Abstract: The soft interior trim panel (52) includes a substrate (54), a foam layer (56) and a flexible skin (58). An electrical switch (60) is supported by the trim panel (52) adjacent to the flexible skin (58). A contoured area (62) and indicia (64) indicate the location of a switch (60) under the flexible skin (58). A clear coat (65) is applied to protect the flexible skin (58) and the indicia (64). The switch (60) is closed by applying pressure to the flexible skin (58) on the contoured area (62). The contoured area (62) can be a depression or indentation as well as a raised area. The indicia (64) can be provided using luminescent ink.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and cooling a mold onto which thermoplastic material is cast and fused to form a finished article includes a plenum having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a fluid heating and cooling system and a mold box having a plurality of cavities for selectively receiving interchangeable tube bundles that are selectively positioned in a movably sealed relationship within the mold box and wherein each tube bundle has a mold and a tube array that are maintained in a fixed relationship during interchange thereof into and out of said mold box so as to maintain individually heat balanced molds.

Abstract: A collapsible arm rest for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a flexible skin or covering, a layer of foam material underlying the flexible skin to provide a cushion and soft feel for the collapsible arm rest, a back plate for securing the collapsible arm rest to a generally vertical panel of a motor vehicle, and an insert embedded in the foam layer for strengthening the arm rest. The insert comprises a hollow bellows shaped thin walled shell that is attached to the back plate so that the shell collapses in the lateral direction when the arm rest is subjected to a side load of the type experienced in a side impact automobile collision. The shell defines an empty chamber that communicates with ambient air in the exterior environment of the arm rest via a small open vent and a large vent that is covered by a rupturable membrane that ruptures when the shell collapses in the lateral direction to avoid pneumatic delay in the lateral collapse of the shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a cover for an air bag deployment opening, the cover having a tear seam defined by a reduction in thickness of the cover. The cover can be formed as an unitary part of an outer skin layer for an automobile interior trim structure. The apparatus includes a thin shell having an inner surface upon which a thermoplastic material is cast to form the outer skin. A multiplicity of pins are disposed on and extend away from a backside thereof to transfer heat to the inner surface. The density of the pins is reduced on the portion of the backside of the shell proximate the portion of the inner surface upon which the tear seam of the outer skin is to be formed. The shell can be heated or cooled by using a plurality of nozzles to impinge heated or cooled air onto predetermined locations of the backside. A cover and tear seam construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for use with a hydraulically operated tool comprises a valve body operatively and having a valve bore defining an axis. The valve body also defines a pressure port and a return port for connecting the valve bore to a source of hydraulic fluid, and a cross port communicating between the valve bore and the hydraulic tool. A tubular conduit has one end in communication with the valve bore and an opposite end in communication with the hydraulic tool. A selector member is moveable between a first position for defining a passage communicating between the cross port and the opposite end of the tubular conduit to provide a return path for hydraulic fluid between the pressure port and the return port, and a second position for closing off this passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning an internal passage of an article, such as a fuel passage of a gas turbine or other engine. The apparatus comprises a container for containing cleaning fluid, means for communicating a first end of the passage to the cleaning fluid in the container, and cleaning fluid conduit means communicated to a second end of the passage in a manner to draw cleaning fluid from the container to flow through the passage from the first end toward the second end in response to flow of cleaning fluid through the conduit means. The apparatus includes means for blocking flow of cleaning fluid through the conduit means so as to direct the cleaning fluid therein to flow through the passage from the second end toward the first end and into the container.

Abstract: The molding apparatus includes a press (10) with a top mold (12) and a bottom mold (14). The top mold (12) has a die (32) with a contoured die surface (34) and gas passages (36). The bottom mold (14) has a die (44) with a contoured die surface (46). The die (44) is made from either a solid piece of material with gas passages or from a porous material. During operation, a workpiece (26) is placed in a mold cavity (24). The mold cavity (24) is closed to shape the workpiece. The workpiece is heated by hot gas supplied by a gas supply and recirculation system (52) when the diverter valves (68 and 70) are opened and gas flows from gas circulation fan (56) to the gas heater chamber (54) to the bottom mold (14), through the die (44), through the workpiece (26), through the die (32) and back to the inlet side of the gas circulation fan (56). When the workpiece (26) has been heated to the desired temperature for the required time, the diverter valves (68 and 70) are closed.

Abstract: A method of assembling top shells onto the links of a flexible linkage, the top shells being configured and dimensioned to overlie the links and having bendable end tabs. The method includes the steps of: forming an elongated framework which includes a plurality of the top shells arranged in an integrally interconnected parallel array; combining a section of the linkage with the top shell framework in a manner such that the links are aligned with the top shells; and subdividing the framework to separate the top shells one from the other in connection with the deformation of the end tabs around and into mechanical interengagement with the ends of the links to thereby secure the top shells to the links.

Abstract: A hydraulic inertial vibration isolator is connected between a vibrating body and an isolated body. The vibration isolator comprises a cylinder which includes two chambers and a piston therebetween. The chambers are connected by a tuning passage in which a solid tuning slug is slidably disposed. The chambers and the portion of the tuning passage not occupied by the tuning slug are filled with liquid. Bypass passages connecting the tuning passage to the chambers allow the liquid pressures in the chambers to equalize when the amplitude of the tuning slug's oscillatory motion is sufficiently large, thereby limiting the tuning slug's amplitude. Dashpots axially disposed adjacent to either end of the tuning slug act to damp excessive tuning slug motion and to bias the tuning slug toward the center of the tuning passage.

Abstract: An instrument trim panel (12) includes a shell (14) made from a flexible plastic material. A textured section (18) is circumscribed by a simulated seam (20). A closed cell plastic block (28) is press fitted behind the textured section. An air pocket (26) is interposed between the block and textured section. A rigid substrate (22) is molded and cured behind the shell (14) and block (28). The air pocket allows the textured section to be deformed to simulate the appearance and feel of a leather applique.

Abstract: Nozzles for discharging high velocity air are positioned on either side of an aircraft engine exhaust duct exit. High velocity air is discharged tangential to an outer surface of each nozzle and follows the contour thereof. The nozzles are positioned so that when the high velocity air separates from the outer surface of the respective nozzles, it flows outwardly relative to the aircraft's fuselage structure. The high velocity air from the nozzle closest to the aircraft's fuselage structure impinges on the exhaust gas stream, deflecting the stream away from the fuselage. The high velocity air from the nozzle furthest from the fuselage creates a low pressure area which deflects the exhaust gas stream away from the fuselage. In combination, the two nozzles deflect the exhaust gas stream away from the fuselage to a significant degree.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for degating an injection mold high aspect ratio injection mold plastic article includes a pair of spring biased mold inserts locatable against opposed sides of a runner following initial mold opening movement and wherein one of the pair of mold inserts has a cutting edge and a first operative position engageable with the part following solidification thereof for supporting the part within the mold along an edge portion thereof that is joined to the runner; and wherein the other of the pair of mold inserts has a cutting edge that cooperates with the cutting edge of the one mold insert following mold opening to cut the runner from the part during the ejection of the solidified part.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system comprises four tunable dual-axis hydraulic inertial isolators, an array of accelerometers, and a controller. The controller inputs signals from the accelerometers and outputs signals to tune the isolators to minimize the vibration transmitted from a vibrating body to an isolated body. The isolators are tuned by varying the dimensions of their tuning passages or by application of magnetohydrodynamic force to the liquid within the tuning passages.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly includes a support that has an opening for deployment of an air bag and a door that is connected to the support at one end for movement between a closed position closing the opening in the support and an open position for deployment of the air bag. The outer surface of the support and the door are bonded to an elastomeric foam cushion formed in an underlying relationship to a polymeric skin that forms a covering of the cover assembly. When the air bag is deployed, it impacts an impingement member that cooperates with a reaction member so that edge tabs on one of the members rotate laterally in the elastomeric foam cushion and assist in tearing the elastomeric foam cushion and polymeric skin apart to release the air bag door.

Abstract: A door trim panel includes a cover assembly for concealing an air bag restraint system that has an air bag, a housing for the air bag and a gas generator located in the housing for supplying gas to the air bag in response to vehicle impact. The cover assembly includes a frame defining an air bag opening and a flexible covering attached to the frame in a taut manner. The flexible covering which is juxtaposed the air bag has a single tear seam that is ruptured when the flexible covering is impacted by the inflating air bag and forms an elliptic opening for deployment of the air bag into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A steering wheel (12) incorporates an air bag unit (22). The air bag unit has a cover door (30) that has a bladder (38) with an air chamber (39) in communication with a pressure sensor (40). The pressure sensor is incorporated in an electrical circuit (42) that is actuated when the pressure sensor senses pressure within the bladder to be above a predetermined value. The electrical circuit is connected to a horn (44) such that when the bladder is pressed, the horn is actuated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a reinforced plastic skin for an automobile interior trim structure. The method includes the steps of supplying a plastic material onto a mold surface, heating the plastic material to fuse it into a unitary layer, embedding a reinforcing material into the layer, and cooling the plastic and reinforcing materials. The method can be used to reinforce an air bag door cover by incorporating a tear seam into the plastic layer and embedding the reinforcing material into the layer such that it surrounds the tear seam. The reinforcing material aids in rupturing of the cover along the designated tear seam during deployment of the air bag. Also disclosed is an air bag door cover formed in accordance with the disclosed method.

Abstract: A blind fastener which comprises a fastener body, a stem and a two-piece shear/expander assembly. The assembly includes an anchor section sized to fit within an annular groove in a neck portion of the stem and an expander collar which surrounds the shear ring. When the fastener is installed, a bulbing portion of the expander collar upsets the tail end of the fastener until an inner shoulder of the collar step causes an outer section of the ring to shear from the anchor section. A lock ring groove is formed in the stem midsection of smaller diameter at the intersections of the stem neck and midsection. The shear ring may be formed of shaped wire which is wrapped around the fastener stem, while the expander collar is an annular element next to the shear ring. The shear ring dimensions and material properties can be modified to alter the fastener characteristics.

Abstract: A light-weight and compact hand actuated hydraulic tool for the setting of fasteners having a sleeve and stem is disclosed. The tool comprises a housing, sleeve engaging nose piece connected to a piston which is slidable in the housing, a fluid reservoir, hand-operated pump lines, and a drawbolt which has stem gripping jaws connected thereto. The stem of a fastener is gripped by the jaws, and the sleeve of the fastener is engaged by the nose piece. In an initial stage, a pump plunger compresses liquid in first and second chambers into a piston chamber, which affects movement of the housing and drawbolt in relation to the piston, pulling the stem in relation to the sleeve.