Abstract: A cover for an armrest access opening to the mounting or attachment apparatus for the armrest, wherein the cover is formed of the same vinyl skin which covers the armrest and is integral therewith. The cover is a vinyl skin flap connected by a living hinge to an edge of the vinyl skin covering the armrest adjacent the access opening. A small opening is formed in the top surface of the mounting apparatus, and a plug is formed on the inner surface of the flap, adapted to fit into the small opening and support the flap once the flap is closed over the access opening.

Abstract: A method for repairing voids in a finished urethane foam product having a typical backing insert or retainer wall, the method including the steps of forming a hole through the retainer wall adjacent the void; inserting a small elastomeric sheath through the hole into the void; injecting a urethane or silicone elastomer into the sheath to fill same to conform to the void; and sealing off the hole with a suitable plug which may be sanded flush with the retainer wall outer surface.

Abstract: An improved interior automotive door panel assembly including integrally molded fasteners adapted to being connected to openings formed in the outer metal door structure. In an alternate embodiment the interior door panel assembly including the integrally molded fasteners has a bezel detachably mounted on the fasteners thereof by the interior door panel assembly supplier. The bezel is adapted to being automatically adhesively secured to the metal door assembly along the vehicle assembly line by the vehicle manufacturer. The interior door panel and fasteners may be subsequently removed from the bezel in the field.

Abstract: A vehicle dash board comprises a support mounting a storage compartment for an inflatable air bag, a resilient covering for the dash board, and an opening in the support for enabling deployment of the air bag upon inflation outwardly of the dash board. A decorative panel carried by the support and concealing the storage compartment comprises a backing plate having a U-shaped cut line framing the opening and defining a door. A rod is carried by the support and engages the backing plate along a line connecting the ends of the cut line at the top of the U to provide a hinge line for the door. A resilient layer of material overlies the backing plate and comprises an outer flexible skin layer and an intermediate resilient foam layer bonded to the support and skin. The skin layer has an end flap on its free side opposite the hinge line which is stitched to the adjacent dash board covering so as to define a tamper proof door seam which cannot be pried open either by intention or inadvertance.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D braided) preform formed of reinforcement strands or filaments is rigidized by impregnating the preform with a resin solution (e.g., silicone resin solution), curing the resin to impart a selected shape to the preform and then heating the shaped preform to convert the cured resin to inorganic solids (e.g., silica solids) so dispersed in an effective amount between the strands as to rigidize the preform. The rigidized preform is then infiltrated with an inorganic matrix (e.g., a ceramic material) to form a composite article.

Abstract: A pitch change bearing assembly for a helicopter hub (10) having a yoke (14) and a grip (12) includes a shaft (24) having first and second ends (24a, 24b). A first radial elastomeric bearing (60) is disposed on the first end (24a) of the shaft (24). A second radial elastomeric bearing (62) is disposed on the second end (24b) of the shaft (24). The first and second radial elastomeric bearings (60, 62) are disposed parallel to one another. A third radial elastomeric bearing (66) is disposed on the shaft between and spaced apart from the first (60) and second (62) radial elastomeric bearings and is parallel to the first and second radial elastomeric bearings (60, 62). Structure (28, 30) is provided for attaching the third radial elastomeric bearing (66) to the grip (12). Structure (48, 50) is further provided for attaching the first and second radial elastomeric bearings (60, 62) to the yoke (14).

Abstract: An automotive side impact protection apparatus including a face plate formed on the inner lower portion of the door, and reinforcement structure operatively connected to the underbody and interfacing with the face plate. In one embodiment, the reinforcement structure is a cantilevered brace extending diagonally upwardly from the underbody intermediate the seat and the face plate. In another embodiment, the reinforcement structure is a reinforcement member extending laterally through the seat just inside the bottom surface thereof, with an enlarged portion formed on the outboard portion of the member adjacent the face plate, and reinforcement trusses between the member and the underbody.

Abstract: A hole saw arbor assembly connectable to a source of torque comprises an arbor having a first end and a second end. A power tool mount is disposed on the first end, and threads are disposed on the second end of a construction capable of mounting a hole saw thereon. A collar mount area is disposed on the arbor proximate to the second end, and a collar retraction area is disposed on the arbor proximate to the first end. A drive collar has a central bore therein, and the arbor is disposed through the central bore. The drive collar is capable of translation between the collar mount area and the collar retraction area, is rotatable about the collar retraction area independent of the arbor, and is incapable of rotation about the collar mount area independent of the arbor. Means for retaining the drive collar about the collar retraction area is disposed on the arbor. The drive collar has drive pins associated therewith, and the drive pins are insertable into apertures in the hole saw.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an airbag restraint system has a smooth, grained, plastic cover and a load bearing insert for covering a housing for an airbag and a gas generator which includes an inflatant for the airbag for deploying the airbag through the smooth, grained plastic outer cover member without rupturing the cover member at weakened sections therein and wherein a carriage is formed in an insert opening having a cutter thereon between the cover and the air bag; the cutter has cutting edges thereon directly contacting the cover assembly for perforating the cover during inflation of the airbag so as to form a self-piercing cover assembly which will be cut to form an opening through the cover assembly through which the airbag is deployed; the self-piercing occurring as the airbag is inflated and solely in response to such inflation prior to deployment of the airbag into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A twin engine helicopter has an accessory drive system that will operate with only one engine while the other engine is off. The system also allows starting of the second engine without turning the first engine off. An input clutch for the first engine will rotate an inner drive member when it is being driven by the first engine. An accessory drive member mounts to the inner drive member. A collector gear mounts in engagement with the blade drive train and has a drive member. A movable clutch shaft has one end that engages the inner drive member of the input clutch and another end which will engage the drive member of the collector gear. An actuator will move the clutch shaft out of engagement with the drive member of the collector gear to disengage the drive engine from the blade drive train. A synchronizing clutch mounts in engagement with the clutch shaft for causing the clutch shaft to rotate with the collector gear if the second engine is started and operated at a speed faster than the first engine.

Abstract: A delivery system for dispersing either hot air or water uniformly to the outer surface of a shell mold used for forming a thin molded shell, for the respective fusion and cooling phases thereof. The delivery system includes a plurality of distributors, each having a central water inlet surrounded by an axially adjustable outer shell, with the latter having a frusto-conically shaped upper end which cooperates with the upper edge of the central water inlet to selectively close off or vary the annular opening therebetween for controlling the flow of air at a predetermined temperature form the space intermediate the central water inlet and the surrounding outer shell.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly has a fascia covering a layer of compressible energy absorbing plastic material with a cavity formed therein; the cavity contains an inflatable bladder connected at a header plate to a fill port and an exhaust port. The exhaust port is connected to a relief valve and an orifice for controlling exhaust of gas from the inflatable bladder to control the point at which deflation of the air bag starts and the rate of deflation; the fill port is connected to a gas source operative in response to vehicle impact to generate a gas charge for inflating the bladder to fill the cavity and provide energy absorbing capacity in addition to that provided by the compressible energy absorbing plastic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for making composite doors includes means to locate a plastisol skin cover having an integral sail pocket formed therein within a mold cavity having a lid thereon moveable between opened and closed positions. The lid includes a retractable tool for positioning a hollow substrate extension in the sail pocket to both seal against foam leakage into the hollow substrate extension and to center the substrate extension within the pocket for defining a foam reaction space between the pocket and the substrate extension. A method for making integral 360.degree. sails on a composite door includes the steps of casting a fused plastisol skin having an integral 360.degree.

Abstract: An airblast fuel injector tip is provided for reducing fuel vaporization problems as a result of high fuel temperatures without adversely affecting the airblast operational characteristics of the injector tip. The injector tip includes a fuel receiving chamber and a fuel discharge orifice downstream thereof and an arcuate, distensible, tubular valve member having a discharge end movable relative to a valve seat in the fuel receiving chamber in dependence on the pressure of fuel in the valve member to meter fuel to the fuel receiving chamber for discharge through the discharge orifice into a combustor.

Abstract: A fastener mandrel has formed on one end a spherically curved shoulder and an elliptically shaped head adjoining the shoulder. In setting the fastener in a workpiece, the shoulder enlarges the end of a tubular rivet and clamps workpieces together in combination with a preformed head on the other end of the rivet. The mandrel head deforms the rivet tail into an elliptical shape that partially encloses the mandrel head to provide good stem retention. A plurality of annular ribs on the mandrel stem are drawn into a reduced diameter section of the rivet head end when the rivet is set, thereby providing additional stem retention.