Abstract: A suspension pad for suspending a workpiece with respect to a corrugated enclosure having a closure flap that is moveable between an open position, wherein an opening is defined in the corrugated enclosure, and a closed position, wherein the opening is obstructed by the closure flap. The suspension pad has a mid-section that is engageable with the workpiece and at least one end portion moveable between a raised position, wherein the end portion is disposed within the corrugated enclosure, and a lowered position, wherein the end portion extends through the opening to hold the closure flap in the open position.

Abstract: A tool mount assembly includes drop down connections to aid in mounting of a tool to a moving base and a fail-safe tool mounting system for preventing installation of a tool in an undesired or incorrect manner. A plurality of tool mount rails are received within mounts and are uniquely tailored to assure proper placement of tools such as grippers or vacuum cups at desired locations specific to the application requirements.

Abstract: A push to connect fitting which includes a body portion and a tubular collet at least partially disposed within the body portion, wherein a section of tubing is receivable within the collet. A thread is formed on an inner periphery of the collet, wherein each turn of the thread provides two points of engagement along the longitudinal dimension of the section of tubing.

Abstract: A method for defining machine cutting path safety zones for use in laser machining devices. The method includes indentifying safety zone positional coordinates in a computer aided design model, using a machine vision system to image the modeled physical machining device, determining the positional difference between the design model safety zone points and the imaged points and converting the design model safety zone coordinates into machine specific coordinates for input into a machining cutting path program.

Abstract: A plant irrigation apparatus for providing a fluid to one or more plants includes a plurality of platforms that are disposed in an array. Each platform has a support surface that is disposed at a platform elevation. A fluid reservoir for containing the fluid is defined at least partially in between adjacent platforms of the plurality of platforms. At least one fluid-regulating structure is configured to maintain a maximum elevation for the fluid, wherein the maximum elevation for the fluid is lower than the platform elevation. A capillary mat is supported by the plurality of platforms. At least a portion of the capillary mat is disposed within the fluid reservoir below the maximum elevation of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging bodily wastes has a receptacle for holding a person's bodily waste products, including an upwardly facing opening for receiving the waste products. A forward load-bearing member extends from the receptacle to provide a support for at least one foot of a person discharging waste products into the receptacle. A rear load-bearing member arranged to engage the lower torso of the person above the buttocks when the person has at least one foot in the forward load-bearing member. The rear load-bearing member and the forward load bearing member are spaced apart a distance that is sufficient to hold a person therebetween with the person's buttocks suspended over the opening of the receptacle and the person's center of gravity behind the one foot supported in the forward load bearing member.

Abstract: A paint system includes at least one modular paint delivery system module, each module having a shipping container configured for transport via a transport infrastructure, and at least one paint delivery system preassembled into an operational paint circulation unit and configured to be shipped and operated within the shipping container. A method for deploying a system includes building at least one modular paint delivery system module at a building site, each module having a shipping container configured for transport via a transport infrastructure, and at least one paint delivery system preassembled into an operational paint circulation unit and configured to be shipped to and operated within the shipping container at an installation site, transporting the module to the installation site location from the building site via the transport infrastructure, and connecting at least one resource connection and at least one distribution piping to the module at the installation site location.

Abstract: An air distribution apparatus for directing at least two different air pressure supply sources to fill and exhaust at least a first volume of air and a second volume of air. The apparatus includes a housing and a valve assembly that is disposed within the housing. The valve assembly is movable between a first position, wherein a non-regulated air input port is in communication with a first volume of air to inflate the first volume of air while an exhaust port is in communication with a second volume of air to exhaust the second volume of air, and a second position, wherein a regulated air input port is in communication with the second volume of air to inflate the second volume of air while the first volume of air is in communication with the second volume of air to exhaust air from the first volume of air to the second volume of air.

Abstract: An adjustable illumination apparatus includes an illumination source having a housing carrying an illuminatable element. A mount is adapted to surround an imaging system lens. An extensible and retractable support has first and second ends mounts the illumination source to the mount. First and second connections movably couple the first and second ends of the support to the mount and the illumination source. The support includes one or more telescoping legs or a cross link bar assembly. In one aspect, the apparatus includes multiple illumination sources. The connections allow each illumination source to be independently positioned relative to other illumination sources. The illuminatable elements in each illumination source may be independently controlled.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method for modifying the surface adhesion characteristics of expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components formed therefrom, whereby the expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components formed therefrom, are contacted with a composition containing at least one oxidizing agent and an activator. The oxidizing agent in the composition is present in a kinetically degrading state capable of producing at least one chemical intermediate that is reactive with the expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components wherein the expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components formed therefrom, are maintained for an interval sufficient to produce or modify functional groups in the polymeric substrate/virgin polymeric material. The oxidizing agent of choice is a halogenated bivalent oxygen compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines. The apparatus comprises a coupler body, a coolant line, a flexible annular seal, a nut, and a deformable annular retainer. The coupler body has a passageway extending therethrough and a coolant line is disposed at least partially within the passageway. A flexible annular seal is disposed within the passageway in the coupler body for sealingly engaging the coolant line. The nut receives the coolant line therein and threadably engages the coupler body. A deformable annular retainer is disposed on the coolant line for engagement with the nut and the coupler body, wherein the threadable engagement of the nut with the coupler body urges the deformable annular retainer into a sealing engagement with the coupler body and the coolant line.

Abstract: A corrugated container with integral dunnage for securing a cargo element with respect to the interior of the corrugated container, including at least one wall panel having a substantially planar surface, an aperture defined in the substantially planar surface, and a flap portion connected to the substantially planar surface adjacent to the aperture. The flap portion is subdivided into a plurality of sections that cooperate to define a dunnage element.

Abstract: A gripper assembly has an extended position and a retracted position. The gripper assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw that are each coupled for movement of a range of motion. The range of motion of each of the first jaw and the second jaw is independently adjustable from the range of motion of the other of the first jaw and the second jaw.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a substantially cylindrical filter media and a pressure relieving structure. The filter media is adapted to allow fluid to pass from an exterior of the filter media to an interior space of the filter media. The pressure relieving structure is disposed at an upper end of the filter media, and the pressure relieving structure opens when a predetermined pressure level is established across the filter media to maintain the predetermined pressure across the filter media.

Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator operative for moving the at least one gripper jaw. A support is fixed relative to the actuator for supporting the at least one gripper jaw. A stop member is removably affixable between the at least one gripper jaw and the support for limiting movement of the at least one gripper jaw.

Abstract: A gripper assembly includes at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and simultaneously removing connector clips of a workpiece from a gauge. The present invention includes at least one gauging fixture having at least one aperture extending therethrough in a predetermined position. The at least one aperture is adaptable to receive a connector clip connected to the workpiece wherein the connector clip is engageable with the aperture between a non-engaging position, wherein the connector clip does not engage the aperture, and an engaging position, wherein the connector clip engages the aperture for securing the workpiece against the gauging fixture to gauge the position of the connector clip. At least one linear actuator is connected to the gauging fixture adjacent the aperture to move between a retracted position, wherein the connector clip remains engaged with the gauging fixture, and an extended position, wherein the linear actuator disengages the connector clip from the gauging fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines. The apparatus comprises a coupler body, a coolant line, a flexible annular seal, a nut, and a deformable annular retainer. The coupler body has a passageway extending therethrough and a coolant line has an end portion disposed at least partially within the passageway. A flexible annular seal is disposed within the passageway in the coupler body for sealingly engaging the deformable annular retainer. The nut receives the coolant line therein and threadedly engages the coupler body. The deformable annular retainer engages with the nut and the coupler body, and the end portion of the coolant line is disposed within the deformable annular retainer, wherein the threaded engagement of the nut with the coupler body urges the deformable annular retainer into a sealing engagement with the coupler body and the coolant line.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door module assembly including a door module plate assembly mounting a bell crank having a first arm portion positioned to be engaged by an outside door handle and a second arm portion connected to a link arranged to trip the door latch. The door module assembly is integrally formed with a socket pivotally receiving the bell crank. The bell crank includes a pivot shaft portion sized to be journaled in the socket. The pivot shaft portion is configured to be inserted into the socket in a first angular position and, following insertion, the bell crank is rotated to rotate the pivot shaft portion in the socket to a second, operative angular position where the link may extend between the bell crank second arm portion and the latch and inadvertent withdrawal of the pivot shaft portion is precluded.