Abstract: A foldable tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames include a panel region and a hinge region; (b) a plurality of panels each connected to one or more of the plurality of frames via the panel region; (c) a plurality of hinges that extend between and into the hinge region of a first of the plurality of frames and the hinge region of a second of the plurality of frames and connect the first of the plurality of frames to the second of the plurality of frames so that two of the plurality of panels are movable relative to each other; and (d) a coating that covers all or a portion of the plurality of panels, all or portion of the plurality of frames, and a connection region where each of the plurality of panels connect to the one of the plurality of frames at the panel region so that fluid is prevented from entering the connection region.

Abstract: A foldable tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames include a panel region and a hinge region; (b) a plurality of panels each connected to one or more of the plurality of frames via the panel region; (c) a plurality of hinges that extend between and into the hinge region of a first of the plurality of frames and the hinge region of a second of the plurality of frames and connect the first of the plurality of frames to the second of the plurality of frames so that two of the plurality of panels are movable relative to each other; and (d) a coating that covers all or a portion of the plurality of panels, all or portion of the plurality of frames, and a connection region where each of the plurality of panels connect to the one of the plurality of frames at the panel region so that fluid is prevented from entering the connection region.

Abstract: A foldable tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames include a panel region and a hinge region; (b) a plurality of panels each connected to one or more of the plurality of frames via the panel region; (c) a plurality of hinges that extend between and into the hinge region of a first of the plurality of frames and the hinge region of a second of the plurality of frames and connect the first of the plurality of frames to the second of the plurality of frames so that two of the plurality of panels are movable relative to each other; and (d) a coating that covers all or a portion of the plurality of panels, all or portion of the plurality of frames, and a connection region where each of the plurality of panels connect to the one of the plurality of frames at the panel region so that fluid is prevented from entering the connection region.

Abstract: A foldable tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames include a panel region and a hinge region; (b) a plurality of panels each connected to one or more of the plurality of frames via the panel region; (c) a plurality of hinges that extend between and into the hinge region of a first of the plurality of frames and the hinge region of a second of the plurality of frames and connect the first of the plurality of frames to the second of the plurality of frames so that two of the plurality of panels are movable relative to each other; and (d) a coating that covers all or a portion of the plurality of panels, all or portion of the plurality of frames, and a connection region where each of the plurality of panels connect to the one of the plurality of frames at the panel region so that fluid is prevented from entering the connection region.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes an arm, a spring case, and a helical spring having inwardly projecting first and second end portions. Another belt tensioner includes a spring, an arm, a spring case, and a pivot bushing surrounding the spring. An additional belt tensioner includes an idler pulley having a bearing with a mounting hole and includes an arm having a post. The post is positioned in the mounting hole, and an annular rim of the post is deformed radially outward and over the bearing. A method for manufacturing an arm and a spring case of a belt-tensioner includes obtaining a belt-tensioner-arm casting mold including a first section and a second section and obtaining a belt-tensioner-spring-case casting mold including a first segment and a second segment.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity and an arm pivotally attached to the support housing. A spring is located in the spring cavity and is operatively connected to the arm and the support housing to bias the arm about a pivot axis toward an unloaded position relative to the support housing. A damping member includes a hub and deflectable, force-applying elements that are connected to and spaced apart about a periphery of the hub. The force-applying elements are biased toward a contact surface of the arm to apply a frictional force between the contact surface and the force-applying elements to impede rotation of the arm relative to the support housing.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a bearing-ramp clutch. During normal operation, the bearing-ramp clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the bearing-ramp clutch locks against a fixed internal surface and creates a frictional damping force that is applied to the tensioner arm. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction to mitigate wind-up.

Abstract: A playground security system comprises a power supply and a monitoring station. The monitoring station comprises a camera, a light and/or an audio deterrent device which are electrically connected to the power supply. The monitoring station can be contained in a post; and the post is part of a playground structure or can be a stand alone post. The audio deterrent device emits signals in a frequency range that is bothersome to humans between the ages of about 13 to about 25 years. The audio deterrent device and light are activated by a motion sensor. Further, the system includes a dusk-to-dawn sensor which also controls the audio deterrent device and the light. The camera can be in an “always-on” mode and can be adapted to transmit signals containing visual or audio-visual information. The camera signals can be stored and viewed remotely from the playground.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: A belt tensioner is provided for mounting on a mounting surface of a structure. The tensioner comprises a body, which defines a cavity, and a drain hole that is in communication with the cavity. The drain hole is located on the body so as to be facing the mounting surface of the structure when the tensioner is mounted on the structure. In this manner it is more difficult for contaminants to enter the body than to exit the body.

Abstract: A new tensioner is disclosed that achieves asymmetric damping in part by using a moveable ramp plate. The moveable ramp plate is in frictional contact with the arm provides asymmetric frictional damping for the tensioner arm when the arm experiences wind-up and begins to move away from the belt. The ramp plate is rotatably associated with the movement of the tensioner arm through a spring. The tensioner arm may pivot in two directions. As the tensioner arm pivots in a direction toward the belt the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner are minimized. When the tensioner arm pivots in the opposite direction, as potentially typified by wind-up, the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner is increased thereby minimizing wind-up of the tensioner arm.

Abstract: A first belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, and arm plate. The arm is adapted to support an idler pulley and has a hook portion. The spring case is disposed in the arm and has a first spring seat. The spring is disposed in the spring case. The arm plate has a second spring seat. The spring is longitudinally compressed between the arm plate and the spring case. The spring is in torsion with the end portions of the spring seated against a corresponding spring seat and with the arm plate rotationally positioned under the hook portion. A method for assembling the first belt tensioner includes using the arm plate to longitudinally compress the spring and rotating the arm plate. A second belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, arm plate, and pivot bushing.

Abstract: A belt tensioner system includes a belt tensioner and a bumper idler pulley. The belt tensioner includes an arm which is adapted to be rotatably-biased and includes a tensioner idler pulley which is supported by the arm and which travels in an arcuate path when the arm rotates. The bumper idler pulley is positioned at least partially in the arcuate path to stop the travel of the tensioner idler pulley when the arm rotates to a predetermined rotational position. In one application, the belt tensioner system is for an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes an arm, a spring case, and a helical spring having inwardly projecting first and second end portions. Another belt tensioner includes a spring, an arm, a spring case, and a pivot bushing surrounding the spring. An additional belt tensioner includes an idler pulley having a bearing with a mounting hole and includes an arm having a post. The post is positioned in the mounting hole, and an annular rim of the post is deformed radially outward and over the bearing. A method for manufacturing an arm and a spring case of a belt-tensioner includes obtaining a belt-tensioner-arm casting mold including a first section and a second section and obtaining a belt-tensioner-spring-case casting mold including a first segment and a second segment.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes an arm, a spring case, and a helical spring having inwardly projecting first and second end portions. Another belt tensioner includes a spring, an arm, a spring case, and a pivot bushing surrounding the spring. An additional belt tensioner includes an idler pulley having a bearing with a mounting hole and includes an arm having a post. The post is positioned in the mounting hole, and an annular rim of the post is deformed radially outward and over the bearing. A method for manufacturing an arm and a spring case of a belt-tensioner includes obtaining a belt-tensioner-arm casting mold including a first section and a second section and obtaining a belt-tensioner-spring-case casting mold including a first segment and a second segment.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a one-way clutch connected to a tensioner arm through a frictional damper. The frictional damper is in frictional contact with the arm and the one-way clutch is coupled to the frictional damper for movement therewith. The tensioner arm is pivotable in a first direction to take up belt slack and a second direction. The clutch is pivotable in the first direction but not the second direction. Because the one-way clutch is operatively engaged with the arm through the frictional damper, the tensioner is able to respond to high belt tension once the frictional force between the arm and the damper is overcome.

Abstract: A new tensioner is disclosed that achieves asymmetric damping in part by using a moveable ramp plate. The moveable ramp plate is in frictional contact with the arm provides asymmetric frictional damping for the tensioner arm when the arm experiences wind-up and begins to move away from the belt. The ramp plate is rotatably associated with the movement of the tensioner arm through a spring. The tensioner arm may pivot in two directions. As the tensioner arm pivots in a direction toward the belt the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner are minimized. When the tensioner arm pivots in the opposite direction, as potentially typified by wind-up, the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner is increased thereby minimizing wind-up of the tensioner arm.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a bearing-ramp clutch. During normal operation, the bearing-ramp clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the bearing-ramp clutch locks against a fixed internal surface and creates a frictional damping force that is applied to the tensioner arm. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction to mitigate wind-up.