Abstract: A tie rod assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inner tie rod member, an outer tie rod member and an intermediate member. The intermediate member is telescopically associated with both of the inner and outer tie rod members. A generally C-shaped clamp is adapted to arrest relative movement between the inner and outer tie rod members. The clamp includes first and second ends which are spaced apart so as to define a gap. The outer tie rod member includes a longitudinally extending slot. The clamp is fixedly attached to the inner tie rod member such that the gap between the first and second ends of the clamp is aligned with the longitudinally extending slot of the inner tie rod member. As a result, clamping forces are more effectively transferred from the inner tie rod member to the intermediate member, and in turn from the intermediate member to the outer tie rod member.

Abstract: An adjustable length sleeping bag suitable for use by persons of different height. The bag includes an elongate insulated shell having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface, a foot end and a head end. A fastening system on the outer surface of the shell comprises one or more first fastener elements disposed around the shell generally transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis, and one or more second fastener elements disposed around the shell generally transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis at a location spaced longitudinally from said one or more first fastener elements. The first fastener elements are selectively engageable with the second fastener elements to reduce the length of the shell to accommodate a person of lesser height, and are selectively disengageable to increase the length of the shell to accommodate a person of greater height.

Abstract: A mobile support unit such as an IV stand or the like coupled to a mobile hospital bed, gurney or wheelchair by a latch mechanism which provides hands free operation thereby avoiding the need for a nurse or care provider to manually manipulate the latch to secure the units together for tandem transport. Further, the latch mechanism according to this invention includes a clutch which prevents relative movement of the IV stand or support unit with respect to the hospital bed during transport up to a specific adjustable torque level thereby avoiding the problem of the IV stand or support unit swinging freely relative to the bed during movement. Further, the clutch permits movement of the IV stand or support unit through an arc relative to the bed when a specified force is applied as required by the nurse or care provider to reposition the stand or support unit relative to the bed and provide increased access to the patient or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for the display of tile sections having a first side panel with a plurality of tile-receiving slots extending along at least a portion of a top of the first side panel, a second side panel with a plurality of tile-receiving grooves extending along at least a portion of a top of the second side panel, a first cross member having slots engaged within slots formed on the first and second side panels, and a second cross member having slots engaged within slots formed in the first and second side panels. The first and second side panels have identical configurations. The first and second cross members have identical configurations. The first and second side panels include first and second upright abutment surfaces extending upwardly from opposite ends of the plurality of grooves on the top edge of the respective first and second side panels.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly for heavy duty vehicles having upper and lower yokes of a steering spindle knuckle straddling upper and lower sides of an end portion of an axle. The upper and lower steering spindle yokes have respective bores in registration with a bore in the axle end portion. A kingpin has a central portion fixedly secured within the axle bore, and has opposite, accurately machined and polished end portions disposed within respective upper and lower steering spindle yoke apertures. There is an annular gap between the peripheries of the kingpin end portions and the interior surfaces of the steering spindle yoke bores. An annular sleeve resides within the gap. A pair of roller bearings are mounted in spaced relation internally of the sleeve, with a grease reservoir being defined in the space between adjacent roller bearings. The roller bearings have an outer race mounted in a stationary position on the internal wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A jewelry article, such as a pendant or a charm, includes a hollow body and one or more hollow or solid appendages which are secured to the body by an elongated pin having an integral head and which provides a rotatable hidden joint connection between the body and appendage. The body is cast as a two-part hollow body and one of the parts having one or more bearing pads or surfaces and one or more bores for receiving respective connection pins. The pins each project through a bore in an appendage and each pin is secured to an appendage at a distal end by soldering, for example. The interior cavity of the body is closed by securing a second body part to a first body part by soldering or a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: An ornamental neckpiece for a shirt with a buttoned collar, which is intended to be worn when the collar is unbuttoned, comprising an ornamental chain or cord having an attachment on one end suitable for attachment to the shirt collar button and an attachment on the other end suitable for attachment to the shirt collar buttonhole, and being of a length greater than the space between the button and buttonhole when the shirt collar is unbuttoned as to hang loosely and serve as a jewelry item.

Abstract: A mount for fixing a gem into a through-hole of a thin-walled carrier includes a band curved in an annular shape. The band has a cylindrical area of contact with the through-hole. A lower edge area of the band is conically tapered towards a central axis of the annular band. The band has at least one notch at least in the lower edge area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining connection of at least one exhaust-gas-carrying pipe of an internal-combustion engine having a fastening flange which is inserted in its duct and, on its opening edge situated inside the duct, is welded to the duct wall of the flange, and to a process for its manufacture. In order to provide in a simple manner an automating capacity of the manufacture of the joining connection which is reliable with respect to the process, at least one support projection is constructed in an axially position-defined manner on the duct wall. The support projection projects into the duct and the pipe rests directly on the support projection in the plug-in position in the axial direction. The interior wall of the pipe ends flush with the end edge or projects radially beyond it toward the inside.

Abstract: A slat for use in chain link fences is provided. The slat generally comprises an elongate, imperforate body member and first and second fins extending from the body member to provide privacy and to lock the slat within a channel of a chain link fence. The first and second fins include portions which are configured and oriented to extend laterally relative to the body member toward fins of adjacently positioned slats to provide privacy. Further, the first and second fins are configured and oriented to extend into knuckles of a chain link fence, to wedge into the knuckles to secure the slats within the channels of the chain link fence. The body member is configured to provide a spring or resiliency to provide the adjustable-width and self-locking capabilities of the slat.

Abstract: A playyard (10) includes a floor (12) and side panels (20) extending upwardly from the floor to provide an enclosure. At least one of the side panels has an opening (26) therethrough which is selectively covered by a pivotal door panel (30) to preclude access to and from the enclosure. The door panel (30) has a pair of retractable, spring-biased tube assemblies (40) that engage corners (16) which interconnect rails (18) that support the side panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a drive mechanism of a panel display system includes a rotary member attached to a drive assembly, the rotary member having indicators located at known intervals that are detected to ensure that the drive assembly starts and stops at precise locations. In a preferred embodiment, the control system is applied to a panel display system that displays different scenes using an array of elongated three-sided display elements. The preferred control system includes an aluminum disk that is attached to rotate in connection with rotation of the drive assembly.

Abstract: A burial casket having an image receiving surface includes a container, a cover and a coating applied to the exterior surface of the casket for receiving images. The image receiving surface includes at least one layer of stain applied directly to the exterior surface of the casket, a shading toner applied on top of the stain, a lacquer sealer applied on top of the shading toner, and at least one layer of gloss lacquer applied on top of the lacquer sealer. The container has a rectangular central portion which forms the bottom of the casket, opposed end walls which form the ends of the casket, and opposed side walls which form the sides of the casket. The cover overlies the ends walls and the sides walls and is hingedly connected to one of the side walls for moving between an open position and a closed position. The casket also includes media for introducing the images on the image receiving surface. The media include ink, dye, plastic, chalk, paint, charcoal, decals and transfers.

Abstract: A post plastic lens photographic slide mount made from a plastic slide mount includes a first and second plastic frame portions connected along an outer border with a pocket into which a photographic film slide can be inserted. A top plastic lens and a bottom plastic lens that can be introduced to the plastic slide mount. The plastic lenses can be added at the same time the photographic film slide is inserted into the plastic slide mount, or the lenses may be added after the plastic slide mount has been assembled. The lenses are held in place by a tongue and groove arrangement.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has a drive-side transmission element and an output-side transmission element rotatable relative thereto. The output-side transmission element is centered relative to the drive-side transmission element via a radial slide bearing and can be held at a predeterminable axial distance from the drive-side transmission element by means of an axial slide bearing. The axial slide bearing has an inner circumference larger than the outer circumference of the radial slide bearing and rests, on the one hand, on at least one component of the first transmission element acting on the outer circumference of the radial slide bearing and, on the other, on at least one component of the other transmission element arranged on the inner circumference of the radial slide bearing, so as to form, together with these components, a covering for the radial slide bearing, by which the latter can be protected against an unwanted afflux of solid particles.

Abstract: A prone patient apparatus for engaging the front of a body of a patient comprising a unitary support board having a longitudinal medial axis; a first aperture opening extending through the board and on the medial axis sized to receive a face of the patient; a second aperture opening extending through the board and spaced from the first aperture along the medial axis to expose an abdomen of the patient when the head is in the first aperture; and a third aperture opening extending through the board and spaced from the second aperture along the medial axis to expose a groan of the patient when the head is in the first aperture.

Abstract: A flexible metal strip for making bracelets made up of a plurality of identical elements of hexagonal section arranged side by side and interconnected by link devices. Each element comprises a bottom piece and a top piece superposed thereon. The top piece is annular and surrounds a sleeve which extends axially from the top face of the bottom piece and which is used for crimping the top piece on the bottom piece. Each link device is constituted by a triangularly-shaped ring which links together three adjacent elements. The link element is received in radial grooves formed in the top faces of the bottom pieces of said three adjacent elements.

Abstract: A roadside mailbox mail delivered indicator is formed by a base flatly attachable to the horizontal top of the mailbox adjacent its door closed end opening, including a planar signal panel pivotly connected to one end of an upstanding portion of the base. A latch tip on the end portion of the signal panel opposite its hinged connection with the base, maintains the signal panel in a horizontal forward position by the mailbox door flange overriding the tip to hold the signal panel in a first cocked position. Opening the mailbox door releases the signal panel to a gravity pivoted upright second position for indicating mail delivery by the postman.

Abstract: A combination precious or semi-precious stone setting is formed utilizing princess or square cut stones having their edges lopped off, with at least two of the stones joined edge to edge forming a space where the lopped off corners were located, further including a square cut stone placed in this space to form a novel and enhanced appearing jewelry setting.

Abstract: A device for positioning a spring-loaded or sliding mechanism includes a oting lever and a fixed support arm in a substantially parallel and adjacent relationship to the spring-loaded or slide mechanism. The lever incorporates a hollowed-out portion that receives one end of the spring-loaded or slide mechanism and a portion of the support arm therein. The spring-loaded or slide mechanism is hingedly coupled to the lever at the hollowed-out portion. The hollowed-out portion is further sized to allow the support arm to pass therethough. A latch mechanism is incorporated in part on the support arm and in part on the lever at the hollowed-out portion. In use, the lever moves the spring-loaded or slide mechanism between a first position and a second position as the lever is supported by the support arm passing through the hollowed-out portion. The latch mechanism can be engaged to maintain the spring-loaded or slide mechanism in at least one of the first and second positions.