Abstract: A hinge pillar assembly includes a hinge pillar panel that is cast from a die casting process, and that defines an interior surface. An acoustic foam layer is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the hinge pillar panel. An inner retainer panel is attached to the hinge pillar panel. The inner retainer panel secures the acoustic foam layer between the inner retainer panel and the hinge pillar panel. The hinge pillar assembly is cast to define a cored boss that is used to retain the hinge pillar panel within an upper ejector half of a die set during the casting process. A fastener is disposed in the threaded engagement with the cored boss to attach the inner retainer panel to the hinge pillar panel. A vehicle component may be attached to the inner retainer panel.

Abstract: A hinge pillar assembly includes a hinge pillar panel that is cast from a die casting process, and that defines an interior surface. An acoustic foam layer is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the hinge pillar panel. An inner retainer panel is attached to the hinge pillar panel. The inner retainer panel secures the acoustic foam layer between the inner retainer panel and the hinge pillar panel. The hinge pillar assembly is cast to define a cored boss that is used to retain the hinge pillar panel within an upper ejector half of a die set during the casting process. A fastener is disposed in the threaded engagement with the cored boss to attach the inner retainer panel to the hinge pillar panel. A vehicle component may be attached to the inner retainer panel.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an article astride fixed and movable body components in bridging relation to the cut-line therebetween. The article is automatically pivoted with respect to the fixed body component in concert with movement of the movable body component, whereby the pivoting of the article ensures that the movement of the movable body component with respect to the fixed body component avoids contact and interference with the article. For example, an article astride a fender and a door of a motor vehicle, the article transversely pivots out of the way of the door whenever the door is opened.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vehicle door and a method of operating the handle assembly is disclosed. The door handle assembly may include a pivot bracket mounted in the vehicle door, a handle arm pivotally mounted to the pivot bracket, a handle alignable flush with a door handle cutout, and a motor assembly operatively engaging the handle arm to selectively cause pivoting of the handle arm relative to the pivot bracket. The door handle assembly may also include a handle depression limit switch, a handle flush button, or a handle extension limit switch in communication with a control module that controls the motor.

Abstract: A multimedia terminal adapter for a “data over cable” system includes a host processor. A network interface may be coupled to a cable modem termination system via a cable transceiver. The adapter includes a plurality of device ports. An applications platform is executed on the host processor for providing standardized application program interfaces for allowing compliant application programs to access network services via the network interface to provide multimedia content to at least one of the device ports. A SIP proxy is provided for responding to interconnection of a SIP-compatible device to one of the device ports and for intermediating access to SIP-based services via the network interface.

Abstract: A packet communication system is disclosed that includes an end communication device, a call processing system, and a packet network. To setup up a call from an end user, the end communication device transmits a call request message to the call processing system. The call request message has a header that includes priority information for the call. The call processing system processes the priority information in the header of the call request message to determine if the call request message is for a high priority call. If the call request message is not for a high priority call and the call processing system is in a state of congestion, then the call processing system transmits a response message indicating the state of congestion. Responsive to receiving the response message, the end communication device performs call blocking and provides call treatment to the end user.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an article astride fixed and movable body components in bridging relation to the cut-line therebetween. The article is automatically pivoted with respect to the fixed body component in concert with movement of the movable body component, whereby the pivoting of the article ensures that the movement of the movable body component with respect to the fixed body component avoids contact and interference with the article. For example, an article astride a fender and a door of a motor vehicle, the article transversely pivots out of the way of the door whenever the door is opened.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vehicle door and a method of operating the handle assembly is disclosed. The door handle assembly may include a pivot bracket mounted in the vehicle door, a handle arm pivotally mounted to the pivot bracket, a handle alignable flush with a door handle cutout, and a motor assembly operatively engaging the handle arm to selectively cause pivoting of the handle arm relative to the pivot bracket. The door handle assembly may also include a handle depression limit switch, a handle flush button, or a handle extension limit switch in communication with a control module that controls the motor.

Abstract: A comprehensive system, process and article of manufacture to facilitate comprehensive institutional, regulatory and individual continuing education (a.k.a. “CE”) requirements via a communications network comprising interactive processing components to facilitate web-based CE tracking and reporting for employers, group member registration, small business member registration, CE content providers & CE accrediting agencies, CE content editor functionality, site-to-site data transfer, provider reporting to accrediting entities, relationships with professional associations, remote CE training, tracking and distribution, CE applications service provider services, individual professional CE services, CE guidance and portfolio management, CE portfolio setup and customization, CE reporting for license reinstatement, an industry portal for licensed professionals, individual member registration, state regulation services and automated e-licensure/e-certification renewal.

Abstract: A comprehensive system, process and article of manufacture to facilitate comprehensive institutional, regulatory and individual continuing education (a.k.a. “CE”) requirements via a communications network comprising interactive processing components to facilitate web-based CE tracking and reporting for employers, group member registration, small business member registration, CE content providers & CE accrediting agencies, CE content editor functionality, site-to-site data transfer, provider reporting to accrediting entities, relationships with professional associations, remote CE training, tracking and distribution, CE applications service provider services, individual professional CE services, CE guidance and portfolio management, CE portfolio setup and customization, CE reporting for license reinstatement, an industry portal for licensed professionals, individual member registration, state regulation services and automated e-licensure/e-certification renewal.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing pressurized gas, especially CNG, in which the temperature inside the receiving tank is preferably monitored and is used by a computer to adjust the fill pressure to compensate for the temperature and pressure rise attributable to adiabatic compression of the gas inside the receiving tank. The system also utilizes the temperature and pressure of the receiving tank to calculate the volume of gas dispensed.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively refueling a plurality of vehicle storage tanks with compressed natural gas (CNG) are provided that utilize a compressor system operable at suction pressures ranging from about 330 to about 3600 psig and discharge pressures ranging from about 330 to about 4500 psig in combination with a tank for temporarily storing CNG at an intermediate storage pressure of from about 330 to about 4500 psig, preferably from about 1700 to about 2700 psig, apparatus for selectively filling vehicle storage tanks with CNG from an inlet source, from the compressor discharge and from the intermediate storage tanks, and apparatus for selectively supplying CNG to the compressor inlet at either the available line pressure or the intermediate storage pressure.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having two different bead diameters has handling, ride and treadwear advantages. The tire is made so that the rho.sub.m of the longer sidewall and the rho.sub.m of the shorter sidewall are equal. The rho.sub.m of the longer sidewall is made equal to the rho.sub.m of the shorter sidewall by establishing a belt profile wherein the amount of drop at a belt edge is specified to give a mold drop of 0.30 to 0.33 of estimated tire deflection, applying an inflated shape prediction formula to calculate the inflated belt profile and varying the value of rho.sub.m until the drop at the end of the belt closely matches a specified value, using the cosine law to specify the change in belt angle with radius, choosing a shoulder point under the belt edge that allows a 0.050 inch wedge between the bottom of the belt and the top of the carcass ply and varying the slope of the ply at the shoulder point until the inflated ply line passes through the Y-max location at rho.sub.m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved locking arrangement for clothing. In one aspect of the invention, a garment includes an eyelet operatively associated with a major portion of the garment. An elongated locking device, such as a lockable cable, is passed through the eyelet to secure the garment to a stationary object. In a second embodiment of the invention, a garment includes a length of cable attached to a major portion of the garment along a substantial length of the cable. The cable has a free end operatively associated with a device for locking the cable to a stationary object to secure the garment against theft.

Abstract: System for testing pneumatic tires. A tire that revolves under a load is deformed at the area in which it meets the roadway. Such a deformation results in the tire having an effective rolling radius that is shorter than the radius it has while static and/or unloaded. According to the invention, tires are tested by determining their effective rolling radii. When tires having similar effective rolling radii are used on an automotive vehicle, the undesirable torque steer effect is thereby reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining tire dynamic characteristics in which a wheel and tire assembly is mounted on a shaft assembly of low mass. The tire tread is engageable with either a rotating or stationary supporting surface. Flexible connecting members having load-applying capabilities for urging the tire tread into loaded engagement with the tire supporting surface are located at each side of the tire and connected to the shaft assembly. The desired loading is measured by load cells on the connecting members. The tire may be vibrated at predetermined frequencies and amplitudes in predetermined directions by exciters and the resulting tire dynamic data selectively measured by one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: An annular hollow tire with an inner surface having a generally positive radius of curvature and at least one circumferentially extending rib portion on the inner surface with a negative radius of curvature located at an area of the tire subject to high stresses to mitigate the stress concentrations in that area of the tire. The method of making the tire includes the steps of providing a tire mold with a core having a selected circumferentially extending portion on the outer surface with a negative radius of curvature for forming the rib portion, filling the space between the core and mold surface with an elastomeric precursor, heating to set the precursor and form the tire and removing the tire from the mold and the core from the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with an annular reinforcement in the area of the tread. The annular reinforcement is formed of a single, wide, cord-reinforced ply which is folded so as to have three folded edges and four superimposed, narrower, interconnected layers or plies of rubberized reinforcement cords.

Abstract: Lateral force variations of a tire are reduced by detecting the variations in the conicity component of the lateral force with respect to the rotation angle in both forward and rearward rotational senses. The algebraic sum of the lateral force exerted by the tire parallel its own axis on a load wheel or road surface at successive angular increments of rotation in both rotational senses provide a variant signal which can be used to control grinding means to remove material from the respective tire shoulder regions in amounts and angular locations to reduce the variation of the conicity component and thus the total lateral force variation exerted by the tire in either rotational sense. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.