Abstract: A seamless, embossed or cast substrate is formed using a seamless sleeve having a seamless surface relief formed thereon and configured to slide over an cylindrical base in an embossing or casting assembly. The substrate is a flat web, foil, or film of, for example, paper, polyester, polypropylene, metal or other elongated flat material. The surface relief can be applied through interfering ablation, non-interfering ablation, ink jet printing, or other techniques wherein a seamless surface relief is formed onto the seamless sleeve. A method of making a seamless, embossed or cast substrate includes expanding a diameter of a seamless sleeve having a seamless surface relief formed thereon, sliding the expanded seamless sleeve onto a cylindrical base, allowing the diameter of the seamless sleeve to contract around the cylindrical base, and conveying a substrate through the embossing or casting assembly and embossing or casting the seamless surface relief into the substrate.

Abstract: A seamless, embossed or cast substrate is formed using a seamless sleeve having a seamless surface relief formed thereon and configured to slide over an cylindrical base in an embossing or casting assembly. The substrate is a flat web, foil, or film of, for example, paper, polyester, polypropylene, metal or other elongated flat material. The surface relief can be applied through interfering ablation, non-interfering ablation, ink jet printing, or other techniques wherein a seamless surface relief is formed onto the seamless sleeve. A method of making a seamless, embossed or cast substrate includes expanding a diameter of a seamless sleeve having a seamless surface relief formed thereon, sliding the expanded seamless sleeve onto a cylindrical base, allowing the diameter of the seamless sleeve to contract around the cylindrical base, and conveying a substrate through the embossing or casting assembly and embossing or casting the seamless surface relief into the substrate.

Abstract: An enhanced optical interference pattern, such as a diffraction grating, is incorporated into a photodefineable surface by shining three or more beams of coherent light from a single source at a photodefinable surface, such as a photosensitive emulsion/photoresist covered glass or an ablatable substrate and mapping the diffraction grating pattern to the photodefinable surface. Mapping of the optical interference pattern is created by interference of three or more light beams, such as laser light or other light sources producing a suitable spectrum of light. The mapped photodefinable surface can be used to create embossing shims. The embossing shim can then be used to emboss film or paper. The embossed film/paper can be metalized and laminated onto a substrate to create a product that has shifting patterns at a variety of viewing angles when exposed to white light.

Abstract: A variety of deep structured decorative patterns originate with mechanical relief or etching. The present method incorporates a deeply patterned or textured etching or relief into a thin film embossing shim to simulate the look of the deep pattern or texture when used to emboss thin film or material. A transparent mold of the relief surface (such as brushed metal, engine-turned patterns, and textured glass) is formed using UV curable liquid and a transparent substrate. The relief copy in the transparent mold or overlay is mapped onto a photoresist surface or plate by shining or expanding one or more laser lights or laser beams through the transparent mold. The different heights of the relief copy of the transparent mold will cause the light to diffract/refract to form a corresponding patterned etching in the photoresist plate. The resulting photoresist plate is then metalized and electroplated to form a thin film embossing shim.

Abstract: A seamless, embossed or cast substrate is formed using a seamless sleeve having a seamless surface relief formed thereon and configured to slide over an cylindrical base in an embossing or casting assembly. The substrate is a flat web, foil, or film of, for example, paper, polyester, polypropylene, metal or other elongated flat material. The surface relief can be applied through interfering ablation, non-interfering ablation, ink jet printing, or other techniques wherein a seamless surface relief is formed onto the seamless sleeve. A method of making a seamless, embossed or cast substrate includes expanding a diameter of a seamless sleeve having a seamless surface relief formed thereon, sliding the expanded seamless sleeve onto a cylindrical base, allowing the diameter of the seamless sleeve to contract around the cylindrical base, and conveying a substrate through the embossing or casting assembly and embossing or casting the seamless surface relief into the substrate.

Abstract: An enhanced optical interference pattern, such as a diffraction grating, is incorporated into a photodefineable surface by shining three or more beams of coherent light from a single source at a photodefinable surface, such as a photosensitive emulsion/photoresist covered glass or an ablatable substrate and mapping the diffraction grating pattern to the photodefinable surface. Mapping of the optical interference pattern is created by interference of three or more light beams, such as laser light or other light sources producing a suitable spectrum of light. The mapped photodefinable surface can be used to create embossing shims. The embossing shim can then be used to emboss film or paper. The embossed film/paper can be metalized and laminated onto a substrate to create a product that has shifting patterns at a variety of viewing angles when exposed to white light.

Abstract: A variety of deep structured decorative patterns originate with mechanical relief or etching. The present method incorporates a deeply patterned or textured etching or relief into a thin film embossing shim to simulate the look of the deep pattern or texture when used to emboss thin film or material. A transparent mold of the relief surface (such as brushed metal, engine-turned patterns, and textured glass) is formed using UV curable liquid and a transparent substrate. The relief copy in the transparent mold or overlay is mapped onto a photoresist surface or plate by shining or expanding one or more laser lights or laser beams through the transparent mold. The different heights of the relief copy of the transparent mold will cause the light to diffract/refract to form a corresponding patterned etching in the photoresist plate. The resulting photoresist plate is then metalized and electroplated to form a thin film embossing shim.

Abstract: A cargo hook (10) for organizing and securing bags within a motor vehicle. The cargo hook (10) includes a based (12) adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle surface. A flexible tab (14) extends from the base (12). An inner area (16) is formed between the flexible tab (14) and the motor vehicle surface. This inner area (16) is designed to receive bag handles.

Abstract: A molded electrical interconnect having an electrical conductor embedded therein, a conductive terminal disposed in the cavity, a first end portion of the terminal disposed toward an open end of the cavity and a second end portion thereof coupled to a portion of the electrical conductor protruding into the cavity, the terminal is pivotally supported by a fulcrum near the second end portion thereof so that the first end portion of the terminal is movable in the cavity for alignment with a mating terminal.

Abstract: A selectively hardened nail includes a nail head, an elongated shank, and a tip. A portion of the nail shank is made harder than the remainder by selectively heat treating that portion, and cooling it. The nail has controlled bending properties. The selectively hardened portion does not significantly bend when the nail is fired at a surface using a power driving tool, or during use of the nailed object.

Abstract: A selectively hardened nail includes a nail head, an elongated shank, and a tip. A portion of the nail shank is made harder than the remainder by selectively heat treating that portion, and cooling it. The nail has controlled bending properties. The selectively hardened portion does not significantly bend when the nail is fired at a surface using a power driving tool, or during use of the nailed object.

Abstract: A stabilizer system is designed for an automotive vehicle having a rear suspension including left and right shackles, each having a first end coupled at a first pivot point to a respective one of the left and right frame members and a second end spaced from the first end and pivotally coupled to one end of a leaf spring. The stabilizer system comprises first and second elongated arms, each of the arms being rigidly coupled to one of the shackles and extending transversely thereof. First and second elongate flexible members tensionably link the arms, the first elongate flexible member being operatively connected to and extending between a first end of the first arm and a second end of the second arm, and the second elongate flexible member being operatively connected to and extending between a first end of the second arm and a second end of the first arm. Each of the elongate flexible members passes over both of the frame members between its operative connections to the respective first and second arms.

Abstract: A stabilizer system is designed for an automotive vehicle having a rear suspension including left and right shackles, each having a first end coupled at a first pivot point to one of a left and right frame member and a second end spaced from the first end and pivotally coupled to one end of a leaf spring. The stabilizer system comprises first and second elongated arms, each of the arms being rigidly coupled to one of the shackles and extending transversely thereof. First and second elongate flexible members tensionably link the arms, the first elongate flexible member being operatively connected to and extending between the one end of the first arm and the opposite end of the second arm, and the second elongate flexible member being operatively connected to and extending between the one end of the second arm and the opposite end of the first arm. Each of the elongate flexible members passes over both of said frame members between its operative connections to the respective first and second arms.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for giving a visual indication of increments of position over a predetermined range of positions to either side of and including a predetermined zero reference point. The apparatus includes a plurality of pattern generating units, each including first and second surfaces, each of these first and second surfaces having a plurality of spaced-apart opaque areas having translucent areas therebetween. The second surface is superimposed upon the first surface for creating a plurality of patterns in response to movement therebetween. The plurality of pattern generating units are arranged adjacent one another and are respectively configured for producing a unique and identifiable set of patterns for each of a plurality of increments over a predetermined range to either side of and including a predetermined zero reference point.

Abstract: A stabilizer system is designed for an automotive vehicle having a suspension including left and right suspension components, each of which suspension components rotates about a predetermined axis of rotation in response to movement of a portion of a vehicle body located above the suspension component in the generally upward and downward direction relative to wheels of the vehicle. The stabilizer system includes elongate flexible members which tensionably link first and second attachment points operatively coupled to each of the suspension components, which attachment points are located generally above and below the axis of rotation of the suspension component.

Abstract: A dry rotary damper includes a housing defining an internal chamber, the housing having a closed base portion, a top portion with a through opening, and a rotor-engaging internal surface. A rotor has a shaft rotatably passing through the opening and an engagement surface in sliding frictional engagement with the rotor-engaging internal surface of the housing. A deflection member is mounted within the chamber. An edge part of the deflection member impinges upon the rotor and the deflection member is deflected for resiliently urging the engagement surface into frictional engagement with the rotor-engaging internal surface of the housing.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for use with a vehicle suspension which employs a first and second strap or other flexible tension member associated with and extending between opposite control arm assemblies of the suspension. A first end of each strap is anchored to a corresponding control arm assembly. A second end, distal the first end, of each strap is anchored to the control arm assembly distal the first end. Each strap, alternately, weaves over and under at least two guides associated with and positioned between the path of the straps. The guides and/or bushings associated with the anchor points may be formed of a yieldable material to provide a yieldable biasing action on the straps. An adjustment assembly is associated with each strap to preload the associated strap to a desired tension. The stabilizing system occupies space between the control arm assemblies and is very lightweight due to the thin belt-like characteristics of the straps.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber utilizing variable fluid pressures to change the dampening characteristics of the shock absorbers, both during its compression stroke and its recoil stroke. A piston assembly of the shock absorber divides the damping fluid chamber of the shock absorber into a recoil chamber and a compression chamber. The piston assembly carries a recoil valve and a compression valve that control the flow of damping fluid across the piston assembly between the recoil and compression chambers. Pressure of a second fluid introduced into the piston assembly through a passage in the piston rod and biases the recoil and compression valves to closed positions. The pressure of the damping fluid in the compression chamber and in the recoil chamber bias the recoil and compression valves toward their open positions. The pressurized fluid passage in the piston rod is connected, outside the shock absorber, with a source of fluid whose pressure may be selectively varied.