Abstract: A nozzle having castellations provides high suction pressure while also allowing for large pieces of debris to pass through inlet openings. In more detail, a nozzle for a surface treatment/cleaning apparatus is disclosed herein. The nozzle provides a suction channel through which debris passes into a main body of the surface treatment apparatus. Castellations are provided along a leading edge of the nozzle to allow debris to pass through the leading edge to the suction channel, and into the main body during, for instance, forward and reverse strokes of the surface treatment apparatus. In an embodiment, the castellations further include receptacles/cavities to receive and securely hold wheels therein. The wheels may extend from the nozzle at a predefined angle, also referred to herein as a camber angle, to improve vacuum handling and reduce noise during operation.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure frame defining an opening, and a closure for selectively covering the opening. The closure has a plurality of positions including a closed position, an open position, and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes an optical sensor disposed proximate the closure. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to a closure open request and no feature being detected by the optical sensor, and to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the intermediate position in response to a closure open request and a feature being detected by the optical sensor.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure frame defining an opening, and a closure for selectively covering the opening. The closure has a plurality of positions including a closed position, an open position, and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes an optical sensor disposed proximate the closure. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to a closure open request and no feature being detected by the optical sensor, and to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the intermediate position in response to a closure open request and a feature being detected by the optical sensor.

Abstract: A multi-position endgate system includes a storage box wall and a storage box floor. A tailgate is mounted relative to the storage box floor and is pivotal about a tailgate axis. The tailgate is moveable between a fully-closed position proximal to the storage box wall and a fully-open position distal from the storage box wall. A cable mechanism has a first end pivotally attached to the tailgate and a second end pivotally attached to the storage box wall. A channel hook is attached to either the tailgate or the storage box wall at a connector. An arcuate ledge is spaced from the connector, by an arm, and defines a groove. The cable mechanism may be passed or routed through the groove of the arcuate ledge to selectively hold the tailgate in an intermediate position between the fully-closed and fully-open positions.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: A motor vehicle molding assembly for concealing the space between the edges of a window panel and a door which are mounted to a pillar. The molding assembly has a retainer mounted to the pillar. The retainer has a first projection projecting generally perpendicular to the pillar, with a hook formed at the end of the first projection. A dual durometer molding has a rigid portion having a groove with a catch portion adapted to receive and engage the hook of the retainer to secure the molding to the door pillar. A pliable portion encases the rigid portion and has a pair of legs depending towards and engaging the retainer mounted to the pillar for biasing the dual durometer molding away from the retainer and maintaining the engagement of the hook with the catch portion. A continuous flexible lip is extruded integral with the pliable portion and bridges across the top of the legs and the interposed rigid portion.