Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.

Abstract: An infrared convection paint baking oven comprising; a top, a bottom and sidewalls extending substantially unbroken therebetween to define a tunnel having length, width and height, an interior, an exterior, an entrance and exit; said tunnel adapted to bake at least one article moved along the length of the tunnel from the entrance to the exit; said top and side walls equipped with air ducts that communicate with a at least one air pressure blower to form an air plenum in said interior of said tunnel; said paint baking oven further equipped with at least one exhaust to re-circulate heated air and vent moisture and volatiles from said tunnel; said exhaust in air communication with said pressure blower with air make up and a RTO; said re-circulated air flow at least partially divertible from said exhaust to said furnace to control temperature and VOC emissions; infrared light assemblies arranged in said tunnel interior on the top and side walls such that air from said plenum is circulated around said light assem

Abstract: A system for exposure of eyes of a user to light is disclosed. That system comprises: a head mountable housing and at least one array of light emitting diodes disposed within the housing proximate to the eyes, and whereby light emissions are transmitted to the eyes. A controller is coupled to the light emitting diodes, and controls the intensity, duration, and sequences of the light emissions. Also provided is portable electrical charge storage cell, disposed within the housing, whereby an electrical current is supplied to the at least one array of light emitting devices.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo bed extender for a vehicle of the present invention includes a pair of sidewalls spaced from one another and a center wall extending therebetween. At least one lock assembly is disposed upon one of the sidewalls of the bed extender and includes a locking pin that operable to be selectively extended and retracted to engage with and disengage from the vehicle sidewall respectively. The lock assembly further includes a handle and a lever arm, which cooperate to facilitate the extension and retraction of the locking pin such that said extension of the locking pin locks the bed extender to the vehicle sidewall in the stowed and deployed positions to prevent any uncommanded movement of the extender. The locking assembly further operative to hold the locking pin in the extended and retracted positions respectively until selectively moved between positions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a truss assembly from a truss assembly table work surface are presented having lift out rails movable between a recessed position beneath the work surface and a raised position above the work surface. A support element assembly is movably mounted to each lift out rail and has at least one support surface for supporting a truss assembly when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. The support element assembly is movable between an up position and a down position. In the up position the support surface is flush with the work surface of the truss table, the support element assembly in the up position when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. In the down position the support surface does not interfere with a truss assembly sliding on the slide mechanism of the lift out rail, the support element assembly in the down position when the lift out rail is in the raised position.

Abstract: Mechanically locked strikers have a base, a striker bar, and a locking arm which extends from the base to the striker bar. In one embodiment the striker bar and locking arm are formed integrally with the base, with the striker bar extending from the base at one point or area, and the locking arm mechanically attached to the base at another point or area. Alternatively, the locking arm may extend from the base at one point or area, and the striker bar is mechanically attached to the base at another point or area. In another embodiment, the striker bar and locking arm are each mechanically locked to the base. A segment of the locking arm forms a bridge over the base, defining a throat for engagement of a latch about the striker bar.

Abstract: A method of assembling a truss utilizing a truss assembly apparatus having a truss table with a work surface, the steps comprising: arranging at least two truss members on the work surface to form a truss in a first assembly zone; clamping the truss in the first zone with a movable first clamp rail having at least one flip-arm recess therein; and automatically flipping the truss from the first assembly zone to a second assembly zone by activating a plurality of flip arms, at least a portion of one of the plurality of flip arms movable into the at least one corresponding flip-arm recesses of the first clamp rail.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a truss assembly from a truss assembly table work surface are presented having lift out rails movable between a recessed position beneath the work surface and a raised position above the work surface. A support element assembly is movably mounted to each lift out rail and has at least one support surface for supporting a truss assembly when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. The support element assembly is movable between an up position and a down position. In the up position the support surface is flush with the work surface of the truss table, the support element assembly in the up position when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. In the down position the support surface does not interfere with a truss assembly sliding on the slide mechanism of the lift out rail, the support element assembly in the down position when the lift out rail is in the raised position.

Abstract: A jig stop placement assembly is presented for use with a truss assembly table having a plurality of jig assembly slots extending laterally across the table top. Jig stop assemblies are movable along the jig assembly slots and can be clamped into a desired location. An energy-emitting distance measuring device determines the distance between the jig stop and a reference piece or point. The energy-emitting device is preferably a laser device capable of emitting a laser beam. The measurement device provides information regarding the distance between the jig stop and the reference piece which enables the user to accurately place the jig stop in a desired location. The jig stop placement assembly preferably includes alignment mechanisms for positioning the assembly into a predetermined relationship with a jig stop, the truss assembly table, the reference piece or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A front end module including a plastic component connected to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate can be formed by hydroforming and shaped into a substantially unitary member. The plastic component is then molded about the metallic substrate and simultaneously forms connections thereto at discrete locations along the length of the metallic substrate.

Abstract: A two-position fill valve for filling a pressurized dispensing container is disclosed. The valve includes a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end. The fill valve provides substantial improvements in both retaining area and fill area.

Abstract: A device for providing access to at least one power connection within an enclosure is disclosed. The device includes an assembly adapted for mounting to the enclosure and having an inside face and an outside face opposite the inside face for being inside the enclosure, the outside face for being outside the enclosure, an inside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the inside face accessible from inside the enclosure, an outside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the outside face and accessible from outside the enclosure, a cover operatively connected to the assembly having a first position for protecting the outside power outlet and a second position for providing access to the outside power outlet.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.

Abstract: A coaxial connector includes inner and outer contact assemblies. The outer contact assembly includes a base securely mounted to a circuit board and a floating outer contact that can move both axially and radially relative to the base. The inner contact assembly includes a plunger connected to a signal carrying circuit element on the circuit board in a manner that permits transverse float. The inner contact assembly further includes a receptacle that can slide axially relative to the plunger. Annular insulators are disposed between the inner and outer contact assemblies. Additionally, resilient O-rings are provided between the inner and outer contact assemblies for urging the receptacle of the inner contact assembly in a mating direction relative to the plunger.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles and concepts of the invention, apparatus and methods for assembling pre-cut members into trusses and joists and splicing pre-cut members into truss chords are presented. According to the invention, a splicing apparatus for connecting chord members end-to-end comprises a table having a table surface for supporting abutting chord members, a gantry press mounted adjacent to the table surface and configured to move relative to the table surface, the gantry press having at least two press rollers, each press roller having a peripheral surface positioned a successively closer clearance distance to the table surface.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus and method for assembling a truss utilizing the apparatus are presented, the apparatus comprising a truss table having a work surface with a first and second assembly zone. A first clamping assembly has a movable first clamp rail for clamping the truss in the first assembly zone, the first clamp rail having at least one flip-arm recess therein. A flip-over assembly has at least one flip-over arm movable relative to the work surface for moving the truss from a first truss position-in the first assembly zone to a second truss position in the second assembly zone, the flip-over arm movable into the flip-arm recess of the first clamp rail. The apparatus may have a plurality of such recesses and flip arms. The truss assembly apparatus may further comprise a second clamping assembly having a movable second clamp rail for clamping the truss in the second assembly zone, the second clamp rail having a flip-arm recess therein movable into the flip-arm recess of the second clamp rail.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a connector plate packaging system and method of packaging connector plates for storage and transport. Each connector plate has a planar base with a plurality of teeth extending from the front face thereof. The package comprises a tray and a plurality of connector plate pairs. Each connector plate of each pair is arranged tooth-to-tooth such that the teeth extend toward the other connector plate of the pair in a tooth-to-tooth arrangement. The connector plate pairs are arranged back-to-back such that the back face of one of the connector plates of one of the pairs is in parallel abutment with the back face of one of the connector plates of another pair. The plurality of connector plate pairs are disposed in a tray. In one aspect of the invention, the tray and plurality of connector plate pairs are enclosed in wrapping material.

Abstract: A bumper system 10 for an automotive vehicle is provided. The bumper system includes a composite valance 12 adapted for attachment to a chassis of the automotive vehicle, where the composite valance includes a reinforcement section 18 formed therein. Preferably, the reinforcement section is formed longitudinally along a central portion of the composite valance, is recessed with respect to a front surface 22 of the composite valance, and includes a plurality of structural ribs 24 provided therein. A cover beam 28, preferably constructed from a metallic material, is adapted for attachment to the composite valance. The cover beam is sized to substantially cover the reinforcement section when attached to the composite valance, and give the bumper system an overall metallic appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a floating vessel such as a ship, around a cylindrical turret structure moored to the sea bottom. The vessel has a circumturret structure passing through the hull of the vessel and surrounding the turret structure. The apparatus comprises a hook roller assembly, a load roller assembly, a radial roller assembly, and a drive mechanism. The hook roller assembly prevents the turret structure from moving upward from the wave and current forces exerted on the floating vessel. The load roller assembly rotatably supports the turret structure on the circumturret structure. The plurality of radial roller assemblies mounted to the circumturret radially support the turret. The drive mechanism is used to rotate the vessel around the turret.