Abstract: A steering bearing assembly for a bicycle comprises a lower bearing unit including a set of balls arranged between a first race connected to the head tube of the frame of the bicycle and a second race connected to the steering tube, which connects the front fork of the bicycle to the handlebars. The second race is connected to the steering tube with interposition of a bottom supporting ring having a plane undersurface which rests against a stop surface of the fork. The bottom supporting ring incorporates elastic means which recall it towards a configuration of minimum diameter in order to keep the bottom supporting ring blocked on the steering tube and at the same time enable its disassembly by means of easy and fast operations.

Abstract: An anti-rollback assembly adapted or adaptable for use in combination with a wheelchair. The anti-rollback assembly includes a one-way brake assembly automatically immobilizing the wheelchair against rearward movement when the occupant attempts to rise from or sit in a seat member of the wheelchair, yet at the same time does not prevent the wheelchair from moving in a forward direction. Conversely, when the occupant is fully seated in the seat member, the one-way brake assembly is disengaged so that the wheelchair can move freely in forward or rearward directions. The assembly can be retrofitted onto existing wheelchairs, and is adjustable to fit various size wheelchairs.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle including a front and a rear part, and a coupling member which connects the front part to the rear part, and is adapted to permit articulation of the front part with respect to the rear part about a generally vertical axis whilst also permitting movement of the rear part with respect to the front part about a generally horizontal axis, characterised in that the coupling member includes a body made as a unitary casting.

Abstract: A corrugated skateboard deck and method of corrugating skateboard decks in the skateboard deck manufacturing process. The corrugated skateboard deck has elongated corrugations embossed into at least one of its top and bottom surfaces and generally extending between first and second ends of the skateboard deck. The elongated corrugations are made up of ridges and grooves which are pressure-formed in a method of corrugating the surfaces of skateboard decks. This method utilizes a high-density corrugated template to emboss corrugations under high pressures.

Abstract: A multi-feature stroller (100) includes several unique features. The stroller, which has a forward sub-frame (104) and a rearward sub-frame (108) that is foldable upon itself, provides a napper bar (150) which extends outwardly from the forward sub-frame (104). The napper bar (150) provides a locking mechanism (254) which engages one of two locking tongues (190) extending from an underside of a car seat (160). Accordingly, the car seat (160) may be carried by the stroller (100) in a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The napper bar (150) is moveable between an extended position and a recessed position by actuating a release mechanism (302). A fold down mechanism (130) is connected between the rear sub-frame (108) and the forward sub-frame (104) when actuated causes the sub-frames to fold into a collapsed position and simultaneously causes the napper bar to fall to its recessed position.

Abstract: A stair chair is provided and includes a seat 30, a backrest 34, a foot rest 32, upper handles 84 and lower handles 82. Three wheels 62 are mounted at each side of the chair. The wheels are pivotal about their own axis and also a common axis. Rotation about the common axis can be braked or locked. The chair can be lowered downstairs with a person pulling on the upper handle 84 and another person pushing on the lower handles 82 in order to slow movement of the chair down the stairs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of articulating a vehicle is disclosed using a rotatable shackle connected to the frame and the suspension system of the vehicle. As one side of an axle is moved to a different level from the other side, the shackle rotates, allowing the vehicle to articulate and assisting the spring eye of a leaf spring suspension system to remain substantially in its resting position. Pivoting connections may be provided where the rotatable shackle is connected to the frame, where the rotatable shackle is connected to the suspension system, and within the rotatable shackle itself. The rotatable shackle is self supporting and may include a bushing to receive a portion of the rotatable shackle.

Abstract: A guide plate 45 is placed at a guiding and holding member 42 which is fixed to a region of an inner panel 34 adjacent to the upper end portion 49A of a B pillar garnish. The guide plate 45 has a base end portion 45A which extends from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side. The base end portion 45A is fixed to the guiding and holding member 42. The cross sectional configuration of the guide plate 45 when viewed from the vehicle front is formed in a substantial U shape which surrounds the folded air bag body and whose opening portion faces the outer side of the vehicle interior. When the air bag body is expanded, the guide plate 45 is extended as well so as to cover the upper end portion 49A of the center pillar garnish 49. As a result, the air bag body can expand more smoothly, and the displacement of the center pillar garnish from the vehicle body can be prevented.

Abstract: A head protection air bag apparatus comprises an air bag, an air bag cover for covering the air bag, an inflator for supplying the air bag with a gas for inflation, and an assist grip. The inflator is fixed to a body of a vehicle at a location toward the exterior side of a vehicle relative to the assist grip. The assist grip is provided on its exterior surface with a cover layer having the characteristic of a cushion, so that an impact with the inflator will be cushioned by the assist grip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module, comprising a module cover which has at least one opening flap movable upon activation of the module. An axis is provided relative to which the opening flap moves when it is opened, and a tether is provided between the at least one opening flap and a part of the gas bag module. In an open condition of the module cover the opening flap is fixed on the one hand to the module by means of the tether and on the other hand is fixed to the module cover via the axis. The axis and the tether are arranged with respect to the opening flap in such a manner and the opening flap has such a strength that its geometry is changed by the tether when it is swivelled open so that the opening flap moves outwardly by a smaller amount than without the tether.

Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to a pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a trim molding covering the air bag and mounted to the pillar. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended downward and sideways in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle.

Abstract: A passenger-side airbag device is formed of a container having first and second side faces facing oppositely, a coupling member disposed on the first side face of the container for coupling the container to an instrument panel, and a fixing member disposed on the second side face of the container for fixing the container to the instrument panel. The container is fixed to the instrument panel by fixing the fixing member to the instrument panel after coupling the coupling member to the instrument panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The gas bag module comprises an inflatable gas bag has an interior, a compressed gas source and a fabric layer arranged in the interior of the gas bag. The fabric layer guides a stream of compressed gas emerging from the compressed gas source upon inflation of the gas bag. A guiding plate is provided in the interior of the gas bag as an additional gas guiding means.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a front passenger seat includes a fracture-opening section which is defined in an interior cover and is split into front and rear subsections upon inflation of an airbag, and front and rear reinforcement plate members fixedly attached to back surfaces of the front and rear subsections. Upper bent portions and lower bent portions are alternately formed at predetermined intervals at each of the mutually-opposed end portions of the front and rear reinforcement plate members such that a vertical step is formed between the upper bent portions and the lower bent portions. A projection tongue having an engagement hole is provided at the tip end of each upper bent portion. A projection engageable with the engagement hole is formed on the upper face of each lower bent portion. The mutually-opposed end portions of the front and rear reinforcement plate members are superposed and engaged with each other in such a manner that the projection tongues are located above the lower bent portions.

Abstract: A three-dimensional airbag for a vehicle having a main panel having a generally elongated shape. The main panel includes a pair of generally symmetric first portions extending from opposite sides of a fold line and a pair of second portions. A subpanel is secured to the main panel to form a hollow body. The first portions of the main panel are joined to each other along their edges. The edges of the second portions are secured to the edge of the subpanel to close the open front end of the hollow body to form an air bag. The air bag may further include at least one of a baffle for controlling the flow of air within the bag during inflation and a tether assembly for controlling the opening of the air bag.

Abstract: A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt engaging member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to catch and pull a restraint belt from its unused position to a presentation position for grasping by a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member includes a selectively upwardly moving arm having a finger assembly with an offset rotary action for moving the finger assembly into an actuating position. In a second embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member is connected to a hinge member that pivots the restraint belt engaging member into an actuating position.

Abstract: A telecommunications directory for providing a user with a list of e-mail addresses associated with individuals. The telecommunications directory includes a front cover, a back cover and a binding connecting the front and back covers to form a book. A plurality pages are retained between the front and back cover by the binder and include indicia indicating a plurality of names, physical addresses and e-mail addresses associated with each name. The pages may be secured to the binder or releasably connected to the binder by a plurality of tabs. Each tab extends along a length of the binder and is positioned between the front and back covers. The plurality of pages are releasably secured to the tabs. The plurality of pages may also include indicia printed thereon providing space for entering additional information regarding an entity including telephone number, facsimile number, cellular telephone number and pager number of the entity.

Abstract: A booklet is provided which is easily formed in the in-line finishing process part of a web printing press operation having a plurality of sheets or layers, each sheet or layer having multiple removable portions positioned about a central portion used to attach the layers or sheets to one another. The removable portions of the booklet are particularly useful as coupons, advertising material or the like. The booklet may be attached to a newspaper, magazine, catalog or the like by extending the outer edge of one of the removable portions so such outer edge can be attached to the newspaper, magazine, or the like. The booklet may also be removable from the newspaper, magazine, catalog or the like by placing perforations between the attachable extension and the outer removable portion. Also provided is a method of making the inventive booklet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for labeling food products or packaging thereof, wherein a graphical representation such as a bar graph allows visual comparison and evaluation of levels of nutitionally important food product components. In addition of the relative length or height of columns of a bar graph, graded progression in color intensity or transitions from one color to another may be used to show various levels of a food product component. Standard columns may also be used to show acceptable levels by reference to an external standard. An axis to the graphical representation may also provide numerical data in relation to the levels of food product components.

Abstract: A document has a substrate with a first side. The first side has a first area within which the substrate is a first color. The document also has a plurality of marks on the substrate within a second area. The second area is smaller than the first area and is within the first area. Each mark is a different color from the first color. The density and size of the marks is such that at a distance of about twenty inches, the first area appears to the human eye to have a shaded area corresponding to the second area, as well as an unshaded area corresponding to a portion of the first area not occupied by the second area. At a distance of about eight inches, the second area appears to the human eye to have a plurality of marks.

Abstract: A drill pipe assembly having an elongate tubular pipe section with a first end and a second end, a first threaded tool joint having an outer surface and being attached to the first end of the pipe section, a second threaded tool joint having an outer surface and being attached to the second end of the pipe section, one of the first and second tool joints having at least one radially outwardly facing annular groove formed in the outer surface thereof and a ring of elastomeric material received in the groove, the ring having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, the ring preferably having an index signifying a characteristic of the drill pipe.

Abstract: A flexible line element, particularly for exhaust pipes of internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, is characterized in that it has at least two interconnected, metal bellows provided with cylindrical joining ends and at least one of the bellows is helically corrugated. This and/or the bellows are telescoped and two bellows are connected at only one of their joining ends. A line element constructed in this way is on the one hand torsion-soft, so that it does not transfer any torsional stresses to adjacent components, and on the other is also stable in the case of high torsional stresses.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for conduit or pipe comprising a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a locking member. The first coupling member is optionally a tubular component and the second coupling member or coupler is optionally a belled component. The present invention is also optionally provided with an annular sealing member.

Abstract: A separable pipe joint has two pipe segments that can be inserted one into the another, a gasket-seal arranged between the pipe segments, and a collet which is arranged so as to be adjustable between a separated position and a clamped position, and which is provided with latching means for axially fixing the pipe segments.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes first and second coupling members or glands having end faces that sealingly engage opposite faces of an annular gasket. An end face of the coupling member includes a circumferentially continuous seal bead disposed adjacent the bore of the coupling member. A bead thus contacts the gasket along a radially inner region thereof. Disposed over a major portion of the radial face is a substantially planar region. The planar region is adapted to engage the gasket during make-up so that the user encounters an increase or positive feedback of increased torque once the coupling assembly is properly made-up. The end face also includes a raised ring disposed along the radial perimeter. The ring extends outwardly from the end face a dimension slightly greater than that of the bead so that it provides initial engagement with the gasket. This locks the coupling member and gasket against relative rotation during make-up.

Abstract: A downhole power generator produces electrical power for use by downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a downhole power generator includes a member that is vibrated in response to fluid flow through a housing. Vibration of the member causes a power generating assembly to generate electrical power.

Abstract: Disclosed is a beverage bottle holder wherein a handled harness provides the user with a means by which to grasp a conventional plastic beverage bottle, essentially transforming the bottle into a pitcher-type assembly that allows the user to pour the contents of the bottle with a great deal of ease and control

Abstract: A gripping device for a component mounting machine, said gripping device comprising a gripping device body (1) with a finger portion (2). The finger portion (2) is provided with at least two elongate fingers (3, 4) made in one piece, each finger (3, 4) having an outer edge (5, 6), said outer edges (5, 6) being provided for, in cooperation, gripping a component. The at least two fingers (3, 4) are flexible in relation to each other so that the outer edges (5, 6) of the fingers (3, 4) are moveable towards and away from each other. Movement of at least one finger (4) is controlled by a slide (7) engaging a part of the finger portion (2) remote from said finger (4) for positive movement of said finger (4) in different directions, said slide (7) being displaceably mounted on the gripping device body (1).

Abstract: A luggage holding apparatus for a vehicle having a luggage room, a rear floor panel constituting the luggage room and a rear quarter panel constituting the luggage room includes a square opening formed on the rear floor panel in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a plurality of rectangular floor boards inlaid into the opening, whose respective long sides length is equal to a length of one side of the opening and whose summation of respective short sides length is equal to the length of the one side of the opening, a band-shaped luggage holding member for holding luggage in the luggage room, a retractor secured to at least one of the floor boards, capable of winding the luggage holding member therein for accommodation, at least one hook provided on at least either of the rear quarter panel and the rear floor panel and a hooking means provided at an end of the luggage holding member for hooking the luggage holding member to the hook.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device is provided for mounting on a front of a vehicle. The vehicle shield device has a hood protector portion and a fender protector portion for protecting portions of the hood and the fender from contact with airflow. The vehicle shield further includes an airflow deflector portion extending from a back edge of the hood protector portion for deflecting airflow away from a windshield of the vehicle. The hood protector portion, the fender protector portions, and the airflow deflector portion cooperate to form a continuous airflow engaging surface extending across a portion of the front of a vehicle.

Abstract: Several variations of a new and improved sun visor for use within a motor vehicle are disclosed, with the visors coming in different sizes to fit all types of vehicles, such as automobiles, vans, trucks, boats, trains, and planes. The variations would comprise three different types of visors. The first variation of visor would replace the standard sun visor that is located at the top of a standard windshield immediately above an operator's line of sight while operating a particular vehicle. The second variation of visor would serve as a “clamp on” visor which would be removably attached to a standard car visor that would be present in a vehicle. The third type of visor would be used to cover a side window of a particular vehicle. The third variation of visor would use either clamps to serve as a “clamp on” visor or alternatively would have a pair of suction cups to removably attach the third type of visor to a particular side window.

Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible top for a convertible, comprising a front shell piece, a middle shell piece and a rear shell piece; said shell pieces, when in the closed state, being arranged as a roof over a passenger compartment of the convertible; said front shell piece being capable to be raised during a positively controlled opening operation such that it is moved over the middle shell piece; said rear shell piece being capable to be rotated into a folded-over position; the three shell pieces being designed such that they can jointly pivot counter to a direction of travel about a main bearing into a packaging position; wherein in said packaging position said front shell piece and said middle shell piece are oriented in the same direction over said rear shell piece, that is stored in the folded-over position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible motor vehicle roof having a front roof section and a rear roof section, each roof section being pivotally mounted on the vehicle body by a lever mechanism. The rear roof section is mounted so as to pivot over the front roof section, and can be lowered jointly with the front roof section into a back stowage space or area in the motor vehicle. The rear roof section being supported with a pivoting capacity on at least one of the front roof section and the lever mechanism. Preferably, when the motor vehicle roof is in a closed position, at least one of the lever mechanism and the lever for the front roof section are located substantially vertical in an area of one side front edge of the front rear roof section.

Abstract: A metallic product has a metallic curved hollow member having a hollow cross section which has a thin wall portion and a thick wall portion which is thicker than the thin wall portion. The metallic curved hollow member is produced by bending a metallic straight hollow member produced by extrusion of aluminum material which is one of aluminum and aluminum alloy. Another metallic product has a metallic curved hollow member having a hollow cross section which has a cross-shaped portion. The metallic curved hollow member is produced by bending a metallic straight hollow member produced by extrusion of aluminum material which is one of aluminum and aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement member for reinforcing a wheel well area of an automobile includes a carrier and a load distributing medium supported by the carrier. The carrier also may include a reinforced protrusion, two reinforced openings, and an outwardly extending flange. The flange includes a reinforced raised portion having a shape similar to that of the flange. The load distributing medium is a structural foam and preferably an epoxy-based resin. The preferred load distributing medium is L5206, L5207, L5208, or L5209 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich.

Abstract: A cap torsion preventing structure of truck wherein a reinforcing material is installed to form a closed space at a connected area between a wheel housing and a head lamp support panel to increase strength relative to load and torsional moment applied to the wheel housing, and to dispense with thicker wheel housing and head lamp support panel, preventing cracks at the connected area, the structure comprising the reinforcing material, one side of which being combined to an inner surface of the wheel housing and the other side being coupled to the head lamp support panel, thereby forming a closed space at a connected area between the head lamp support panel and the wheel housing for dispersion of load.

Abstract: In a vehicle front pillar including inner and outer frame members joined into a substantial tubular shape, a fore portion of the inner frame member is oriented toward the front of the vehicle and has at least one bent portion formed thereon so as to serve as a shock absorbing section. Rear portion of the inner frame member is oriented toward the back of the vehicle and has a reinforcing member of a closed sectional structure attached thereto so as to serve as a high-rigidity section. The reinforcing member may have a circular or rectangular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An illuminating plate for a car has a light guide plate; a cover provided with at least one light transmitting window, and disposed on the light guide plate; and light reflecting layer formed on the rear surface of the light guide plate. The light reflecting layer is formed to cover an area where the light is projected onto the rear surface of the light guide plate through the corresponding light transmitting window, and the light reflecting layer being slightly larger than the area.

Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof with a fixed roof structure having front and rear roof openings, a front roof system which covers the front roof opening and which includes at least one roof cover which is selective movable in a pivoting position such that its rear edge is positioned above the fixed roof structure and which can be moved longitudinally to at least partially expose the front roof opening. The openable motor vehicle roof further includes a rear roof system which has at least one roof cover which in a closed position covers the rear roof opening over a cargo space in the rear area of the motor vehicle and at least partially clears the rear roof opening in an at least partially opened position.

Abstract: In a head rest for a vehicle seat, in particular for an automobile seat, with a head rest bar, which mounts a head rest body, a part of the head rest body automatically moves forward relative to a remaining part of the head rest body in the event of a certain type of crash.

Abstract: A posture control device that maintains an individual's posture in a correct position by elevating the upper portion of the thighs. The thigh elevation device elevates the thighs, which causes the pelvis to automatically rotate anteriorly. The rotation results in an increased curvature of the lumbo-sacral spine which properly aligns the vertebrae with one another. One embodiment uses a stand-alone thigh elevation device which is positioned below the upper portion of the thigh of a user when the user is sitting. An alternative embodiment uses a specially designed seat cushion with an elevated portion to control leg position in the same manner. The seat cushion can be detachable or an integral part of a chair. Optional features include cushion securing devices including straps and/or hook and loop attachments. An alternative embodiment uses an inflatable thigh elevation device which allows the user or medical personnel to dynamically adjust the angle of the user's leg.

Abstract: The seat portion of a rearward facing child safety seat has static rear part and a movable front part which is movable between a deployed position in which its upper surface is contiguous with that of the rear part and a stowed position leaving an opening in front of the rear part for receiving the legs of an older child occupying the child seat with his knees bent and his feet positioned below the level of the static rear part.

Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat supporting carrier. A seat cushion is pivotally mounted on the carrier. The carrier has a swing arm pivotally attached thereto. A seat back is pivotally mounted to the swing arm. The seat cushion is povotable on a first pivot axis P1 between a laid position and an erected position. The swing arm is pivotable on a second pivot axis P2 between a laid position and an erected position. The seat back is pivotable on a third pivot axis between a laid position and an erected position. When the seat back is in the erected position and the seat cushion is in the laid position, the third pivot axis is positioned higher than the first and second pivot axes. The seat back, by pivoting from the erected position to the laid position, lies on the seat cushion held in the laid position.

Abstract: A pillow device can be adhered to the pillow of a car seat is disclosed. The pillow device includes an adjustable or inflatable soft portion for supporting the neck of a passenger, a head supporting portion for preventing the head to turn aside. A ring sticky buckle serves to fix the pillow device on the pillow of a car seat so that other than the original function of a pillow, the pillow device of the present invention has a further function of protecting the head and neck of a passenger so as to improve the quality in sleep.

Abstract: An adjustable seat that can be selectively adjusted to provide pressure relief for the back of the thighs and buttocks. The seat has two adjustable seat sections placed under the user's thighs. In one embodiment, the seat includes the main support body comprising a flat, horizontally aligned lower surface, a perpendicularly aligned, wide rear surface, a vertically aligned narrow front edge, a diagonally aligned upper support surface, and two equal vertically aligned side members. Disposed over the diagonally aligned support surface are two parallel, elastic wedge-shaped seat sections or two inflatable wedge-shaped seat sections. Each elastic or inflatable wedge-shaped seat section is complementary in shape and may create a flat seating surface on the seat accessory when the two wedge-shaped seat sections are longitudinally aligned over the diagonally aligned support surface. Each wedge-shaped seat section covers approximately one-half the diagonally aligned support surface.

Abstract: A portable recliner assembly includes a recliner seat having a plurality of spaced-apart first connectors, and a support having a second connector that is selectively coupled to one of the plurality of first connectors. The recliner seat can have first and second side walls, and at least one side connector provided along each of the first and second side walls, with each side connector adapted to couple a side connector from another recliner seat.

Abstract: A cushion structure used as a seat cushion or backrest of a seat, which is composed of a square net stretched on a square frame of combined structure composed of an elastic square frame body and a hard square frame body embedded in the elastic square frame body, wherein each side end portion of the square net is rolled up on the elastic square frame body of the square frame and fastened to the hard square frame body of the square frame.

Abstract: A motorized dump-type vehicle is provided having a chassis frame, an engine mounted on said frame, a dump container pivotally mounted on the front of said frame and a hydraulic system enabling said container to be raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder and said vehicle to be driven in either forward or reverse directions using its front wheels. Additionally, as needed, the vehicle can be switched into all-wheel-drive by hydraulically driving the vehicle's rear wheel(s) which are by default undriven.

Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.