Abstract: A trash container having a base disposed on a support surface. The base has an aperture adjacent the support surface. A receptacle is disposed above the base. The receptacle contains debris received from an opening in an upper end of the receptacle. A vacuum draws debris through the aperture into a channel adjacent to the base and toward the receptacle. A collection chamber is associated with the receptacle and is configured to receive and collect debris from the vacuum and direct debris into the receptacle. The trash container can also include a lid disposed on an upper end of the receptacle. A method of collecting debris for depositing in a trash container includes providing suction to an aperture in a base of the trash container to draw debris from a surface adjacent the container. The method also includes capturing the debris drawn through the aperture in a collection chamber.

Abstract: A trash container having a base disposed on a support surface. The base has an aperture adjacent the support surface. A receptacle is disposed above the base. The receptacle contains debris received from an opening in an upper end of the receptacle. A vacuum draws debris through the aperture into a channel adjacent to the base and toward the receptacle. A collection chamber is associated with the receptacle and is configured to receive and collect debris from the vacuum and direct debris into the receptacle. The trash container can also include a lid disposed on an upper end of the receptacle. A method of collecting debris for depositing in a trash container includes providing suction to an aperture in a base of the trash container to draw debris from a surface adjacent the container. The method also includes capturing the debris drawn through the aperture in a collection chamber.

Abstract: A multiple accessory support bracket that mounts a plurality of external accessories for an auxiliary power unit (APU) so that all the external accessories may be mounted to the APU in a single operation.

Abstract: The Invention is an apparatus and method for improving near-vision visual acuity during reading by persons having hyperopia or presbyopia. The apparatus is a lamp projecting blue light from a light-emitting diode upon a reading material. The method comprises illuminating reading material with the lamp of the invention.

Abstract: An actuating device has an arm which controls the movement of a track locking mechanism for use in conjunction with a vehicle seat assembly adapted for installation in a vehicle. The seat assembly has a first track member, fixed to the vehicle, and a second track member, secured to the vehicle seat, which track members can be locked in position with respect to one another. A cable is attached to a vehicle seatback, and when the seatback is moved from an upright position to a forwardly folded position, the cable moves the arm of the actuating device from a rest position to a cocked position. When the vehicle seat is moved forward to allow access to the rear seat area of the vehicle, the arm of the actuating device correspondingly moves a cam follower from a raised position to a lowered position. The cam follower restrainingly engages the arm in the cocked position against the biasing of a spring member.

Abstract: A low cost, light-weight inertial latching mechanism for use in latching an automotive vehicle seatback member with respect to a cooperating seat member under collision or collision-like conditions wherein high acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle occurs, is disclosed. The latching mechanism has first and second hinged members pivotally mounted on the seat and seatback members about a common first pivot. The first hinged member has a gear rack adapted to engage a pawl means that is mounted on the second hinged member. The pawl means moves between a first latched position, a second transitional position, and a third unlatched position. A spring means is operationally interconnected between the second hinged member and the pawl means and is adapted to bias the pawl means toward said third unlatched position until forces of acceleration or deceleration above a design threshold value occur.

Abstract: In a vehicle sun visor assembly, a bushing apparatus comprising a pair of identical bushing half members is provided as a replacement for worn conventional one-piece sun visor bushings. The half members of the bushing apparatus are designed to be assembled over the end of a sun visor pivot rod and inserted into the hollow cavity of a sun visor mounting member to create a friction connection between the sun visor and the mounting member. The friction connection enables a vehicle operator to adjust the position of the sun visor relative to the mounting member on application of a predetermined torque to the sun visor pivot rod, and enables the mounting member to support the sun visor in its adjusted position when the applied torque is removed.

Abstract: An inertial backrest latching mechanism for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a backrest member pivotally tiltable over a seat member. The mechanism has a first latch fixed relative to the seat member and a second latch pivotally mounted on the backrest member for pivotal movement about an exceptionally low pivot pin between an unlatched and latched configuration, in which latched configuration tilting movement of the backrest member over the seat member is restrained. A terminal ramped camming portion of the first latch is steeply profiled to tilt the second latch into a latchable configuration when the backrest member is in the normal upright position.

Abstract: Process for preparing a pointed device by a photochemical process by coating the top and bottom surfaces of a sheet material with a light-sensitive photoresist, exposing the photoresist with light through a light-impenetrable mask in the form of an image of the device shaped with a blunt end at the tip of the point to compensate for lateral etching during the etching step, said image on the top surface being slightly offset relative to the image on the bottom surface, further exposing with light a portion of the image of the point of the device on the top surface of the sheet material, said exposure conforming generally to a V-shaped configuration running along the inside perimeter of the point, removing exposed photoresist, and then contacting the treated sheet material with an etchant to remove material not protected by the remaining photoresist.