Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and heat staking a plurality of stackable junction box components having pilot holes normally used only for registration and alignment purposes. A heat stakable element is inserted through the pilot holes and used to secure the stacked components through the pilot holes. This eliminates the need for heat stake and stake hole structure built into the various junction box layers, thereby freeing up valuable junction box layout space for additional bus bar runs and electrical component receptacles. In a preferred form the heat stakable element is formed in the shape of a pilot pin to engage the pilot holes and simultaneously register and heat stake them together.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the width of a coherent or partially coherent beam of light comprising at least one pair of opposing reflectors each having an inwardly facing light reflecting surface, the reflectors being pivotally mounted with respect to said optical axis and means for adjusting the angle of said pivotally mounted reflector with respect to said optical axis.

Abstract: A rotary clamp having a linkage assembly that provides an over-center condition for providing high actuation and clamping forces without excessively wearing the components of the linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is connected to a linear actuator for converting linear actuator motion into rotary clamp motion between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The linkage assembly provides a first link having an aperture for receiving a pin and a roller wherein the roller is coaxially connected o the pin. The second link is pivotally connected to the first link, and the third link is pivotally connected to the second link. The roller of the first link rollably engages a surface on the third link when moving in and out of the clamped position. A beam-like structure connected to the housing provides a wear surface wherein the pin engages the wear surface in response to the roller engaging the third link to prohibit the first link from reaching an over-center position.

Abstract: A mesh structure is formed from a set of a warp strands and a set of intersecting weft strands. The warp strands are formed of a knitted synthetic material which shrinks when exposed to heat, and the weft strands pass through the weave of the warp strands at the nodes where the strands intersect. Heat is applied to the mesh structure to shrink the weave of the warp strands tightly around the weft strands at the nodes, thereby co-joining the weft and warp strands to form a high-strength mesh.

Abstract: A valve and position control system integrable with a clamp having at least one clamp arm moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to movement of an actuator between first and second end limits of travel controlled by differential fluid pressure in first and second chambers located on opposite sides of the actuator. The system allows selective setting of at least one of the clamped position and the released position at an actuator position between the first and second end limits of travel of the actuator. The system selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator moves between the first and second end limits of travel. Preferably, the system also selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator approaches at least one of the first and second end limits of travel to provide a soft touch clamp action. The system selectively adjusts pressurized fluid within the first and second chambers independent of one another.

Abstract: An instrument for surgical purposes, especially for coagulation, is proposed. This instrument has at least one arm, the tips of the arms having electrical contact regions which can be electrically connected to a control unit for touching a tissue for the purpose of coagulation. The contact regions are formed from doped diamond to produce the electrical conductivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a plurality of automotive body styles along an assembly line. The apparatus includes a plurality of antler nests, at least one antler nest for each automotive body style to be processed on the assembly line. Each antler nest is transported along the assembly line by a carriage. An exchanging station is provided to exchange one antler nest for another. The antler nests can be exchanged while a rate of production on the assembly line is maintained.

Abstract: A quick connector includes a male component in the form of a spool fixedly mounted to a fluid conduit and a female component in the form of a housing having a bore open at one end for receiving the male component therein. A latch is rotatably mountable on the spool and is movable relative to a transverse channel in the female component between a first installed position with respect to the channel and a second latched position wherein the latch engages opposed notches in the channel to latch the spool in the housing. At least one latch clip is mountable on the latch and engageable with edges of the channel in the body to resist rotation of the latch from the latched position. An optional secondary latch clip is engageable with the latch clip, the latch and the opposed side edges of the channel to further resist rotation of the latch from the latched position.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line.

Abstract: A barrier net for motor vehicles of the type having a forward passenger compartment and cargo area behind the passenger compartment. The barrier net comprises a netting member adapted to restrain stowage within the cargo area from entering the passenger compartment. A mechanism is provided for removably attaching both the netting member top to the cargo area and the netting member bottom to the cargo area. The barrier net further comprises a mechanism for rendering the netting member taut.

Abstract: A trailer hitch display apparatus having readily attachable/detachable display panels. Generally comprising a housing, a display panel and a connecting assembly. The housing generally carries a left turn signal, a right turn signal, a left tail light, a right tail light, a brake light, a protective cover and the display panel, wherein the turn signals, the tail lights and the brake light are electrically connected to the wiring of the vehicle to allow another rearwardly traveling vehicle to observe through the trailer hitch display apparatus any traffic signals or tail lights. The connecting assembly comprises a trailer-hitch attaching member dimensioned to be received within the receiving trailer-hitch member of the vehicle. A plurality of throughholes is provided in the trailer-hitch attaching member for inserting a retention pin to secure the two members together.

Abstract: A data logging device for logging data associated with feed ingredients added to and feed ration removed from a feed delivery vehicle having a feed container and an electronic weigh scale for generating a signal representative of the weight of feed in the container, comprising: a display and user input device; means responsive to an increase in the signal for displaying the weight of material added to the container and responsive to input of an ingredient identification code for storing the the identification code and the weight of a feed ingredient added to the container; means responsive to a decrease in the signal for displaying the weight of feed ration discharged from the container and responsive to an input animal pen identification code for storing the pen identification code and the weight of material discharged at the animal pen; means for calculating the weight of each ingredient previously loaded into the container contained in the ration discharged at the pen; and means for storing the weight of e

Abstract: A motorized sliding door mechanism for a motor vehicle having a body structure having a door opening and door. The mechanism includes a motor and drum assembly mounted on the door and a cable system including cable runs anchored to spaced points on the body structure. One cable run is wrapped in one direction around the drum and extends to an anchor point proximate the rear edge of the door opening of the body structure and a second run is wrapped around the drum in an opposite direction and extends to a point at the rear end of a rear guide track for the door which is mounted to the body structure. The cable runs extend from the drum to the anchor points via a pivotal hinge and a guide block at the rear of the door for guiding the sliding movement of the door.

Abstract: A caster system wherein a constant force is applied to the caster for load support purposes. A plurality of casters are interconnected by a fluid conduit system and each caster includes an expansible chamber motor for adjusting the vertical position of the caster. A fluid pressurizing unit communicates with the conduits and an adjustable force compression spring selectively varies the biasing force on the piston to adjust the equal force imposed upon each caster wheel.

Abstract: A quick connect body having first, second and third ports carries an insert extending from the first port to the third port and forming first and second flow paths through the body from the first and second ports, respectively, to concentrically mounted conduits attached to the third port and to one end of the insert. Retainer elements are mounted on the body and/or the insert to sealingly couple first and second conduits to the body and the insert.

Abstract: A master cylinder assembly in which the casing defines an annular seal groove defining a forward bore portion forwardly of the annular groove and a rearward bore portion rearwardly of the annular groove. The front end of the piston in the retracted position of the piston is received in the forward bore portion to provide total bearing support for the piston and axial grooves are provided in the forward bore portion to allow recuperative fluid to flow from the associated reservoir and through the axial grooves to the forward bore portion forwardly of the retreating piston.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mold form includes forming a mold blank having a surface corresponding to the surface of the article desired and enclosing the mold blank in an open ended enclosure. A thin layer of polymer resin, preferably polyurea is sprayed on the surface of the mold blank and allowed to cure. Heat transfer tubing is inserted over the resin layer. A mixture of metallic pellets and epoxy are inserted over the heat transfer tubing and then another layer of resin is sprayed over the mixture. After the resin has cured, the mold blank is removed to expose the mold form having an outer surface of polyurea.

Abstract: A motor brush lead frame having one end that is folded upon itself to form a pair of pinching surfaces which are adapted to pinch an electrical terminal to establish electrical contact with the electrical terminal. By folding the lead frame member upon itself to form a pair of pinching surfaces, the problems and costs associated with crimping or otherwise attaching a conventional electrical connector to the lead frame member are eliminated.

Abstract: A machine designed to remove grapes from the bunch before making wine. The machine contains a flat sieve capable of letting only the juice and the grapes pass therethrough by a toothed roller driven in axial rotation and containing separating fingers associated with the sieve and animated in relation to the sieve by a movement relative to translation in a direction parallel to the sieve allowing separation of grapes from the stalk by an ejection effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having at least one pair of opposing surfaces formed on a support structure for movement relative to one another and an actuator operably engaging the support structure for driving the at least one pair of opposing surfaces relative to one another in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric device. The apparatus can be adapted for clamping and/or valving applications.