Abstract: A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.

Abstract: A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.

Abstract: Systems and methods to optimize sales performance operating in the manner a sales rep works: capturing prospect interactions real-time, providing a navigation tool and talking points to facilitate timely and relevant communications, and automatically updating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and other systems—enabling users to effectively execute sales strategies. Prospect interactions are time-stamped and tracked to create a story-so-far record for each prospect. A customized, key-word searchable database of talking points provides intelligent, consistent knowledge to the user during prospect communications. Unlimited, unique moving navigators categorize talking points according to the organization's database of information and are customized to optimize data retrieval. Drag-and-drop emails are created by selecting pre-defined, best practice talking points or can be personalized in one-to-one campaigns, and include automated embedded tracking of prospect's email opens and clicks.

Abstract: A tool measures the vertical distance and lateral distance between a brake pedal pad and an accelerator pedal pad. A base plate lies atop the brake pedal pad. A first measuring plate is mounted on the base plate for movement laterally toward and away from the accelerator pedal pad. A second measuring plate is mounted on the first measuring plate for movement laterally with the first measuring plate to engage a lateral edge of the accelerator pedal pad and for movement vertically to engage with a top surface of the accelerator pedal pad. First measuring indicia provided on the base plate and the first measuring plate reads the lateral distance between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad. And a second measuring indicia provided on the first measuring plate and the second measuring plate reads the vertical height between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad.

Abstract: A method for real-time threat monitoring includes identifying two or more real time vulnerabilities, each associated with one or more objects of an enterprise, correlating the two or more real-time vulnerabilities to each other, applying an exposure tiering model to the correlated real-time vulnerability, thereby classifying the correlated real-time vulnerability into risk tiers, and initiating an alert based on the correlated real-time vulnerability and the exposure tiers into which the correlated real-time vulnerability is classified. According to other embodiments a method includes applying an exposure methodology to log data contained in one or more object logs thereby identifying one or more security events, applying an exposure tiering model to the one or more security events, thereby classifying the security events into exposure tiers, and initiating an alert based on the security events and the exposure tiers into which the security events are classified.

Abstract: A tool measures the vertical distance and lateral distance between a brake pedal pad and an accelerator pedal pad. A base plate lies atop the brake pedal pad. A first measuring plate is mounted on the base plate for movement laterally toward and away from the accelerator pedal pad. A second measuring plate is mounted on the first measuring plate for movement laterally with the first measuring plate to engage a lateral edge of the accelerator pedal pad and for movement vertically to engage with a top surface of the accelerator pedal pad. First measuring indicia provided on the base plate and the first measuring plate reads the lateral distance between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad. And a second measuring indicia provided on the first measuring plate and the second measuring plate reads the vertical height between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad.

Abstract: A method for real-time threat monitoring includes identifying two or more real time vulnerabilities, each associated with one or more objects of an enterprise, correlating the two or more real-time vulnerabilities to each other, applying a risk tiering model to the correlated real-time vulnerability, thereby classifying the correlated real-time vulnerability into risk tiers, and initiating an alert based on the correlated real-time vulnerability and the risk tiers into which the correlated real-time vulnerability is classified. According to other embodiments a method includes applying a risk methodology to log data contained in one or more object logs thereby identifying one or more security events, applying a risk tiering model to the one or more security events, thereby classifying the security events into risk tiers, and initiating an alert based on the security events and the risk tiers into which the security events are classified.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminate material includes the steps of providing a first flexible sheet material; providing a second flexible sheet material having a first surface and a second surface, and also having a first width of 1×; stretching the second flexible sheet material in a cross-machine direction to a second width of between about 1.2× and 3× when in a flattened state; necking the second flexible sheet material to produce an accordion shape, thereby reducing the second width of the sheet material to a third width, less than the width of the first width, such that the third width is between 0.65× to 0.975× when in an accordion shape; applying adhesive to the first surface of the second flexible sheet material with a slot coat adhesive process; and joining the first flexible sheet material to the first surface of the second flexible sheet material.

Abstract: An assembly tool for installing a clutch pressure plate and clutch housing of a manual clutch on the flywheel of an engine includes a bell shaped housing which receives and pivotally supports a plurality of fingers having outwardly directed claws. A coaxial cylindrical portion of the bell shaped housing includes male threads which receive a complementarily threaded collar which may be rotated to engage, radially extend and retract the fingers. Internal threads in the cylindrical portion of the housing receive a complementarily threaded portion of a push rod. The push rod includes a thrust bearing at an end that engages the fingers of the pressure plate and may be rotated to engage, retract and extend the pressure plate. A method of clutch housing installation utilizing the tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly tool for installing a clutch pressure plate and clutch housing of a manual clutch on the flywheel of an engine includes a bell shaped housing which receives and pivotally supports a plurality of fingers having outwardly directed claws. A coaxial cylindrical portion of the bell shaped housing includes male threads which receive a complementarily threaded collar which may be rotated to engage, radially extend and retract the fingers. Internal threads in the cylindrical portion of the housing receive a complementarily threaded portion of a push rod. The push rod includes a thrust bearing at an end that engages the fingers of the pressure plate and may be rotated to engage, retract and extend the pressure plate. A method of clutch housing installation utilizing the tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A financial security product and method for managing a financial security, such as a variable annuity, which enables financial service providers to deduct the fees, costs and expenses associated with managing the financial security product. In a preferred embodiment, the method enables financial service providers to provide optional benefits to investors of a financial security without the need for maintaining separate unit prices for each potential combination of optional benefits. The method comprises periodically declaring a dividend with respect to the financial security and deducting at least a portion of the fees associated with managing the financial security from the declared dividend. The amount of the fees can vary depending upon the number of optional benefits, if any, selected to be provided with the financial security by the investor. In a preferred embodiment, any remaining dividend after the fees have been deducted is reinvested into the financial security.

Abstract: A method of making a mat with a textile surface and an elastomer backing is provided. The method includes mixing elastomer crumbs and a binder, depositing the crumb/binder mixture in a layer (22), placing a textile surface element (34) on the layer to form a mat assembly, and pressing the mat assembly in a press (9) while setting the binder. The elastomer crumbs are consolidated to form an elastomer backing (2) that includes voids between the elastomer crumbs, and the textile surface element is bonded to the elastomer backing to form the upper textile layer (1) of the mat.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminate material includes the steps of providing a first flexible sheet material; providing a second flexible sheet material having a first surface and a second surface, and also having a first width of 1X; stretching the second flexible sheet material in a cross-machine direction to a second width of between about 1.2X and 3 X when in a flattened state; necking the second flexible sheet material to produce an accordion shape, thereby reducing the second width of the sheet material to a third width, less than the width of the first width, such that the third width is between 0.65 X to 0.975 X when in an accordion shape; applying adhesive to the first surface of the second flexible sheet material with a slot coat adhesive process; and joining the first flexible sheet material to the first surface of the second flexible sheet material.

Abstract: Spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven fabrics having good softness, drape and extensibility, in addition to strength and barrier, are formed from combinations of bicomponent spunbond fibers having low fiber denier and biconstituent meltblown fibers. The spunbond fibers include an outer sheath portion formed using a first polyolefin and an inner core portion formed using a second polyolefin or polyester. The meltblown fibers include first meltblown fibers formed using a polyolefin and second meltblown fibers formed using a polyester.

Abstract: A mat with a textile surface (1) and an elastomer backing layer (2) that includes elastomer crumbs and a binder. The elastomer backing layer (2) includes voids between the elastomer crumbs for increased flexibility.

Abstract: A mat with a tufted textile pile surface (1) comprises tufts of yarn tufted into a tufting substrate and an elastomer backing layer (2). The elastomer backing layer (2) includes elastomer crumbs and a binder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web, the method including the steps of providing plurality of fibers and subjecting the fibers to a pneumatic attenuation force which imparts a velocity to the fibers, reducing the velocity of the fibers in a diffusion chamber which is formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge, and thereafter collecting the fibers into a web on a moving forming surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a fiber attenuation chamber, a diffusion chamber formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, the diffusion chamber located below the fiber attenuation chamber, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web with desired fiber orientation, the method including the steps of providing a source of fibers, subjecting the fibers to an electrostatic charge, deflecting the fibers with a non-contacting deflecting device, collecting the fibers on a moving forming surface to form the nonwoven web. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming fibrous nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to the fibers, a non-contacting fiber deflecting device adapted to affect the fibers while the fibers are under the influence of the applied electrostatic charge, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a fibrous nonwoven web.

Abstract: A mat (10) comprises a pile surface fabric (40) and a rubber or rubber-like backing layer (20). The pile surface fabric (40) is connected to and extends to the edges of the backing layer (20). The pile surface fabric (40) is provided with a border portion (22) having on its upper surface (26) a contrasting color and/or texture to the remainder (24) of the pile surface fabric and extending along at least a portion of the edge of said pile surface fabric. The mat (10) can be formed in a single cutting operation by cutting the mat from a roll of mat material (30) comprising a pile surface fabric having elongate areas (32, 34) of contrasting surface color and/or texture bonded to a rubber backing layer. The cuts (36, 38) are made along the elongate areas (32, 34). Since the border (22) is formed in the pile, colours and shapes can be selected to suit customer requirements, while the mat (10) serves to clean footwear over its entire area.

Abstract: A mat (10) comprises a pile surface fabric (40) and a rubber or rubber-like backing layer (20). The pile surface fabric (40) is connected to and extends to the edges of the backing layer (20). The pile surface fabric (40) is provided with a border portion (22) having on its upper surface (26) a contrasting color and/or texture to the remainder (24) of the pile surface fabric and extending along at least a portion of the edge of said pile surface fabric. The mat (10) can be formed in a single cutting operation by cutting the mat from a roll of mat material (30) comprising a pile surface fabric having elongate areas (32, 34) of contrasting surface color and/or texture bonded to a rubber backing layer. The cuts (36, 38) are made along the elongate areas (32, 34). Since the border (22) is formed in the pile, colors and shapes can be selected to suit customer requirements, while the mat (10) serves to clean footwear over its entire area.