Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming a leak proof coupling between two thin walled metallic ends in a beverage distribution system. The pipe ends are prepared by cutting the ends and ensuring that the cross-section of the ends are round. An alignment device in the form of a dual pipe holder holds the prepared pipes in an end to end orientation so that the ends are abutted and parallel to each other. A sealing tape having particular properties with a high performance adhesive is secured around the two ends so that the tape overlaps. A steel coupling is positioned and clamped over the sealing tape. The sealing tape and steel coupling renders the sealed joint leak proof and provides structural integrity.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber-reinforced molded article and the resulting article such as a cantilevered battery tray. In the process, thermoplastic material in its solid state having a melt flow index above 25 g/10 minutes is fed into a suitable processing machine simultaneous with the addition of reinforcing fibers having a length of at least 0.375 inch or greater and sized with a material such as polyurethane, polyurea, and isocyanate derivatives thereof. The introduced materials are subjected to orientational agitation such that the reinforcing fibers are filamentized in an essentially homogeneous dispersion throughout the solid polymeric material. Once filamentization and dispersion are achieved, the resulting admixture is subjected to knead melting operations for an interval sufficient to achieve melting of the polymeric material introduced into a suitable plasticizing apparatus where the introduced material can be subjected to suitable knead melting operations.

Abstract: A metallic gasket comprising a base plate having a first thickness-increased portion 3 formed at a peripheral edge on a combustion chamber opening 3 side of a base plate, and a first seal line SL1 and a second seal line SL2 arranged on the outer side of said first thickness-increased portion 3. No openings other than a cooling water hole 8 exist between said two seal lines. Beads formed along said seal lines SL1 and SL2 each consist of a convex metal bead raised only upward from an upper surface of said base plate and a rubber bead made of an elastic sealing material fixed to a convex portion and a concave portion of said metal bead. This structure of said metallic gasket can improve a processing accuracy of said metal bead and also enhance cooling effects on said metallic gasket itself and said joint surfaces of an engine, between which said metallic gasket is disposed.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly includes a foundation folded unto itself to form first and second foundation halves. A first skate member is secured to the first foundation half and includes a first rounded edge portion of predetermined radius. A second skate member is secured to the second foundation half and includes a second rounded edge portion of predetermined radius. The first and second rounded edge portions cooperatively define a rounded edge of predetermined radius. In an embodiment, one of the first and second skate members also includes a sun visor accessory support formation.

Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.

Abstract: A grommet assembly for use in providing a weatherproof conduit for electrical and/or pneumatic lines between, for example, an automotive body structure and the interior of a door hingedly mounted on the vehicle body structure. The grommet is made of a soft material and is provided with opposed open ends, each of which receives a retainer made of a harder plastic material. At least one end of the grommet is provided with a retainer groove and opposed pairs of receptacles which create raised details on the outside surface of the grommet end structure. The retainer is provided with arrowhead-shaped protrusions which, when the retainer is properly disposed within the end structure of the grommet body, fit into and enlarge the receptacles to provide both visual and tactile indications that the grommet retainer is properly installed.

Abstract: A position control system is used for controlling a fluid operated cylinder having at least one fluid chamber defined by a piston located within a housing for movement between first and second end limits of travel. The system includes at least two electrically actuated proportional flow control valves connected to each port of the cylinder for selectively and proportionally controlling fluid flow into and out of the at least one chamber. At least one pressure sensor is provided for measuring fluid pressure with respect to each chamber. At least one discrete position sensor is located adjacent a midpoint of the cylinder for sensing a discrete centered position of the piston. A controller includes a program and is operably connected for controlling actuation of the at least two valves in response to pressure measured by the at least one pressure sensor and location measured by the at least one position sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating polymeric sheet material to improve surface adhesion thereof. The apparatus comprises a preheating station, a treatment station, a rinsing station, a drying station and a reeling station. In the treatment station spray nozzles are used to contact a surface of the material with an oxidizer (NaOCl) and an activator (succinic acid) at an elevated temperature to shorten the treatment time. A spent treatment disposal system is disclosed along with a scrubber for cleaning the atmosphere of the treatment and rinsing stations. Alternatively, treatment is accomplished in a heated, agitated bath.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wiper motor of a wiper device for a motor vehicle windshield. A control unit implements the inventive method and a wiper device for a motor vehicle windshield. The control unit controls an electric motor which powers a wiper blade on a windshield sweeping between two end-of-travel zones. In each end-of-travel zone, there is a software end-of-travel stop which is moved by a predetermined value after each passage on the software stop, the latter always remaining in its test zone, thereby providing self-adaptation of the sweeping limits in time. The invention also enables the detection of the presence of obstacles on the wiper blade path.

Abstract: A method and a device for the production of curved spring strip sections. A spring strip runs through a bending unit formed from three separate support points and a reverse bending unit, arranged in series, and formed from a fourth support point. Bent and reverse-bent spring strip sections are separated off from the spring strip in a separator unit. In order to achieve a compact construction for the device, the third support point of the bending unit and the fourth support point of the reverse bending unit are adjustable in position relative to the spring strip, by a controller with pre-set programs.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector sealingly latches first and second components, one of which has a through bore and the other has a raised bead spaced from a tip end. A retainer is mountable through a transverse bore in one end of the first component and latched to the first component by projections carried on a pair of legs. A flange on the retainer is positioned to engage a surface of the first component to position the retainer on the first component. Inner disposed arms on the retainer engage a constant diameter portion of the second component and resist movement of the raised bead into or out of the bore in the housing when the retainer is in a fully latched position. The flange on the retainer is spaced from the legs of the retainer to enable the legs to be of minimal thickness for a reduced axial length for the retainer.

Abstract: A metallic gasket including a base plate having a convex metal bead formed, by bending the base plate, between a combustion chamber opening and on the outer periphery portion of the base plate, and a first thickness-increased portion formed thicker than the remaining portions of the base plate to provide a difference in thickness, by which a surface pressure is made to concentrate on the first thickness-increased portion to seal a joint between a cylinder head and a cylinder block when the metallic gasket is disposed between the joint surfaces of the cylinder head and the cylinder block and fastened by clamping bolts. An elastic sealing material is fixed to the convex portion of the metal bead and filled in a concave portion on the reverse side of the base plate to form a rubber bead, and the sealing material is deformed under compression in the through-thickness direction in cooperation with the deformation of the metal bead when the gasket is fastened with clamping bolts.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle comprises longitudinally mounted prime mover, transmission, and offset final drive; with drive outputs; and a power take off. Outputs drive front and rear differentials, via optional decouplers. Power take off powers drive tube, independently from co-axial rear propshaft. Tube powers sprockets via belt or chain; gears could be used here. Optional marine decoupler drives shaft, and thus water jet pump. A power train with front wheel drive only; a dead rear axle is provided. A power train with rear wheel drive only; a dead front axle is provided. Prime mover may be offset parallel to centre line; and may be an engine or an electric motor, possibly powered by a fuel cell. The power take off may be in the form of a drive spline.

Abstract: A bracket can include an angled member having a first elongate portion engageable with the vertically extending surface allowing the bracket to be supported from the surface, and second elongate portion engageable with a shelf to be supported. An elongate interchangeable cross brace extends between the first and second elongate portions of the angled member. The cross brace can include opposite longitudinal ends releasibly received within the opposing apertures formed in the angled member. The cross brace can include an ornamental appearance and/or indicia including one of a hook, a picture frame, a hollow container, a pumpkin, a football helmet, a soccer ball, a basketball, a baseball, a teddy bear, a baby shoe, a fishing lure, indicia relating to a holiday, a special occasion, a school logo, a team logo, or the like.

Abstract: A slab handling apparatus comprising a foundation structure, a plurality of longitudinally spaced buffer members positioned on the foundation structure, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced roller assemblies connected to the respective buffer members with a lost motion connection. The lost motion connections allow relative movement between the buffer members and the roller assemblies between a slab loading position in which the buffer members are supported on the foundation structure with upper edges thereof above the roller assemblies, whereby to allow the loading of a slab onto the upper edges without damage to the roller assemblies, and a slab slitting position in which the roller assemblies are above the upper edges of the buffer members, whereby to allow the roller assemblies to rollably support the slab to facilitate selective longitudinal adjustment of the slab to accommodate the slab slitting operation.

Abstract: A packaging container for accommodating at least two stacks of moist cloths or moist cosmetic pads. The moist cloths or moist cosmetic pads of different stacks overlap only in one partial area in such a manner that a moist cloth or cosmetic pad of one stack protrudes into the partial area while being situated between two moist cloths or cosmetic pads of the other stack. The packaging container has an external shape that corresponds to the external shape of the moist cloths or moist cosmetic pads located in overlapping areas while, however, deviating from the respective fundamental shape of the moist cloths or cosmetic pads. A removal opening is provided in a manual access area located on the overlapping area of the moist cloths or cosmetic pads.

Abstract: An infrared welder for thermoplastic materials comprising the combination of a halogen lamp producing illumination in the infrared band located at the focal point of a first parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector is joined in a substantially continuous fashion with a non-imaging lower reflector such as a Winston cone or a “CPC” having a lower aperture through which essentially all of the radiation from the source is directed. The aperture defines the shape and size of the weld area. The lower reflector may be brought into contact with the thermoplastic materials during the welding operation. Alternatively, a selectively operable press device may be used. Several embodiments are disclosed including embodiments which produce circular spot welds, linear welds, curved welds and corner welds.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition apparatus for wastes comprises: a heating chamber; an inlet port; at least one pair of electrodes provided within the heating chamber; a plurality of balls each taking the shape of a sphere whose primary ingredient is carbon, provided between the at least one pair of electrodes so as to produce an electric discharge when a voltage is applied across the at least one pair of electrodes; an outlet port for discharging the gases into which the wastes are thermally decomposed; oxygen free or vacuum environment forming means or evacuating means. According to the present invention, an inexpensive thermal decomposition apparatus for wastes is provided which thermally decomposes almost all wastes at a high temperature of not lower than about 3000° C. without producing harmful substances such as soot, dust, chlorine compounds; nitrogen compounds and/or dioxin.

Abstract: A switch adapted to be positioned on the pushrod of a hydraulic cylinder assembly and including a housing adapted to be positioned against an end of the hydraulic cylinder assembly and including a plurality of axially spaced electrical contacts, and a plunger mounted for axial sliding movement in the housing and adapted to be fitted over the pushrod with a driving connection between the pushrod and the plunger whereby the plunger is moved slidably forwardly in the housing in response to forward movement of the pushrod for selective coaction between the contacts to selectively generate a plurality of control signals. The driving connection between the plunger and the pushrod includes a notch opening in a rear face of the plunger and a lug formed as an eccentricity on the pushrod and fitted in the notch. A shoulder on the pushrod proximate the lug presses against a bottom surface of the notch to provide the driving connection between the pushrod and the plunger.