Abstract: A multi-stage reconfigurable air intake and exhaust system for a piston engine having first and second rows of cylinders forming a V configuration. The system includes plural stage packages having inter-related components that can be connected and changed to form different air intake and exhaust gas configurations. There is particularly provided a Stage 1 package with first and second exhaust manifolds adapted to be respectively secured to the first and second rows of cylinders, and a Stage 2 package with a turbo exhaust manifold adapted for mounting a turbocharger, and also adapted to be secured to the first row of cylinders in lieu of the first exhaust manifold, and a crossover pipe assembly adapted for coupling the turbo exhaust manifold to the second exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system includes a vehicle chassis with a plurality of elongated tubular members. The tubular members are structured to be configured in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a coup, a convertible, a truck, a transport vehicle, or a bus.

Abstract: An inline gearbox for a land vehicle that includes an engine having a clutch housing for the transmission of rotational force from the engine to one or more wheels for propelling the land vehicle, wherein the inline gearbox includes a gearbox housing having a front end, a side and a rear end, with the front end adapted to be joined to the clutch housing. There is an input shaft contained at least in part within the gearbox housing proximate to the front end of the gearbox housing, and a primary gear train that includes (a) a lay shaft; (b) a drive shaft; and (c) a plurality of selectively engaged meshed gear pairs respectively mounted on the lay shaft and the drive shaft for transmitting rotational force from the lay shaft to the drive shaft. The inline gearbox also includes an output shaft contained at least in part within the gearbox housing proximate to the rear end of the gearbox housing, with the output shaft rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion piston engine having a first row of at least two cylinders inclined relative to a vertical plane and a second row of at least two cylinders inclined relative to the vertical plane, where the two rows of cylinders form a V configuration with the vertical plane being approximately equidistant between the two rows. The exhaust manifold in one aspect comprises plural exhaust stack assemblies for receiving exhaust gas from the first row of cylinders, an elongate manifold plenum having a terminal portion defining an exhaust gas passageway, and an exhaust gas routing circuit joined to the manifold plenum. The routing circuit comprises a turbocharger support column and a bypass pipe. The turbocharger support column is joined at a first junction with the manifold plenum, extends in a generally perpendicular direction from the elongate manifold plenum and terminates in a first exhaust gas outlet adapted for connection to a turbocharger.

Abstract: A container assembly including a number of sidewall assemblies is provided. Each sidewall assembly includes a number of sidewalls. Each sidewall includes a generally planar perimeter and a number of tapered edge segments. The sidewalls are disposed in an enclosing configuration wherein a number of the tapered edge segments overlap. The sidewalls define a generally enclosed space. Further, each overlapping tapered edge segment is coupled to an adjacent overlapping tapered edge segment.

Abstract: A container assembly including a number of sidewall assemblies is provided. Each sidewall assembly includes a number of sidewalls. Each sidewall includes a generally planar perimeter and a number of tapered edge segments. The sidewalls are disposed in an enclosing configuration wherein a number of the tapered edge segments overlap. The sidewalls define a generally enclosed space. Further, each overlapping tapered edge segment is coupled to an adjacent overlapping tapered edge segment.

Abstract: A container assembly including a number of sidewall assemblies is provided. Each sidewall assembly includes a number of sidewalls. Each sidewall includes a generally planar perimeter and a number of tapered edge segments. The sidewalls are disposed in an enclosing configuration wherein a number of the tapered edge segments overlap. The sidewalls define a generally enclosed space. Further, each overlapping tapered edge segment is coupled to an adjacent overlapping tapered edge segment.

Abstract: A prefabricated house including two or more modules including a core module having a fixed space portion and a passive space portion. The fixed space portion includes non-foldable walls. The fixed space portion has a functionality beyond providing volume. The passive space portion has one or more foldable panels. Each foldable panel is movable from a first, closed position to second open position.

Abstract: A prefabricated house including two or more modules including a core module having a fixed space portion and a passive space portion. The fixed space portion includes non-foldable walls. The fixed space portion has a functionality beyond providing volume. The passive space portion has one or more foldable panels. Each foldable panel is movable from a first, closed position to second open position.

Abstract: A prefabricated house including two or more modules, each module having one or more foldable walls. The foldable walls have one or more multi-frame openings. The two or more modules are structured to be joined at one of the one or more multiframe openings.

Abstract: These objects and others are attained by the present invention which provides a collapsible multifunction apparatus, comprising upper and lower sections with a front frame and rear prop legs, where the front frame is pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the front portions of the upper and lower sections, and the rear prop legs are pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the rear portions of the upper and lower sections. The hinge positions on both the left and right sides of the collapsible apparatus define (preferably symmetric) foldable left and right side quadrilaterals in which, in each left and right side fully opened quadrilateral, no two lengths are equilateral and no two lengths are parallel, and which collapse to form a substantially flat configuration for storage with nested front frame and rear prop legs.

Abstract: These objects and others are attained by the present invention which provides a collapsible multifunction apparatus, comprising upper and lower sections with a front frame and rear prop legs, where the front frame is pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the front portions of the upper and lower sections, and the rear prop legs are pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the rear portions of the upper and lower sections. The hinge positions on both the left and right sides of the collapsible apparatus define (preferably symmetric) foldable left and right side quadrilaterals in which, in each left and right side fully opened quadrilateral, no two lengths are equilateral and no two lengths are parallel, and which collapse to form a substantially flat configuration for storage with nested front frame and rear prop legs.

Abstract: These objects and others are attained by the present invention which provides a collapsible multifunction apparatus, comprising upper and lower sections with a front frame and rear prop legs, where the front frame is pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the front portions of the upper and lower sections, and the rear prop legs are pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the rear portions of the upper and lower sections. The hinge positions on both the left and right sides of the collapsible apparatus define (preferably symmetric) foldable left and right side quadrilaterals in which, in each left and right side fully opened quadrilateral, no two lengths are equilateral and no two lengths are parallel, and which collapse to form a substantially flat configuration for storage with nested front frame and rear prop legs.

Abstract: A luggage article including first rollers (44, 46) and selectively deployable or non deployable second rollers (52, 54). The luggage article includes a handle (26) that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The user can selectively deploy or not deploy the second rollers even when the handle is in the extended position. An improved detent device and also an improved caster system (200) are also disclosed. Also, a wheeled panel mechanism by itself for use not only with luggage but also other articles such as carts, dollies and baby carriages, is disclosed.

Abstract: A luggage article including first rollers and selectively deployable or nondeployable second rollers. The luggage article includes a handle that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The user can selectively deploy or not deploy the second rollers even when the handle is in the extended position. An improved detent device and also an improved caster system are also disclosed. Also, a wheeled panel mechanism by itself for use not only with luggage but also other articles such as carts, dollies and baby carriages, is disclosed.

Abstract: A rolling containers assembly including (a) a base cabinet including wheels and a pulling handle for locomoting the rolling containers assembly; and (b) at least one additional cabinet being removably connectable on top of the base cabinet.

Abstract: A full-gussetted luggage article and an associated method for making a full-gussetted luggage article are provided. The full-gussetted luggage article includes an integrally molded full-gusset and a skin disposed over the full-gusset. An associated method of making a full-gussetted luggage article and a unique handle assembly for a full-gussetted luggage article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A luggage article including first rollers and selectively deployable or nondeployable second rollers. The luggage article includes a handle that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The user can selectively deploy or not deploy the second rollers even when the handle is in the extended position. An improved detent device and also an improved caster system are also disclosed. Also, a wheeled panel mechanism by itself for use not only with luggage but also other articles such as carts, dollies and baby carriages, is disclosed.

Abstract: A suitcase has first rollers mounted thereon to at least partially support the suitcase when in an upright position and to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. The first end of an arm is pivotally mounted to a rigid body portion of the suitcase. Second rollers are mounted about adjacent to the second end of the arm to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across the surface. A first link is pivotally mounted to the rigid body portion, and a second link is pivotally mounted to the first link and the arm. The arm is alternately retractable to a retracted position about adjacent to a rear panel of the suitcase, and deployable to a deployed position spaced outwardly from the rear panel. The first and second rollers cooperate to fully support the suitcase when the second rollers are deployed and the suitcase is in a rolling position. A push/pull handle is mounted on the suitcase to enable a user to roll the suitcase across the surface.

Abstract: A container has a wall member; a front panel; and a rear panel generally parallel to and spaced apart from the front panel. The front and rear panels are connected about their peripheries to the wall member which extends between the front and rear panels to define a volume. The rear panel, the front panel and the wall member is a unitary, blow molded member including a generally rigid shell, and a plurality of flexible membranes each of which has a periphery and a surface. The periphery of the flexible membranes is bonded to the generally rigid shell. The surfaces of the flexible membranes are separated from the generally rigid shell to form a plurality of unbonded areas between the surfaces of the flexible membranes and the generally rigid shell. Air is contained within the unbonded areas, thereby forming a plurality of air pockets between the flexible membranes and the generally rigid shell.