Abstract: A blind fastener which can be installed by access to one side only of a workpiece comprises a pin, a sleeve, and an abutment member. The pin extends inside the sleeve and engages the sleeve at one end. The other end of the sleeve has a radially enlarged head. The sleeve is of one piece and has a radially expandable portion. The abutment member is adjacent to the sleeve head and abuts a frangible element of the sleeve head. The sleeve is inserted into an aperture in a workpiece with the expandable portion protruding beyond the blind face of the workpiece and the head abutting the near face of the workpiece. A pulling force is applied to the part of the pin extending beyond the abutment member and the expandable part of the sleeve expands radially to form a blind head against the blind face of the workpiece.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes an air bag deployment door formed in a trim panel. The air bag deployment door outer surface has an area of 5 in2 to 35 in2, and at least a portion of the perimeter comprises a frangible marginal edge. The frangible marginal edge includes a frangible length, and at least 20% of the frangible length is non-linear. The apparatus also includes an air bag dispenser containing an air bag a volume of at least 90 liters. The air bag dispenser includes an elongated container having an air bag receptacle containing an air bag and an inflator receptacle containing an inflator.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has at least one reservoir which is arranged within the fuel tank, and a fuel pump associated with the reservoir. A filling conduit for filling the tank with fuel is of such a design that at least a partial flow of the fuel flowing through the filling conduit can be fed directly to the reservoir. The filling conduit opens at its delivery end into an open catch receptacle which communicates with the reservoir by way of at least one discharge.

Abstract: A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus/method for making a joint line in a plastic article comprising the steps of providing a mold having a mold surface, providing a gasket in the mold wherein the gasket defines first and second mold spaces, and molding a layer of a plastic material within one of the mold first and second mold spaces. In addition, during molding, the gasket is laterally moved relative to the mold surface in a direction towards that mold space containing the plastic material to therein form a distinct joint line.

Abstract: An improved lift boat includes a hull, a plurality of legs (preferably three), a plurality of pads, one pad attached to each leg, and a jacking mechanism for moving each upward and downward. Recesses in the hull receive the pads when the lift boat is underway. Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is at least 30% of the surface area of the deck of the lift boat Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is large enough such that, when the boat is loaded to capacity and is jacked up, the pads exert pressure of less than 7 p.s.i. on the sea floor. Preferably, the pads are partially recessed into the hull and extend laterally outward from the hull when the boat is underway to provide increased stability to the lift boat when it is underway.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint deployment system includes a simplified hold-down assembly for fastening an air bag door in a tamper-proof closed position. The deployment system includes an air bag door pivotally supported adjacent an air bag deployment opening in an automobile dashboard and two fasteners that releasably secure the door in a closed position over the air bag deployment opening. The fasteners each include an elongated shaft portion that either extends integrally upward from an air bag canister flange or integrally downward from an air bag door substrate. The fasteners are aligned in the direction of door movement. Each fastener shaft portion extends through one of a pair of fastener holes formed either in the air bag door substrate or in the canister flange. A fastener flange extends outward from around the shaft portion of each fastener and engages a rim that defines one of the fastener holes.

Abstract: A system has a magnetic coupling for the no-contact transmitting of a torque from a first shaft coupled with a drive unit to a second shaft disposed in a housing. One of the shafts is provided with an inner rotor having magnets and the other shaft is provided with an outer rotor having magnets. The shaft driven by the drive unit is connected in an articulated manner with the drive-side rotor.

Abstract: A latch mechanism which includes two paddles that are engaged by a lock plate. The lock plate is configured to swivel into engagement with lock portions of the paddles, thereby generally locking the paddles in place. Preferably, the lock plate engages a substantial width of the lock portions to avoid creating an undesirable asymmetrical loading condition. As a result of engaging a substantial width of the lock portions of the paddles, the locking of the paddles is robust and reliable. Preferably, the lock portions on the paddles include a retention ramp that engages corresponding structure on the lock plate. The retention ramp renders the engagement between the lock plate and paddles generally more effective.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has at least one reservoir which is arranged within the fuel tank, and a fuel pump associated with the reservoir. A filling conduit for filling the tank with fuel is of such a design that at least a partial flow of the fuel flowing through the filling conduit can be fed directly to the reservoir. The filling conduit opens at its delivery end into an open catch receptacle which communicates with the reservoir by way of at least one discharge.

Abstract: A rear lighting backplate that includes a backplate lower which is engaged with a backplate upper. A lead frame is sandwiched between the backplate lower and backplate upper. The backplate lower includes a receptacle for receiving a wire harness, and the backplate upper includes one or more integral bulb sockets which are configured to receive bulbs. The lead frame conductively engages each bulb which is engaged with the backplate upper and conductively engages the wire harness which is engaged in the receptacle on the backplate lower. Preferably, the lead frame includes clips for conductively engaging and retaining the bulbs in the bulb sockets. The backplate is preferably configured for selective engagement and disengagement from a lamp housing. Preferably, the backplate provides a sealing surface around each bulb for sealing with the lamp housing when the backplate is engaged therewith.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for determining whether the sensors or the used in a device monitoring system are properly functioning before rendering a determination as to a defect within the device itself. As a result, maintenance costs may be reduced while limiting the number of false indications of failure, thereby increasing the reliability of the monitoring system.

Abstract: A device for an arrangement inside a fuel tank, provided with pumps and filters for supplying and filtering fuel that is fed to an internal combustion engine, whereby the fuel is conveyed from the bottom area of the tank through a first filter into a collector chamber and fuel is conveyed from said collector chamber by means of a second pump through a second filter to the internal combustion chamber. Both pumps are arranged in a pump unit. The collector chamber is arranged vertically above the pump unit and the filter with respect to the fitting position of the device and is embodied as an open overflow container, whereby the inventive device can be produced in a rational manner and offers good functionality.

Abstract: An internal combustion aircraft engine comprising a cylinder head having a cylindrical head bore formed therein, a piston, and spark plugs, the cylinder head bore and piston designed to reduce engine knock. The cylinder head is fixedly attached to a top end of a cylinder barrel formed with cylindrical walls, the cylinder head bore and the cylindrical walls defining a cylinder. The cylinder head bore has formed therein an outwardly protruding cavity with respect to the top end of the cylinder barrel. The piston has a piston crown, and the piston contained within the cylinder, the piston crown, the cylinder walls, and the cylinder head bore define a combustion chamber. The piston crown has a concavity formed therein, and the piston is constructed and arranged to reciprocate within the cylinder. The concavity of the piston crown and the cavity cooperate at a top dead center position of the piston to form a swirl chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal impeller blade is disclosed that comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a front surface and a rear surface. At least one of the front surface or a rear surface is at least partially defined by a radius extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A centrifugal impeller housing is also disclosed having one or more outlets.

Abstract: An improved Hall position sensor comprises a Hall effect sensing device having its leads soldered directly to an exposed electro-conductive portion of a flexible multiconductor circuit. The Hall position sensor further comprises a Hall magnet disposed proximate to the soldered Hall effect sensing device/flexible circuit unit.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system for use in curing composite materials includes a model for a workpiece being cured. The model calculates current internal states of the workpiece and predicts, based upon past and current states of the workpiece, future states of the cure process. These future states are represented as virtual inputs to the controller, which controls operation of the cure process based upon both real and virtual inputs. Cure rates are affected by both external temperatures and internal heat generated by the curing process itself. The internally generated heat is considered by the model when calculating current states and predicting future states. By projecting the cure state into the future, problems caused by high cure rates can be avoided. In addition, pressure can be optimally controlled in response to estimated internal material state.

Abstract: A removable hoisting apparatus for use on an aircraft to hoist cargo and people into the aircraft. The removable hoisting apparatus comprises a base member, a telescoping mast member, a boom member, and a hoist assembly carried by the boom member. The base member is of negligible weight and is adapted for attachment to the floor of the aircraft. The telescoping mast has a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion is releasably connected to the base member, and the top portion is releasably connected to the bottom portion. The top portion extends through an opening in the aircraft. A shoulder member is connected to the top portion, and a boom member is connected to the shoulder member. A rigid link member connects the boom member to the aircraft. The removable hoisting apparatus can be quickly removed from the aircraft by releasing only three quick-release fasteners, leaving only the base member attached to the aircraft.

Abstract: A walk-behind battery-powered lawnmower having an assembly of a reel unit and a traction unit articularly connected together in an arrangement wherein the reel unit can conform in its vertical position to the elevation of the turf which is being mowed. Thus there is an articular connection between the two units, and the reel unit rides up and down in response to the turf undulations. An electric battery is supported on the traction unit, and there is required only an electric wire connection providing the rotation drive power from the battery to the mower reel. Separate electric controls between the battery and to a motor on the traction unit and one on the reel unit provide for operational speed control to thereby select the clip rate of grass cutting in an articular assembly.

Abstract: A panel insert for use with a structural panel and a fastener having a hold out mechanism. The panel insert comprises a body portion disposed within the structural panel. The body portion includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and an aperture passing therethrough for receiving the fastener. A recessed portion opening to the second surface is provided to receive the hold out mechanism and secure the fastener to the structural panel.