Abstract: A power-operated lift and presenting mechanism is disclosed which lifts an article stored on a platform member in a vehicle trunk to an upwardly lifted position. A start assist member is included to assist in the initial movement of the platform member from a lowered stored position to the upwardly lifted position. The platform member is forced upwardly at two locations when it initially begins to move. The motor has a short period of time to warm up before it begins lifting the platform member. The lift and presenting mechanism is incorporated into controls for vehicle, such that when a trunk opening switch within the vehicle cab is actuated, the lift and presenting mechanism is automatically actuated to drive the platform member to an upwardly lifted position. A switch is placed in an easily accessible position within the vehicle trunk and includes a kill switch to disconnect the automatic actuation.

Abstract: A fluid cylinder has improved wear rings in a combination that includes a tube having a tubular wall and first and second end caps. The tubular wall defines a cylinder bore that has a central axis. Each end cap also has a bore extending along the central axis. A piston assembly is mounted in the cylinder bore with a piston rod mounted in the bore of one of the end caps, so that the piston assembly is slidable along the central axis. The piston assembly includes a piston head that has a reservoir defined by an annular recess opening toward the tubular wall. The reservoir houses a prepacked lubricant. One wear ring closes off the annular recess from the tubular wall. The wear ring seal has a plurality of radial apertures extending therethrough, through which lubricant is capable of flowing to lubricate the piston assembly. Another wear ring closes off a reservoir in the bore of an end cap and functions as the first mentioned wear ring also to lubricate the piston assembly.

Abstract: A shield member is disclosed for protecting a cylinder barrel. In one embodiment, the shield member is received upon the tie rods that secure the head and end plate of the cylinder assembly. This shield member protects the surface of the cylinder barrel from any accidental impact. A channel portion at an inner periphery of the shield member will bow inwardly to absorb the force of any impact that is received on the shield member. The shield member is preferably extruded from urethane and may be cut to the appropriate lengths for a particular cylinder assembly. The shield member may be utilized on any one of the four quadrants of a standard cylinder barrel. That is, if one of the quadrants of the cylinder barrel is not in danger of impact, it is not necessary to have a shield member disposed on that particular quadrant. A second embodiment is disclosed to protect cylinder assemblies that do not use tie rods.

Abstract: An improved electrode holder is disclosed that ensures a fluid cooled electrode will have an outer shank properly positioned relative to a cooling fluid tube. The electrode holder includes a ring portion with an inner periphery having an O-ring and a plurality of jaw teeth which receive the electrode. The electrode has a conically tapered portion at one end which extends from a first diameter outwardly to a second diameter. The inner periphery of the ring portion is of a third diameter intermediate the first and second diameter of the conically tapered portion. The conically tapered portion of the electrode is received within the inner periphery of the ring portion to a certain extent. At a predetermined point the O-ring within the ring portion abuts the conically tapered portion defining a desired position for the electrode. The cooling fluid tube is positioned within a body at a fixed point and is received within the electrode.

Abstract: A power-operated lift and presenting mechanism has a base structure that is placed on the floor of an automobile. A carriage moves between an elevated position and a lowered, transport position when a lift assembly causes the carriage and base structure to be separated and brought closer together. The lift assembly is selectively power operated by a reversible electrical motor to expand to separate the carriage from the base structure and to contract to bring them closer together. The carriage has a track and track follower and a platform mounted on the track follower so that the platform is movable to and fro along the track. The platform is capable of supporting heavy and bulky articles. The platform is movable along the track when the carriage is in an elevated position, between a retracted position in which the platform is generally over the base structure and within the trunk, and a presenting position in which the platform extends out from over the trunk generally out of the trunk.

Abstract: A portable power-operated lift and presenting mechanism has a base that is placed on the floor of an automobile trunk. A carriage moves between an elevated position and a lowered, transport position when a scissors jack connecting the carriage to the base respectively expands vertically and contracts vertically, expanding horizontally. The scissors jack is selectively power-operated, by a reversible electrical motor, to expand and contract vertically. The carriage has drawer slide assemblies on which is mounted a platform capable of supporting a heavy and bulky article. The platform is movable by the drawer slide assemblies, when the carriage is in an elevated position, between a retracted position in which the platform is generally over the base and within the trunk, and a presenting position in which the platform extends out from over the base, generally out of the trunk.

Abstract: A cushioned clamp cylinder with proximity switches includes a cap of square shape defining a plurality of right angularly related end faces with a cushion chamber in the cap and a sensing port in each end face communicating with the cushion chamber. A normally open proximity switch is selectively positioned in one of the sensing ports adjacent the chamber; one sensing port is connected to a pressure conduit and the other two sensing ports are plugged. A piston rod mounting a piston is positioned within the cylinder and mounts an inductive sleeve movable into the cushion chamber to activate the proximity switch. A flexible annular insert ring is positioned within the cap and has a wiping bead which extends into the cushion chamber and seals over the sleeve sealing the cushion chamber providing a pressure build-up and bringing the piston to a smooth stop as it bottoms out within the cylinder. A bleed screw is adjustably threaded into the cap and communicates with the cushion chamber.