Abstract: A non-skid floor mat for use in a golf car is provided to enable traction with one of a hard spike and a soft spike of a golf shoe. The non-skid floor mat includes a sheet of elastomeric material and nibs in the wall area of the mat. The nibs are sufficiently spaced from one another to enable one of direct contact of the hard spike with the sheet and contact of the soft spike with both the nibs and the sheet. Preferably, the nibs have a height between 0.12 and 0.19 inches, and are offset from one another by a center to center distance of between 0.5 and 0.8 inches.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower having a frame supported by a plurality of wheels for movement over the ground and a rotary cutting deck assembly. A support bracket assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a generally vertical axis. A telescoping arm is pivotally coupled between the support bracket assembly and the rotary cutting deck assembly and is adjustable into at least two lengths. An actuator is pivotally coupled between the support bracket assembly and the telescoping arm and is operable to move the rotary cutting deck assembly between a non-cutting position and a cutting position and further capable of retracting the telescoping arm between the at least two lengths to permit the rotary cutting deck assembly to be swung to a side of the frame for easy inspection, maintenance, and adjustment.

Abstract: In a method of optically determining a level of liquid in a liquid-filled container a light guide body projects into the container. The light guide body has an end face for the entry and exit of light and stepped side faces forming separate reflection faces. The light is totally reflected at those reflection faces which are not immersed in the liquid but refracted into the liquid at immersed reflection faces. The totally reflected light is reflected back to the end face. The intensity of the light beam reflected totally by each reflection face back to the end face is measured separately. Measurement signals for determining the filling level are subjected to plausibility checking to recognise and eliminate measurement faults and errors. The invention can be used for determining the level of liquid in a container or tank for fuel, washing water, oil, hydraulic fluid and the like in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas generator having two or more compartments, each with a separate initiator, with one compartment discharging before another, i.e., the compartments discharge sequentially. Each compartment has the same propellants, but the propellants have different geometries in each compartment, which results in different rates of gas evolution from each compartment. The gas generator has a rapid initial inflation, followed by a more gradual inflation rate in the subsequent stages, improving safety to occupants. One propellant used for the gas generator comprises (1) ammonium nitrate as the oxidizer, (2) a fuel such as CL-20. and (3) a binder such as polycaprolactone. A second propellant comprises by weight approximately 70-95% energetic nitrate fuel, 5-25% energetic polymer binder and 0.1-5% flash suppressant. No hot metal particles (e.g., CuO) are generated in the new systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to software for training an aircraft pilot to respond to the failure of one or more engines of a multi-engine aircraft during flight. The software simulates engine failure through the use of software imposed power output limits on the one or more engines for which failure is simulated. In certain embodiments, the software of the present invention sets one or more of the engine condition gauges to a fictitious readings corresponding to readings that would be displayed in the event of an actual engine failure.

Abstract: A method of attaching an axle of a golf car to a leaf spring of the golf car, comprising the steps of aligning the leaf spring adjacent the axle and a bottom plate, inserting an end of a fastener initially through a first aperture associated with the axle and subsequently through a second aperture of the bottom plate and securing the leaf spring between the axle and the bottom plate by securing the fastener at the bottom plate, enabling improved access for assembly and service.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system (50) for a vehicle such as a golf car or the like uses the same brakes (52) and same brake pedal (80) for both service braking and park and hold braking. The brakes (52) are selectively engaged, locked in their engaged position, and released using an integrated control assembly including a brake pedal (80), an accelerator pedal (82), and a brake pedal locking mechanism (84). The brake pedal locking mechanism (84) is configured to automatically latch the brake pedal (80) in a locked position thereof and to automatically unlatch the brake pedal (80) from its locked position upon either subsequent movement of the brake pedal (80) into an overtravel position or subsequent actuation of the accelerator pedal (82). In addition, a hydraulic accumulator (62) stores part of the energy generated upon brake pedal depression and consequent manual actuation of a master cylinder (60) of the system to maintain the brakes (52) in their fully engaged state when the brake pedal (80) is latched.

Abstract: A nut-plate riveter which includes multiple pistons which assist in creating a pulling force. The nut-plate riveter provides that spent mandrels are pulled through the tool, thereby avoiding problems in the field. The nut-plate riveter includes a handle and a plurality of pistons disposed in the handle. Cavities are proximate the pistons for pressurizing the pistons, and air supply passages are in communication with the cavities for supplying air to the cavities to pressurize the pistons. A piston rod is engaged with at least one of the pistons, and the piston rod has a longitudinal bore therethrough which is configured to receive a spent mandrel. A deflector fitting may be disposed at an end of the nut-plate riveter.

Abstract: A walk-behind greensmower includes an operator presence control for selectively determining when power from a source is delivered to an output. The operator presence control includes a handle, a bale coupled to the handle, a control arm and an electromagnet. The bale is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The control arm is moveable between a neutral position and a drive position where the control arm causes delivery of power from the source to the output when in the drive position. The electromagnet is selectively energizable in response to the position of the bale such that the control arm is retained in the drive position when the bale is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A spraying device comprising a housing 12 containing a top and bottom portion defining a chamber therein for fluid ingress and egress into the bottom portion wherein the housing includes an outer structure 18 containing an inner structure 16, and a tensioning device 22 which releasably positions the outer structure at the housing bottom. The inner structure 16 is engaged to an arm member 20 for spraying said fluid, such that the inner structure causes the arm member to move in a linear and rotating relationship relative to housing. The outer structure 18 and inner structure 16 are engaged to one another such that the outer structure 18 causes the inner structure to move in a linear and rotating relationship relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a rivet and method of installing the rivet to attach honeycomb material to other materials. The rivet is installed by drilling a hole through the materials. A back side sleeve of the rivet is inserted through one end of the hole while a front side sleeve with a stem member inserted therethrough is inserted through the other end of the hole such that the head of the stem member and the sleeve portion of the front sleeve are positioned within the sleeve portion of the back sleeve. The shank portion of the stem member is then pulled such that the head of the stem member expands the sleeve portions of the front and back sleeves into the materials to attach the rivet to the materials. A locking collar is also provided to lock the stem member to the front sleeve upon continued pulling of the stem member.

Abstract: A device for fixing a functional component within a fuel tank that makes use of an opening in the tank wall of the fuel tank. The device comprises at least one connecting element for receiving the functional component, with the connecting element being latched in an opening in the tank body wall, in a position of passing therethrough. The opening is sealingly closed at the outside of the tank by a closure member or a cover cap or a connection portion can be fitted to the opening for the connection thereto of a device intended to communicate with the tank interior.

Abstract: A system for delivering elastomeric media comprises a gear pump and a screw-type extruder which, viewed in the delivery direction of the pumping medium, is arranged in front of the gear pump and which comprises a screw and a screw casing. The screw casing has at least one conical part, and the screw has at least one tapering in the area of the conical part. For the controlled feeding of energy into the pumping medium, the screw is axially displaceable in the screw casing.

Abstract: A turf care system and method uses simultaneously fired pulses of high-pressure liquid jets of the mixture shot toward the ground. The liquid is mixed with dry grass seed shortly before being delivered to a high-pressure liquid/seed pumping system, which uses an accumulator and sequencing valve to produce at regular repetitive intervals pulses of the liquid/seed mixture under high pressure. The pulses are delivered to an elongated hydraulic manifold having multiple nozzles pointed downwardly, which are spaced from one another and the ground by predetermined distances. The momentum of the high-pressure jet of liquid/seed mixture issuing from each nozzle cuts through overlying vegetation to deposit the seeds into the crown of the soil at predetermined desired depth. Spray patterns are determined by nozzle orifice shape, and are preferably selected to provide a shallow knife slit-like opening or trench in the crown of the turf.

Abstract: In a method of pressure and/or gas volume compensation within a fuel tank in relation to movement-induced and/or temperature-induced changes in pressure and/or volume, as when fuel is drawn from the tank and upon refuelling of the tank, any changes in pressure outside a predetermined normal pressure range are compensated by condensation of the gaseous fuel or gasification of the liquid fuel within a system which is hermetically closed off at least above atmospheric pressure. The invention also provides a tank operating on that basis.

Abstract: A hand-held riveting tool is driven by a battery-powered electric motor, and comprises a hydraulically-actuated riveting head, and a reciprocating hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor. The tool includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic supply line from the pump to the riveting head being connected to the reservoir by a reservoir inlet valve which is normally open to allow hydraulic fluid to flow from the supply line into the reservoir. Operation of the tool-actuating trigger firstly closes the reservoir inlet valve, and then switches on the electric motor to operate the pump. Release of the tool-actuating trigger firstly switches off the electric motor to stop operation of the pump, and then opens the reservoir inlet valve. When the reservoir inlet valve is closed by operation of the trigger, it acts as a pressure-relief valve to relieve over-pressure of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: An automotive headliner assembly includes a substrate that is configured to mount to a vehicle in a position generally covering a lower surface of a passenger compartment roof. Cavities are formed into the substrate between the upper substrate surface and the lower substrate surface to provide receptacles for electrical wiring, fiber optic cabling, EA foam and the like or to form a duct for directing air flow. Each of the cavities is integrally formed in the substrate. A foam layer is adhered to a lower surface of the substrate and the decorative cover is adhered to a lower surface of the foam layer. The headliner is constructed by first extruding molten parison into a blow mold shaped to complement the desired exterior contours of the headliner substrate to be formed. The cavities are then formed in the molten parison by inserting at least one blow pin into the parison and injecting pressurized gas.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool for installing fasteners of the type in which a part of the fastener is broken off during installation. The tool is provided with a collection means for collecting broken-off fastener parts during operation of the tool, the collection means being removably connectable to the tool. The tool includes retaining means for retaining the collection means against removal from the tool and the retaining means is air-pressure actuated into the retaining condition. The tool may include resiliently urged shutter means which are held open when the collection means is attached.