion, and conforming to the configuration of the core.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an accumulating conveyor system has at least one shoe slideably connected to an endless chain. Each shoe includes a pair of opposing rollers, one of which is engageable with the endless chain when the shoe is positioned adjacent an upper support member, and the other is engageable with the endless chain when the shoe is positioned adjacent a lower support member. The shoe further includes a transverse roller attached to a body of the shoe and engageable with the upper and lower support members. In another aspect of the present invention, a workpiece support may be detachably connected to two shoes positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor system to form a pallet. In yet another aspect of the present invention, two or more pallets may be connected together using an anti back-flex chain to form a pallet assembly.

Abstract: Bump stop for an amphibious vehicle suspension having a member selectively movable between an operating position, and an inoperative position. This allows the suspension to retract road wheels along locus for conversion to marine mode. Bump stop free end may be moved by filling cavities with pressurized fluid. Alternatively, the entire bump stop may be rotated on a pivot by a hydraulic cylinder, an electric solenoid, manually or by any other mechanical means. Alternatively, the movable member may be a position in a cylinder, withdrawn against a return spring by hydraulic pressure, and may act against resilient snubber on the vehicle suspension. Bump pad has a curved undersurface, allowing the bump stop to be bent out of the way when the suspension is lowered.

Abstract: A plastic reinforcing clip for use with a container of the type including a corrugated sleeve adapted to be removably attached to a plastic pallet or base member by the use of sliding latch members coacting with circular apertures in the lower peripheral edge portion of the sleeve. The reinforcing clip structure is formed of a single piece of molded plastic material and includes an outer annular planar portion, an inner annular planar portion, an outer cup-shaped liner portion, an inner cup-shaped liner portion, and a central hinge portion. In use, the central hinge portion is positioned under and along the lower edge of the sleeve beneath an aperture in the sleeve and the inner and outer planar portions are swung upwardly about live hinges provided between the hinge portion and the inner and outer planar portions. As the inner and outer planar portions are swung upwardly and inwardly, the cup-shaped liner portions enter the slot from the inner and outer faces of the sleeve.

Abstract: A motor vehicle equipment module includes a lock formed of a bolt received in a housing designed to be mounted on a support part and a striker designed to be mounted on a mobile part along a globally axial direction relative to the support part between an open position and a closed position wherein the bolt cooperates with the striker. When the module is delivered to be installed on the vehicle, the striker and the bolt are linked together by an intermediate plate for temporarily indexing the position of the bolt relative to the position of the striker and to facilitate mounting and fixing of the module on the vehicle.

Abstract: A combination timer and controller for a gas-operated appliance, such as a pizza oven, is provided. The combination includes a rotatable control shaft having a first end connectible to a gas valve and a control knob attachable to a second end of the control shaft. A timer can be preset to a selected time at which the control shaft is to be turned from an off position to an on position. An actuator motor is provided to turn the control shaft to the on position and it is controlled by the timer so that the motor is turned on by the timer at the selected time. There is a gear arrangement for connecting the output of the motor to the control shaft and a coil spring for rotating the control shaft to the off position when the motor is turned off.

Abstract: An apparatus mounts a covering system of a truck. The apparatus can have a stud, a lock ring, a retaining plate, and means for releasably attaching the apparatus to the truck. The stud can have a base and a shaft having an anchor for receiving a reaction end of an at least one spring. The lock ring can have a pocket having a complementary shape to the base of the shaft for adjustably rotating the stud through a three-hundred sixty degree (360°) range. The retaining plate can have an aperture for receiving the shaft. The means for releasably attaching the apparatus can include at least one fastener.

Abstract: A tailgate of modular construction and employing an extender assembly. The tailgate employs a thick central molded plastic core structure and inner and outer cover sheets secured to inboard and outboard faces of the core structure. The core structure defines laterally spaced vertically extending channels and the extender assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced post assemblies slidably mounted in the respective channels of the core member and connected at their upper end by a bar member which fits in a pocket defined in the upper face of the tailgate with the extender assembly in its lowered position.

Abstract: A climbing tree stand platform including a platform member, the platform member having an inner end for engaging a tree and an outer end, and two sides opposite one another connecting the inner end and the outer end, the platform member having two pivot arm support members rigidly connected thereto and extending upward therefrom toward the inner end of the platform member, each of the pivot arm support members having a pivot arm pivotally connected thereto for pivoting toward and contacting opposite sides of the tree as a downward force is applied to the platform member, each of the two pivot arms being adapted to receive a flexible connector removably connected to each of the two pivot arm support members for extension around the tree to hold the platform member to the tree.

Abstract: A reclining device (1) is described having a support (10) which can be moved back and forth between different positions automatically and continuously, so that the spinal column and other joints, for example of the hip, knee, leg, can be moved and exercised specifically.

Abstract: A barrier device or cargo net positionable between a rear seat of a vehicle passenger compartment and a cargo area of the vehicle. The barrier device can include a window portion and a solid portion. The window portion can be positioned across an open space above the seat and below the headliner of the vehicle. The solid portion can be positionable behind the seat. The body of the barrier device can be formed with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being thicker or formed of more layers of material than the second portion. The thicker portion of the body of the barrier device can be positioned across the open space or behind the seat back. The barrier device is releasably attachable to the top of the interior of the vehicle and the bottom of the interior of the vehicle. The barrier body can also include means to render the top, bottom, first side or second side taut.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one parameter that is characteristic of the angular distribution of light illuminating an object in a projection exposure apparatus is described. This parameter may be, for example, a pupil asymmetry. The method comprises the step of inserting a filter element in or in close proximity of a pupil plane of an illumination system that is arranged between a light source and the object. The filter element has a filter function that varies in an azimuthal direction with respect to the optical axis of the illumination system. Then the intensity of the light in a plane downstream of the pupil plane is measured. After rotating the filter element around the optical axis by an angle ?, the measurement of the intensity is repeated. From the filter function, the angle ? and the measured intensities the parameter is measured.

Abstract: A multi-point latch assembly having a locking unit operably positioned in a closure member such as a door or window. The latch unit has a pair of latches with slots formed therein permitting the latches to simultaneously slide and pivotally engage a stationary pin. A keeper unit is operably positioned in a stationary member such as a door jam in a wall or a window sash. The keeper unit has a pair of pivotally movable hooks for selectively engaging the pair of latches in the latch unit. The latch unit has an actuator unit located internal to the latch unit for causing the hooks and latches to engage one another. The closure member is prevented from moving relative to the stationary member without first disengaging the hooks and latches from one another. The multi-point latch assembly has a stop rod located in the keeper unit. A release button located on the latch unit engages the stop rod when the closure member is closed.

Abstract: The invention is a combined scent dispenser and audible lure for hunters and outdoorsmen. The scent-dispensing section of the invention is provided with an electrical heating element. Pre-recorded sounds stored within a memory in the invention may be played on command and transmitter by a speaker. Both the electrical heating element and the audible lure are provided with, in one embodiment, a radio receiver circuit and control circuit to selectively operate the heating elements and audible lure. A remote transmitter is provided to permit the remote operation of either or both of the heating element and audible lure.

Abstract: A dipstick oil change system is provided wherein oil to be removed from the engine is drawn through the conduit that encloses or sheathes the dipstick, The conduit includes a first opening positionable in the oil pan of the engine, a second opening that can be selectively sealed, and a third opening for receiving the dipstick. Oil removal means such as vacuum means can be engaged with the second opening and define a vacuum to draw oil out of the oil pan. The connection between the second opening and the vacuum means can include quick connect fittings.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically stimulating a smart material includes a controllable power source for charging the smart material and/or switching circuitry for discharging the smart material. The controllable power source includes a regulated DC to DC converter having controllable drive circuitry associated therewith. The drive circuitry can be self-oscillating through associated feedback means. The switching circuitry can be responsive to one or more control signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a four-hinged wiper arm for a windshield wiper system, especially for an automobile wherein a connecting rod is pivotally connected to a driving arm in a first bearing point and to a control arm in a second bearing point. A hinged part is coupled to the connecting rod. A wiper blade that can be placed on the hinged part or on a wiper rod connected to the hinged part can be pressed against the windshield to be wiped by a spring element that is mounted on the four-hinged wiper arm. In order to ensure good wiping quality and low-noise operation over a long service period, the invention provides that the connecting rod or the driving arm or the control arm is fitted with an antifriction bearing at least one of the two locating points of the four hinged wiper arm. According to advantageous embodiments of the invention, the four-hinged wiper arm is fitted with an antifriction bearing on both bearing points, whereby the antifriction bearing is preferably a deep groove ball bearing.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube; a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface; a surface treatment layer bonded to the zinc layer; a priming layer; a first polymeric layer bonded to the priming layer; a second polymeric layer bonded to the first polymeric layer. A process for manufacturing the tube comprises the step of extruding multiple layers of a melt-processible thermoplastic to a pretreated metal tube having an external surface with at least a zinc based coating, a sealant coating on top of the zinc based coating, and a primer coating on top of the sealant coating. The primer coating is preferably applied by an airless spray system in a closed atmosphere, wherein substantially no volatile organic compounds escape into the atmosphere. The polymeric layer(s) remain adhered to the metal tube, even when exposed for prolonged periods to aggressively corrosive environments.