Abstract: A hanger for shower curtains is molded unitarily from a resin material. The hanger includes a base configured for support on a shower curtain rod. Inner and outer arms extend from inner and outer ends of the base. A hook is formed on the free end of the inner arm and curves away from the outer arm. A hook is formed on an inner surface of the outer arm and curves towards the inner arm. The outer arm is longer than the inner arm, but the outer hook is at a position on the outer arms substantially opposed to the hook on the inner arm. A decorative shower curtain can be suspended from the outer hook and a shower liner can be suspended from the inner hook.

Abstract: A brake disc assembly (22) for a vehicle includes a ventilated rotor (24) defined by vent holes (42) between inboard (32) and outboard (34) friction plates. The vent holes (42) are separated by ribs (40) spaced in regular circumferential increments about the rotor (24). The rib pattern (40) is divided into two or more sectors (48) of equal angular measure. Within each sector (48), an attenuation region (50) interrupts two or more ribs (40) by replacing the ribs (40) with a cluster of individual pins (54) which may be arranged in radial and circumferential rows. The pins (54) can have consistent circular or varying cross-sectional configurations. Each attenuation region (50) spans a territory within each sector (48) that is preferably at least 20% and less than 55% of the sector (48) real estate.

Abstract: A kettle is presented whose spout lid opens automatically as if by magic when the user chooses to tilt the kettle. When a tea kettle is tilted to pour tea or another liquid, the spout lid opens automatically and in an amount proportional to the amount of the outward swing of a weight up to 27 degrees rotation of that weight. The weight is suspended from a spout lid assembly that sits atop the spout. The weight is coupled to the spout lid assembly by a coupling structure that in a preferred embodiment is a simple metal wire whose bottom portion is affixed to the weight and whose top portion is attached to the spout lid assembly. The weight is prevented from swinging outward more than 27 degrees by a stopper of the spout lid assembly that strikes the spout.

Abstract: An eating utensil assembly includes a knife, a fork and a spoon. The knife includes an elongate handle, and grooves are formed in opposite surfaces of the handle. The fork and the spoon each have channel-shaped handles that can be nested over the handle of the knife. Additionally, the channel-shaped handles of the fork and spoon have elongate ribs configured for releasable snapped engagement with the grooves in the handle of the knife.

Abstract: An eating utensil assembly includes a knife, a fork and a spoon. The knife includes an elongate handle, and grooves are formed in opposite surfaces of the handle. The fork and the spoon each have channel-shaped handles that can be nested over the handle of the knife. Additionally, the channel-shaped handles of the fork and spoon have elongate ribs configured for releasable snapped engagement with the grooves in the handle of the knife.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method provide truck-rental information and expertise-based guidance to facilitate a customer's reserving and renting of a truck using a communications network. The system includes a server which processes user inputs from a user's computer over a communications network and provides information responsive thereto to the user's computer over the communications network from which a service contract is generated and confirmed. The server includes a memory and programming. In the memory, a plurality of data sets is stored relating to (a) trucks which can be rented and associated rental prices for the trucks, (b) towing accessories that can be rented and towed vehicles with which the towing accessories can be used, (c) towing accessories and associated rental prices for the towing accessories, (d) expertise-based guidance relating to trucks, and (e) expertise-based guidance relating to towing accessories.

Abstract: A ball and socket housing incorporating a thick housing wall of deformable material adjacent a central bore opening to provide a closure system utilizing a deformable cover-plate. The deformable cover-plate is formed to a desired configuration within the central bore to achieve a consistent internal socket preload. The cover-plate is deformed into the housing opening beyond an elastic limit to control resiliency or spring-back characteristics, thereby achieving a high-degree of repeatability and precise control of the ball and socket preload during the assembly process. The deformed cover-plate is retained in the socket housing at the cover-plate seat by swaged or rolling the perimeter of the housing to capture the perimeter of the deformed cover plate within the housing central bore opening.

Abstract: A wall-mountable modular assembly is provided for mounting bathroom accessories on a wall or other supporting surface. The assembly includes a plurality of substantially identical supports and a plurality of accessories that are releasably mountable on the supports. Each support includes a suction cup and a cam lever that is pivotally movable from a release position to an actuating position for actuating a griping engagement of the suction cup with the wall or other supporting surface. The accessory is releasably engaged with the support when the cam lever is in the actuating position.

Abstract: An improved bearing for use in movable sockets and suspension joints. The improved bearing is annular, having an outer dimension sized to seat within the housing of a suspension joint or movable socket. An inner surface of the bearing is configured to receive the head of an articulating stud within the housing. Three or more radial slots are disposed on the inner surface. Each radial slot disposed on one-half of the bearing inner surface has a unique radial dimension, such that the radial slots are optimally configured to minimize stress and stiffness within the improved bearing, whereby the bearing can be seated within the housing in a radially and rotationally locked configuration, but remain movable in an axial direction.

Abstract: A ball joint 110 for a vehicle having a housing 120 partly enclosing a ball member 112 a cover member 150 provided by an annular, partially everted body of steel which at one end 158 surrounds the housing for attachment and at the other 156 is in-turned at 160 to approach the spherical surface 118 of the ball member radially and at about 45 degrees to the member housing axis. This other end 156 supports an elastomeric sealing ring 142 biased by the member 150 against the spherical surface to prevent contaminants being carried by the ball to the housing seat 126. To tailor the resilience, the cover member is provided with an array of slots 1681 . . . at the curved region 160 which are filled with plugs 1721 . . . of contaminant excluding elastomer and/or the ball sealing ring is biased against the housing adjacent the seat.

Abstract: A ball joint 110 for a vehicle having a housing 120 partly enclosing a ball member 112 a cover member 150 provided by an annular, partially everted body of steel which at one end 158 surrounds the housing for attachment and at the other 156 is in-turned at 160 to approach the spherical surface 118 of the ball member radially and at about 45 degrees to the member housing axis. This other end 156 supports an elastomeric sealing ring 142 biased by the member 150 against the spherical surface to prevent contaminants being carried by the ball to the housing seat 126. To tailor the resilience, the cover member is provided with an array of slots 1681, . . . at the curved region 160 which are filled with plugs 1721, . . . of contaminant excluding elastomer and/or the ball sealing ring is biased against the housing adjacent the seat.

Abstract: A waste container assembly is provided. The assembly includes an inner can with a closed bottom and an open top. A waste can liner can be placed in the inner can and the free edge of the liner can be folded over the open top of the inner can. The assembly further includes an outer enclosure that is telescoped around the inner can to conceal the inner can, the waste can liner and the contents of the waste can liner. For smaller cans, the outer enclosure has a unitary peripheral skirt and cover that can be telescoped over the inner can. Larger assemblies may have a separate cover and peripheral skirt. A lid is hinged to the cover and can be opened by a slight downward force on an inner portion of the lid. However, the lid is gravitationally biased to return to a closed condition.

Abstract: A heat pack containing a super-cooled aqueous solution is provided comprising a flexible container having at least two compartments separated by a rupturable seal housing an aqueous solution in one compartment and having the other compartment remain empty.