Patents Issued in April 17, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030071450
    Abstract: A cable type steering system includes a drive pulley coupled to a steering wheel for rotation and having a drive pulley main body, a driven pulley coupled to a steering gear box for steering wheels for rotation and having a driven pulley main body, and an operation cable connecting the drive pulley with the driven pulley, so that a steering torque inputted to the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering gear box via the operation cable. At least one of the drive pulley main body and the driven pulley main body may be molded of a synthetic resin in such a manner as to cover a detent portion formed on an outer circumference of a pulley boss made of a metal both from an axial direction and a radial direction, and at least part of the detent portion is visible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Koichi Suyama, Katsuji Watanabe, Atsuhiko Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20030071451
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil adjusts the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the strap. A controller produces a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the strap to better protect from injury a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision. An actuator receives the signal and actuates the anvil to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the strap in accordance with the magnitude of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Delphi Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kremer Riefe, James R. Salois, David Michael Byers
  • Publication number: 20030071452
    Abstract: A load limiting seat restraint retractor for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure. The load limiting seat restraint retractor also includes a take-up spool operatively connected to the housing and connected to webbing of a seat restraint system for winding and unwinding the webbing. The load limiting seat restraint retractor also includes a rotatable torsion bar operatively connected to the housing to provide a constant load limiting on the webbing during an impact. The take-up spool is mounted on the torsion bar. The load limiting seat restraint retractor includes a locking mechanism operatively connected to the torsion bar and the housing. The load limiting seat restraint retractor further includes a load limiting device disposed between the locking mechanism and the take-up spool to deform the take-up spool to provide digressive load limiting on the webbing during the impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth John Siegfried, James Lloyd Webber, David Gerard Hlavaty, George Rodney Kohut
  • Publication number: 20030071453
    Abstract: A closure for a safety belt comprises a frame and at least one locking element which is pivotally mounted in its center of gravity to the frame such that it is movable between a locking position and a release position. The closure further comprises at least one spring which urges the locking element into the locking position. An actuating opening is provided which enables direct access to the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Holzapfel
  • Publication number: 20030071454
    Abstract: A home beautification journal has a plurality of sections including one or more pages containing fields for entering information regarding home beautification projects, a plurality of tabs, and a protective cover. Each section corresponds to a household area. Each tab also corresponds to one of the one or more household areas or household items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Jay Z. Muchin, David J. Merten
  • Publication number: 20030071455
    Abstract: A folder, binder or book includes envelope pages with slits in the outer edges thereof so that the tabs of tabbed index cards, sized to fit snugly in the envelope pages can retain their tabs extending out through the slits. The index cards have cut off inner corners to allow easy insertion and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Shun Takemura
  • Publication number: 20030071456
    Abstract: Storage time of a perishable item in a perishable item storage system is tracked using a set of reusable labels with distinguishing features that associate each label with a distinct time unit. The distinguishing features are used to group labels, each group being associated with one of the time units. The labels permit a user to readily determine by visual inspection a time when a labeled item was added to the perishable item storage system. The time units may be days of the week.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Jean Gervais
  • Publication number: 20030071457
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus and its manufacturing method can meet various demands or needs on specification of a customer. This saves a maker of the apparatus a large stock of various types of the apparatus and the use of an expensive mold. Consequently, the apparatus and its manufacturing method are advantageous from an economical point of view. The apparatus is provided with a pair of plastic coupling openings (2) and (3) in its inlet and its outlet portion, respectively. The coupling openings (2) and (3) form a pair of opposite end projections of the apparatus, and are capable of being welded to plastic tube members (4) and (5) of a customer's designed fluid circuit, respectively, through a butt welding process when the apparatus is delivered to the customer. The tube members (4) and (5) are designed according to the customer's design specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: SURPASS INDUSTRY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Imai
  • Publication number: 20030071458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tube arrangement, comprising a tube consisting of a polymer material which is provided in particular with an embedded resistance support. At least one tube end (7) is slid onto a connection piece consisting of metal or plastic. A clamp, especially a screw clamp, presses the tube end onto the connection piece. The inventive hose arrangement is characterised in that the tube end (7) is provided with a retaining collar (1′) for the clamp, this retaining collar being slid onto the tube end and consisting of a polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Hermann Brockmann, Karsten Kuddelsmann, Wolfgang Papenfuss, Manfred Seeck
  • Publication number: 20030071459
    Abstract: In a siphon tube (1) of a reservoir, even when a front end of tube (1) is in the vicinity of the bottom of the reservoir, there is no fear that slurries are sucked by tube (1) which: reaches the bottom of the reservoir to draw a liquid contained therein out of the reservoir is characterized by a liquid-inlet opening (3) directed normal to a longitudinal axis of tube (1) Tube (1) has its front end formed into: an inverted T-shape provided with opposite end openings in a laterally extending portion thereof, each of which openings forms the liquid-inlet opening (3); or, an L-shaped curved form a front end of which forms an opening directed normal to the longitudinal axis of tube (1); or, is closed with a cap so that an opening is disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the cap to serve as the liquid-inlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ozawa, Takashi Imai
  • Publication number: 20030071460
    Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket, a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region and a third expanded region adjacent to the second. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region, a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region and a support washer having transversely oriented radial and coaxial flanges is positioned adjacent to the retainer in the third expanded region. A lip turned inwardly on the second expanded region overlaps the radial flange and captures the support washer, retainer and sealing member within the coupling. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Charles E. Wilk, Lawrence W. Thau, Douglas R. Dole, Terrance M. Carom
  • Publication number: 20030071461
    Abstract: A tube connecting system and apparatus directed to connecting a tube to a cylinder are provided. A system includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a radially compressible ring, and a radially compressible tube. The tube fits radially inside of the ring and the first and second sleeves. As the first and second sleeves are coupled and brought closer together, inner surfaces of the sleeves exert a radial force onto the ring, causing it to radially compress onto the tube, which compresses in response. Contact surfaces may be added to one or both of the sleeves for axially compressing the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Michael T. Roberts, Mark T. Noel
  • Publication number: 20030071462
    Abstract: A device for coupling tubular members including a sheet member having a first end and a second end where the first end and the second end are operatively arranged to overlap one another to form a substantially cylindrically shaped coupling, an abutment member mounted to the sheet member proximate the second end thereof, a male threaded member, a female member pivotably mounted proximate the first end of the sheet member and arranged for pivoting rotation about a pivot point, where the female member is arranged to threadably engage the threaded male member, and the male member is operatively arranged to abut the abutment member, wherein the male threaded member is operatively arranged to rotate in a first direction to abut the abutment member and expand the substantially cylindrically shaped coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Duane J. Duncan, David W. Mielke
  • Publication number: 20030071463
    Abstract: In an engine generator, a pair of wall plate members are opposed to each other at a distance. Accommodated between the wall plate members are an engine having a crankshaft perpendicular to the wall plate members; an outer-rotor type generator also serving as a flywheel and connected directly to the crankshaft; an intake system device disposed on one side of the engine in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the crankshaft; and an exhaust system device disposed on the other side of the engine in said plane. Thus, the engine generator can be accommodated in a limited space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takizawa, Tadahiro Yaguchi
  • Publication number: 20030071464
    Abstract: A generator for a bicycle includes a rotor abutting a wheel of the bicycle. A coil is mounted in the rotor and electrically connected to two bearings that are mounted on the opposite sides of the rotor by two inner wires. A stator has a shaft extending through the two bearings and a permanent magnet sleeved onto the shaft and corresponding to the coil. Two electrical ring connectors are respectively mounted on opposite ends of the shaft and electrically connected to the bearings. A light is mounted on the bicycle and electrically connected to the electrical ring connectors. The coil will rotate with the rotor relative to the stator when the bicycle is in motion and generate electricity that is transmitted to the light, and the light improves the enjoyment and safety of riding the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Chun-Chen Chiu
  • Publication number: 20030071465
    Abstract: An engine generator including a soundproofing case that houses an engine and a generator therein. The engine includes an engine-side cooling fan and an engine-side inlet. The generator includes a generator-side cooling fan and a generator-side inlet. The engine generator further includes an engine-side partition and a generator-side partition fixedly disposed within the soundproofing case to define a chamber to be cooled that houses sections of the engine and the generator that are to be cooled, an engine-side air intake chamber that the engine-side inlet faces, and a generator-side air intake chamber that the generator-side inlet faces. The soundproofing case includes a cover part whose inside face is in intimate contact with the outer peripheries of the engine-side and generator-side partitions and has an exhaust vent in a part corresponding to the chamber to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yasuo Sugimoto, Yoshio Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20030071466
    Abstract: An electrical system (12) is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) having a first power source (14) with a first positive terminal (16) and first negative terminal (18). A second power source (20) having a second positive terminal (22) and a second negative terminal (24) is also provided. A common electrical node N2 is coupled to the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal. A first load (26) is coupled between the first positive terminal and the second node N2. A second load (28) is coupled between the common node N2 and the second negative terminal (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Michael W. Degner, Paul Raymund Nicastri
  • Publication number: 20030071467
    Abstract: A wind turbine with a permanent magnet alternator that uses a boost mode controller to improve performance at low and high wind speeds. The boost mode controller also allows the permanent magnet alternator to be slowed so that the wind turbine can be stall controlled. A rectifier bridge circuit includes a power electronic switching device on each phase to selectively short the voltage on that phase. The duty cycle of the switching devices is controlled to give the desired wind turbine performance. The switching frequency of the power electronic switches is continuously modulated at low wind speeds in order to minimize tonal acoustic emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: David Gregory Calley, Harrison Marden Knowler
  • Publication number: 20030071468
    Abstract: A wind powered electrical generation assembly having a portable wind powered generator tower for supporting a wind powered generator allowing the wind powered generator to be raised, lowered, and removed from the tower. The wind powered electrical generation assembly also includes a vertical elevator on the tower configured to vertically lift the wind powered generator with a carriage to position the wind powered generator at a top of the tower. The wind powered electrical generation assembly further includes a wind powered generator is having at least spars and at least six airfoils with mating cams to rotate the airfoils relative to the spars as the airfoils move along the spars towards an end of the spars as wind passes the airfoils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Steve Anderson Platt
  • Publication number: 20030071469
    Abstract: The invention involves a wind power plant for converting wind power into electric energy and a process for replacing machine parts of the housing of a wind power plant of this type using on-board mechanisms. According to the invention, the wind power plant has a tower, a housing that is mounted onto the tower and functions to receive machine parts that include at least one gear and one generator, whereby the housing also has a longitudinal axis oriented essentially crosswise to the tower axis, and, on the underside of a housing part that is set off at a distance from the tower in the direction of the longitudinal axis, has an opening that serves the purpose of allowing machine parts to be moved through it, and the wind power plant also has an on-board crane arranged in the housing in order to convey objects in the direction of the tower axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Markus Becker
  • Publication number: 20030071470
    Abstract: A motor-driven lock (2) includes a housing (3), a lock body (4), a motor (5), a transmission device (6) mating with the motor and the lock body, a lid (7), an enclosure (8), and a cover (9). The lock body includes a controller (41) having a gear portion (410), and a cap (43) attached to the controller. The transmission device includes a first gearshaft (60) mating with the motor, a second shaft (61) meshed with the first gearshaft, a wheel (62) meshed with the second gear shaft, a screw shaft (63) fixing the wheel thereon, a slider (64) mating with the screw shaft, a yoke (65) slidingly movable along the housing and actuatable by the slider, and a gear set (66) attached to the cap of the lock body, meshed with the gear portion of the lock body and mated with either of two racks (653) of yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Tsun-Tsai Yeh
  • Publication number: 20030071471
    Abstract: In an electric door lock, a spindle with a manually operable rotary knob is connected operably to a deadbolt, and has a spindle coupling ring sleeved co-rotatably thereon, and a rotary seat sleeved rotatably thereon. The rotary seat has a clutch portion surrounded by a stationary seat and provided with angularly displaced resilient locking units that normally engage the stationary seat, and is disengaged from the stationary seat to permit operation of the rotary knob to rotate the spindle. An electric driving motor has a transmission shaft coupled to the rotary seat. The locking units are disengaged from the stationary seat and engage the spindle coupling ring when the motor is operated to rotate the rotary seat, thereby resulting in co-rotation of the spindle. The locking units include ball members which move rollingly out of locking grooves in the stationary seat when the rotary seat is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Chao-Jung Lu
  • Publication number: 20030071472
    Abstract: A linkage for a stretcher suspension. The linkage includes a stretcher receiving frame 17 and a base frame 23. A pair of arms 10 are pivotally fixed to bottom frame 23 and slidingly connected (12, 14) to frame 17. A pneumatic suspension unit 33 is located between the arms 10 and a first link 27 pivotally coupled between arms 10 and frame 17. A cross member 12 of the slide coupling is coupled to a sliding mount 25 of a second link 24 pivotally coupled to an arm 18 pivotally connected to the frame 17 and sliding coupled (21) to the base frame 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Robert James Henderson, John Kenneth Raine
  • Publication number: 20030071473
    Abstract: An instrument panel of a vehicle is attached on a reinforce which is fixed on a part of a vehicle body. A first connector is provided on at least one of both longitudinal end portions of the reinforce. The first connector is electrically connected to electric equipments provided with the instrument panel. A second connector is provided on the vehicle body such that electric connection is effected with the first connectors when the reinforce is fixed on the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Kondo, Haruhiko Sato
  • Publication number: 20030071474
    Abstract: A storage structure configured to be mounted to a vehicle. In one embodiment, the storage structure comprises a frame having a pair of side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a wall panel attached to the side, top and bottom panels so as to define an interior region of the frame, at least one tool securing device attached to the wall panel wherein the tool securing member is configured to allow tools to be removably secured thereto, and at least one door panel movably attached to the frame. The door panel is movable to a closed position so as to prevent access to the interior region and to an opened position to allow access to the interior region. The door panel is configured to allow viewing of substantially the entire interior region when the door panel is in the closed position. The storage structure further includes a device for attaching the storage structure to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Scott A. Burnett
  • Publication number: 20030071475
    Abstract: The attachment system consists of a metal part with a base (1) having a central orifice for passage of a screw (9), by which are secured an accessory (10) and a lining (11) on said clip, in order to attach the entire assembly on the plate (8) of a vehicle body, with the attachment obtained by passing the clip through an orifice provided for such purpose on said plate (8). The clip has lateral flexible flaps (5) elbowed on their lower free ends and ending in corresponding tabs (7) that project and diverge outwards to define the means for anchoring the clip on the orifice of the plate (8) after said flaps (5) pass through the aforementioned orifice, holding the accessory (10) and the lining (11) to the base (1) of the clip, so that these components are thus attached to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Ruben Del Pozo Abejon, Jose Manuel Bartolome Alcalde
  • Publication number: 20030071476
    Abstract: A ramp anchor for a truck tailgate has an anchor bar which rests on the outer edge of the horizontal upper surface of the tailgate in its lowered position. End pieces pivoted to the anchor bar engage tailgate latches below the anchor bar. The bar has telescoped sections to adjust the bar length. A square bar has end pieces adjustable about axes at right angles to the upper surface of the tailgate. A round bar has end pieces adjustable about the bar axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Harold M. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20030071477
    Abstract: A bolt comprising a cylindrical-shaped collar bolt formed at an upper portion of an outer peripheral surface thereof with male threads, and a bolt body formed at a lower portion of an outer peripheral surface thereof with male threads and having a head at an upper portion thereof, the collar bolt being mounted on a shank of the bolt body between a portion, where the male threads are formed, and the head so that engagement between the collar bolt and the bolt body is released upon application of torque having a predetermined value or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Hideki Kakamu, Shuji Ito, Masahito Yabuoshi
  • Publication number: 20030071478
    Abstract: A sun visor having a tinted insert and a tinted extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: David E. Wells
  • Publication number: 20030071479
    Abstract: A covering system for a rear passenger seat of an automotive vehicle. The covering system includes a panel that is positionable in an extended position that generally conceals the rear passenger seat and a retracted position that generally reveals the passenger seat. The covering system further includes an automatic drive system capable of driving the panel between the extended position and the retracted position. The covering system of the present invention enables a four-seat convertible vehicle to be quickly and conveniently converting into a two-seat roadster-style vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard W. Schaller, Todd Grubbs, George A. Corder
  • Publication number: 20030071480
    Abstract: A car shade and flood protection arrangement includes a car shade for covering the whole body of a car, a sensor adapted to detect water level upon a flood, a water bag to be mounted in the car covered by the car shade, and a water pump adapted to pump water from the flood into the water bag to increase the weight of the car and to prevent the car from floating in the flood when the water level of the flood surpassed a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Liu Wen Hsiang
  • Publication number: 20030071481
    Abstract: A trunk lid or back door of a vehicle includes an inner panel and an outer panel, and a gap is formed between the inner panel and the outer panels. A reinforcement member is provided outside the inner panel at a position corresponding to an attachment unit of a latch. An extending portion of the reinforcement member extends to the outer panel and is provided with an attachment portion which is fixed on the outer panel. The latch is provided inside the inner panel and a latch disengaging lever is attached to the latch at the outer side thereof in a rotatable manner. In addition, the extending portion of the reinforcement member is positioned directly above the latch disengaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Igarashi, Hiroyuki Imakama
  • Publication number: 20030071482
    Abstract: An automotive door sash construction has a sash main body attached to a door panel main body, an auxiliary sash provided on the sash main body for holding a corner glass and a reinforcement member disposed along the auxiliary sash. The reinforcement member is disposed either on an passenger compartment side or on a non-passenger compartment side of the auxiliary sash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030071483
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to mounting frame assembly for mounting one or more window and/or doors in an cut-out portion formed in a body panel of a vehicle, such as a truck or camper cap. The window mounting frame is shaped to fit around an edge of an opening formed in the cap. The window mounting frame has a clamping surface formed thereon. A clamping element is engaged with the clamping surface to hold the window mounting frame securely within the cut-out portion. The clamping element holds the window frame to the cap by frictional engagement of the cap wall between the inner face of the outer periphery of the cut-out portion and the clamping surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin R. Sutton, David M. Edwards, Fred C. McGhee
  • Publication number: 20030071484
    Abstract: An attachment structure of a slide rail cover for covering a slide rail fixed to a side of a vehicle body from the outside to the vehicle body, has a main body cover including a slide rail attachment portion and a vehicle body attachment portion, the slide rail attachment portion being adapted to support the main body cover with rigidity, and the vehicle body attachment portion being adapted to regulate the position of the main body cover in vertical and lateral directions. The position of at least one of the vehicle body attachment portion and the slide rail attachment portion is regulated in a forward or rearward direction of the main body cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okubo, Hiroshi Tokuyama
  • Publication number: 20030071485
    Abstract: In a rear spoiler structure for a vehicle in which a rear spoiler is provided at a rear deck of the vehicle, the rear spoiler is part of a rear glass plate provided at the rear deck of the vehicle, and is comprised of a protrusion that protrudes toward an outward of the vehicle and extends widthwise. The rear spoiler is provided with a depression inside the vehicle, and the depression accommodates a brake lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Kazama
  • Publication number: 20030071486
    Abstract: Several embodiments of sidewall assemblies having side posts and plastic liners affixed to an outer side sheet of a van or trailer. The liners have edges extending in contacting relationship with the edge portions of the side posts in connected relationship. Protuberances and foam material extend between the plastic liners and the side sheet for added strength. Slots may be provided in the posts for securement purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Graaff, Thomas Huddle
  • Publication number: 20030071487
    Abstract: A wheeled work machine has a cab that is assembled with side panel assemblies that are each formed from two mating die formed side panel sections so that smoothly curved shapes, and recessed cross sections can be made. When the two panel sections are rigidly joined together, they form strong, bend and torsion resistant box sections for structural members around an operator access opening, as well as around an accessory opening. The inner one of the die formed panel sections includes flanges that extend inwardly toward the center portions of the cab for supporting cross panels such as seat supports, a roof, and a dash board assembly. The side panels and cross members are spot welded together to form a quickly made, smooth appearing, and very strong operator cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Dahl, Dennis A. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20030071488
    Abstract: A tailored blank article and a manufacturing method thereof, which is used for partitioning an inside and an outside such as a dashboard panel for partitioning an engine room of a car body and the inside of a car room. A thick plate blank and a thin plate blank are joined by a mash-seam welding or a laser welding, and are subjected to a pressing. Thereby, the thin plate blank is bent until an inner surface of the thin plate blank is made flush or almost flush with an inner surface of the thick plate blank, subsequently, a connection part having a portion connected over a welding portion is connected to at least one of an outer surface and the inner surface of the tailored blank article comprising the thick plate blank and the thin plate blank, and then an entire tailored article including the connection part is coated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Hisashi Obara, Hiroyuki Komatsu, Noriyuki Yanase, Kouji Shimohigashi, Kazumi Kodama, Hirokazu Watanabe, Fumiaki Niisato
  • Publication number: 20030071489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal profile (1), for a vehicle body section, said profile comprising side walls (10a, 10b), a base plate (8) and two support walls (2a, 2b), said walls (2a, 2b, 10a, 10b) and base plate (8) constituting a sectional area with at least three hollow sections (6a, 6b, 7). Said base plate (8) and said support walls (2a, 2b) constitute an internal section (7), of said metal profile (1), with a substantially triangular sectional area, said internal triangular section (7) having substantially three corners (9, 11, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Jonas Forssell
  • Publication number: 20030071490
    Abstract: A rear vehicle body structure including a rear side member, a side sill inner, and a rear floor. The rear side member includes a front portion connected to the side sill inner, a middle portion, and a rear portion disposed on a transversely inner side of the front portion. The rear portion has a first wall on its transversely outer side, and the middle portion has a second wall continuously provided from the first wall to the front portion. The side sill inner has a third wall accommodated within width of the rear side member and connected to the rear side member and the rear floor. The third wall has, on its rear end, a flange portion fixed to the rear side member at a vicinity of a transition point from the first wall to the second wall, on substantially the same plane as the third wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaharu Nishikawa, Michio Kudo
  • Publication number: 20030071491
    Abstract: A weight measurement system is disclosed for measuring the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor is positioned at the rear portion of the vehicle seat and a load transfer link is used to transfer the weight from the front portion of the vehicle seat to the rear portion, to be measured by the sensor. The transfer link is a selectively compliant beam having a first rigid section and a second rigid section connected to each other via a flexible area. The first and second rigid sections preferably include wing portions for increasing the rigidity of the sections. The flexible area is more compliant than the rigid sections. The load transfer link is configured to transition a load placed on the front portion of the link to the rear portion. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the load transfer link is made of a high strength, low alloy steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Kavlico Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Casey, Alan Cross
  • Publication number: 20030071492
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a first-row seat as a driver seat, a second-row seat rearward thereof, and a third-row seat further rearward thereof. The second-row seat can be slid and reclined in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The third-row seat with a seat back folded is stored within a space immediately below the second-row seat. The second-row seat with the third-row seat stored can be slide and reclined in a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Watanabe, Masahiro Hara
  • Publication number: 20030071493
    Abstract: A collapsible chair includes a frame composed of four pairs of cross legs located on four sides of the chair, namely, front, back and side cross legs. The cross legs are connected at their upper and lower ends with connector blocks and feet, respectively and collapsible in a scissors-like manner. A pair of vertical back legs are located at opposite sides of the back cross legs. A pair of arm rests have front ends pivotably connected to the side cross legs and rear ends pivotably and slidably supported by an arm rest support assembly. In one embodiment, the arm rest support assembly includes a pair of vertical support rods connected to the vertical back legs, and a pair of sleeves pivotably connected to the support rods and adapted to slidably receive the arm rests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kaoru Miyagi
  • Publication number: 20030071494
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a folding chair, which includes seat frame, forelegs, rear legs, and links. Said foreleg, rear leg, seat frame and link make up of a folding four-connecting-rod configuration. Said foreleg being connected to said seat frame by a reinforced portion. The utility achieves the purpose of strengthen connection of the folding chair only by add a reinforced portion in present structure, said structure of the folding chair is simply but utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Luhao Leng
  • Publication number: 20030071495
    Abstract: A convertible activity center has a tray that can be locked in a closed loop position with an attached seat to contain an infant and unlocked with the seat removed to an open position, creating a play space from which a toddler can enter and exit at will, or interact with it from the outside. The activity center can also have convertible toys. The same toys that an infant can enjoy can be converted to toys suitable for an older infant or toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, Paul B. Nelson, Julie M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20030071496
    Abstract: A convertible activity center has a tray that can be locked in a closed loop position with an attached seat to contain an infant and unlocked with the seat removed to an open position, creating a play space from which a toddler can enter and exit at will, or interact with it from the outside. The activity center can also have convertible toys. The same toys that an infant can enjoy can be converted to toys suitable for an older infant or toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, Paul B. Nelson, Julie M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20030071497
    Abstract: A piece of stuffed sitting furniture comprising a supporting framework, a back and at least one arm is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Rossin GmbH - SRL
    Inventor: Martin Ballendat
  • Publication number: 20030071498
    Abstract: A frame of a bicycle saddle comprises a rigid main body molded from rigid plastics and an elastic member molded on the main body from elastic material of hardness lower than the rigid plastics of the main body. The main body has a narrow front portion and a wide rear portion. The elastic member is bounded to a front end of the front portion of the main body and has a smoothly arched front side edge, which provides a cushion in the front end of the saddle to decrease the uncomfortable feeling of the bicyclist when the bicyclist is in contact with the front end of the saddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Tsai-Yun Yu
  • Publication number: 20030071499
    Abstract: A swing frame includes a pair of support frame units, a hollow horizontal bar, and two primary locking devices. Each of the support frame units includes upper, lower, and intermediate portions. The upper portion is formed with a horizontal hollow tube at the top end thereof. The horizontal bar has opposite end portions inserted respectively into the hollow tubes of the support frame units. The primary locking devices are disposed respectively on the end portions of the horizontal bar, thereby locking the end portions of the horizontal bar relative to the hollow tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng