Abstract: A crisscross thermoforming assist plug assembly having a pair of oppositely outwardly facing thermoforming assist plugs each carried by a respective one of a pair of thermoforming assist plug linkage arrangements, where at least one link of the linkage arrangement is used to extend one of the assist plugs in one direction crosses but does not contact in a side view or profile of the thermoforming assist plug assembly, and at least one link of the other linkage arrangement is used to extend the other one of the assist plugs in an opposite direction. The links of the linkage arrangement preferably pivot about a common pivot axis that preferably is an elongate pivot shaft extending transversely between elongate upper rails of a frame of the assembly. At least one of the links of the linkage arrangement is a drive link that extends or retracts one of the plugs that crosses a drive link that extends and/or retracts the other one of the plugs.

Abstract: A crisscross thermoforming assist plug assembly having a pair of oppositely outwardly facing thermoforming assist plugs each carried by a respective one of a pair of thermoforming assist plug linkage arrangements, where at least one link of the linkage arrangement is used to extend one of the assist plugs in one direction crosses but does not contact in a side view or profile of the thermoforming assist plug assembly, and at least one link of the other linkage arrangement is used to extend the other one of the assist plugs in an opposite direction. The links of the linkage arrangement preferably pivot about a common pivot axis that preferably is an elongate pivot shaft extending transversely between elongate upper rails of a frame of the assembly. At least one of the links of the linkage arrangement is a drive link that extends or retracts one of the plugs that crosses a drive link that extends and/or retracts the other one of the plugs.

Abstract: A swivel mechanism for a vehicle seat that includes a plurality of pairs of plates that are rotatively coupled providing a first stage of movement where the seat and at least one plate rotates while displacing out of the way of an obstacle and a second stage where the seat and at least one plate rotates without displacing. In an embodiment, a base plate that remains fixed in a home position while a coupling plate and seat-supporting plate rotate about a first pivot offset from the center of the base plate during the first stage and the seat-supporting plate rotates about a second pivot disposed in a center of the coupling plate during the second stage. The coupling plate is slidably coupled to the base plate and to the seat-supporting plate with at least one guide pin and slot arrangement limiting relative movement during the first and second stages.

Abstract: A suspension for a seat that varies the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension in direct proportion to the suspended weight of an occupant of the seat to provide the same effective vibration isolation for any occupant. The suspension includes an actuating mechanism engaged with a first spring and a pivotal transfer link that is engaged with a second spring and a non-adjustable rate damper that are each fixedly attached to the seat opposite the transfer link. The transfer link is engaged with a weight adjustment mechanism which operates to adjust the position of a pivot pin for the transfer link with respect to the transfer link, such that the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension are adjusted in proportion to the weight of the occupant of the seat to provide similar ride dynamics to any occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt has upright support members at ends of each row and, in some cases, at intermediate positions, to support a conveyor tier above such that the belt is self-supporting in a helical stack in a spiral conveyor system. Modular rows can be made up of one or more modules, and the modules can be in various different configurations. The support members or spacer frames are either integral or securely connected to heavier link ends in end members of the modules. Preferably there are teeth and notches in the support frames and the bottom of the end member of the tier above, to hold the tiers of the helical stack in registry, preventing sliding and misalignment.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt has upright support members at ends of each row and, in some cases, at intermediate positions, to support a conveyor tier above such that the belt is self-supporting in a helical stack in a spiral conveyor system. Modular rows can be made up of one or more modules, and the modules can be in various different configurations. The support members or spacer frames are either integral or securely connected to heavier link ends in end members of the modules. Preferably there are teeth and notches in the support frames and the bottom of the end member of the tier above, to hold the tiers of the helical stack in registry, preventing sliding and misalignment.

Abstract: A suspension for a seat that varies the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension in direct proportion to the suspended weight of an occupant of the seat to provide the same effective vibration isolation for any occupant. The suspension includes an actuating mechanism engaged with a first spring and a pivotal transfer link that is engaged with a second spring and a non-adjustable rate damper that are each fixedly attached to the seat opposite the transfer link. The transfer link is engaged with a weight adjustment mechanism which operates to adjust the position of a pivot pin for the transfer link with respect to the transfer link, such that the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension are adjusted in proportion to the weight of the occupant of the seat to provide similar ride dynamics to any occupant of the seat.

Abstract: Plastic conveyor belts made up of modules interconnected by transverse rods and capable of straight or radius travel are adjusted as to minimum radius the belt can traverse by restricting collapsibility at the inner edge of the belt. This can be accomplished using shims in the slotted apertures of link ends, preventing full rod travel in those apertures, at each row or at alternating or selected rows of the belt; or shims otherwise placed in the belt to prevent full collapse; or by using different modules in certain rows, with less collapsibility; or by substituting different edge modules in belts of multiple modules per row. In this way, a basic radius conveyor belt can be defined, with a relatively tight minimum radius, and then can be modified so as to be custom-fitted to spiral conveyor or other belt systems having specific curve radii which are larger than the radius of the basic belt.

Abstract: A wire conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced, tractive rods disposed in succession and transversely with respect to a direction of travel of the belt, each rod having two ends. A plurality of rows of wickets are transversely disposed with respect to the direction of travel, and interconnect the succession of rods, each row of wickets including a plurality of links, each link connecting a rod with a following rod in the succession. The belt has a transport course including at least one course turn deviating in a direction selected from the group consisting of a left course turn and a right course turn. The belt in the course turn has an outside edge and an inside edge, and the belt has a straight transport course downstream of the course turn. The belt in the straight transport course has an outside edge corresponding to the outside edge of the belt in the course turn, and the belt in the straight transport course has an inside edge corresponding to the inside edge of the belt in the course turn.

Abstract: A switching assembly of individually backlighted rocker actuated switches mounted in a common housing. The switch is built up by mounting connector terminals on a base, securing with an insulated anchor plate and stacking thereon an upper and lower bus, each formed of a conductive strip with plastic molded thereover. Each bus has cut-outs with portions of the conductor exposed therein and with mounting stanchions which bayonet through slots in the lower bus, and each stanchion has a switch blade staked onto it. The stationary contacts on the upper and lower bus are arranged in spaced stacked pairs with a blade mounted contact extending between each pair of stationary contacts. The upper and lower buses each have a terminal formed integrally and extending internally for bayonet contact with terminals on the base. The individual rocker actuators are mounted on the cover, which is snap-locked over the assembly of the base, busses and switches.