Abstract: A transmission coupling assembly for absorbing axial and/or angular displacement between an internal combustion engine and a downstream gear train comprises a resilient vibration damper (3;24) secured to the flywheel (1;26). A coupling member (4;23) secured to the vibration damper is rotationally coupled to a coupling shaft (7;21) by means of interlocking splines, the splines (4a) of the coupling member being substantially straight and the splines (5a) of the coupling shaft being crowned or spherically curved. At the other end of the coupling shaft (7;21) a similar splined connection is made to the input shaft (8) of the downstream gear train. Lubrication is provided at the splined connection between the coupling shaft and the input shaft of the gear train, with a Z-cross section seal extending between the coupling shaft and the gearbox casing to prevent leakage of lubricant fluid.

Abstract: The body of a mattress comprises a cocoon thread bundle of long fibers formed by reeling cocoon threads off cocoons and separating them one from another. The body the mattress also has inner layers sandwiching the bundle. The body is quilted at appropriate positions and covered by a suface cloth made of woven fabric, and the periphery of the body is fastened by a retention cloth. The mattress has touch different from, for example feather mattress and serves to reduce yarn breakage of the cocoon long-fibers which are used as the stuffing. The stuffing can be easily produced without fail by a process comprising the steps of reeling cocoon threads off boiled cocoons and winding them around a take-up reel, fusing the wound cocoon threads at appropriate positional, and cutting the fused bundles.

Abstract: A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a groove provided within a socket end of a thermoplastic pipe. The gasket has a ring shaped body of an elastomeric material and includes a metal reinforcing band. The metal reinforcing band has an angular profile, when viewed in cross-section, with an apex which is embedded within the gasket body but lies in close proximity to an exterior surface of the gasket. The apex provides a reinforced contact point during belling operations but is isolated from surrounding liquids passing through a pipe joint.

Abstract: A disengageable pivot connection includes a ball stud that is capable of being selectively removed from the corresponding socket. The ball stud includes an engagement head that has substantially flat faces or grooves that correspond to tabs extending from the rim of the socket into which the ball stud is engaged. To install, the ball stud is inserted into the socket such that the substantially flat faces or grooves on the head pass by the tabs extending from the rim of the socket. Then, the ball stud is rotated such that the head engages the tabs extending from the rim of the socket. Alternatively, the head of the ball stud is snap-fitted into the socket as is conventional in the art. As such, the head cannot be removed from the socket without additional rotation. The head remains free to pivot within the socket as required for the particular application. One particularly desirable application of the present invention is in automotive lamp assemblies.

Abstract: A setting of metallic parts for setting a facet cut precious stone comprises a prong portion for pressing the crown of the facet cut precious stone or the crown and the table of the facet cut precious stone from above so as to be in pressure-contact therewith. The setting also includes a concave-shaped inserting portion in pressure-contact with the culet of the facet cut precious stone from below. The facet cut precious stone is held on one side of the setting, and a heated and dissolved thermoplastic agent is flowed into a pressure contact-surface of the prong portion of the setting of metallic parts. Subsequently the thermoplastic agent is cooled and solidified, thereby to bring the setting metallic parts into close contact with the facet cut precious stone.

Abstract: A combination bag tag and zipper lock is formed from a stamped out piece of metal, and has a pair of pointed legs which may be formed from a frangible central portion and bent outwardly, away from a first surface of the stamped out blank so as to form a pair of pointed securing elements. The securing elements are preferably bent outwardly at about 90.degree. from the first surface, and have their pointed ends inserted through opposite sides of a zipper closure at either or both ends on a body bag until a bottom surface of the bag tag/zipper lock contacts the closed zipper closure. The securing elements are then bent over the closed zipper closure so as to securely hold the zipper closure together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular unit consisting of two building components having joint surfaces arranged in pairs to be fastened with rivets. In order to ensure perfect meeting of the pairs of joint surfaces, there is a pair of bearing surfaces designed in such a way that, upon exerting a supporting force thereon, a force component is generated through the assembling joints.

Abstract: A gemstone setting is provided having channels into which grooved gemstones are snapped and secured. Each channel is provided with opposing, flexible prong members extending from the base of the gemstone setting. As the grooved gemstones are snapped into the channels, the prong members flex outwardly as the gemstones are pushed downwardly into the channels, such prong members snapping into engagement with the grooves on the gemstones to securely hold the gemstones within such channels. When the channels of the gemstone setting have been filled with gemstones, the gemstone setting is rendered invisible.

Abstract: A bedside crib (hereinafter "co-sleeper") that attaches to the parental bed that may be easily converted for use as a child's easel, couch, bassinet or toy display/storage device. The co-sleeper provides a rigid enclosure formed of a pair of sides, front and rear leg portions, a removable back, a mattress base with front retaining lip, and at least one removable shelf. The mattress base is hingedly attached to the front leg portion to tilt upwardly at an acute angle to a ground surface to serve as a child's easel. When the mattress base is tilted at a right angle to the ground surface and the back of the co-sleeper is removed, the latter may serve as a toy storage/display device. A removable front allows the enclosure to function as a bassinet. Height-adjustable leg extensions attach to the sides to adjust the co-sleeper to different heights for use with various beds and to raise or lower the co-sleeper for use in alternative modes (bassinet, couch, etc.).

Abstract: A combination lawn/garden ornament and cremation container comprises a decorative structure adapted to be displayed outdoors on a lawn or in a garden of a loved one of a deceased and an openable and closable compartment adapted to contain cremated remains of the deceased. In one embodiment the combination comprises a hollow pedestal upon which is mounted a sundial, and a tube positioned within the pedestal with a cap removably secured on an end thereof. In another embodiment the combination comprises a stepping stone, a portion of which is adapted to be displayed above a ground surface, and a container, integral with the stepping stone, extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof, and a cover removably secured to the container. In yet another embodiment the combination comprises a planter box and a container forming a part of the planter box and a cover removably secured to the container.

Abstract: A display device to discourage or encourage the summoning of an emergency response includes a display support positionable near an emergency site. The display device has a display area having indicia to discourage the summoning of an emergency response. Additionally, the display area may have indicia to encourage the summoning of an emergency response. In a method of using the display device, a display is placed proximate an emergency site, a first indicia is displayed to encourage the summoning of an emergency response, notice is received that help has been summoned, and the first indicia is replaced with a second indicia that indicates further summoning of the emergency response is not necessary.

Abstract: A framing member for use in a bleed sign construction assembly, the construction assembly including a projecting mounting surface and at least one construction light fixture arrayed proximate to the projecting mounting surface which is encased within a light permeable covering material. A substantially elongate and joinable member includes a body with a selected width and height in cross section and a longitudinally extending channel which reveals an interior cavity of the body. A first flange extends longitudinally from along a first side of the body and secures to the mounting surface to arrange the body at a spaced distance therefrom. A second flange extends longitudinally from along a second and opposite side of the body terminates along a remote extending edge. A plurality of the framing members are connected in end to end fashion to form a closed perimeter and the covering material is anchored within the interconnected channels and drawn across the framing members.

Abstract: A greeting and invitation card device having a substantially opaque paper-like rear sheet or panel and a translucent or transparent front or sheer overlay sheet or panel positioned against and in front of the rear sheet. The front sheet is imprinted to provide viewable greeting or invitation indicia. The rear sheet has a design formed of an array of apertures, preferably laser-cut, therethrough. The word indicia is readable simultaneous with viewing the design of the back sheet through the front sheet to provide a unique visual effect.

Abstract: A gift box includes a housing with a lid, the housing having a top formed with an opening, a decoration container arranged within the housing, a decoration fitted inside the decoration container, a curtain mounted on the decoration container, and means for opening the curtain and moving up the decoration to go through the opening, whereby a flower will rise from the decoration container, and a music will be produced through a loudspeak when the keyboard is operated as instructed by the information shown in the display, thereby making the receiver feel the deep sincerity of the sender.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two flowlines, one having an external flanged end and the other an enlarged flaring portion at one end. A ball with an axial flow passage is seated in receptacle cavities formed in said ends and in fluid-tight sealing engagement therewith. A collar is sleeved and clamped about the flared end of the second flowline by bolts which connect the first flowline flange with the collar. Piston drive means are provided for driving against the collar to stretch the bolts by an amount sufficient to release the second flowline member and allow limited articulated movement of the second flowline without compromising the seal effectiveness of the joint.

Abstract: An improved cargo seal structured to securely close a container having at least one door, the cargo seal including a lock assembly, having at least one lock aperture defined therein and being structured to secure the door in a closed orientation, and an elongate segment of substantially strong, generally flexible material. The elongate segment is structured to extend through the lock aperture of the lock assembly so as to restrict movement and/or actuation of the lock assembly. A pair of lock segments are further provided and are correspondingly disposed at a first end and a second end of the elongate segment, at least one of the lock segments being structured to be securely coupled with at least one mating segment at one end of the elongate segment. Each of the lock segments has an increased diameter relative to a diameter of the elongate segment so as to prevent removal of the elongate segment from the lock aperture by passage over the ends of the elongate segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blanket for use with forced air convection systems, wherein the blanket includes openings through which a patient's toes or feet may protrude, the openings being located near the air inlet port of the blanket. By providing a blanket with such openings, comfort for the patient can be increased and slippage of the blanket can be reduced.

Abstract: A coupling device joins and axially aligns segments of a driveshaft or other shaft to form one, continuous length, shaft for use in a machine press.

Abstract: Systems for securing bed clothes such as a flat or fitted sheet in place on a mattress and fasteners which can be used in those systems and for other purposes. In addition to fasteners, the bed clothes securing system includes a flexible lead displaceably affixed to the fasteners for drawing the corners of the bed sheet together.

Abstract: A bi-fold futon frame includes force spreading mortise plates positioned at a junction between various wooden members. The mortise plates and the wooden memebers are held together by fasteners such as screws. The wooden members form the frame of the futon.