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 vehicle cargo bed extender adapted to be used in conjunction with a vehicle having a cargo bed. The present invention includes a pair of sidewalls spaced from one another, a center wall extending between the pair of sidewalls, the pair of sidewalls and the center wall cooperating to define a bed extender having an open end. Each of the pair of sidewalls of the bed extender include a pivot assembly disposed between the sidewall of the bed extender and a sidewall of the cargo bed and including a pivot axis defined by a post, and a slot adapted to slidingly accept the post. The post and the slot cooperate to facilitate both pivotal movement of the bed extender and rectilinear longitudinal movement of the bed extender relative to the cargo bed of the vehicle.

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 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 landscape lightpost that provides a substantially enclosed wire compartment. The lightpost includes a main post, a cap, a separator plate, and structure for positioning the separator plate between the main post and cap, to form the substantially enclosed wire compartment.

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: A console system for the interior of a motor vehicle includes a console component, a plate, and a lid. The console component defines a housing having an interior with an opening and a longitudinal axis. The plate has first and second ends and is supported on the console component and pivotably movable at the first end of the plate relative to the console component between a first position, wherein the plate covers the opening of the console component, and a second position, wherein the plate is spaced from the opening to allow access to the interior of the console component. The lid has a cover and an inner surface and is supported by the plate and pivotably movable at the second end of the plate between a first position, wherein the inner surface of the lid is juxtaposed the plate, and a second position, wherein the inner surface is spaced from the plate such that the inner surface and the plate define a co-extensive, substantially planar surface along the longitudinal axis of the console component.

Abstract: A method of providing a protective, corrosion-resistant thin coating of a MCrX alloy on a carbon or low-alloy steel pipe or tube where M is one of nickel, cobalt or iron or combination thereof and X is one of molybdenum, silicon, tungsten or combination thereof, and heat treating the coating to metallurgically bond the coating onto a steel substrate of the pipe or tube. The coating may be deposited in one or two layers by plasma transferred arc deposition or may be deposited as a slurry coating or thermal spray coating with sintering of the coating. The steel substrate is prepared for coating by at least one of boring, honing, bright finishing, grit blasting, grinding, chemical pickling or electro-polishing of the substrate.

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 high temperature resistant masking device (10) comprising a substrate having a top surface (26) and a bottom surface (28) with an adhesive applied to the bottom surface (28) of the substrate for removable attachment to a masking surface. The masking device (10) includes a pull tab (12) extending upwardly from the device's center portion for facilitating easy placement and removal of the masking device (10) from the masking surface. The masking devices (10) are die-cut into various shapes and sizes, and placed on rolls of release liner so that they may be readily applied to parts requiring masking during a painting or coating process.

Abstract: A frame assembly for creating a flush corner appearance is disclosed. The frame assembly includes first and a second members. The first member has a plurality of sides that extend between a first and second end such that one side defines an opening extending thereinto from the first end. The opening defines a pair of lateral flanges for engaging the second member. The second member includes a plurality of sides that extend between a first and second end. The second member also includes a first connector extending from a first side and a second connector extending from a second side. A first tab extends from the first connector and is moveable between a straight position and a bent position such that the first tab guides the first member into engagement with the second member when the first tab is in the bent position. A second tab extends from the second connector and is flush with the first end of the first member when the members are connected.

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 method for protecting high temperature stainless steel from coking and corrosion at elevated temperatures in corrosive environments, such as during ethylene production, by coating the stainless steel with an overlay coating of MCrAlX in which M is nickel, cobalt, iron or a mixture thereof and X is yttrium, hafnium, zirconium, lanthanum or combination thereof. The overlay coating and stainless steel substrate are heat-treated to metallurgically bond the overlay coating to the substrate and to form a multiphased microstructure. The overlay coating preferably is aluminized by depositing a layer of aluminum thereon and subjecting the resulting coating to oxidation to form an alumina surface layer. An intermediary aluminum-containing diffusion coating may be deposited directly onto the stainless steel substrate prior to deposition of the overlay coating to form a protective interlayer between the stainless steel substrate and overlay coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a plastic double-walled structural panel suitable for use as a door or tailgate for a motor vehicle. The structural panel includes a plastic outer panel, a plastic inner panel, and a substantially plastic support structure. Generally, the plastic outer panel has one or more outer attachment points that correspond to one or more inner attachment points in the inner panel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support structure is comprised of plastic and is formed integrally with the inner or outer panel, e.g., as integral trusses. Integrally-formed or non-integrally-formed connectors may be included for connecting attachment points of the inner panel and attachment points of the outer panel. The invention further includes a method for manufacturing and assembling a substantially plastic double-walled structural panel that is suitable for use in connection with motor vehicles.

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: A vehicle cargo area extender including a pair of sidewalls, a center wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and a lid removably disposed relative to the pair of sidewalls and the center wall. The sidewalls, the center wall and the lid cooperate to define an enclosure having an open end. The vehicle cargo area extender is moveably mounted between a stored position relative to a vehicle cargo area wherein the open end of the enclosure is adjacent to the rear wall of the vehicle cargo area and a deployed position so as to be supported by the rear wall of the vehicle cargo area when it is in its extended position such that the open end of the enclosure faces the vehicle cargo area thereby increasing the effective size of the vehicle cargo area.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo area extender including a pair of sidewalls, a center wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and a lid removeably disposed relative to the pair of sidewalls and the center wall. The sidewalls, the center wall and the lid cooperate to define an enclosure having an open end. At least one of the side and center walls defines a mating surface extending along at least a portion of the upper margin thereof. In addition, the lid defines a corresponding mating surface that is adapted to cooperate with the mating surface defined on at least one of the side and center walls to removeably retain the lid relative to side and center walls.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo box system is provided including a first brace member affixed to a surface of a wall of the vehicle, a first panel rotatably fastened to one edge of the brace member, and a second panel rotatably fastened to one edge of the first panel so as to enable the first and second panels to be deployed by rotating the respective panels in the appropriate direction. In this manner, a secure box-shaped enclosure is formed adjacent the cab portion of the vehicle and provides for storing tools and implements therein. When the cargo box is not required to be deployed, the respective panels are rotated in the appropriate opposite direction and are secured against the first brace member so as to increase the available cargo area on the bed surface of the vehicle. An optional second brace member is provided for engagement to the second panel to prevent unintended rotation of the second panel.

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.