Abstract: A method of playing a pai gow poker game in which, in addition to the usual seven cards dealt to each player and the dealer, a single player tiebreaker card is dealt for all players and a single dealer tiebreaker card is dealt to the dealer. The ante bet of each player is then paid off for winning and losing hands in the usual manner of a pai gow game. However, with push hands (where only one of the two-card hand and five-card hand of the player has a higher poker rank than the respective two-card hand and five-card hand of the dealer), the winner is determined by the higher value of the player and dealer tiebreaker cards so that no push bets occur.

Abstract: A playing card deck having a series of cards, each having a face and a back for playing a card game comprising four aces, including one being a heart, one being a diamond, one being a spade and one being a club. The deck has four twos, four threes, four fours, four fives, four sixes, four sevens, four eights, four nines, and one of sixteen blackjacks, sixteen red colored jacks, eight blackjacks and eight red jacks and any combination of 16 jacks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the likely outcome of an event out of a number of possible outcomes relies on past statistical occurrences of each of said possible outcomes selected by a random-number generator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a table game provides for realistic simulation of known athletes' performance in the context of a virtual game predicated upon the career statistics of those athletes, uses card carrying along one of their edges, space-proportioned zones representing the percentage of occurrence of each possible outcome of a player's move during that player's career. A random number generator drives a display of a series of individually selectable points or locations that are matched to one of the zones in order to determine the outcome of a virtual move. The game is particularly adapted to the simulation of baseball, cricket, basketball, or golf competitions.

Abstract: A shooting game machine having a gun for projecting bullets using compressed air and targets arranged in a predetermined distance in front of the gun includes a housing which is provided with at least one opening formed on a front wall thereof, a gun supporter mounted inside of the opening on the front wall of the housing for supporting the gun, and a target holding mechanism installed in front of the gun in a predetermined distance for holding at least one target.

Abstract: Spring constant of a bristle against the buckling of the bristle is lowered and resilient flexing is facilitated even if a rotary shaft is changed in its movement to contact a brush seal of a brush seal device. In the brush seal device, a bending portion is formed amid a bristle constituting a brush seal to facilitate the resilient buckling deformation.

Abstract: A seal head assembly includes a case. A ferrule is seated against the case. A spring is seated at one end against the ferrule. A spring seat receives a second end of the spring. The retainer ring has a band and a plurality of tabs, wherein the band engages the spring seat. A metal bellows has a first end in contact with the case and a second end having a contact surface for the tabs of the retainer ring. A seal washer has an annular groove, wherein the seal washer is received in the second end of the metal bellows. A seal is received in the annular groove of the seal washer.

Abstract: A plurality of seal units are provided between a seal housing and a rotating shaft. An inside seal unit, an outside seal unit, and at least one pair of intermediate seal units are aligned in an axial direction. The inside seal unit contacts fluid to be sealed. The outside seal unit contacts the atmosphere. The intermediate seal units are located between the inside seal unit and the outside seal unit. A plurality of chambers are defined by each of seal units. An intermediate liquid is supplied to the chambers. A pressure in an inside chamber is maintained lower than a pressure of the fluid to be sealed in a machine. Pressures in second and third chambers are maintained equal to or higher than the pressure of the fluid to be sealed.

Abstract: The piston ring (10) for a dry-running piston compressor consists of a first and a second ring part (10a, 10b) having gaps or butt joints (10e, 10f). These two ring parts (10a, 10b) are arranged to lie mutually concentric with respect to an axis (C). The first ring part (10a) has an essentially L-shaped cross-section, having a first arm (10h) running in the direction of the axis (C) and a second arm (10g) extending outwards in a direction essentially radial to the axis (C). The second arm (10g) has a first bearing surface (10l) and the second ring part (10b) has a second bearing area (10k). The first and the second bearing areas (10l, 10k) are designed to fit perfectly on top of each other. The first and second bearing areas (10k, 10l) exhibit a discontinuity (U1,U2).

Abstract: A rotary facial seal and a thrust bearing are adapted to be installed between inner and outer concentric relatively movable members, such as, the spindle housing and axle of a motor vehicle, the facial seal having an annular diaphragm made up of an inner seating portion mounted on the axle, an outer plastic or PTFE sealing ring with a lip tapering away from a hinged section in a seal body to engage a radial wall of the housing, and an intermediate resilient wall section between the seal lip and seating portion to yieldingly urge the sealing lip into a thin band of contact with the radial wall under the biasing action of the intermediate wall section; and the thrust bearing includes a bearing member which is installed at the inner bore of the spindle housing and is freely rotatable with respect to the spindle housing when engaged by the end of the shaft and inner seating portion of the facial seal.

Abstract: A seal mechanism with improved pressure tightness is provided to eliminate a return piping to a fuel tank used for reducing pressure applied to the seal mechanism in a high pressure fuel pump. The seal mechanism includes a stress reduction mechanism for reducing the stress generated at the junction between its retaining member and flexible member.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket of the invention is used for an internal combustion engine with at least three cylinder bores. The gasket is formed of a metal plate extending substantially throughout an entire area to be sealed, and a reinforce coating. The metal plate includes two end holes, at least one inner hole sandwiched between the two end holes, and beads surrounding the respective holes. The two end holes and at least one inner hole are arranged linearly to correspond to the cylinder bores of the engine. The reinforce coating is deposited around the peripheral portion of the at least one inner hole so that sealing pressures are formed substantially equally around the two end holes and at least one inner hole. Other reinforce coatings may be deposited around the peripheral portions of the end holes.

Abstract: A chuck for a percussion hand-held power tool including a coupling sleeve (3) for receiving a working tool and having two diametrically opposite, slot-shaped, radial openings (4, 4′) in which two locking members (5) radially and axially displace a locking sleeve 6 surrounding the coupling sleeve (3) and the locking members (5), and a spring-biased push-sleeve (8) formlockingly cooperating with the locking members (5), with the locking members (5) being supported against the inner surface (7) of the locking sleeve (6), extending into an interior of the coupling sleeve (3), and having each a radial dimension greater than a thickness of the coupling sleeve wall and a width decreasing toward a chuck axis (A).

Abstract: A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a housing and a rotatable drive shaft extending therefrom is provided. The chuck includes a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section and a tail section. Each of a plurality of jaws is slidably positioned in one of a plurality of angularly disposed passageways in the body. Each jaw has a jaw face formed on one side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof. A nut is rotatably mounted on the body in engagement with the jaw threads so that rotation of the nut moves the jaws axially within the passageways. A locking member, in a first axial position, is rotatable with respect to the driver housing. In a second axial position, it operatively engages the housing and the nut so that the locking member is rotationally held to the housing and the nut so that the nut is rotationally held to the housing. The locking member is axially reciprocal between the first axial position and the second axial position.

Abstract: A vehicle truck for supporting a ground contacting device, and in particular to a independent-suspension turnable skate vehicle truck which supports a wheel or wheels or a runner or ski, for example a roller skate boot have in-line wheels or tandem wheels is provided. The independent-suspension turnable skate vehicle truck has one or more deflecting beams attached to a wheel axle hanger and the opposite end attached to a skate vehicle mounting structure. The deflecting beam has at least one horizontal component and/or at least one vertical component. The vertical components resist vertical deflection of the wheel axle hangers to restrict upward and downward movement of the wheels or other ground contacting portions. The horizontal component controls most twisting motions controlling turning of the deflecting beam and wobble of the wheel.

Abstract: A three runner sled includes a single steerable front runner and two directionally fixed rear runners extending from a frame. The frame has a longitudinal backbone member with an elongate seat. Each rear runner has a knee rest somewhat forwardly positioned relative to the seat. Each rear runner also has a foot rest at its rearward end. This configuration results in a kneeling position for the sled operator, providing a relatively low center of gravity for the sled and operator, yet allowing the operator to readily shift his/her weight laterally for better balance and control. The telescoping steering column connecting the front runner to the sled frame includes an adjustable suspension. Independently actuated brakes are provided at the rearward ends of the rear runners, controlled by separate brake levers. Attachments may be provided for carrying the sled on a person's back, for convenient sled transport.

Abstract: A wheel barrow having three wheels is disclosed. A forward wheel is positioned adjacent the point of intersection between two convergent longitudinal frame members, and a pair of rearward wheels are disposed intermediately of the forward and rear ends of the longitudinal frame members. Frame members provide a support carriage for a container. Rear wheels are connected by an axle, and rear axle is connected at each end to frame members by downwardly depending bracket members. The wheels enable the operator to use the wheelbarrow without having to lift up to move the wheel barrow. The wheelbarrow can be moved merely by pushing the rearwardly extending, divergent frame members.

Abstract: Garden Cart with A hollow cart housing comprised of a lower half and an upper half, the top half and bottom half removably joined by a channel located around the perimeter of the lower half, the lower half having a plurality of wheels attached for the purpose of rolling, a rotatable pull handle attached to the front lower surface of the lower cart half, a removable, replaceable tool box that inserts into the top cart half, a hinged and padded seat located on the upper front of said top cart half, a lower tool handle holding receptacle portion located on the lower rear portion of said lower cart half, a plurality of spring biased holding fingers for holding tools located on the rear and side surface of said upper cart half, and said top half capable of being easily removed from said bottom half so that said bottom cart half can be used as a conventional wheel barrow.

Abstract: The present invention of a suitcase shockproof caster structure includes a caster chassis which is connected to a caster cap on one side, a caster is connected to the caster cap on the other side. An elastic pad and a rod are disposed underneath the inner side of the caster chassis, the rod goes through the elastic pad and is sleeved by a spring. A U-shaped elastic plate having a flat end, a bent end and a bottom pointed end, the flat end is connected to the caster chassis while the spring is disposed above the upper side of the bottom pointed end of the U-shaped elastic plat. Accordingly, the U-shaped elastic plate acts as the main shock and vibration absorption element, while the spring provides a means of absorption when the caster chassis is under a greater pressure.

Abstract: In a double wishbone suspension structure, a damper coupling part at one end of a damper is coupled to either of a pair of coupling shafts for coupling an upper arm or a lower arm and a knuckle. Since impact from a wheel is not applied to an intermediate part of an arm and no bending moment acts upon the arm, the arm is not required to be reinforced and can be significantly decreased in size and weight. A damper attachment for attaching a damper to the arm is not required and the number of parts and manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

Abstract: A strut suspension system with dual-path top mounts is provided with a first input system and a second input system. In the first input system, an upper part of a piston rod (5a) of a shock absorber (5) arranged on a strut (4) is connected to a vehicle body (7) via an insulator (10c) when the strut suspension system is arranged on an automotive vehicle. In the second input system, an upper part of a coil spring (6) arranged on an outer circumference of the strut (4) is connected to the side of the vehicle body (7) via an upper spring seat (8c) and a bearing (9c) when the strut suspension system is arranged on the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A running board assembly is designed such that it does not adversely effect the triggering properties of a side-impact airbag system. In a first embodiment, upon incurring an impact, the running board moves to a position inward of the side of the vehicle at a controlled collapsing load. The controlled collapsing load does not adversely effect the trigger point at which a side-impact airbag system must not deploy nor does it adversely effect the trigger point at which a side-impact airbag system must deploy. In a second embodiment, the structure of the running board assembly is designed to transfer a side-impact load directly to the vehicle's side-impact airbag system.

Abstract: A molded running board provided with a support portion and a top portion is described herein. The support portion is made of plastic material and provided with reinforcing ribs and the top portion is made of a plastic material that is advantageously compatible with the plastic material forming the support portion. A method for the assembly of such a molded running board is also described herein. This method includes the welding of a top portion to a support portion via the use of a thin strand of plastic material compatible with material used in the top portion and the support portion and metallic particles in an electromagnetic press, for example.

Abstract: A left arm portion and a right arm portion which extend in the front-rear direction are provided on the left and right sides of a swing arm with a window portion for passing a rear shock absorber unit therethrough provided between the left arm portion and the right arm portion. A shock absorber-fitting beam is provided like a bridge between the left arm portion and the right arm portion with a swing arm side fitting portion of the rear shock absorber unit fitted to the shock absorber-fitting beam. A whole part or a part of the window portion is closed with the shock absorber-fitting beam. The swing arm can be reinforced with the shock absorber-fitting beam with the flexural rigidity and torsional rigidity of the swing arm being enhanced. Moreover, since the upper end of the shock absorber unit is fitted to the swing arm side, it is unnecessary to provide, for example, a fitting portion for the upper end of the shock absorber unit on the vehicle body frame side, so that an increase in weight can be restrained.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a reclining seat that has a back portion and a bottom portion. The wheelchair also has a frame, which has a lower portion onto which wheels are attached and a substantially vertical portion extending upwardly from the lower portion. The back of the seat is attached to the substantially vertical portion of the frame. The wheelchair has a first mode for normal seating in which the substantially horizontal lower portion supports the bottom portion of the seat. The seat also has a second, reclined mode in which the seat is reclined backwardly relative to the normal position. The bottom and back portions of the seat and the substantially vertical portion of the frame are rotated together to tilt the seat into the reclined position. The lower portion of the seat is pivotally mounted on the lower portion of the frame, such that the lower portion of the frame remains substantially in place as the seat itself is tilted, and does not tilt with the seat.

Abstract: The present invention includes a motorcycle frame that has a steering head and a fuel storage unit that is adapted to contain motorcycle fuel. A separating wall is disposed between the fuel storage unit and the steering head to substantially prevent fluid communication between the fuel storage unit and the steering head. The steering head includes a stress focusing structure for separating the steering head from the fuel storage unit and leaving the separating wall substantially intact to contain fuel within the fuel storage unit in response to a predetermined force being applied to at least one of the steering assembly and the front wheel.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame assembly arranged to have a desirable amount of rigidity in both transverse and vertical directions. The frame assembly desirably includes a head pipe configured to support a front wheel and associated suspension assembly. A main tube and down tube extend in a rearward direction from the head pipe. Desirably, the main tube is elliptical in cross-section, with the longer dimension being arranged generally horizontally and the shorter dimension being arranged generally vertically. Preferably, the main tube is arcuate along its length and defines a convex outer surface portion opposing a concave outer surface portion. Preferably, the main tube is arranged such that the convex outer surface portion faces the down tube. Desirably, the main tube also extends from the head pipe such that the main tube is lower than perpendicular with respect to the head pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to a stowaway pintle hitch that is simple to manufacture and use having novel height adjustment means, retainer, retainer lock, and stowaway pivoting motion. The apparatus may have a swiveling mount that is free to swivel while towing a trailer. A cushioning spacer is disclosed for reducing impact forces and noise in pintle hitch towing systems. In certain embodiments an apparatus in accordance with the invention may have a trunnion for insertion into a receiver tube or cavity of a vehicle. A base may be secured to the trunnion or to the vehicle. The base may also have a mount secured thereto. The mount may have a platform that is sized and positioned to receive a hitch. The mount may also have a retainer that may be moved into position and locked in order to prevent removal of a pintle ring from around the hitch. The retainer may be mounted on a pivot allowing it to rotate into and out of position.

Abstract: A traction device for a downhill ski is disclosed. In one embodiment the traction device includes a traction member which is movably interconnected with the downhill ski. At least one biasing member actively biases this traction member toward a position where at least a portion of the traction member will extend beyond the entire lower surface of the downhill ski or an “active” position. However, the traction member can be retained in a non-traction or “inactive” position by a latch. Appropriate movement of the latch allows the biasing member(s) to move the traction member into the desired traction position. The end of a ski pole can be used to activate the latch and initiate movement of the traction member. In one embodiment this traction device is integrated with the structure of the binding.

Abstract: A gliding edge profile for winter sports equipment, such as7 for example, skis, snowboards and sledges, includes two component parts connected at an angle to one another along their longitudinal edges. The component parts are made of different materials to suit their properties to the stress at hand and can be joined together by laser beam welding, electron-beam welding or plasma jet welding so as to hardened and/or tempered at least in the area of the welding seam.

Abstract: Snow skis having asymmetrical edges to make turning easier while telemark or alpine skiing. Each ski has concave, curved lateral edges. These lateral edges are asymmetrical, in that the medial edge of each ski is substantially longer than its outer edge. In addition, the point of maximum side cut on the outer edge is adjacent to the toe area of the skiers boot, while the point of maximum side cut on the medial edge is adjacent to the middle of the ski boot to facilitate easier turns while telemark skiing.

Abstract: A boot and binding assembly is arranged for use with a ski. The boot has a toe portion, a flexible sole and a heel portion. A rigid interconnect member is mounted to the toe portion underneath the sole of the boot. The binding includes a toe piece, a latch assembly, raised portions and a release mechanism. During use, the toe portion mates with the toe piece on the ski while one end of the interconnect member releasably mates with a latch assembly on the ski. When the interconnect member is secured to the ski by the latch, a skier can lift the heel portion away from the ski by flexing the sole. This enables a skier to execute cross-country and telemark style skiing maneuvers. The latch assembly may include a pivoting member which holds the rearward end of the interconnect member. The toe portion preferably has lateral edges for facilitating securement beneath the toe piece. Preferably, a cord and handle assembly is provided as the release mechanism to facilitate disengagement of the boot from the binding.

Abstract: A heavy duty, knock-down industrial cart for holding and transporting relatively heavy objects is formed of a generally rectangular base frame having rigid, interconnected elongated side and end strips upon which wood boards are rested to form a support floor. The boards span between opposing side strips and the ends of the boards are clamped upon the side strips by metal angle strips each having a horizontal leg overlying the board ends and a vertical leg fastened to their respective side strips. Vertical posts are secured to the base frame strips and support wheels are secured to the bottom of the frame. The frame strips, posts and boards are fastened together by releasable mechanical fasteners so that the parts forming the cart may be manually assembled and disassembled and one or more damaged boards can be removed and replaced with new boards when discarded.

Abstract: There is provided a side airbag for an automobile having airbag modules 100, 200, 300, which selectively includes reinforcing pads, an inner cushion pad, a tube-type tether and a tear seam, all of which are piled in multi-layers, so that the side airbag may be developed with regulating the gas pressure duration without eccentricity, in a useful and effective manner to successfully protect a driver and passengers seated in the vehicle. The cushion pads used in the side airbag require a small amount of materials, are easily seamed and easily folded, so as to reduce costs.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system includes a side airbag and an inflator. The airbag includes six cells that are defined by stitching and are adapted to be inflated by a gas generated by the inflator. Among six end parts a to f of these cells, four end parts b to e are positioned on top of or in the vicinity of a center pillar garnish and a rear pillar garnish that include respective impact absorbing ribs. When the airbag is deployed, even if the end parts b to e cannot be inflated sufficiently due to the stitching, thereby exhibiting no impact-absorbing effect, the center pillar garnish and the rear pillar garnish instead exhibit an impact-absorbing effect, thereby protecting an occupant.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system includes an airbag and an inflator. An impact absorbing member is disposed at an upper part of the folded airbag, which is disposed along a roof side rail, at positions other than that of a center pillar, and an impact absorbing member is disposed at a lower part of the folded airbag at the position of the center pillar. This arrangement ensures that there is a distance between the airbag and the upper end of a center pillar garnish, thereby making it difficult for the deploying airbag to catch on the upper end of the garnish, and the impact absorbing member can guide the deploying airbag toward the occupant compartment, thereby more reliably preventing it from catching on the upper end of the garnish.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system includes an airbag and an inflator. A gas supply pipe extending from the inflator is inserted into the interior of the airbag and immovably fixed in a manner in which the gas supply pipe is clamped from above and below by a pipe support formed in the airbag from a part of stitching defining a plurality of cells. The gas supply pipe can thus be fixed without employing any special fixing member, thereby reliably preventing blockage of the gas nozzle that would cause interference with smooth issuing of the gas and preventing damage to a base fabric of the airbag by the heat and pressure of the gas.

Abstract: A vehicular occupant restraint system is provided with an airbag and an inflator. A front end of the folded airbag is housed within a front pillar garnish covering a side face on the occupant compartment side of a front pillar, and impact absorbing ribs are formed on the inner face of the front pillar garnish only in a section(s) that receives little deformation when the airbag is deployed. Since the front pillar garnish can be easily flexed when the air bag is deployed, there is neither inhibition to the smooth deployment of the airbag nor splitting and scattering of a part of the front pillar garnish. Moreover, since the impact absorbing ribs are formed on the front pillar garnish in the section(s) that receives little deformation, the impact of a secondary collision to an occupant can be absorbed effectively by the impact absorbing ribs.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system includes an airbag and an inflator. The front end of a gas supply pipe, which extends from the inflator housed in a rear pillar to the interior of the airbag and guides the gas generated by the inflator to the airbag, is substantially vertically aligned with front portion of a rear wheel wheelhouse of the vehicle. Since the gas supply pipe can be positioned in an area in which the vehicle body rigidity has been increased by the rear pillar and the wheelhouse, it can be effectively prevented from being damaged due to the impact of a side collision of the vehicle. Moreover, since the inflator is housed in the rear pillar, which is wider and more rigid than a front pillar, it is possible to minimize or effectively prevent damage to the inflator.

Abstract: So that, given a desired deactivation of an airbag, a triggering cannot take place under any circumstances, firing device (ZV) of the airbag is bypassed using an electrically controllable switch (KS). This switch (KS) short-circuits the electric circuit of the firing device (ZV) during the deactivation time.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (20) energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device (20) is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (12). The apparatus (10) may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices (20) individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

Abstract: In an airbag device (10) wherein within a casing (12) opening upwardly an inflator (16) and an airbag (14) are housed at its bottom part and the opening side, respectively, a cylindrical diffuser (18) surrounding the outer circumference of the inflator (16) is provided, which has a partition wall (40) projecting toward the opening side of the casing and partitioning an airbag-housing space into a forward side and a rearward side relative to the vehicle, in which to house the airbag (14) dividedly, and a lip portion (32) of the airbag (14) is superposed downwards of the diffuser (18) thereby to lock the bottom part of the diffuser (18) to the bottom surface of the casing (12). Thus, it is easy, albeit compart, to control the deployment behavior of the airbag and excellent in workability of assembling the airbag in the casing.

Abstract: A multi-chamber airbag venting system which provides for channeling of inflation gas, simple internal tethers, and prevents pre-mature venting. The system includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a middle panel. The middle panel is located between the front and rear panels. The middle panel divides the interior of the airbag into a first chamber between the middle panel and the rear panel, and second chamber between the middle panel and the front panel. The panels are connected to each other along their respective circumferential peripheries. The rear panel includes an airbag mouth to allow gas to enter the airbag. The rear panel further includes a vent hole. The middle panel includes a vent hole connected to the vent hole of the rear panel to form a vent passage. The middle panel includes a middle panel passage hole positioned in the middle panel such that gas entering the airbag through the airbag mouth is channeled from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: An air bag (10) has a deflated condition stored in a container (40) in a vehicle and has an inflated condition. The air bag (10) when in the inflated condition has lower and upper sections (64, 74). The air bag (10) has a first portion (60) forming the lower section (64) of the air bag, and a second portion (70) forming the upper section (74). The air bag (10) includes a back panel (82) disposed farthest from a vehicle occupant (22) and a front panel (80) disposed closest to the occupant. The first portion (60) of the air bag (10) is folded into a compact shape and stored in a lower portion (62) of the container (40). The second portion (70) of the air bag (10) is rolled into a compact shape and stored in an upper portion (72) of the container (40). The second portion (70) inflates upward and unrolls in a direction away from the occupant (22) so that the front panel (80) is presented toward the occupant. The first portion (60) of the air bag (10) inflates before the second portion (70).

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for a semitrailer includes a pair of legs that may be simultaneously raised or lowered by turning a single crank. Each of the legs is configured to be able to be mounted in either an inboard or outboard configuration. This is achieved by providing both sides of each leg with no protrusions that extend beyond the space provided in the mounting bracket and the mounting hole used to connect the landing gear to the semitrailer. The gear assembly of the landing gear includes a unique floor base that receives and supports the input shaft. A cover is used to support the input ends of the input shaft and the output shaft. The cover is connected to the input side of the upper tube of the leg and allows the gear assembly to be easily assembled within the perimeter of the upper leg.

Abstract: A telescopic mechanism, especially for steering columns of motor vehicles, with an internal element (10), which has a flattening (12) at least on one side, and an external element (14), which is complementary to the internal element (10) and in which the internal element is guided with roll barrels, which roll at the flattening (12), wherein at least some of the roll barrels are constructed as hollow elasticity bodies (18).

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the column support bracket and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A retractable steering column is provided. The retractable steering column has a steering column and an outer tube. The outer tube has a first sealing member, and the steering column has a second sealing member. The steering column is sealed in the outer tube using the first and second sealing members. Thus, the first and second sealing members form a cavity between the steering column and the outer housing. The steering column is rotatable with respect to the outer tube and is slideable with respect to the outer tube from a first position to a second position. A gas generator generates a retraction pressure in the cavity to slide the steering column from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is a binder for holding a plurality of sheets, which provides for repetitive changes to content identification without the need for substitute labeling. It includes a front member, having an outside surface and an inside surface; a back member, having an outside surface and an inside surface; a connecting mechanism for holding the front member and the back member together; a binding mechanism for temporarily binding a plurality of sheets between the front member and the back member; and, at least one whiteboard attached to at least one of the outside surface of the front member, the inside surface of the front member, the outside surface of the back member and the connecting mechanism. In some embodiments, there is a movable, protective, transparent cover located atop the whiteboard, and this cover is moveable with movement means selected from the group consisting of a hinge arrangement, a flap arrangement and a slide arrangement.

Abstract: A travel publication containing a collection of detachable information cards that provides the consumer information in regards to finding a specific location at a destination where the consumer is hindered by a language or accent barrier. Each card details a specific location or locations in both text and a graphical map. This information is presented in a bilingual format using both the written language that the consumer is skilled in and the common written language of the destination. After detachment, the card is handed to a person(s) at the destination and used to communicate the consumer's desire to find or be transported to that specific location.