Abstract: A vacuum fixture incorporating a vacuum suctioning device which may be employed in the manufacture of thin film chip carriers through the intermediary of retaining parts which are to be processed on the surface of a suction plate in a dimensionally compensating operative mode. A process is disclosed which may be employed in the manufacture of thin film chip carriers which is adhered in a dimensionally compensating manner to the surface of an interposer plate which is supported on a suction plate of a vacuum fixture.

Abstract: In a stapler for variably stapling a set or stack of sheets manually inserted through the stapler entrance path with different orientations, there is a sheet guide system with movable guide members automatically differently repositioned into different sheet guiding positions in the entrance path by the sheet stack insertion and its angle of insertion, including switching in between a corner angled stapling alignment position and a linear sheet edge aligned stapling position, respectively differently positioning the sheet stack for stapling. It may include a base plate, a pair of guide elements movably mounted on the base plate, and a fixed registration wall. The guide members in the corner angled stapling position may present opposing converging 45 degree angled edge registration surfaces to the inserted sheet stack. For edge stapling, the same guide members and/or the registration wall may present one, or two straight edge registration surfaces to the inserted stack.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism comprising a feed belt assembly, a conveyor for feeding sheets to the feed belt assembly, the feed belt assembly having a belt driven first by a first drive roller, an idler roller assembly having an idler roller spaced from the first drive roller and driven by the first drive roller and a feed switch. The idler roller is mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from the feed switch whereby the feed switch mechanism will be activated by the idler roller assembly to permit sheets to be fed. The feed belt assembly comprises a take-up belt assembly and a delivery belt assembly and said conveyor moves sheets against the take-up assembly.

Abstract: A sheet feeder provided with a feed roller having a circumferential surface portion and a cutout surface portion and capable of reliably feeding sheets regardless of the thickness and weight of the recording medium. The feed roller has a roller shaft extending from both side thereof. Each roller has an inner peripheral surface through which the roller shaft extends, and has an outer peripheral portion serving as a contact portion for contacting with a separation pad when the cutout surface portion is in confrontation with the pad. An annular space is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the roller and an outer peripheral surface of the roller shaft. A spacer is movable over the roller shaft and is insertable into and rectactable from the annular space. In the insertion position, a distance between an axial center of the roller shaft and the contact portion is increased. In the retracted position, the distance is decreased because of the urging of the separation pad toward the roller.

Abstract: A sheet handling system for correcting the skew and/or transverse position of sequential sheets, especially those moving in a process direction in a sheet transport path of a reproduction apparatus to be registered for image printing, of the type in which the deskewing and/or side registration is accomplished by partially rotating the sheet with a transversely spaced pair of differentially driven sheet steering nips. The effective range of sheet size capabilities of such systems may be increased without steering nip slippage or other problems by applying a control signal proportional to the width of the sheet to a system for automatically increasing or decreasing the transverse spacing between the pair of sheet steering nips, so as to provide a much wider spacing for larger sheets yet still be able to handle small sheets.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism for advancing a substrate in a first direction is disclosed. The mechanism includes a guide for guiding the substrate along a substrate path and an urging member. The urging member is movable in a direction skewed with respect to the substrate path. The urging member cooperates with the guide to displace a portion of the substrate so that an end of the substrate advances in the first direction.

Abstract: A viewer for slot machines has a dihedral support (7) equipped with a large circular window (8) extended through the faces of the support (7), for the display of a disc (1) of flexible transparent or translucid plastic provided along its circumference with an alignment of images (2). The disc (1) is retained by the support (7) across its circumference and, in one embodiment, permanently maintains a dihedral configuration, showing an observer an alignment of images (2) according to a circumferential arc of variable amplitude according to the level of concealment of the front face of the assembly. In another embodiment, the disc is supported by two bracings so as to assume a “U”-shaped configuration, with two semicircular sectors and one intermediate sector.

Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.

Abstract: A backstop assembly for receiving projectiles, such as bullets. The assembly includes a plate inclined relative to the floor. The plate is covered with loose resilient particles such as rubber, but the rubber is not contained within another medium, nor is it enclosed within a box. A bullet entering the loose particles does not fragment because it is so much harder than the particles. Because the particles move out of the way of the bullet, rather than receive it, the bullets may be separated from the particles, and no lead dust is created by a fragmenting bullet.

Abstract: A tossing game including a plurality of moveable targets having an upward facing opening and a plurality of projectiles for being tossed for accuracy into the opening. Indicia on the projectiles match respective indicia on the targets. The target may be constructed as a tube or similar shape. The target is inflatable for portability and flotation.

Abstract: A seal is provided between relatively moving parts and includes plural layers of woven material such as metal, polymer or ceramic materials. The layers are secured to one another and to a first part of the relatively moving first and second parts and extend freely from that first part into engagement with the second part. The woven material layers accommodate shape variations between the parts. In a further form, bristles are disposed between layers of woven material and secured at one end to one part. The free ends of the bristles and the free marginal portion of the woven material project toward the second part in sealing engagement therewith.

Abstract: An O-ring shaped annular rib (63) is disposed around the outer periphery of a flexible diaphragm member (62), and grooves (70, 71) are formed in first and second resin members (60, 61) for receiving the annular rib (63) in the compressed state. A hollow space is defined between the first and second members (60) for holding the diaphragm (62) in the clamped state. A contact surface (64) where the first and second synthetic resin members (60, 61) come into contact with each other, is located outward of the grooves (70, 71), and is subjected to welding with a supersonic welding tool (65). A gap (76) is formed between the first synthetic resin member (60) and the supersonic welding tool (65), which gap disappears as the welding progresses. At this time, further progress of the welding operation is inhibited by allowing the first synthetic resin member (60) and the supersonic welding tool (65) to provide a predetermined compression for the annular rib (63).

Abstract: There is provided a seal apparatus for sealing against a rod, comprising a double seal including a rod seal and an O-ring which serves as a back-up ring for the rod seal. The double seal is provided in an annular groove formed on an inner circumferential surface of a rod guide which guides a sliding motion of the rod. An annular partition wall extends from the rod guide so that a force applied to the rod seal from the O-ring is shared between the rod seal and the partition wall. An annular protrusion is formed on a front end surface of the partition wall, so that when the rod seal is pressed with a large force toward the low-pressure side, the protrusion bites into a stepped surface of the rod seal and a front end surface of the rod seal is brought into contact with a low-pressure-side seal-bearing surface of the rod guide. The force applied to the rod seal is distributed to two sites.

Abstract: An improved seal assembly (142) is used in a power steering system (10) having an axially reciprocatable shaft (36). The seal assembly (142) has an inner side (164) which is exposed to hydraulic fluid. The seal assembly (142) includes a flexible lip (148) having a circular line (152) of minimum diameter. An annular coil spring (158) is disposed in engagement with a side of the flexible lip opposite from the line (152) of minimum diameter. The coil spring (158) has a circular central axis (170) which is axially offset from a plane containing the line (152) of minimum diameter of the flexible lip (148). The circular central axis (170) of the coil spring (158) is offset from the line (152) of minimum diameter of the flexible lip (148) in a direction toward the inner side (164) of the seal assembly (142) prior to installation of the seal assembly in the power steering system (10).

Abstract: A brush seal includes a mounting ring that carries radially inwardly directed bristles. A backing member attached to the mounting ring is positioned alongside the bristles. A chamber defined by the bristles and the backing member is pressurized with fluid to counteract the lateral forces imposed upon the bristles by a region of high fluid pressure that they are operationally adjacent. As a result of this balancing of forces, the bristles are free to move radially inward and outward so that their free ends remain in sealing engagement with an adjacent surface.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for an inlet valve of a power nailer includes a fixed frame and a movable member which has a tubular portion movably inserted through the central hole of the fixed frame and is biased by a spring. The movable member is connected to the cylinder so as to push the piston of the cylinder. The fixed frame has a flange with a tapered distal edge so that a seal is mounted to the flange and the seal has a tongue portion rested on the tapered distal edge. The tongue portion movably contacts the tubular portion. The movable member has a tapered distal edge on which a tongue portion of another seal is rested and movably contacts a flange of the fixed frame.

Abstract: A seal assembly seals a cylindrical clearance space between first and second coaxial members, and is installed in a coaxial annular groove in the first member. The groove has a mouth, first and second side walls, and a base wall extending therebetween. An elastomeric annular seal element has in toroidal cross-section an axial leg and a radial leg. The axial leg extends axially along the groove base wall and includes axial end portions and a mid-portion therebetween. The radial leg extends radially from the mid-portion toward and through the groove mouth, and has opposing side surfaces and a contact surface therebetween. The contact surface is outside the groove and sealingly contacts the second member. A non-elastomeric annular back-up element is positioned adjacent one of the seal element radial leg side surfaces, and prevents extrusion of the seal element when pressure is applied adjacent the other side surface.

Abstract: A seal bearing assembly and method for a pneumatic actuator is provided for placement within a groove in an actuator piston. For maintaining a compact size of the piston, the piston preferably has only a single encircling piston groove. In accord with the present invention, a compressible seal and bearing ring are positioned adjacent each other within the single piston groove. The compressible seal ring and bearing ring are sized so that side-to-side movement is possible within the piston groove until the piston is inserted into the pneumatic actuator cylinder. Upon insertion of the piston, compression of the seal ring causes the diameter of the seal ring to expand within the piston groove thereby securing the seal bearing assembly into a fixed position that prevents side-to-side movement of the assembly. The bearing is preferably non-metallic and centralizes the piston within the actuator cylinder to prevent metal-to-metal contact, scoring, and resulting wear.

Abstract: A T-joint gasket assembly for sealing a first surface, a second surface adjacent to the first surface and a third surface intersecting the first and second surfaces, said first, second and third surfaces generally forming a T-joint, said T-joint being sealed absent an external sealant such as an RTV sealant agent, said gasket assembly comprising: a first gasket member which has at the ends thereof a plurality of sealing beads and at least one sealing finger, a second gasket member positioned generally coextensive with said third surface, and being oriented so as to provide a T-joint like connection with said first gasket member, with both the first gasket member and the second gasket member including a supportable elastomeric sealing material to carry out the gasket sealing, said second gasket member possessing a plurality of elastomeric sealing pads thereon, said sealing beads and said sealing finger of the first gasket member being provided to make sealing contact with said sealing pads on said second gaske

Abstract: A branch gasket for a tapping sleeve is disposed about the side branch aperture in a main fluid conduit and between and in sealed contact with the main fluid conduit and an outer sleeve connected to the side branch. The branch gasket is comprised of a flexible, compressible, resilient material and includes a hydraulic lip, a stainless steel insert ring, a first pair of inner O-ring seals in intimate contact with the main fluid conduit, and a second pair of outer O-ring seals in intimate contact with the outer sleeve. A mat gasket for use with a tapping saddle is disposed about an aperture in a main fluid conduit and is further disposed between and in sealed contact with the main fluid conduit and an outer sleeve member. The mat gasket includes an aperture aligned with the aperture in the main fluid conduit and outer and inner portions in sealed contact with the outer sleeve member and the main fluid conduit, respectively.

Abstract: A sealing ring assembly for sealing a joint between two members (20, 22). An annular sealing ring 28 abuts an annular backup ring (38, 44) of substantially the same diameter. The annular backup ring is split to permit radial expansion and has a greater thickness on its outer periphery than on its inner periphery. When the joint being sealed (24) is under high pressure, the sealing ring urges the backup ring to expand radially to cover any gap (32) between the members being sealed, maintaining the seal, even under high temperature conditions, and preventing the sealing ring from extruding into the gap.

Abstract: A sealing ring having a base body manufactured of thermoplastic synthetic resin material and a sealing body of elastomeric synthetic resin material. The two bodies are molded permanently on one another and each possess a sealing section, which serves for producing a sealing action at sealing faces of two oppositely placed components which are to be sealed in relation to each other.

Abstract: A gasket includes an elongated strip including a first resilient gasket component and a second resilient gasket component having shielding properties, the first and second gasket components being joined together. A method for making a gasket is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plunger type rotary chuck assembly includes a main seat in which bearings are mounted for rotatably supporting a main shaft. An inner periphery of an axial hole of the main seat includes a number of fluid passages A number of piston chambers are provided around and communicated with the axial hole of the main seat. Piston rods are mounted in the piston chambers and coupled to discs that urge clutches or a follower ring to move a spring chuck. The spring chuck includes an outer inclined surface that may disengage from or engage with an inner inclined surface of the main shaft or of the follower ring, thereby allowing the spring chuck to release or hold a work piece to be processed.

Abstract: A driver includes a housing, a driveshaft rotatable with respect to the housing and a chuck. The chuck includes a generally cylindrical body and a nut rotatably mounted relative to the body so that relative rotation between the nut and the body moves the chuck toward an open or closed position. A first sleeve is rotationally fixed to the nut and is axially movable and rotatable with respect to the body. A collar is disposed operatively between the first sleeve and the body. The collar is rotationally fixed to and axially movable with respect to the body and is axially fixed to and rotatable with respect to the first sleeve so that the collar moves axially with the first sleeve and with respect to the body between a first axial position and a second axial position. The collar is rotatable with respect to the housing in the first position and is rotationally fixed to the housing in the second position.

Abstract: A swing-to-tree feller buncher has its boom swing-house assembly adjustably supported from its track carriage frame by a leveling mechanism which includes a front link, a rear link, and a pair of laterally spaced apart hydraulic cylinders. Both links are fixed to the frame toward the front of the carriage and the front link is shorter than the rear link. The upper ends of the hydraulic cylinders connect to the turntable support of the swing-house assembly at a position forward of the rear link and extend rearwardly to connect at their lower ends to the frame of the carriage at a position which is rearward of the rear link. The turntable support is also pivotable from side to side relative to the carriage about a minor axis.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle suspension system includes a respective gas leveler (42) at each of multiple wheels. A compressor (12) and reservoir (46) serve the gas levelers. The compressor has an internal gas compressing mechanism (26) for charging the reservoir, an internal electric-operated exhaust valve (20), and a port (30) through which the gas compressing mechanism and the exhaust valve communicate with the reservoir and gas levelers. A respective branch (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) from each gas leveler and the reservoir to the compressor port contains a respective electric-operated valve (44, 48) in series with the respective gas leveler and reservoir. An electric pressure sensor (50) provides an actual pressure measurement within a range of pressures at a node that is common to the branches and to the compressor port. Apparent hoisting or jacking of the vehicle is detected (FIG.

Abstract: A mounting plate (20, 120) for a linear skate upon which a plurality of wheel supporting brackets (22, 24, 26 and 28) are affixed in an equally spaced, generally aligned relationship. A wheel-receiving axle (32, 34, 36 and 38) is secured in each bracket, with each axle intended to receive thereon a closely fitting skate wheel (12, 14, 16 and 18). Each axle has a novel, expansion-producing arrangement (52, 62) enabling the outer end of the axle to be enlarged so as to tightly engage the non-rotatable inner portion (80) of a respective skate wheel. Each wheel is thus retained on its respective axle in a fully operational manner, without fear of the wheel coming off the end of the axle. The mounting plate has raised shoulders (84 and 86; 126 and 128) along each long side, serving not only to prevent undesired bending or twisting, but also serving to prevent the several wheel-supporting brackets from twisting out of a desired relationship to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A folding collapsible kick scooter is made to include a base frame supported on a rear wheel a handlebar and front fork assembly supported on a front wheel, a connecting bar having one end fixedly connected to the handlebar and front fork assembly and a rear end pivotally connected between two arched upright lugs at the base frame by a pivot for enabling the handlebar and front fork assembly to be turned with the connecting bar relative to the base frame between an extended position and a collapsed position, and a quick-release lock installed in the lugs and the connecting bar and controlled to lock the handlebar and front fork assembly and the connecting bar, the quick-release lock formed of a locking lever, a holding-down block, a shaft inserted through an arched slot on each lug, and a cap nut, wherein the shaft has a flat rear end moved with the locking lever between two expanded ends of an arched slot on one lug and forced into engagement with two protruded portions in one expanded end of the arched slot

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising steerable front wheels supporting the vehicle and rear wheels supporting the vehicle, at least one rear wheel of which is coupled, by means of an at least substantially horizontal axle journal extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to a wheel suspension arm (1) extending at least substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The wheel suspension arm (1) is capable of pivoting movement with respect to the other part of the vehicle about a horizontal pivot axis extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, whereby said rear wheel is capable of pivoting movement against spring force about an upwardly extending pivot axis (8) with respect to said wheel suspension arm from the position intended for normal forward movement The upwardly extending pivot axis (8) is positioned behind the axle journal of the rear wheel, seen in the intended direction of forward movement.

Abstract: A zero roll suspension system for a vehicle is proposed which includes a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly having an axis of rotation about which a wheel of the wheel assembly rotates. The suspension system substantially eliminates rolling of the vehicle frame and includes a first weight bearing member and a second weight bearing member, each having a first end and a second end. One of the first and second ends of each of the first and second weight bearing members are rotatably connected to a portion of the wheel assembly and the other of the first and second ends of each of the first and second weight bearing members are rotatably connected to the vehicle frame. The first and second weight bearing members are oriented in substantially parallel planes between the wheel assembly and the vehicle frame and cross one another in superposition along a crossing axis, substantially prohibiting the vehicle frame from rolling during a cornering operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved vehicle running board construction and method of making same including a hollow metal support pipe with an elongated mid-section step portion adapted in vehicle-mounted orientation to extend generally parallel to and adjacent a sill of a vehicle door that provides access to a passenger or freight compartment of the vehicle. An elongate mounting opening is formed in an upwardly facing exterior surface area of the pipe mid-section. A support plate has a plurality of transverse trusses arranged in spaced apart relation in a longitudinally extending row and straddling the opening side edges and resting thereon for support. A plurality of spacer webs are individually interposed between and joined to longitudinally adjacent pairs of the trusses and support at each of their longitudinally opposite ends, a resilient spring finger catch oriented to underlie an associated one of the pipe opening side edges.

Abstract: A novel child's bicycle seat/rack assembly is provided. The seat is capable of slidable attachment to a touring rack of the type including a substantially rectangular frame formed from struts. The seat has integrally-formed channels for slidably engaging the struts and forward and rear integrally-formed, latches adapted to releasably engage the struts so as to lock the seat member against rearward movement relative to the rack. A locking wedge is provided to secure a latch against unintentional flexing and disengagement from the strut. A child's seat may have a seat portion and a back portion pivotably attached to one another. The seat also may have a grab bar and a seat stand.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a pedal-operated vehicle comprising: a frame; a front wheel and a rear wheel, the front and rear wheels being rotatably mounted to the frame; first and second independently operable pedals reciprocatingly mounted to the frame so as to be capable of upward and downward movement; and a drive mechanism which can be selectively placed in an engaged mode or a disengaged mode, wherein (i) in the engaged mode, downward movement of either pedal imparts torque to the rear wheel in a first rotational direction to propel the vehicle forward and upward movement of either pedal imparts no torque to the rear wheel, the rear wheel being substantially nonrotatable in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and (ii) in the disengaged mode the rear wheel is freely rotatable in the second rotational direction as well as in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: An improved cycle transmission comprising 1) a freewheel cluster rotatably coupled to the rear wheel of a bicycle and in axial alignment with the rear wheel axle; 2) a crank assembly having one or more laterally moveable chain rings rotatably coupled to a front section of the bicycle frame and in axial alignment with the pedal axle; and 3) a drive chain entrained around both the freewheel and chain ring. In a first embodiment, the crank assembly comprises a single chain ring which is laterally moveable with respect to the cycle frame. Lateral movement of the chain ring occurs in direct response to changes in the position of the drive chain on the freewheel cluster. The lateral movement of the chain ring allows the drive chain to maintain itself within a single plane relative to the chosen freewheel sprocket, thereby eliminating lateral bias.

Abstract: Motorcycle footrest brackets are described and that are adapted to be secured on opposite sides of a motorcycle having a frame and passenger footrest mounting holes on opposed sides of the frame. Each of the brackets includes a rigid base plate including a bottom end and an upward end. A bolt is mountable to each base plate at the bottom end and is configured for attachment to one of the passenger footrest mounting holes on the motorcycle. A pin on each of the base plates extends to an inward end and is positioned on the base plate and configured to abut with a portion of the motorcycle frame to prevent rotation of the base plate about the bolt. A footrest mount on each rigid base plate adjacent its upward end is configured to mount a conventional motorcycle footrest.

Abstract: A high strength hitch. The hitch is affixed to the rear of a towing vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame having a transversely extending tubular structural member extending between a first end and a second end and having a front, a rear, a bottom, and a top. A rearwardly extending first tubular receiving member is provided with its forward end affixed to the rear of the transverse tubular structural member. A second tubular receiving member is provided mounted below the first tubular receiving member. An upper forward portion of the second tubular receiving member is affixed below the transverse structural member. A strengthing bottom plate is provided below and affixed to the second tubular receiving member. The bottom plate also has an upwardly extending forward portion which is affixed to the front of the transverse structural member.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes an interchangeable ball having a first bore for removably receiving a stub shaft attached to the towing vehicle. Both the ball and stub shaft have transverse bores that can be aligned with one another to receive a removable pin for securing the ball to the stub shaft during normal use. When the ball is not on the stub shaft, a clip can be inserted into the first bore of the ball to removably engage the pin and prevent the pin from being withdrawn from the ball. This feature helps to prevent the pin from becoming lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.

Abstract: A wheel chair is provided, including a wheel chair frame including a seat portion, an axle structure and two lateral wheels mounted to the axle structure for rolling the wheel chair over a support surface; and a manual propulsion mechanism including first and second clutches mounted to the wheel axle structure, each of the clutches having an outer clutch drum which engages and rotates an internal clutch core affixed to the wheel axle structure when rotated in one direction and disengages the clutch core and spins freely when rotated in the opposing direction; a lever arm affixed to a lever arm axle rotatably fitted through the frame to a drive cable pulley; a drive cable engagingly wrapped around the drive cable pulley and engagingly around the first clutch drum, and extending from the first clutch drum engagingly around a reversing pulley rotatably mounted on a pulley stem secured to the frame, and from the reversing pulley engagingly around the second clutch drum wound in the opposite direction from its win

Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus which is simple in structure and light in weight while assuring a sufficient strength and wherein a pad cover can be mounted readily onto a base plate by a simplified mounting apparatus. The air bag apparatus has at least an air bag for protecting a driver of a vehicle upon collision of the vehicle, a base plate for mounting thereon a gas generator for inflating the air bag, and a pad cover secured to the base plate for accommodating the air bag and the gas inflator therein. A portion of the base plate is deformed into a predetermined shape to secure the pad cover to the base plate. Preferably, a portion of the base plate is bent to form a side inner face portion and is further folded back to form a side outer face portion, and a terminal portion of the pad cover is held between and secured by the side outer face portion and the side inner face portion of the base plate.

Abstract: An airbag device is provided which allows the required strength of a container to be reduced, thus lightening the weight of the container. A holding plate 18 is inserted into an airbag 20 through an opening 24 of the airbag 20. A flange 18b of the holding plate 18 is superposed on a peripheral portion of the opening 24 and stud bolts 22 are inserted through bolt-through holes formed in the peripheral portion of the airbag 20. The stud bolts 22 are further inserted through bolt-through holes 26 formed in the bottom of a container 10. After an inflator 16 is fitted into a housing portion 18a of the holding plate 18 through an opening 12 of the container 10, a mounting bracket 14 is superposed on the bottom of the container 10 and the stud bolts 22 are inserted through bolt-through holes of the mounting bracket 14. Then, nuts 30 are screwed up-onto the bolts 22. After the airbag 20 is folded and accommodated in the container 10, a lid 32 is put on the container 10.

Abstract: A tensioning device for a head protection restraining system in vehicles comprises an inflatable gas bag with two ends extending between an A-column and a C-column of the vehicle, one of said ends of said gas bag being fastened to the A-column and the other to the C-column. To provide a tensioning device for the gas bag which ensures that the gas bag remains tensioned between the A and C columns even in its vented state, a tensioned spring is arranged between at least one of said ends of the gas bag and its adjacent column.

Abstract: During a collision, an air bag causes deformation of a roof head lining as the air bag expands. A roof head lining deformation limiting structure restricts inward deformation of the roof head lining. Thus, the roof head lining is prevented from interfering with an interior equipment, e.g., a sun visor, thereby reducing breakage of the sun visor provided adjacent the roof head lining. The deformation limiting structure can take the form of an assist grip or a card holder. Also, the assist grip or the card holder can be mounted onto a member, e.g., a bracket, that plastically deforms upon being struck by the occupant's head during a collision, thereby absorbing a portion of the impact that would otherwise be transferred to the occupant.

Abstract: A floor for a tank formed of a superstructure and a skin, wherein the superstructure is formed of a pair of spaced floor rails, one on the left and one on the right side of the tank, and a spaced series of normally disposed thereto V-trough struts or cross-members each of which slopes from the interior sidewall edges of the tank toward the center longitudinal axis, while at the same time their respective effective elevation is decreased from the back to the front of the tank, such that the skin attached over the superstructure slopes both inwardly toward the middle of the tank from each side and forwardly from the rear of the tank toward the front of the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album leaf from a media having a front and back side. The apparatus includes a processing path along which the media moves through the apparatus; a digital printer disposed along the processing path for printing images on the front side of the media, the images being composed so as to define a segment having a fold line about which the segment is folded so as to form the leaf; a processing section disposed after the printer along the processing path for processing the media on which the images have been written; a removal mechanism for removing the protective release layer from the segment; a folding mechanism for folding the segment so as to form an album leaf.

Abstract: A joint restraint (10) for securing a first pipe (12) to a second pipe. The joint restraint (10) includes an annular body (14) and a plurality of wedge housings (18) extending from the annular body (14) and characterized by open rear faces (38) to allow coreless casting. A bolt (32) is disposed within a hole (30) in each wedge housing (18) and a wedge (40) is disposed within each wedge housing (18). Each wedge (40) has a bolt-actuated tooth (52), a larger pressure-actuated tooth (54), a top surface (44) having a groove (48) adapted to slidably receive a bolt actuator (32), and a bottom surface (42) that is partially tapered to act as a bearing (76) limiting the extent of bolt-driven actuation.

Abstract: A coupling assembly comprising a female connector body, a male member, a retainer and a dust barrier. The female connector body defines a bore extending axially inward into the connector body from an entrance. A radial face is defined in the bore axially inward of the entrance. The male member is received within said bore. The male member is formed at the end of a tube and includes a projection extending radially from the tube. The retainer has at least two locking beams extending between the radially extending projection and the radial face to retain the male member in the bore. The locking beams defines a slot between the locking beams. The dust barrier is slidably mounted on the tube. The dust barrier has at least one extension insertable within the slot so as to prevent inadvertent radially inward movement of the locking beams. Wherein upon sliding the dust barrier toward the female connector body, the dust barrier encloses the bore so as to prevent foreign material from entering the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A self-flaring fitting assembly for semi-flexible, convoluted tubes or pipes is provided. The inventive fitting assembly, which basically comprises an adaptor, a nut, and a split bushing assembly, eliminates the need for sealing gaskets, is reusable, and further facilitates the ease and speed of installation of semi-flexible piping systems. When used with jacketed tubing, the present inventive fitting assembly is capable of both preventing the undesirable movement of the jacket during installation and assembly and of reducing or eliminating exposure of the tubing located within the fitting assembly to contaminants or corrosive materials found in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method is used for interfacing materials of dissimilar thermal expansion in an X-ray tube. Initially, a first joint is identified, which has a first component to be received into a second component. Typically, the first component has a higher coefficient of expansion than the second component, so the purpose of the invention is to reduce the physical expansion of that component in the joint. A plurality of slots is introduced along the approximate axial length of a coupling member at the joint, to achieve the aforementioned purpose. The coupling member is provided between the two components, and has a thermal expansion rate greater than one component and less than the other component.

Abstract: A flexible entry boot assembly provides a fluid-tight fitting between a wall of a fluid containment region and a conduit passing through the wall. The flexible entry boot assembly comprises a seal member disposed within the containment region. A securing plate, disposed within the containment region, is releasably mounted to the seal member. A hollow support sleeve, integral with the seal member, extends axially into the containment region. The support sleeve has an outer surface and an inner, conduit receiving surface, and further has a degree of flexibility sufficient to allow for the insertion of the conduit at angles equal to or other than an angle normal to the fluid containment wall while maintaining a fluid-tight environment. The flexible boot assembly further comprises a mechanism for releasably attaching the hollow support sleeve to the conduit. A flexible, corrosion resistant sealing ring member is disposed outside the containment region.