Abstract: A structural member is disclosed. The structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.

Abstract: A shaft can include a first portion comprising a first material having first material properties, a disconnect portion comprising at least some of a second material having second material properties, and a third portion comprising a third material having third material properties. The disconnect portion can be positioned between the first portion and the third portion, the three material properties being configured such that the first portion is physically disconnected from the third portion in response to failure of the disconnect portion under at least one of a mechanical load and/or an electrical load and/or thermal load.

Abstract: A fastener and method for joining dissimilar materials. The fastener has a metal body and a hollow portion. The method includes the steps of: layering a thermoplastic first component with a second component such that the first component covers an opening formed through the second component; pressing the metal fastener against the first component through the opening in the second component; and heating the thermoplastic at an interface of the metal fastener and the first component so that the thermoplastic flows into the hollow portion of the metal fastener during the step of pressing. A portion of the metal fastener is thus embedded in the thermoplastic and a joint is formed that attaches the first and second components together when the thermoplastic is cooled.

Abstract: Provided are methods of attaching parts using slot cases and assemblies comprising these slot cases. A slot case is inserted into a slot or slid on a tab of a first part prior to attaching it to a second part. The first part may have pores that are partially open at the surface of the slot or tab. These pores may receive adhesive while attaching the two parts. The adhesive volume going into these partially open pores may vary among different first parts. To ensure that enough adhesive is supplied between the slot case and first part, the adhesive is introduced in between these components before attaching the second part and while the slot case and first part are more accessible. The adhesive may be supplied through the bottom of the slot case and continue until the adhesive appears at the top edges of the slot case.

Abstract: There is described a bicycle seat post assembly in which the travel distance of the seat post can be adjusted. The seat post assembly includes an outer tube that is configured to telescopically receive an inner tube. The inner tube is axially slidable relative to the outer tube between a retracted position and an extension position, the extension position being determined by an extension assembly in which a slider engages an upper retainer surface, thereby setting the upper limit of axial extension of the inner tube. The extension of the inner tube can be limited to an intermediary extension position that lies between the retracted and extension positions by an insertable extension stopper that is positionable under the upper retainer surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a gas turbine engine shaft, having an outer circumferential surface that circumscribes a central axis. The gas turbine engine shaft may comprise a plurality of splines extending along a portion of the outer circumferential surface, where each of the plurality of splines comprises an axial face that tapers from the outer circumferential surface to a spline top surface and includes a curved chamfered surface at a radially distal end of the axial face. The plurality of splines may further comprise a first sidewall and a second sidewall separated by a first spline width distance along the outer circumferential surface, where the first and second sidewalls taper inwardly from the outer circumferential surface to a second spline width along the spline top surface where the second spline width distance is less than the first spline width distance.

Abstract: A solder joint in which an electronic component with a back metal is bonded to a substrate by a solder alloy. The solder alloy includes: a solder alloy layer having an alloy composition consisting of, in mass %: Ag: 2 to 4%, Cu: 0.6 to 2%, Sb: 9.0 to 12%, Ni: 0.005 to 1%, optionally Co: 0.2% or less and Fe: 0.1% or less, with the balance being Sn; an Sn—Sb intermetallic compound phase; a back metal-side intermetallic compound layer formed at an interface between the back metal and the solder alloy; and a substrate-side intermetallic compound layer formed at an interface between the substrate and the solder alloy. The solder alloy layer exists at least one of between the Sn—Sb intermetallic compound phase and the back metal-side intermetallic compound layer, and between the Sn—Sb intermetallic compound phase and the substrate-side intermetallic compound layer.

Abstract: A modular safety fence assembly is disclosed. The safety fence may include a fence panel assembly having a top rail, a bottom rail, and mesh panel. The safety fence panel assembly may also support post assembly capable of supporting the fence panel assembly and an anchor assembly which may anchor the support post assembly to the floor using one or more relatively shallow holes formed in the floor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the device, which is provided with a male element secured to one of the parts and a female element secured to the other of said parts, comprises a plurality of resilient fastening strips forming a flared receptacle for said male element inside said female element. This receptacle is slidably movable so as to capture, pull and hold said male element inside said female element.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the present invention provides a baluster system including a handrail, at least one newel post having a shaft, a mounting plate abutting the shaft and adapted for fixing the newel post to a lower supporting surface, a plate abutting the shaft, and an intermediary shaft portion having a second end abutting the plate and a first end having a swivel mount adapted for fixing to the underside of the handrail, and at least one baluster having a first end having a swivel mount adapted for fixing to the underside of the handrail, a second end having a swivel mount for fixing to a lower supporting surface and a baluster shaft extending between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: The permeability of barrier layers formed from sodium bentonite clay may be significantly and unpredictably impacted upon contacting various ionic substances. Modifying agents may be admixed with sodium bentonite clay to lessen the impacts resulting from its contact with an ionic substance. Suitable modifying agents may comprise an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof. Methods for forming a barrier layer may comprise: providing a barrier material comprising sodium bentonite clay and a modifying agent admixed with the sodium bentonite clay, the modifying agent comprising an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof; and forming a barrier layer comprising the barrier material.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fastener assembly comprises a fastener configured to couple a first component to a second component of the motor vehicle, the fastener comprising a shank configured to be received within a bore of the first component; and a retaining member, the retaining member being couplable to the fastener and the first component, the retaining member comprising an opening configured to receive the fastener shank and to provide a resistance against the removal of the fastener shank from the bore of the first component, wherein the retaining member comprises a deformable portion configured to deform from a first state to a second state by virtue of the operating environment of the first component such that the fastener may be removed from the bore when the deformable portion is in the second state following operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A rotatable joint, comprising: at least three bar connectors; an axis piece comprising a central pivot and at least one of the at least three bar connectors longitudinally aligned with the central pivot; and two rotatable joint pieces each comprising a bushing and at least one of the at least three bar connectors oriented along the diameter of the bushing and aligned along the axis of symmetry of the bushing, wherein the bushing of each of the two rotatable joints pieces is configured to slide over the central pivot thereby coupling the two bushings with the central pivot and allowing the rotatable joint pieces to rotate about the central pivot, and orient the bar connectors of the rotatable joint pieces perpendicular to the bar connector of the axis piece.

Abstract: An insulator for an electric fence having at least one wire is described. The insulator includes a body having a first end and a second end, a post connector portion at the first end of the body for connecting the insulator to a fence post, a wire attachment portion at the second end of the body, and at least one shield surrounding and extending outwardly from the body at a position away from the connector portion towards the second end, the shield including lateral portions on either side of the body. The lateral portions of the shield angle away from the second end of the body towards the first end of the body, such that when installed a straight section of the wire cannot bear against respective edges of both lateral portions simultaneously, and pass along their entire lengths, without contacting the fence post.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an improved furniture connector designed to firmly attach two portions of furniture without the need for tools. The connector is designed to fit into a void within a first surface in much the same manner as a prior art cam connector. When a connector stud in a second surface is inserted into the improved furniture connector, a flexible tab accepts the stud and holds it firmly along a chamfered edge within the connector. Disassembly is then possible as the flexible tab can be released to remove the connector stud.

Abstract: A sterile adapter for coupling a surgical instrument and a surgical instrument manipulator includes a bottom component and a coupling component. The bottom component includes a bottom component opening with a bottom lip having a locking mechanism. The coupling component is rotatably coupled to the bottom component. The coupling component includes an engagement feature that engages the surgical instrument manipulator. The coupling component further includes a locking mechanism opening that engages the locking mechanism when the engagement feature has not engaged the surgical instrument manipulator. The coupling component may include a retention tab that is aligned with the keyway to insert the coupling component into the bottom component opening and then misaligned with the keyway to retain the coupling component in the bottom component opening. A ramp may be provided on a leading edge of a pocket to facilitate engaging the coupling component with the surgical instrument manipulator.

Abstract: A payload release mechanism is provided, which operates utilizing a pressure differential between the mechanism and the surrounding medium. A piston is movably seated within a chamber of the release mechanism. The piston serves to seal the chamber from the surrounding medium, though one end of the piston is in communication with the surrounding medium. The pressure differential between the end of the piston in communication with the surrounding medium and the medium within the chamber causes the piston to move. The piston movement is used to trigger the release of the payload. The amount of movement which triggers the release can be calibrated to correspond to a predetermined pressure differential.

Abstract: A workout apparatus having a crossbar with a first end and a second end, with each end of the crossbar engaging a pivot mount. The workout apparatus having four legs, with each pivot mount further engaging two legs therefore allowing the legs to be selectively rotatable around each of the pivot mounts in both a lateral axis and longitudinal axis of the crossbar. The workout apparatus having a first position where each pair of legs engaging each pivot mount at an angle greater than zero relative to each other and supporting the crossbar. The workout apparatus having a second position where the four legs are adjacent to the crossbar and positioned within the longitudinal plane of the crossbar.

Abstract: A spring for connecting a pipe to a rod, the spring including a flat tab attached to a rod and aligned with a first face of the rod and a second unattached tab aligned with a second face of the rod that is opposite to the first face, and a diagonal bridge connecting the first flat tab and the second unattached tab, wherein the angle between the attached tab and the diagonal bridge is greater than 90° and a button located on the flat tab, wherein the button protrudes from a distal end of the rod when the spring is normally open, and wherein the button is configured to engage with a corresponding hole in a pipe.

Abstract: A gate assembly is disclosed including a gate rail and an upright including a plurality of walls defining a cavity therebetween. A first of the walls includes an opening that is configured to receive the gate rail therethrough such that the gate rail extends into the cavity. The gate assembly further includes a gate corner insert configured for insertion into the cavity of the upright through a second opening of the upright. The gate corner insert includes a base and a plurality of protrusions extending from the base. The base and the plurality of protrusions define a second cavity therebetween with first and second protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defining a third opening in communication with the second cavity. The third opening and the second cavity are configured to receive the gate rail therein for removable attachment to the gate corner insert.