Abstract: Disclosed is a LED lighting apparatus with one or more swivel connections. The LED lighting apparatus includes a housing with at least one end, at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing and at least one end cap. The end cap has an opening with a sidewall to cap the end of the housing and a surface opposite the opening and spanning the sidewall. At least two pin connectors extend from the surface and are connectable to a standard fluorescent or incandescent light fixture. Various configurations are described such that the housing will rotate within the end caps with application of a rotational force after connection of the pin connectors to the light fixture to adjust the light output direction of the LED lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A bus side wall construction includes a skeletal member formed by a plurality of metallic members welded together and a plurality of window assemblies. The metallic members include a longitudinal roof member, a longitudinal lower member, a longitudinal upper member and a longitudinal waist member disposed between the longitudinal upper and lower members. Spaced vertical tubular members extend from the longitudinal waist member. Cross orientated tubular truss members extend between the longitudinal waist member and the longitudinal lower member. The window assemblies are positioned above the longitudinal waist member and supported by the vertical tubular members. An outer and inner skin covers the skeletal member from the longitudinal waist member and the longitudinal lower member. Insulation members are secured between the inner and outer skins.

Abstract: A bus construction has a front entry door assembly with adjacent front and rear panels, wherein the rear panel is wider than the front panel so that the front panel does not block the driver's view to the side rear view mirror when the door is in the open position. The front entry door assembly is disposed in the front portion of the sidewall of the bus that is inwardly tapered to provide easy access into the interior of the bus through the opened panels by a wheel-chair bound passenger. A destination sign is configured in a support spaced from the front windshield to eliminate frost or moisture condensation on the destination sign when the bus is in use. Panels are also provided along the upper edges of the sidewalls of the bus for providing sequential displays advertising. The advertising presentation is protected and viewed through the upper portions of the glass of the sidewall window assemblies.

Abstract: A light tube for replacing fluorescent tubes including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion, and configured for illumination by a power supply circuit. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with a pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A method for constructing a bus, wherein a module associated with the front end of the bus is separately constructed and assembled to the shell after interior components of the bus have been installed. The shell of the bus can be fabricated at a first work station. The shell can be made transversely or laterally with respect to the longitudinal access of the bus to one or more work stations. At the subsequent work stations, interior components of the bus can be moved through the open ends of the bus. After the majority of the interior components have been installed with respect to the bus, the module supporting the windshield and bumper can be installed with respect to the shell. The module can also support the dashboard and steering column.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus or device for jacking an individual axle of a truck or a truck trailer having an air line. The device includes a valve in fluid communication with the air line, a first air bag in fluid communication with the valve, and a second air bag in fluid communication with the first air bag.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is provided for connection to a vehicle, and especially a bus for the transport of a bicycle. The bicycle rack has a frame pivotally connected to a bracket which is connectable to a front of a bus. A pair of elongate cradles traverse the frame of the rack. Each elongate cradle is capable of receiving a bicycle. Each elongate cradle includes a rear wheel cradle and a front wheel cradle. The front wheel cradle has a spring operated wheel lock. The wheel lock includes a rotatable armature which overlays and holds the front tire of the bicycle in a locked position. The armature is actuated by the weight of the front wheel or by the manual activation of an adjacent handle.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission of the continuously variable type. The transmission includes an input pulley having primary and secondary sheaves and an output pulley having primary and secondary sheaves. The primary and secondary sheaves of the input pulley are mounted on a first axle shaft carried by an actuator plate and the primary and secondary sheaves of the output pulley are carried on a second axle shaft carried by the actuator plate. The input shaft of the transmission carries pin mounted roller bearings which are received in skewed slots in an actuator sleeve so that the actuator sleeve is moved axially along the input shaft in response to variations in torque loading. The actuator plate is annular and includes a central circumferential groove receiving pin mounted roller bearings carried by the actuator sleeve so that the actuator plate, and the axle shafts carried thereby, undergoes the same axial movement as the actuator sleeve in response to variations in torque loading.

Abstract: A peelable lid conforms to a container having pointed edges at opposing ends forming an eye or boat configuration. The pointed edges provide starting and stopping points for removal of the lid from the container. The pointed edges minimize the peel front at the start of the removal of the lid and at the end of the container when dislodging the lid completely from the container. The peel front is proportional to the peel force at any given location on the lid, so that the minimized peel front provides a constant peel force during the removal of the lid. The peelable seal may also be formed, by a perforated, scored or otherwise tearable area around the periphery of the lid allowing the peel front to progressively proceed along the periphery of a sealing flange.

Abstract: A strut suspension can include a shock-absorber/spring assembly having a lower portion mountable at one end to an upper portion of the steering knuckle. A transverse link can be connectible to the steering knuckle at a location opposite from the shock-absorber/spring assembly. A rocker arm can be supportable for pivotal movement from the vehicle body and can be pivotally connectible to the shock-absorber/spring assembly from the steering knuckle. A push rod can be pivotally connectible to the rocker arm and can extend between the rocker arm and the transverse link. The upper end of the shock-absorber/spring assembly can be connected to either an inboard or outboard portion of the rocker arm, while an upper end of the push rod is connected to the other of the outboard or inboard portion of the rocker arm.

Abstract: A drive line apparatus has a pair of tubular shafts configured to fit telescopically. The outer shaft has internal splines and the inner shaft has outer splines so that the shafts rotate in unison. Each of the outer and inner shaft has one partially closed end for coupling to a universal joint, wherein the joint connected to the partially closed end of the inner shaft is disposed within the inner shaft for further reducing the length of the drive line apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light tube for illumination by a power supply circuit including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with the pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is provided for connection to a vehicle, and especially a bus for the transport of a bicycle. The bicycle rack has a frame pivotally connected to a bracket which is connectable to a front of a bus. A pair of elongate cradles traverse the frame of the rack. Each elongate cradle is capable of receiving a bicycle. Each elongate cradle includes a rear wheel cradle and a front wheel cradle. The front wheel cradle has a spring operated wheel lock. The wheel lock includes a rotatable armature which overlays and holds the front tire of the bicycle in a locked position. The armature is actuated by the weight of the front wheel or by the manual activation of an adjacent handle.

Abstract: A predetermined number of license units for each of a plurality of individually selectable pieces of digital content in a digital content suite are checked out when each piece of digital content is executed by a customer in a customer club. Execution of a requested digital content is granted when the number of license units to execute the requested digital content is less than or equal to the total number of available units for the club. Access is granted for execution of the requested digital content by a license manager based on whether the required units of the requested digital content are greater than the available units on the requesting customer computer network. If the requested digital content cannot be executed immediately, the required units can be locked up and charged to the customer club available units or left uncharged.

Abstract: A license management method specifies a predetermined number of assigned units for each of a plurality of individually selectable programs in a product suite. A discrete node running total equals the assigned units of the highest assigned units program running on each node. Each node can run additional programs where the assigned units of the additional programs are equal to or less than the node running total without changing the node running total. Termination of the highest assigned units program on a node causes the difference between the assigned units of the terminated program and the next highest assigned units of a program running by the node to be re-added to the available units.

Abstract: A drive line apparatus has a pair of tubular shafts configured to fit telescopically. The outer shaft has internal splines and the inner shaft has outer splines so that the shafts rotate in unison. Each of the outer and inner shaft has one partially closed end for coupling to a universal joint, wherein the joint connected to the partially closed end of the inner shaft is disposed within the inner shaft for further reducing the length of the drive line apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus in connectible to a steering wheel for aiding disabled drivers. The apparatus includes a base having a first part and a second part for moving with a respect to one another. The base defines a steering-wheel-receiving aperture between the first and second parts for allowing the base to substantially sheath a portion of the steering wheel. A hinge connection is formed between the first and second parts of the base allowing pivotal movement with respect to one another. The hinge connection is formed along a common edge portion of the first and second parts for allowing placement of the base with respect to the steering wheel. A latch releasibly retains the first and second parts of the base with respect to one another. The latch is connected to the first and second parts opposite from the hinge axis. A knob is connected to the base for gripping by the driver with one hand for controlling movement of the steering wheel when the base is attached to the steering wheel.