Abstract: A casting mould comprising: an inorganic or refractory mould, wherein the mould is configured to receive feedstock; wherein the feedstock is configured to be heated in situ. A reusable mould, reusable susceptor, and/or release agent may be incorporated. Method of manufacturing a mould, and casting a part employing 5 in situ heating, are also provided.

Abstract: A casting mould comprising: an inorganic or refractory mould, wherein the mould is configured to receive feedstock; wherein the feedstock is configured to be heated in situ. A reusable mould, reusable susceptor, and/or release agent may be incorporated. Method of manufacturing a mould, and casting a part employing 5 in situ heating, are also provided.

Abstract: A pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism has a housing defining a piston chamber and having a fluid inlet port. A piston is slidable in the piston chamber. The piston partitions the piston chamber into a front chamber and a rear chamber. The piston has one or more passages for fluid communication between the rear chamber and the front chamber, the one or more passages being sealed by a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism has a sealing state in which the sealing mechanism substantially inhibits fluid communication between the rear chamber and the front chamber, and a non-sealing state in which the sealing mechanism allows fluid communication between the rear chamber and the front chamber. The piston is slidable between a first position and a second position. When the piston is positioned in the first position, the sealing mechanism is in the sealing state.

Abstract: A pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism has a housing defining a piston chamber and having a fluid inlet port. A piston is slidable in the piston chamber. The piston partitions the piston chamber into a front chamber and a rear chamber. The piston has one or more passages for fluid communication between the rear chamber and the front chamber, the one or more passages being sealed by a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism has a sealing state in which the sealing mechanism substantially inhibits fluid communication between the rear chamber and the front chamber, and a non-sealing state in which the sealing mechanism allows fluid communication between the rear chamber and the front chamber. The piston is slidable between a first position and a second position. When the piston is positioned in the first position, the sealing mechanism is in the sealing state.

Abstract: In a frame for an over the highway or off-highway truck or tractor, the frame includes a first and second frame rail and a composite cross-member comprising a first sheet, a second sheet and a core material sheet positioned between the first and second face sheet. The first and second face sheets being made of metal and plastic and the core material being made of any one of wood, plastic, honey-comb, foam and nomex. The first sheet, second sheet and core material sheet are all bonded together to form a cross-member. The cross-member is then mounted to frame rails to construct a truck or tractor frame.

Abstract: A device includes a base plate attachable to an electric outlet and an insert fitted to the base plate and having one or more central openings for exposing the receptacles of the electric outlet. A pair of opposing door members hingedly attach to the base plate and are operable between an open position to allow insertion of a plug of an electrical cord into the receptacle, and a closed position to provide a protective shield surrounding an enclosed chamber and the one or more receptacles of the outlet. The opposing door members include flange portions extending partially along a peripheral edge for overlapping engagement with an inner surface adjacent the peripheral edge of the opposite door, preventing insertion of an object between the doors when the device is closed.

Abstract: Water soluble cationic block copolymer comprising at least one first polymer block selected from a first class consisting of polymeric species having amino groups in the polymeric structure thereof wherein a majority of said amino groups are quaternary, and at least one second polymer block selected from a second class consisting of polymer species having amino groups in the polymeric structure thereof wherein a majority of said amino groups are other than quaternary amino acids. Also included are the methods of making these copolymers.