Abstract: A dash reinforcement for a mobile vehicle with a passenger cab such as a sport utility vehicle, or medium or heavy-duty truck. The dash reinforcement may be a stamped sheet metal panel that strengthens the dash structure of the cab and provides for mounting of vehicle components. The dash reinforcement may be symmetrical about the centerline of the vehicle and this symmetry allows the panel to accommodate both left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicle configurations. The dash reinforcement also includes ‘Y’ shaped passages for a driver control module and for accessory equipment such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) modules. The unique shape of these passages or openings adds strength to the overall dash structure and hence the cab. The dash reinforcement may be engaged to a dash panel to form a dash assembly.

Abstract: A cable breakout article (78) which is formed of a polymeric material and which is preferably heat-recoverable comprises a body portion and at least two tubes or outlet portions (91 to 94) leading from apertures in the body portion. The length and flexibility of the tubes (91 to 94) is such that at least one of them can be bent away from the other(s) to allow operations such as heat recovery to be carried out on an end portion of one of the tubes in isolation from the others.Preferably one or more of the tubes (95) is corrugated at least near its end adjacent to the body portion (78) so as to assist bending.

Abstract: A dimensionally recoverable body, which is preferably heat-recoverable, has a body wall which is provided with a plurality of locking elements that are engageable with each other, or are engageable with corresponding elements located on a separate partition, to furcate the body into a plurality of channels.The body may be used for enclosing branch-offs in electrical cables in order to protect the enclosed branch-off from the environment.

Abstract: The invention includes a sheet moulding machine and a roller for use with the machine. The roller is wave-shaped along its longitudinal axis and/or is cut with one or more longitudinal grooves. This roller is located in the sheet moulding machine together with an adjacent co-operating surface such as a flat-surfaced roller. The moulding composition is extruded between the rollers.

Abstract: A motor truck door check and holding device comprising a spring bar having a cylindrical end portion pivotally connected to a swingable hinge half and having an elongated cam portion passing through an opening in the stationary hinge half. The cam portion has a hump which passes through the opening and springs upwardly and engages with the solid surface around the opening to hold the door in an open door position.

Abstract: A rheometer comprises adjacent surfaces moveable relative to one another e.g. a pair of rollers, means e.g. a motor for moving one or both surfaces and means for measuring the effect of or on the movement when a sample under test e.g. a sheet moulding composition is placed between and in contact with the surfaces.