Abstract: For automotive interior trim molding assemblies having a vinyl skin shell, a reinforcement insert, and an intermediate reaction type polyurethane foam composition, a vinyl skin shell which has a gasket-type peripheral edge formed thereon for abutting cooperation with the reinforcement insert to prevent leakage of the foam therepast during the foam reaction period in a reaction mold. The gasket-type peripheral edge is formed on the otherwise thin shell by a tear edge, against which plastisol builds up in a substantially triangular cross section during the shell molding period in a heated slush mold.

Abstract: In a process for masking a part subjected to a high pressure washing cycle between the applications of two or more paint coats, the improvement comprising the steps of: spray coating on a prepainted part a washable masking material which is cuttable when set to form a nonwicking edge; self adhering the spray coating and cutting it along a paint line to form a nonwicking mask edge which prevents paint leakage or the trapping or washing solution between the masking material and part and leakage of such trapped washing solution onto a subsequently painted surface. The process includes the step of cutting and cleanly peeling a portion of the masking material from the part following the drying of the sprayed mask to expose part of the prepainted surface; at least one subsequent washing and drying of the masked part; and at least one subsequent painting of the exposed prepainted surface.

Abstract: A pour hole closure for use with an injection foam molding system including a mold assembly having a pour bushing leading to a reaction chamber. A cylinder having a slightly oversized plastic plug extending downwardly therefrom is normally positioned above the pour bushing in the mold assembly. The cylinder is pivotally movable away from its normal position against the force of resilient means. A pour head and nozzle assembly is adapted to move into engagement with the cylinder to move the latter while attaining a position wherein the nozzle is positioned above the pour bushing. The nozzle is lowered to engage the top edge of the pour bushing for injection of foam material into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A water jet trim head simulator has the same configuration and dimensions as a cutting or trim head nozzle on a water jet apparatus for trimming workpiece scrap. The simulator is used to guide a robot arm of the apparatus into various multi-axes trim head positions during a teaching mode of operation of the controller for the apparatus. The simulator includes mounting means for connection to the robot arm. The simulator further includes tracking means including a hollow body connected to a fiber optics bundle for directing light from a source to an objective lens for focusing a spot of light on a premarked trim path point on a master workpiece to establish one of a plurality of spatial points to be taught into the controller. The simulator further includes a feeler gauge for physically positioning the simulator with respect to the workpiece to assist the alignment of the light beam to its focused point on the workpiece.

Abstract: An armrest for a door of an automotive vehicle, including a molded shell having a substantially flat top wall portion, an interior shelf portion parallel to the flat top wall portion, a plurality of vertical ribs supporting the shelf portion, and a plurality of abutment ribs intermediate an inner edge of the shelf portion and the flat top wall portion. A back plate is integrally connected to the free end of the flat top wall portion via a living hinge. A foam slab or block is slip fitted into the pocket formed by the flat top wall portion, the shelf portion and the abutment ribs, and retained therein by the closure of the back plate against the free end of the shelf portion.

Abstract: A collapsible fastener and method of making same for joining workpieces which fastener can be fabricated with a single machining operation aside from thread tapping. The fastener comprises a forged sleeve defined by cylindrical exterior and interior surfaces. The sleeve has a head at one end for bearing against one surface of the workpieces, internally threaded tail, and a shank extending between the head and the tail. A plurality of extruded grooves on the exterior surface of the shank are parallel to the axis of the sleeve. An extruded notch in each groove is at substantially the same distance from the head. When a mandrel is extended through the head and the shank and is threaded into the tail, by turning the mandrel the tail may be drawn toward the head whereby the shank splits into strips which fold at the notches.

Abstract: A high speed spindle has a motor and tool adjustment mechanism which aligns spaced bearing means to rigidly support the spindle shaft at high speed operation and to prevent excessive lateral loading of a bearing unit of the tool adjustment mechanism. The unitary motor and tool adjustment mechanism are joined together as a single unitary assembly which is mountable on a machine tool base without requiring alignment and pre-assembly of the motor and tool adjustment mechanism at field locations.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control stick is mounted on a gimbal which provides left, right, forward and aft pivotal motion of the stick. A pivot member that is mechanically linked to the aircraft flight controls is attached to the gimbal through a uni-ball bearing which allows the pivot member to pivot independently of the control stick. A bell-shaped housing is slidably mounted on the control stick. The housing is spring-biased downward toward the pivot member so that a stud protruding upward from the pivot member plugs into a socket in the housing. A lever assembly mounted on the control stick and attached to the housing can be actuated to slide the housing away from the pivot member, thereby unplugging the stud from the socket to disengage the control stick from the aircraft flight controls. The downward facing housing circumscribes all possible motion of the stud while the control stick is disengaged. Release of the lever assembly allows a spring to urge the housing downward toward the stud.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a shaped mold cavity for receiving a plastisol layer or skin. A second mold member is pivotally disposed on the female mold member between an open and closed position. In the open position, the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. An insert is positioned in the mold cavity by a third mold member such as a mold lid on which the insert is releasably retained. After the insert is positioned in the mold cavity, the second mold member is pivoted toward the mold lid to fold the skin portion thereon over and against an edge of the insert. The skin is folded adjacent the pivot axis of the second mold member. Foam can then be introduced and cured between the skin and insert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite article by use of a mold core and a cavity block and wherein a skin and insert are placed in the mold cavity and foam precursors are poured into the mold cavity to complete the article includes a process in which a series of part replicas are formed and used to cast thermally stable liners that are carried by the mold core and mold cavity. The thermally stable liners have low melt temperatures and can be reused and recast following wear during the molding process. The liners are made from material which has low shrinkage and expansion rates to define a mold assembly that will produce repeatable parts.

Abstract: A method for forming finished coverstocks includes automatically heating and indexing slightly overlapped rough seams of coverstock segments with respect to a single thermoforming tool that automatically opens and closes to vacuum fold the rough seams interiorly of the tool and thereafter the folds are pinched to form a finished styling line on the class A surface of the coverstock. An apparatus is provided in which a single thermoforming tool has relatively moveable mold parts that shape the coverstock and include an expandable joint line configured to fold the rough seams and further including slide members responsive to closure of the mold parts to provide space to accommodate the fold for pinching it off with respect to the class A surface. The product of the invention includes multiple coverstocks with finished styling lines formed by pinched off folds on the hidden side of the coverstock.

Abstract: A two-wire linear transducer comprised of a high permeability finite length core that is positioned with respect to a continuously wound variable pitch coil. The cores is displaced from the initial stroke position at one end of the coil to the opposite end thereof to produce an output signal which varies with displacement. The coil is energized by a constant alternating current source and has a winding configuration that produces an alternating output voltage. The imaginary component of the alternating output voltage varies linearly and continously in amplitude in proportion to the movement of the ferrite core from its initial stroke position to its end stroke position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for drilling precision small diameter holes in fuel nozzle parts includes the process of directing a laser beam against the nozzle part at a first hole drilling station to form an undersized hole therethrough and thereafter positioning the nozzle part with the laser hole formed therethrough in alignment with a wire electrode of an electrical discharge machine and controlling the energy input to the electrode wire and advancing it with respect to the preformed laser hole so as to form a precision hole diameter and surface finish throughout the length of the laser beam formed hole as EDM particles are flushed through a flow path defined by the laser hole from one face to the opposite face of a part wall.

Abstract: An improved spin-on, throw-away type fluid filter assembly which is capable of withstanding operational pressures in excess of 1000 psi adapted to by threadably affixed to a filter mounting means. The improved filter assembly includes a housing having a closed end and an open end which receives a base plate. The open end of the housing is folded inwardly over the base plate. A cap having a downwardly extending skirt is then press-fitted over the open end of the housing and extends substantially coexistent with the base plate and is then roll-formed so that the periphery of the skirt engages the exterior of the housing at the lower surface of the base plate to add strength to the structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight debris collector for rotary mowers and the like. The debris collector includes a frame having two spaced apart arms which are adapted to suspend and transport a standard trash can. Means is also provided to transport debris from the mower to the trash can which together with the frame form a debris collector assembly.