Abstract: An access panel is disclosed for extending across a lower frontal section of a domestic appliance positioned on a surface. The access panel includes, a substantially rigid middle portion having a top edge and a bottom edge, a flexible top portion attached along at least a portion of the top edge of the substantially rigid middle portion for positioning adjacent the lower frontal section of the domestic appliance, and a flexible bottom portion attached along at least a portion of the bottom edge of the substantially rigid middle portion for positioning adjacent the surface. A leveling bracket is disposed adjacent the lower frontal section of the domestic appliance.

Abstract: A concrete expansion joint and seal assembly includes opposed generally planar side frame members with spaced apart flanges forming channels which are operable to bond the side frame members to opposed sections of concrete when the expansion joint is placed in its working position. A flexible seal member includes a loop portion and opposed legs coextruded with and bonded to edges of the side frame members. The side frame members are temporarily held contiguous with each other at their respective distal ends by adhesive tape, an adhesive or a hook portion formed on one of the side frame members for engaging the distal end of the other side frame member. The seal member is preferably formed of an extrudable thermoplastic elastomer and the side frame members are preferably formed of extrudable polypropylene.

Abstract: A concrete expansion joint and seal assembly includes opposed generally planar side frame members with spaced apart flanges forming channels which are operable to bond the side frame members to opposed sections of concrete when the expansion joint is placed in its working position. A flexible seal member includes a loop portion and opposed legs coextruded with and bonded to edges of the side frame members. The side frame members are temporarily held contiguous with each other at their respective distal ends by adhesive tape, an adhesive or a hook portion formed on one of the side frame members for engaging the distal end of the other side frame member. The seal member is preferably formed of an extrudable thermoplastic elastomer and the side frame members are preferably formed of extrudable polypropylene.

Abstract: An automotive power seat drive shaft housing assembly includes an outer housing member having a central bore for receiving a press fitted connector member, the opposite ends of the connector member extending beyond the opposite ends of the outer housing member. The connector member is adapted to be fitted into hubs of a drive motor and gear housing, respectively. A flexible tubular bearing member is disposed in a bore of the elongated connector member and journals a drive shaft. The outer housing has surface interruptions in the way of splines or projections or a non-circular or polygonal cross section to indicate that the drive shaft housing assembly is not a manual actuating lever for a manual seat adjustment mechanism. The housing members and bearing member are preferably formed of extruded PVC.

Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, such as a board or a plank having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides more rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles and the like.

Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles.

Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, such as a board or a plank having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides more rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles and the like.

Abstract: A plastic fence assembly, particularly adapted for use as residential privacy fencing and the like, comprises plural post members which are formed of hollow extruded plastic and have opposed side walls and end walls intersected by one or more elongated channels. Elongated spacer elements may be inserted in the channels and retained therein by interlocking projections on the spacer elements and recesses formed in the sidewalls of the post channels. The spacer elements support side edges of vertically extending picket members, brackets for horizontally extending center rail members and to position at least one or both of elongated top and bottom rail members of the fence assembly. The top and bottom rail members have elongated slots formed therein for receiving opposite ends of generally planar boardlike picket members. The top and bottom rail members and the spacer members may be cut to length as may the post and picket members to provide fencing of a desirable height and distance between posts.

Abstract: Flexible centering apparatus for centering a flexible drive cable within a cylindrial cable housing, the centering apparatus formed of an elongated finned sleeve in which radially disposed fins engage the cable housing, the fins being free and unattached at their outer ends. In one embodiment, the centering apparatus is of uniform construction; in another embodiment, the centering apparatus is of dual durometer construction.

Abstract: Flexible centering apparatus for centering a flexible drive cable within a cylindrial cable housing, the centering apparatus formed of an elongated finned sleeve in which radially disposed fins engage the cable housing, the fins being free and unattached at their outer ends. In one embodiment, the centering apparatus is of uniform construction; in another embodiment, the centering apparatus is of dual durometer construction.

Abstract: Flexible centering apparatus for centering a flexible drive cable within a cylindrial cable housing, the centering apparatus formed of an elongated finned sleeve in which radially disposed fins engage the cable housing, the fins being free and unattached at their outer ends. In one embodiment, the centering apparatus is of uniform construction; in another embodiment, the centering apparatus is of dual durometer construction.

Abstract: A lawn spike for anchoring objects, such as lawn edging, within a lawn utilizes a head and a pointed plastic shank shaped to enhance the strength of the shank and to cooperate with the ground, when operatively driven therein, to resist withdrawal of the spike therefrom. The shank includes a substantially cylindrical main section and a plurality of frusto-conical sections positioned about and spaced along the length of the main section so that each of the frusto-conical sections tapers toward the pointed end of the shank. The shank portion also includes a plurality of strengthening ribs formed with and extending longitudinally along the cylindrical periphery of the main section and which are also formed with so as to be joined to adjacent frusto-conical sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a unitary molding system to a mounting surface. The molding system includes a channel member having a pair of opposed longitudinal ribs interconnected by an adhesive-backed web. A decorative trim member is secured between the ribs. The ribs and trim member terminate at locations inboard of the web. An end tip having an exposed portion and an inserted portion engages the trim member and channel member, thus securing the end tip in spaced relation with the mounting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a unitary molding system to a mounting surface. The molding system includes a channel member having a pair of opposed longitudinal ribs interconnected by an adhesive-backed web. A decorative trim member is secured between the ribs. The ribs and trim member terminate at locations inboard of the web. An end tip having an exposed portion and an inserted portion engages the trim member and channel member, thus securing the end tip in spaced relation with the mounting surface.

Abstract: A unitary extruded thermoplastic article that may be a concrete joint former having an intermediate tear plane formed from an admixture of a plasticizer or a filler in the amount of 150 to 1500 parts per 100 parts of thermoplastic resin.A process for producing an extruded article having a strippable top and a lower tear strength intermediate portion including extruding one thermoplastic material into separate spaced strips, extruding another thermoplastic material into the space between the strips and then compressing the strips to form a unitary article.An extrusion die apparatus for extruding at least two different thermoplastic compositions. A distributing means including a separating means for dividing the thermoplastic flow within the passageway and dispensing a second composition into the divided flow.