Abstract: A quick connector includes a housing assembly and a retainer for sealingly interconnecting first and second conduits in fluid flow communication. The housing assembly is formed of first and second housings which are rotatably and non-axially displaceably interconnected. The retainer is mountable in the second housing for locking a raised annular flange on one conduit within the housing assembly in fluid flow communication with the bore extending through the housing assembly. A plurality of latch fingers extend from one housing and rotatingly, but non-axially displaceable, engage a raised flanges on the other housing.

Abstract: The invention is lighting that has at least one light-conducting rod, which features at least one light inlet surface and a light outlet surface, and a light source, wherein the light inlet surface is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light-conducting rod.

Abstract: An induction heating coil for joining structural members by heating a bonding material disposed between the structural members includes first and second elements with complementary shapes spaced equidistantly apart along the length of opposing surfaces of the structural members. Bases and risers connected to the first element to a source of high frequency electrical current. Conductive elements connect the first and second elements into a single turn coil. The first and second elements, and at least the riser, are formed of hollow, tubular members to form a coolant flow path therethrough.

Abstract: A viscous material dispense system including a dispense valve having an outlet, a mix tube secured at an upper end thereof to the outlet of the dispense valve, a mixer shroud positioned telescopically over the mix tube and including a conical lower end, and an air shroud fitted telescopically over the lower end of the mixer shroud and defining a conical surface positioned in confronting relation to the conical tip portion of the mixer shroud. The air shroud and the lower end of the mixer shroud coact to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending flutes extending downwardly between the outer surface of the mixer shroud and the inner surface of the air shroud and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending flutes defined between the conical tip portion of the mixer shroud and the conical surface of the air shroud.

Abstract: An air circulating fan wherein the fan components are shipped disassembled. All of the fasteners used to assemble the fan components may be operated without tools, utilizing thumb screws and the like wherein the fan is capable of a “toolless” assembly. A hand operated fan mounting clamp includes a safety device to prevent loosening due to vibration.

Abstract: A spray cleaning apparatus discharges pressurized fluid through apertures or nozzles to clean debris and compacted grass clippings from an interior surface of a blade housing. The apparatus includes a hollow body defining a fluid passage with an inlet connectible to a source of fluid under pressure. At least one upwardly extending surface is provided for positioning the hollow body with respect to a wall of the blade housing such that at least a portion of the hollow body extends under the wall of the blade housing. An angled portion of an upper surface of the hollow body is positioned with respect to the at least one upwardly extending surface to expose the angled portion to an interior of the blade housing. A plurality of apertures extend through the angled portion for spraying pressurized fluid when the hollow body is connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The angled portion includes a self-centering concave surface with a curved leading edge.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening into which the tailgate is fitted. The tailgate assembly includes an extender assembly including a bar positioned proximate an upper edge of the tailgate and a pair of post assemblies extending downwardly from the bar into the tailgate proximate respective side edges of the tailgate. Each post assembly includes a lower post member articulated to an upper post member which in turn is connected to the bar. The bar may be raised to a position above the upper edge of the tailgate by sliding the post assemblies upwardly within guide tubes provided in the tailgate whereby to provide further vertical restraint for loads carried by the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating an archer's arrow that provides a nock adapted to receive a bowstring in a drawn position wherein a light source disposed withing the nock is activated when the bowstring is released from the drawn position. The nock provides a slot which is adapted to receive the bowstring. The slot provides a first widening portion adapted to receive the bowstring in a drawn position, and a second widening portion adapted to receive the bowstring when the bowstring is released from the drawn position. The nock also provides a bore which intersects at least a portion of the second widening portion of the slot. The light source is preferably a chemi-luminescent light stick which fits snugly within the bore of the nock. The bowstring engages and activates the light stick when the bowstring is released from the drawn position.

Abstract: A non-rotating retainer for a draft key having a circular opening, the non-rotating retainer including a retainer pin and a retainer lock member configured for being received in the circular opening. The retainer lock member is formed from a one-piece flat metallic stock blank and having a U-shaped first end for fitting around the end of the draft key and a projection formed on the retainer lock member, the projection spaced from the U-shaped first end at a distance corresponding to the thickness of the draft key, the retainer pin having a cylindrical portion and an integral head. Along one side of the retainer pin a notch is formed corresponding to a portion of the flat metallic stock blank for receiving the same. The second end of the retainer lock member is adapted for bending over the head of the retainer pin.

Abstract: A vehicle seat safety system using an electric seat mounted switch sensing the operator's presence in the seat. The electric switch includes an upwardly extending actuator and an actuator plate is superimposed over the switch actuator which is deflected downwardly by the vehicle operator's weight. The actuator plate is formed of an upwardly bowed resilient material and includes lateral extensions whereby the safety switch will sense the operator's weight even though the operator's center of gravity is significantly laterally shifted. Additionally, the switch is received within a uniquely configured opening whereby the switch may be easily replaced, or installed, from the lower side of the seat without disassembly of the upper seat components.

Abstract: A position detector includes an outer tube of having a magnetostrictive wire disposed therein. An electric circuit is mounted completely within the outer tube and is electrically connected to a pickup coupled to the magnetostrictive wire. A multi-pin connector is mounted at one end of the outer tube for coupling conductors extending from the circuit in the outer tube to external conductors. In an alternative embodiment, the position detector includes a threaded adapter threadingly mountable within an end wall of a pressurized fluid operated cylinder. Conductors extend from the circuit in the outer tube through the adapter to an external connector.

Abstract: A bladeless shear for bar stock and tubing comprising axially adjacent stationary and moving dies which receive the stock and produce a shearing action by relative lateral displacement. A linear actuator or an electric motor produces the mechanical movement to rotate the drive wheel in alternatingly opposite directions. A mandrel for insertion into the tube is disclosed as well as an hydraulic tube clamp and an adjustable in-feed table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for painting parts wherein a plurality of paint coats are applied to a part utilizing a single spray booth for all of the coat applications. The painting apparatus includes a main line track structure extending from a loading station to an unloading station; a closed loop branch track structure having a portion thereof juxtaposed to a portion of the main line track structure between the loading and unloading stations; a paint station located at the juxtaposed portions of the main line and the branch track structure; a plurality of carriers adapted to receive parts to be painted at the paint station and mounted for movement along the main line track structure and the branch track structure; and switch means operative to transfer a carrier between the main line track structure and the branch line track structure.

Abstract: A hemmer apparatus has at least one welding laser attached to the moveable crown for controlled welding of the hemmed panels to hold the panels with respect to one another, at least temporarily, and/or to maintain geometry between the panels until permanently fixed, such as when the adhesive cures or when additional welding is performed. Laser welding in the hemmer apparatus can be performed by providing relief in the steel used to form the hem, or by providing a tab in the hem material extending beyond the steel forming the hem, or a combination of the two, in order to allow access of the laser beam to the location where the geometry stabilizing tack weld is desired to be placed. Multiple welds are placed in spaced locations about the periphery of the hemmed panels as required for the specific application.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a method for laser induced breakdown of a material with a pulsed laser beam where the material is characterized by a relationship of fluence breakdown threshold (Fth) versus laser beam pulse width (T) that exhibits an abrupt, rapid, and distinct change or at least a clearly detectable and distinct change in slope at a predetermined laser pulse width value. The method comprises generating a beam of laser pulses in which each pulse has a pulse width equal to or less than the predetermined laser pulse width value. The beam is focused to a point at or beneath the surface of a material where laser induced breakdown is desired. The beam may be used in combination with a mask in the beam path. The beam or mask may be moved in the x, y, and Z directions to produce desired features. The technique can produce features smaller than the spot size and Rayleigh range due to enhanced damage threshold accuracy in the short pulse regime.