Abstract: A vehicle lowering system having a cargo surface with an adjacent pivoting arm is connected to a vehicle at a pivot point. The pivoting arm moves between a raised and a lowered position by an actuator that is affixed to a frame and the pivoting arm. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion that provides structure for the portion of the frame that is beyond the pivot point and actuator. The pivot arm has a spindle that holds and allows a wheel to rotate. The spindle has an axis that is always located above the cargo surface. The actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the pivoting arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: A vehicle lowering system having a cargo surface with an adjacent pivoting arm is connected to a vehicle at a pivot point. The pivoting arm moves between a raised and a lowered position by an actuator that is affixed to a frame and the pivoting arm. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion that provides structure for the portion of the frame that is beyond the pivot point and actuator. The pivot arm has a spindle that holds and allows a wheel to rotate. The spindle has an axis that is always located above the cargo surface. The actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the pivoting arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: A vehicle lowering system is provided having a movable arm that is connected to a vehicle through an upper link and a lower link. The upper and lower links pivot with respect to the vehicle on pivot points on one end and pivot with respect to the arm on pivot points at the opposite end. The spacing of the pivot points and the length of the upper and lower arm create an instant center, about which the movable arm pivots. An actuator is connected to the vehicle on one end and the movable part of the suspension on the opposite end. The actuator is movable between an extended and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the movable arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: A positive displacement chilled food dispenser is provided where liquid enters a portion of a housing where two screws reside. The housing is chilled below the freezing temperature of the liquid. The two screws, when rotating, move the liquid towards a dispensing end. The liquid freezes where it contacts the housing and is scraped by an outside diameter of the two screws. The frozen liquid is then dispensed through a dispensing end. At the dispensing end is an optional valve that selectively shuts the flow of frozen liquid off. Alternatively, a sensor determines how much frozen liquid is dispensed through the dispensing end.

Abstract: A vehicle lowering system is provided having a movable arm that is connected to a vehicle through an upper link and a lower link. The upper and lower links pivot with respect to the vehicle on pivot points on one end and pivot with respect to the arm on pivot points at the opposite end. The spacing of the pivot points and the length of the upper and lower arm create an instant center, about which the movable arm pivots. An actuator is connected to the vehicle on one end and the movable part of the suspension on the opposite end. The actuator is movable between an extended and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the movable arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: A vehicle with a lowering suspension is provided where at least one axle can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. A cargo area is located above the axle and can be raised and lowered with the axle. When the axle is in the lowered position, a spindle on the axle is located above a part of the frame, allowing the cargo area to be lowered. The cargo area includes an integral ramp that can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A vehicle with a lowering suspension is provided where at least one axle can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. A cargo area is located above the axle and can be raised and lowered with the axle. When the axle is in the lowered position, a spindle on the axle is located above a part of the frame, allowing the cargo area to be lowered. The cargo area includes an integral ramp that can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover for trucks that is easily folded for storage or shipping. The tonneau cover has a collapsible peripheral frame, with supporting bows spanning the width of the frame. The bows include separable parts for storage or shipping and can be assembled and expanded to spread the frame.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is provided having a plurality of substantially rigid panels inserted between the fabric and the bows and then locked into place and/or supported by snap-fit elements connecting to the peripheral frame of the tonneau cover. The snap-fit elements can also serve to positively locate the bows with respect to the frame. The panels can be closely dimensioned with respect to the distance across the frame or spaced somewhat to accommodate insertion about frame hinges and/or close fitting fabric, bows and frames. Two sided adhesive tape can be used between the panels and the snap-fit elements and the bows to maintain panel placement in the event that the assembly is to be a permanent aspect of the tonneau cover. Panels can also be perforated for weight reduction and/or cost savings without significant loss of theft security. Panels can be padded for impact absorption without permanent deformation so as to maintain tonneau cover attractiveness despite significant wear and tear during use.

Abstract: A soft top tonneau cover is formed from a plurality of hinged frame sections that are foldable between overlaying positions and extended positions. Camlock clamps are integrated into the frame so as to provide a stable, quick release latch to the walls of the bed with a minimum of spacial intrusion into the bed. The hinge between the frame sections has a double pivot so as to automatically tension the top when folded open. Strap clamps are integrated into the frame so as to permit the sections to be secured when folded closed.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a tonneau cover to the bed of pick-up truck in which the clamp includes a base secured to the cover and a handle rotatably connected to the base. A cam part is located between the handle and the base, which upon rotation of the handle in a general horizontal plane causes the cam part to shift upwardly toward the base into engagement with the truck bed, securing the cover to the truck bed.

Abstract: A soft top tonneau cover is formed from a plurality of hinged frame sections that are foldable between overlaying positions and extended positions. Camlock clamps are integrated into the frame so as to provide a stable, quick release latch to the walls of the bed with a minimum of spacial intrusion into the bed. The hinge between the frame sections has a double pivot so as to automatically tension the top when folded open. Strap clamps are integrated into the frame so as to permit the sections to be secured when folded closed.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a tonneau cover to the bed of pick-up truck in which the clamp includes a base secured to the cover and a handle rotatably connected to the base. A cam part is located between the handle and the base, which upon rotation of the handle in a general horizontal plane causes the cam part to shift upwardly toward the base into engagement with the truck bed, securing the cover to the truck bed.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is provided including a front rail, a rear rail, and two side rails. The rear rail and two side rails include a pair of opposed lips defining a channel therein. The channel slidably receives a plurality of snap receptacles for cooperating with mating snaps of a tonneau cover having a snap-type mechanism. The channel also receives a hook-type retention member and retains it therein so that a tonneau cover having a hook-type fastening mechanism can be secured thereto. Accordingly, a single rail network can be used with either a snap-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism or a hook-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism.

Abstract: A cover for the cargo area of a vehicle includes two rails secured to opposite sides of the cargo area of the vehicle. A cover material is bounded by four peripheral rails. Two of the rails have the same cross-section and are located on two sides of the cover material. The other two rails are of a different configuration and are located on other two sides of the cover. A biasing member, such as a torsion bar, is inserted into the ends of each of the rails secured to the vehicle bed. The opposite end of the torsion bar is located in and slides within a cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder includes a slide member. The slide members are located in channels formed in two of the rails. In the closed position, latches engage the torsion bars and hold the cover in place. To open the cover, two of the latches are disengaged, thereby allowing the cover to rise in response to the force of the biasing members. The cover pivots about a hinge formed by the engagement of the secured latches with the torsion bars.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for cases or containers which includes engagable lock elements, one of which can be rotatable into a lockable and a non-lockable alignment. The exposed surfaces of the lock elements are flush with surrounding wall surfaces of the case or container when the mechanism is locked. The mechanism can be concealed by matching the exposed surfaces of the lock elements with the surrounding surfaces of the case or container. The mechanism include springs which bias the lock elements. Appropriate spring strengths can be selected to prevent infants and young children from opening the mechanism.

Abstract: A cover assembly for the cargo area of a vehicle includes a plurality of rails which can be attached to the walls of a truck bed and a cover having an edge which is engageable by the rails. The rails are connected together by corner members. The corner members include a locking structure which is inserted into a channel in the rails. The locking mechanism of the corner members engages slots in the rails and secures the rails together. The rails include different structures which engage fasteners on the edges of the cover.

Abstract: A suspension system for wheeled vehicles which allows the body or frame of a vehicle, such as a trailer, to be lowered or tilted. The suspension system includes an off-set axle which, when rotated, adjusts the clearance beneath the wheeled vehicle so that the body or frame thereof can be lowered or tilted. The off-set axle includes a central portion which can be rotated by applying tension to a tensioning member attached thereto. In one embodiment the tensioning member is coupled to a shuttle which in turn is detachably coupled to another tensioning member that can be detached from the shuttle and used to pull a load onto the vehicle. The shuttle can be used to transfer tension between the tensioning members and lock the axle into a desired position.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is provided having a rail system, a cover and one or more clamping mechanisms. The clamping mechanism includes a two-piece clamp. The first member is engageable with the rail, and includes an abutment mechanism thereon to contact the rail. The first member also includes a pivotable lever which can be used to exert a force on the second member. The first member includes an opening therein to receive the second member therethrough. The second member includes an extension having one or more teeth thereon. The extension is positioned through the opening in the first member, such that the teeth may engage a portion of the first member. The second member also includes a portion which is engageable with a vertical rail of the side wall of the vehicle. By actuating the lever, the clamp is positioned securely to the rail and the vehicle side wall.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly includes a frame attached to the sidewalls of a pick-up truck, one or more clamps to secure the frame in place, a flexible cover which spans the bed of the vehicle, one or more cross-bows which support the flexible cover, and a plurality of cross-bow clips. The cross-bow clips are telescopically engageable with the distal ends of the cross-bow, and can effectively lengthen or shorten the cross-bow. The cross-bow clips are engageable with the top rail of the tonneau cover frame. More specifically, the cross-bow clip includes a pair of projections which are engageable with the two longitudinally extending channels of the top rail. The first projection is hollow, and is somewhat resilient. Thus, it may snugly fit and form to the dimensions of the first channel. The second projection is solid, and rests within the second channel. The cross-bow clip of the present invention allows the cross-bows to be easily mounted to or dismounted from the top rail of the tonneau cover frame.