Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle, the safety seat having a base including a rotating mechanism and a seat shell for a child that is detachably connectable to the base. The base is anchorable in the vehicle using either conventional safety belts or LATCH anchoring provisions. The base is configured to allow a conventional three-point occupant restraint to secure the base to the vehicle and to prevent interaction between the seat shell and the restraint belt. The seat shell, when connected to the base, may be rotated about a generally upstanding axis into forward-facing, rearward-facing, or side-facing configurations. The base includes a moveable wedge that allows the base to optimally fit a variety of vehicle seat having different seat cushion inclinations. The seat shell also includes a height-adjustable backrest portion that allows the seat configuration to be optimized for the occupant, even as the occupant child grows.

Abstract: An ice cream making apparatus for chilling a solution with a freezer bowl having a great thermal capacity and being formed from a material that is thermally conductive. The freezer bowl has an interior surface that is generally radially symmetric and forms a container to hold the solution. A drive mechanism is included for rotating the solution at a rate sufficient to centrifugally disperse the solution onto a dynamic contact area of the interior surface. The interior surface having a contour that gives the solution a thin layer when centrifugally dispersed, the thin layer having an average thickness less than 1.5 cm to increase the rate of heat transfer from the solution to the freezer bowl.

Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle, the safety seat having a base including a rotating mechanism and a seat shell for a child that is detachably connectable to the base. The base is anchorable in the vehicle using either conventional safety belts or LATCH anchoring provisions. The base is configured to allow a conventional three-point occupant restraint to secure the base to the vehicle and to prevent interaction between the seat shell and the restraint belt. The seat shell, when connected to the base, may be rotated about a generally upstanding axis into forward-facing, rearward-facing, or side-facing configurations. The base includes a moveable wedge that allows the base to optimally fit a variety of vehicle seat having different seat cushion inclinations. The seat shell also includes a height-adjustable backrest portion that allows the seat configuration to be optimized for the occupant, even as the occupant child grows.

Abstract: A first adjuster portion joined to a second adjuster portion whereby the first adjuster portion is oriented to receive one of multiple loops of strap and said second adjuster buckle is oriented to receive an opposing lead strap. The multiple loops of strap are routed so as to create mechanical advantage by pulling on the free end of the strap, commonly referred to as a block and tackle. The lead strap enables an operator to quickly and conveniently pre-tension both the block and tackle and lead straps by removing an un-tensioned length of the lead strap before having to apply increased leverage through the block and tackle strap. That is, the first adjuster arrangement may be operated only to tension a block and tackle strap that has been pre-tensioned with the second adjuster, thereby facilitating the use of the combined assembly.

Abstract: An improved lower anchor strap tension adjusting mechanism for varying tension in a restraint connected to a vehicle. The mechanism comprises first and second adjuster ends and a length of web spanning therebetween. One end of the web is attached to one of the adjuster ends. A guide is provided on one or both adjuster ends enabling the web to be looped around the guide(s) and between the ends in multiple passes. A web lock device is connected one of the ends to engage the web and allow the length of the web spanning between the first and second adjuster portions to be fixed. The number of loops of web spanning between the adjuster ends determines the mechanical advantage in the tension force applied to the anchor strap by the adjuster compared to the tension applied to the free end, improving ease and security of safety seat installation.

Abstract: An air intake system for a vehicle includes a grille disposed at a forward end of the vehicle for admitting airflow into an engine compartment of the vehicle and a scoop having a ramped surface for directing at least a portion of the airflow admitted through the grille upward toward an air intake of the vehicle. The ramped surface has an aperture defined therein for removing entrained particles from the portion of the airflow directed upward by the ramped surface.

Abstract: An air intake system for a vehicle includes a grille disposed at a forward end of the vehicle for admitting airflow into an engine compartment of the vehicle and a scoop having a ramped surface for directing at least a portion of the airflow admitted through the grille upward toward an air intake of the vehicle. The ramped surface has an aperture defined therein for removing entrained particles from the portion of the airflow directed upward by the ramped surface.