Abstract: A vehicle track play set includes a base, a plate coupled to and extending upwardly from the base, and first and second tracks extending along the plate toward the base. The first track includes a first curved portion extending outwardly from a first surface of the plate and a second curved portion extending outwardly from an opposite second surface of the plate. The first track extends through a first opening in the plate between the first and second curved portions. The second track includes a third curved portion extending outwardly from the second surface and a fourth curved portion extending outwardly from the first surface. The second track extends through a second opening in the plate between the third and fourth curved portions.

Abstract: An infant support structure includes a support frame having a lower member configured to engage a support surface. First and second spaced arcuate posts extend upwardly from the lower member, each of the posts having a distal end portion. A seat portion is disposed between and coupled to the posts. A first end of a toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of one of the posts, and a second end of the toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of the other of the posts.

Abstract: An aluminum tubular unit for long-term, leak-free storage of fluids is formed in which an aluminum cap is ultrasonically welded to an end of the aluminum tube. The ultrasonic weld is formed from a device capable of producing a torsional vibration pattern. The ultrasonic welding of the cap to the tube eliminates the use of seals and pins to seal the cap to the tube and further eliminates the need for having a hole in the cap to mechanically couple the respective end cap to the cylindrical tube. Furthermore, since ultrasonic welding does not generate significant heat, highly volatile and flammable fluids can be present within the tube when the caps are ultrasonically welded to the cylindrical body. In addition, one or more fins used may also be welded to the outside diameter of the cylindrical body using a related ultrasonic welding process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a product fastening system and, in particular, to a mechanism for securing a toy within product packaging. The packaging may include a toy support platform having a through-hole extending from a first surface to a second surface; a pliable strip configured to pass through the through-hole formed in the toy support platform and a fastener clip that captures the pliable strip to secure the toy to the support platform. The fastener clip may include a base with a plurality of notches formed therein. In operation, the pliable strip is wrapped around the toy object. The ends of the pliable strip are inserted through the through hole and inserted into the notch, becoming secured therein without the need for braiding or twisting the ends of the pliable strip.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a toy product, a support platform, and a plug that engages a keyhole formed into the product. The plug includes a base and a pronged key extending from the base. The support platform includes a through-hole that permits the passage of the key into the packaging. One or more integrally-formed biasing members are located on the base of the plug to draw the key toward the product and create a secure connection. The pronged key may be formed from a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deforms but remains attached to the key when and predetermined force is applied to the key to pull the key from a misaligned position with respect to the key hole.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a toy product, a support platform, and a plug that engages a keyhole formed into the product. The plug includes a base and a pronged key extending from the base. The support platform includes a through-hole that permits the passage of the key into the packaging. One or more integrally-formed biasing members are located on the base of the plug to draw the key toward the product and create a secure connection. The pronged key may be formed from a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deforms but remains attached to the key when and predetermined force is applied to the key to pull the key from a misaligned position with respect to the key hole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a product fastening system and, in particular, to a mechanism for securing a toy within product packaging. The packaging may include a toy support platform having a through-hole extending from a first surface to a second surface; a pliable strip configured to pass through the through-hole formed in the toy support platform and a fastener clip that captures the pliable strip to secure the toy to the support platform. The fastener clip may include a base with a plurality of notches formed therein. In operation, the pliable strip is wrapped around the toy object. The ends of the pliable strip are inserted through the through hole and inserted into the notch, becoming secured therein without the need for braiding or twisting the ends of the pliable strip.

Abstract: The apparatus (50) includes a friction stir welding tool (100), a local clamping means (200), and an interface (300) that joins the tool (100) and the local clamping means (200). The local clamping means (200) is in close proximity to the at least one sidewall (130) of the tool (100) and has a housing (210) and a plurality of contact devices (220). The local clamping means (200) transfers a clamping force to the first and the second components (C1, C2) and holds them firmly in place during welding. The local clamping means (200) includes a plurality of contact devices (220) that may take the form of casters, rollers (222), and ball bearings (224). The location of the contact devices (220) is significant as external clamping is greatly reduced, and often eliminated, as the contact devices (220) are brought into close proximity to the area of the weld.

Abstract: A method of friction stir welding and a non-consumable multi-section faced retractable shoulderless variable penetration friction stir welding tool. The tool includes a substantially cylindrical body portion, a head portion, and a tip section, each integral to the tool. The body portion has a longitudinal axis about which it is rotable, a diameter, a sidewall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The head portion is located at the distal end of the body portion. The head portion includes a multi-section face, having a first face section and a second face section, that converges to the tip section. The tool is retractable, reduces overheating, improves weld quality by reducing internal voids and lack of fusion, and facilitates variable penetration welds.

Abstract: A method of friction stir welding and a non-consumable multi-section faced retractable shoulderless variable penetration friction stir welding tool. The tool includes a substantially cylindrical body portion, a head portion, and a tip section, each integral to the tool. The body portion has a longitudinal axis about which it is rotable, a diameter, a sidewall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The head portion is located at the distal end of the body portion. The head portion includes a multi-section face, having a first face section and a second face section, that converges to the tip section. The tool is retractable, reduces overheating, improves weld quality by reducing internal voids and lack of fusion, and facilitates variable penetration welds.

Abstract: A method of friction stir welding and a non-consumable retractable shoulderless variable penetration friction stir welding tool. The tool includes a substantially cylindrical body portion, a head portion, and a tip section, each integral to the tool. The body portion has a longitudinal axis about which it is rotable, a diameter, a sidewall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The head portion is located at the distal end of the body portion. The head portion has a base with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body portion thereby forming a smooth transition between the body portion and the head portion, thus the tool has no shoulder. The head portion includes a face that converges to the tip section. The tool is retractable, reduces overheating, improves weld quality by reducing internal voids and lack of fusion, and facilitates variable penetration welds.

Abstract: A method of friction stir welding and a non-consumable retractable shoulderless variable penetration friction stir welding tool. The tool includes a substantially cylindrical body portion, a head portion, and a tip section, each integral to the tool. The body portion has a longitudinal axis about which it is rotable, a diameter, a sidewall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The head portion is located at the distal end of the body portion. The head portion has a base with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body portion thereby forming a smooth transition between the body portion and the head portion, thus, the tool has no shoulder. The head portion includes a face that converges to the tip section. The tool is retractable, reduces overheating, improves weld quality by reducing internal voids and lack of fusion, and facilitates variable penetration welds.

Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) travel axis load control method and apparatus for controlling a travel axis load applied to a FSW setup during the joining of workpieces by FSW. The method and apparatus recognize that controlling certain attributes of a friction stir welding plasticized region are key to controlling the quality of the resulting weld. This invention controls any of a number of qualities associated with the plasticized region thereby producing welds having improved mechanical and aesthetic properties, as well as extending the life of the FSW tool. The method and apparatus may control the FSW process to obtain a predetermined optimum size of a heat affected zone. The plasticized region may be monitored in a number of ways including, but not limited to, force on the tool, torque applied to the tool, workpiece temperature, plasticized region physical dimension, as well as changing surface characteristics such as color and reflectivity.

Abstract: A method for repairing defects in a metallic substrate including the steps of placing a consumable filler slug in contact with the substrate in the vicinity of the defect; bringing a first electrode and a second electrode in contact with the consumable slug and applying a pressure to the consumable slug; and transmitting electrical current between the electrodes for a period, thereby resistively heating the consumable slug and the metallic substrate resulting in coalescence in a substantially liquid pool that fills the defect. The pool is then cooled to solidification under the pressure of the electrodes. The electrodes are then removed from contact with the consumable slug and excess material may be removed. The consumable slug may be formed as a single unit or multiple sections, and may incorporate sacrificial retainers to add additional defect filling material, retain the pool, and seal the pool from atmosphere.

Abstract: A portable inertia welder is mounted in a housing so as to afford both axial and rotational movement of a shaft with flywheel weights. Rotational motion is provided by a motor affixed to the drive shaft while axial motion is provided by means of a hydraulic housing mounted around said shaft. A chuck mounted to the shaft holds a first workpiece for rotational and axial displacement. Holding devices such as vacuum cups secure the welder to a second workpiece. A flash cutting tool and an appurtenance with a flash trap, welding flats, and an internally threaded bore are described.

Abstract: A portable inertia welder is mounted in a housing so as to afford both axial and rotational movement of a shaft with flywheel weights. Rotational motion is provided by a motor affixed to the drive shaft while axial motion is provided by means of a hydraulic housing mounted around said shaft. A chuck mounted to the shaft holds a first workpiece for rotational and axial displacement. Holding devices such as vacuum cups secure the welder to a second workpiece. A flash cutting tool and an appurtenance with a flash trap, welding flats, and an internally threaded bore are described.

Abstract: A radiused corner support plate is used to form a corner void when making L- and T-corner welds that are filled with plasticized work piece material during friction stir welding to form a filleted corner weld. An improved friction stir welding tool uses either disrupting features such as crossed rectangular grooves in the distal tip end or a curved tip region or both to improve plasticized work piece material flow below the distal end and in the region of the fillet.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool for welding high-strength materials with one or more of the following features: 1) a curved transition geometry structure at the shoulder face and probe interface; 2) a tool material selected on the basis of an ultimate tensile strength determined at or above the temperature of the tool processing temperature; 3) a compressive stress at the point of crack fatigue introduced by mechanical or chemical means; and 4) a threaded probe with a) a major to minor thread diameter ratio that increases toward the distal end of the probe and/or b) with a curved thread root.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating synchronous and asynchronous data among multiple devices which are connected by a common network or a set of connected networks using a network communications protocol which provides deterministic, bounded latency. Transmitting and receiving devices communicate asynchronous data signals using data packets in accordance with the communications protocol in use by the system. If synchronous data signals must be communicated between two devices the transmitting device sends asynchronous data signals to the receiving device(s) to indicate that synchronous data will follow, and to inform the receiving device(s) of the transmitting device's address. The receiving device sets up a message filter which looks for and accepts data packets bearing a destination address field value equal to the address of the transmitting device.