Abstract: A process for forming a foamed thermoplastic earplug, comprising the steps of extruding a foamed body of thermoplastic material; shaping the foamed thermoplastic material; and at least partially separating the resulting shaped material for forming individual earplugs.

Abstract: A flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs.

Abstract: A back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a flexible support member mounted to the seatback. The shape of the flexible support member changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back, and may also be changed by an actuator system. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by selectively controlling the properties of the surfaces of the flexible support member, the mounting structures, or both. In particular, at least a portion of these surfaces are treated to provide friction surfaces, protection surfaces or both are used. Any combination of devices can be used to treat the surfaces, including tapes, lubricants, extrusions, sleeves, coatings, films, and self-lubricated material sections.

Abstract: A flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by the coefficient of friction reduction method of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for forming a foamed thermoplastic earplug, comprising the steps of extruding a foamed body of thermoplastic material; shaping the foamed thermoplastic material; and at least partially separating the resulting shaped material for forming individual earplugs.

Abstract: A flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by the coefficient of friction reduction method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for extruding foam of a thermoplastic elastomer, which is a blend of olefin rubber and polyolefin resin, includes the steps of mixing the thermoplastic with water, introducing the mix to an extruder, melting and compressing the thermoplastic elastomer and water and extruding the resultant mix as foam. In more detail, a first quantity of thermoplastic elastomer in pellet form is mixed with a second quantity of water. The mixed water and thermoplastic elastomer is introduced to an extruder. The thermoplastic elastomer is allowed to soak for a predetermined period of time after mixing. The thermoplastic elastomer is melted and mixed with the water to a uniform mix of thermoplastic elastomer and water. The mix is extruded through a die, wherein the water expands in a vapor form to create foam cells with the cells having walls of the thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a spring and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second ends. The spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is connected to one of the first end and second ends of the flexible support member. The cable assembly includes a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end connected to the second end of the spring. The cable has a first end connected an other of the first and second ends of the flexible support member.

Abstract: A method for extruding foam of a thermoplastic elastomer, which is a blend of olefin rubber and polyolefin resin, includes the steps of mixing the thermoplastic with water, introducing the mix to an extruder, melting and compressing the thermoplastic elastomer and water and extruding the resultant mix as foam. In more detail, a first quantity of thermoplastic elastomer in pellet form is mixed with a second quantity of water. The mixed water and thermoplastic is introduced to an extruder. The thermoplastic elastomer is melted and mixed with the water to a uniform mix of thermoplastic elastomer and water. The mix is extruded through a die, wherein the water expands in a vapor form to create foam cells with the cells having walls of the thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a spring and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second ends. The spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is connected to one of the first end and second ends of the flexible support member. The cable assembly includes a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end connected to the second end of the spring. The cable has a first end connected an other of the first and second ends of the flexible support member.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a cushioning yoke, and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second longitudinal ends. The cushioning yoke has a first end attached to the flexible support member proximate to the first longitudinal end of the flexible support member. The cushioning yoke extends to its second end which is disposed between the first end of the cushioning yoke and the second end of the flexible support member. The yoke has a plurality of undulations disposed between the yokes first end and second end. The cable assembly has a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end attached to one of the second end of the cushioning yoke and the second end of the flexible support member. A first end of the cable is attached to the other of the second end of the cushioning yoke and the second end of the flexible support member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adjustable side bolster includes a seat frame, a first plate, a second plate, a living hinge and a displacement mechanism. The first plate is fixed to the seat frame. The second plate is pivotably mounted to the first plate. The living hinge resiliently connects the first plate and the second plate. A displacement mechanism is disposed between the first plate and the second plate, selectively moving the second plate relative to the first plate between the first position and the second position. The living hinge provides a spring force tending to return the second plate to one of the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Lever actuator assembly includes the use of at least one clutch member for providing selective adjustment of the length or tension of a cable. The clutch member provides for a stationary position of a item such as a cable relative to the assembly housing absent any rotational force. Applying a rotational force in a selected manner results in an adjustment through movement of the clutch member relative to the housing. A disclosed embodiment is particularly useful for applications that require adjusting a relative length of a cable.

Abstract: Lever actuator assembly includes the use of at least one clutch member for providing selective adjustment of the length or tension of a cable. The clutch member provides for a stationary position of a item such as a cable relative to the assembly housing absent any rotational force. Applying a rotational force in a selected manner results in an adjustment through movement of the clutch member relative to the housing. A disclosed embodiment is particularly useful for applications that require adjusting a relative length of a cable.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a device for longitudinally subtending the support member, an apex shift linkage, and a loading device engaging the apex shift linkage. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second longitudinal ends. The device for longitudinally subtending the support member is disposed between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end and causes the support member to arch outwardly to define an apex engaging a users back. The apex shift linkage includes a first shift link and a second shift link. The first shift link has a first end pivotably connected to the flexible support member proximate to the first longitudinal end. The second shift link is pivotably connected on a first end thereof to the flexible support at a point between the second longitudinal end and the first end of the apex shift link.

Abstract: A single-piece strong, flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. The inventive back support is capable of taking a variety of shapes thereby providing maximum comfort and support regardless of the user's spinal curvature or posture and position relative to the back support.

Abstract: A barrier for closing and sealing a tubular passage while permitting ingress and egress of coating material into and out of the passage and with a mat of expandable adherent material secured to a barrier plate, the expansion and sealing actuated by exposure to curing heat.

Abstract: A starting and reinforcing tab or plate for fasteners, especially suitable in reference to automobile bodies and trim, comprising a thin walled support plate having a plurality of upper surface upsets or indentations and an adhesive lower surface with a release sheet for activation and exposure of the mastic, and together providing a reinforcing element selectively locatable to steady a drill point for selected penetration of the reinforcing plate and the material to which the tab is applied and enhancing the grip of fasteners drawing the intermediate elements into a compression relationship.

Abstract: A sandwich-like fixture of expandable foam material as a core between two registering flanking plates of relatively rigid material and means through the plates securing the expandable material and plates in assembled contact relation. One or more of the plates include stabilizing and orienting feet or tab means for securing the fixture in selected position in relation to elements forming a passageway. The fixture is sized in respect to the passageway so as to provide clearance in order to achieve ingress and egress to the passageway. Then, by actuating the expandable foam material by application of heat the expanding foam closes and seals the passageway by filling the clearance between fixture and walls of the passageway with adhesive foamed material at selected points where the fixtures are positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting washers, gaskets, seals and the like from tubular elongate stock having elastomeric properties in which the stock is clamped between two sets of spaced-apart jaws. The jaws are adjustably movable in respect to each other to stretch the tubular elastomeric material. The tubular stock in stretched condition is positioned between a cutting element having plural spaced-apart cutting blades and a cutter block in registry with the blades so that as cutting proceeds, a plurality of precision annular end products are produced with uniform thickness and with the cut surfaces all substantially precisely and repetitively parallel and accurate.