Abstract: An assembly includes a first member having an inner surface and a second member having an outer surface. One of the two members has greater rigidity than the other member and at least one groove. The rigid member is partially received within the less rigid member and a coupling mechanism provides radially inward pressure to generate a seal between the inner surface of the first member and the outer surface of the second member. The groove includes an opening and a base each having a predetermined width. The predetermined width of the opening is generally less than the predetermined width of the base. The more rigid member may comprise an insert with a surrounding sleeve wherein the sleeve includes the grooves.

Abstract: A safety device comprising a housing, an extendable tube located in the housing, and a light source for illuminating the extendable tube. The extendable tube is translucent and may be extended from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a bore and a male member capable of being received in the bore of the female member. A trigger assembly is disposed between the male and female members and includes an actuator, housing, and biasing member. The male member includes an engagement mechanism to engage the trigger assembly and facilitate axial movement of the actuator. Axial movement of the actuator induces expansion of the biasing member and the engagement of the actuator and the male member. Accordingly, the male member is urged or propelled into the bore of the female member upon expansion of the biasing member. To disconnect, the male and female members are utilized to return the trigger assembly to an inactivated position.

Abstract: A fluid damper includes a hollow body portion, a first end and a second end. The hollow body portion has a corrugated or shaped outer surface and is filled with a compressible medium. The first and second ends of the damper contact the inner wall of the fluid-carrying line to stabilize the position of the damper within the fluid-carrying line to optimize dampening of the pressure pulsations in the fluid. The damper is formed by extruding or forming the hollow body portion into the desired shape, trimming the hollow body portion to the desired length, crimping and sealing the first and second ends by a heat staking process. The damper can be made from a material or materials that is impermeable and resistant to the fluid within the fluid system. The damper is integrally formed, thereby eliminating welding or manufacturing steps and reducing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A fluid damper includes a hollow body portion, a first end and a second end. The hollow body portion has a corrugated or shaped outer surface and is filled with a compressible medium. The first and second ends of the damper contact the inner wall of the fluid-carrying line to stabilize the position of the damper within the fluid-carrying line to optimize dampening of the pressure pulsations in the fluid. The damper is formed by extruding or forming the hollow body portion into the desired shape, trimming the hollow body portion to the desired length, crimping and sealing the first and second ends by a heat staking process. The damper can be made from a material or materials that is impermeable and resistant to the fluid within the fluid system. The damper is integrally formed, thereby eliminating welding or manufacturing steps and reducing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming the free end of a length of metal foil wrap corrugated tubing, in which a free end of the tubing is first crimped against a mandrel, then folded to extend radially inwardly, then folded further to extend axially inwardly within the inside diameter of the tubing end, and then compacted axially to bring the corrugations into facing abutment with each other and tighten the formed end of the tubing against unwrapping of the metal foil. The crimping operation involves closure of a plurality of jaws around the free end of the tubing and deforming the tubing end against a tapering surface on an internal mandrel. The tubing is then gripped between jaws that form a radially indented channel in the periphery of the tubing, both to enhance the clamping action of the jaws and to isolate the formed end of the tubing from the remainder of the tubing.

Abstract: A fuel rail formed by hydroforming. The hydroforming process includes applying a seal onto a fuel tube, and installing fuel injector blocks, including fuel injector ports, onto the tube in desired positions. The fuel tube assembly is placed in a die assembly, and pressurized fluid is supplied to the interior of the tube. The pressurized fluid causes the tube to expand outwardly into engagement with the blocks, and to pierce holes through the tube within each of the blocks to provide fluid communication with the associated fuel injector and other ports.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel rail for use in a fuel delivery system, such as for an engine in a vehicle, includes the initial hydroforming step to deform a central portion of a workpiece to have one or more outwardly extending node portions, followed by a subsequent hydroforming step to deform one or more end portions of the workpiece to have additional outwardly extending node portions. To do this, a pair of pressure feed pistons are disposed within the interior of the workpiece and have head portions that sealingly engage the inner surface of the workpiece so as to define a pressure chamber therein. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber so as to deform a portion thereof into conformance with the portion of the die cavity located within the pressure chamber. Then, the pressure feed pistons are moved to re-define the pressure chamber within the workpiece. Pressurized fluid is again introduced into the enlarged pressure chamber so as to deform other portions of the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for defogging/defrosting an automobile side window, which extends upwardly from an interior panel, in which a window strip extends along an upper edge of the interior panel between the panel and the window. The window strip includes a length of hollow tubing having a flange integrally extending upwardly adjacent to the interior window surface, a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings along an upper surface of the tubing on a side of the flange remote from the window, a fitting at one end of the tubing for connection to a vehicle HVAC system and a cap at the opposing end of the tubing. In the preferred embodiment, the flange tapers narrowingly to an edge in abutment with the window. Air from a vehicle HVAC system fed into the tubing is directed through the openings upwardly along the interior surface of the window for defogging/defrosting the window. The flange in engagement with the window interior surface prevents moisture from flowing downwardly past the window strip.