Abstract: A generally planar blank made, for example, from sheet metal can be formed into a vent protector that can be mounted to an outer wall of a structure over the exhaust aperture of a vent to inhibit vertebrate wildlife from entering the vent. The vent protector forms an enclosure for receiving vent flaps that may extend outwardly from the wall of the structure.

Abstract: A generally planar blank made, for example, from sheet metal can be formed into a vent protector that can be mounted to an outer wall of a structure over the exhaust aperture of a vent to inhibit vertebrate wildlife from entering the vent. The vent protector forms an enclosure for receiving vent flaps that may extend outwardly from the wall of the structure.

Abstract: A generally planar blank made, for example, from sheet metal can be formed into a vent protector that can be mounted to an outer wall of a structure over the exhaust aperture of a vent to inhibit vertebrate wildlife from entering the vent. The vent protector forms an enclosure for receiving vent flaps that may extend outwardly from the wall of the structure.

Abstract: A vehicle ramp system has multiple configurations. The simplest embodiment provides a ramp which can move between a retracted configuration and an extended “step in” configuration in which an outboard end of the ramp is closer to the ground than in the retracted configuration, so that the outboard end of the ramp functions as a lowered step. A preferred embodiment provides a fully retracted configuration, a partially extended “step in” configuration, a partially extended “curb ramp” configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a curb or sidewalk, and a fully extended configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a road surface of the road on which the vehicle carrying the ramp is supported.

Abstract: A vehicle ramp system has multiple configurations. The simplest embodiment provides a ramp which can move between a retracted configuration and an extended “step in” configuration in which an outboard end of the ramp is closer to the ground than in the retracted configuration, so that the outboard end of the ramp functions as a lowered step. A preferred embodiment provides a fully retracted configuration, a partially extended “step in” configuration, a partially extended “curb ramp” configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a curb or sidewalk, and a fully extended configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a road surface of the road on which the vehicle carrying the ramp is supported.

Abstract: A vehicle ramp system has multiple configurations. The simplest embodiment provides a ramp which can move between a retracted configuration and an extended “step in” configuration in which an outboard end of the ramp is closer to the ground than in the retracted configuration, so that the outboard end of the ramp functions as a lowered step. A preferred embodiment provides a fully retracted configuration, a partially extended “step in” configuration, a partially extended “curb ramp” configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a curb or sidewalk, and a fully extended configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a road surface of the road on which the vehicle carrying the ramp is supported.

Abstract: A vehicle ramp system has multiple configurations. The simplest embodiment provides a ramp which can move between a retracted configuration and an extended “step in” configuration in which an outboard end of the ramp is closer to the ground than in the retracted configuration, so that the outboard end of the ramp functions as a lowered step. A preferred embodiment provides a fully retracted configuration, a partially extended “step in” configuration, a partially extended “curb ramp” configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a curb or sidewalk, and a fully extended configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a road surface of the road on which the vehicle carrying the ramp is supported.

Abstract: A transfer case comprises a casing, an input shaft extending from outside the casing into the casing and at least one output shaft extending from inside the casing to outside the case. The input shaft is rotationally coupled to the output shaft(s) for transferring rotation from the input shaft to the output shaft(s). Various types of mechanical arrangements can be used to couple the input shaft to the output shaft(s). The input shaft and the output shaft(s) are rotatably supported in the casing by opposed pairs of tapered roller bearings oriented so that the narrow ends of the tapered roller bearings in each pair of tapered roller bearings point away from one another, and the tapered roller bearings are each squeezed between the casing and their respective shaft. The tapered roller bearings are adjustable to limit play between the shafts and the casing.

Abstract: The present invention is a therapeutic table with an improved position adjustment mechanism and to a method for adapting a therapeutic table to include an improved mechanism for position adjustment of a table. In an embodiment, the improved position adjustment mechanism is a ribbon switch on the top surface of a frame forming the base of the table and a ribbon switch on the bottom surface of a frame forming the base of the table, which ribbon switch when pressure is applied activates the movement of the table up and down, respectively.

Abstract: A bumper mounting assembly comprises a support member mountable to a vehicle front and a bumper-carrying member hingedly mounted to the support member to be movable between an upright position and a lowered position. A primary actuator is secured to the support member and the bumper-carrying member and can apply braking force against movement of the bumper-carrying member from the upright position to the lowered position and can preferably move the bumper-carrying member from the lowered position to the upright position. One of the bumper-carrying member and the support member carries a detent and the other carries a movable latch and a latch actuator for moving the latch between an engagement position and a disengagement position, with the latch biased into the engagement position so that the latch can selectively retain the bumper-carrying member in the upright position. A system to maintain pressure in a spare tire is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a therapeutic table with an improved position adjustment mechanism and to a method for adapting a therapeutic table to include an improved mechanism for position adjustment of a table. In an embodiment, the improved position adjustment mechanism is a ribbon switch on the top surface of a frame forming the base of the table and a ribbon switch on the bottom surface of a frame forming the base of the table, which ribbon switch when pressure is applied activates the movement of the table up and down, respectively.

Abstract: A bumper mounting assembly comprises a support member mountable to a vehicle front and a bumper-carrying member hingedly mounted to the support member to be movable between an upright position and a lowered position. A primary actuator is secured to the support member and the bumper-carrying member and can apply braking force against movement of the bumper-carrying member from the upright position to the lowered position and can preferably move the bumper-carrying member from the lowered position to the upright position. One of the bumper-carrying member and the support member carries a detent and the other carries a movable latch and a latch actuator for moving the latch between an engagement position and a disengagement position, with the latch biased into the engagement position so that the latch can selectively retain the bumper-carrying member in the upright position. A system to maintain pressure in a spare tire is also described.