Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring is formed to provide a coil axis to be substantially curved at a predetermined radius of curvature in an unloaded state of the spring. A pitch of a lower end coil of the spring is set to tilt a lower end plane of the spring at a first angle to the lower seat in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the inside of the curvature in the unloaded state of the spring, and/or a pitch of an upper end coil of the spring is set to tilt an upper end plane of the spring at a second angle in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the outside of the curvature in the unloaded state.

Abstract: A automatic truss jig setting system is disclosed that includes a table including a plurality of segments with a side edge of adjacent segments defining a slot. At least one pin assembly, and optionally a pair of pin assemblies, is movable independently of each other along the slot. Movement apparatus is provided for independently moving the pin assemblies along the slot. Each of the side edges of the segments associated with the slot defines a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes of the side edges, and the movement apparatus is located substantially outside of the zone of the slot. The invention may optionally include a system for handling the obstruction of pin assembly movement, and a system for keeping track of the position of the pin assembly when the pin assembly has encountered an obstruction.

Abstract: An adapter for picking up and placing a fixture element on a fixture body using a controlled tool handling device having a tool translating and rotating spindle. The spindle has a tool receiving end and an axis of rotation. The adapter receives a cylindrical post member of a fixture element on a fixture body. The adapter has a first end having a receptacle for receiving the end of the spindle. The second end of the adapter is displaced from the first end and includes a cylindrical socket formed on the end. The socket is co-axial with the spindle and receives the cylindrical post member of the fixture element. A fluid passage is formed in the adapter from the receptacle to the cylindrical socket. The cylindrical socket has an upstream end and a down stream end. A piston is disposed in the upstream end of the socket. The piston is moveable longitudinally within the socket in response to fluid pressure delivered from the spindle through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprising a center-stapling device, a center-folding device, and a stacking tray for stacking a discharged sheet or sheet bundle, staples at the center of a sheet bundle conveyer from a sheet output apparatus with the center-stapling device, folds the stapled sheet bundle into two with the center-folding device, and discharges the sheet bundle to stack on the stacking tray. Folding rollers discharge the sheet bundle folded into two by the center-folding device from the side folding into two. In this state, an opening/closing end fence orients a discharging direction of the sheet bundle folded into two downward in vertical direction, turns over the sheet bundle, and stacks the sheet bundle on a tilted lower side stacking tray.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus provided with a sheet feeding rotary member rotatable in a direction for feeding sheets, and a separating pad biased toward the sheet feeding rotary member, and for separating the sheets one by one between the sheet feeding rotary member and the separating pad and feeding them has a vibration absorbing member interposed between the separating pad and a pad supporting portion for pivotally supporting the separating pad for absorbing the vibration of the separating pad.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus, comprising a pad base, a groove along the central line of the pad base, and a spring embedded in the groove, is disclosed. The top of the spring protrudes above the top surface of base and a series of inclined protrusions are formed at two sides of the groove. The sheets are driven by rollers and rise gradually along the protrusions such that the sheets are separated one-by-one. Moreover, a radial arrangement of the ribs and the sheet-separating pad allows the lower edge of each sheet to move smoothly so that paper jams can be prevented.

Abstract: A lockable, removable cassette is described. In an implementation, the cassette includes a plastic shell and a currency access door. The cassette may also include a flexible handle and/or an integrated grip. In addition, the cassette may include at least one of an aperture and a transparent window positioned to reveal the contents of the cassette. In an implementation, the cassette includes a stacking mechanism which may include a drive means having non-circular drive gears.

Abstract: An object arresting device prevents rebounding effects when an object is decelerated from a high velocity by causing an impact-induced flow of fluid such as ambient air through a lattice membrane to develop vacuum effects and vortex activity while absorbing and dissipating energy to prevent damage to the object and preventing collisions between objects in a high-speed, high-capacity sorting/transport system. The lattice membrane is preferably formed as a woven fabric of a smooth polymer or synthetic fiber of preferably circular cross-section which causes laminar flow over the fibers and rotational vortex effects in the corners of each aperture which produce a combination of vacuum effects in a direction to oppose rebound motion and energy dissipation effects. The effects produced are proportional to the impact energy and the device is thus adaptive to a wide range of mass and energy limited only by the forces the device can mechanically withstand.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus and method are provided for accumulating sheet articles. The accumulator apparatus includes an upper belt system and lower belt system operative for advancing sheet articles in seriatim manner therebetween. Guide rollers are provided at the entrance of the sheet articles between the upper and lower belt systems for guiding the sheet articles therebetween without pinching. Nip rollers are provided downstream from the entry guide rollers for pulling sheet articles into the accumulator apparatus between the guide rollers and the nip rollers. A ramp system operative for deflecting advancing sheet articles is provided downstream from the nip rollers. Sheet articles deflected by the ramp assembly can then be accumulated in an accumulation location where the lower belt system is maintained in a spaced-apart position below the accumulation location such that the lower belt system cannot contact or mark sheet articles accumulated therein.

Abstract: A method for locating and conveying a veneer sheet includes: causing a downstream end of a veneer sheet conveyed by a travelling conveying member to abut against a blocking member to correct the attitude of the veneer sheet in such a state that a downstream end of the veneer sheet is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the veneer sheet; and after moving the conveying member in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction until one side end of the veneer sheet perpendicular to the conveying direction reaches a predetermined position and stopping the conveying member, moving the blocking member to a position where the blocking member does not abut against the veneer sheet. Accordingly, attitude correction of a veneer sheet and locating thereof in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction can be performed effectively.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning media. The device includes a passageway and at least one rotor. The rotor may have a surface shaped to drive a media in an intermittent fashion, or a plurality of rotors may contact the media in an intermittent fashion. Intermittent drive may also be achieved by modulating the contact pressure between a rotor and the media.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing pinch force control to an entrance transport element in a document handling system. The entrance transport element includes a drive roller element and a pinch roller element and a pinch force relief mechanism coupled to the pinch roller element. The pinch force relief mechanism is positionable between a pinch force mode and a non-pinch force mode. A control element is adapted to control actuation of the pinch force relief mechanism between the pinch force mode and the non-pinch force mode. When the control element places the pinch force relief mechanism in the pinch force mode, the pinch roller element is positioned such that a pinch force is exerted on a document. Conversely, when the control element places the pinch force relief mechanism in the non-pinch force mode, the pinch roller element is positioned such that a pinch force is prevented from being exerted on the document.

Abstract: A puzzle device includes a plurality of separate blocks that are assembled together as a unit which can be manipulated between different configurations. At least one magnet is arranged along an edge of at least certain of the blocks to attract the edge of another block in juxtaposition with it. The two juxtaposed blocks are able to be manipulated to rotate about an axis formed along the two juxtaposed edges, a stronger attractive force being exerted at the axis between the two juxtaposed blocks, and a weaker attractive force is exerted along the juxtaposed edges parallel to but remote from the axis. This enables faces of the blocks in contact to be split apart and rotated about the axis until another pair of faces come into contact, such that, in this new position, a stronger attractive force is again exerted at the axis and a weaker attractive force is again exerted remote from the axis, the stronger attractive forces holding the separate blocks together as a unit in all the configurations of the unit.

Abstract: A game involving simultaneous moves by opposing players comprises a game board having separate lanes extending in discreet steps from starting positions to ending positions. Player controlled linked gates control movement along the lanes. Players simultaneously select lanes and gate positions and then move through all open gates in the selected lane. Each time a player reaches the ending position, he scores a point and starts over. A predetermined total score wins the game.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker game using a standard deck of cards, a first die having indicia representative of Jokers and numbers, a second die having indicia representative of numbers, and Joker icons, wherein the number of cards and Joker icons from which a player builds the best possible five card poker hand is determined by rolling the dice.

Abstract: A mentally challenging game with computer and physical embodiments in which the goal is to move a primary object from its initial location through a system of platforms and levers to a particular destination. Horizontally movable counterweights also traverse this system, serving to raise and lower lever platforms in such a way as to raise and lower the primary object to its destination.

Abstract: In a master/slave cylinder system for clutches or brakes, primary seals have bevels which interact with similar bevels of formations on housings of the respective cylinders. Along with the lowest possible friction in the region of the sealing lips, this permits carrying out uncomplicated pressure/negative-pressure filling in the case of the master cylinder. The primary seals slide by the wedge of effects in the direction of the pressure on the bevels of the annular formations and reduce the annular bearing face of the sealing lip in a frictionally optimized manner.

Abstract: A sealing method and method according to which a first and second ring are each provided with split ends, and an arcuate lip extends from one end portion of the each ring and in an axial direction relative to the ring and projects outwardly from the face of the ring. The rings are disposed in an interlocking relationship with the second portion of the lip of the first ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the second ring; and with the second portion of each lip of the second ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the first ring.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cylinder head gasket for sealing the region between cylinder head and a cylinder block having a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine, comprised of at least one sealing sheet that has at least one combustion chamber passage opening and a combustion chamber crimp running around the combustion chamber passage opening, where a stop serving as a path limiter for the combustion chamber crimp is provided on the side of the combustion chamber crimp facing away from the combustion.chamber passage opening and which stop encloses the combustion chamber crimp laterally, where at least one sealing sheet has at least two concentric combustion chamber crimps, which are enclosed laterally by the stop.

Abstract: An over-molded gland seal for producing both a fluidic seal and a fluid conduit. The apparatus includes a substrate having an elastomeric layer over-molded thereon and an elastomeric gland seal molded into the over-molded layer. Another aspect of the apparatus includes a host-part having a raised wall thereon, said host-part receives the elastomeric gland seal and compresses the gland seal with the raised wall. The substrate, the gland seal, and the host-part define an enclosed region. To form the fluid conduit, the apparatus includes a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port that communicate with the enclosed region.

Abstract: An improvement in a seal assembly of the type including a seal element retained by a seal housing, where one of the seal element and the seal housing is constructed from a compressible material, where the seal element includes a seal engagement surface and where the seal housing includes a housing engagement surface. The improvement includes at least one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface defining a depression for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a device for clamping and releasing work tools (16) in a tool receptacle (10). The tool receptacle (10) includes on its free end for this purpose an open socket part (12), which is adapted for frictional engaging reception of the work tool shaft (14). The work tool shaft is thereby shrunk-fit into a borehole (20) in the socket part (12). For this purpose the socket part is provided with an induction coil (26) encircling the tool receptacle (10) which coil can be acted upon by high frequency alternating current for producing heat and heating the socket part (12). For avoidance of leakage fields which could result in a undesired heating of the work tool (16), it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the induction coil (26), on its surface adjacent the free end of the socket part (12), is covered over by a pole shoe (34) having a central through hole (36) for the work tool (16) and comprised of a magnetically conductive and electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: A quick release attachment tool where the rotary tool has a housing which encloses a motor with the housing having a central axis, a non-operational end portion and an operational end portion. A nose portion is formed at the operational end portion, and the nose portion has an outer annular groove disposed generally perpendicularly to the axis. The nose portion also has a non-circular element at the outer end thereof coaxial with the central axis. A rotatable shaft is connected to the motor and located along the central axis. The attachment tool includes a central cavity, an attachment end portion and a working end portion. A non-circular mating element is formed in the central cavity that matingly engages the non-circular element of the rotary tool. There is also a biased connection element provided on the attachment tool, which faces the central cavity. This biased connection element engages the annular groove of the nose portion when the attachment tool is fitted onto the rotary tool.

Abstract: An electrical wheelchair includes a chassis to which a frame is pivotally mounted. Two casters are rotatably mounted to the frame. At least a resilient member is arranged between the frame and the chassis for supporting the relative position of the frame with respect to the chassis. The resilient member can be deformed to change the relative position of the frame with respect to the chassis to allow the wheelchair to climb over raised surfaces of different heights. The deformation of the resilient member also stores energy therein which may be released when the wheelchair is about to reach the raised surface for enhancing the wheelchair to move over the raised surface. Further, the resilient member also functions to absorb shock caused by the wheelchair moving down a step-like raised surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strut mount bolted to a curved outer cylinder attachment plate (6) without enlarging abolt hole, by inserting a cylindrical portion (13) of a caulking nut (5) into a nut attachment hole (11) of an attachment piece (10) of an outer cylinder (2) and pressurizing and diminishing in diameter the circumference of the nut attachment hole (11) to caulk and stick the nut attachment hole (11) and the caulking nut (5).

Abstract: An all-terrain bicycle is comprised of a tubular frame defined by a main frame section and a front fork and a pair of rear forks, to which is removably secured a front and a rear wheel. The wheels are formed of plastics material and define a hub, a circular outer molded solid tire, and an intermediate connecting framework. The outer molded solid tire is a one-piece tire defining, when viewed in transverse cross-section, a central projecting dome merging into opposed tapered wings which are recessed from the top of the dome. An integrally molded connecting formation is provided under the dome to secure to a rim of the connecting framework. The dome defines a circumferential central rib around the outer molded tire for the displacement of the bicycle on a hard surface with the wings spaced from the hard surface. The wings constitute a wide tire support surface, together with the central rib, for the displacement of the bicycle on soft surfaces such as sand, grass, etc.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle at a hub axis. A shock absorber is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion to provide resistance to articulating motion of the articulating frame portion. A rearward end of the shock absorber preferably is pivotally mounted to the articulating frame portion at a location near the hub axis. The shock absorber preferably is positioned within a perimeter defined in a vertical plane generally by the articulating frame portion.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle or a mountain bike, the vehicle being fitted with a rear suspension and comprising a front frame carrying a bottom bracket and an oscillating rear assembly carrying a driving rear wheel, said frame and said rear assembly being connected to each other via two pivot connections and via a damping system, wherein the first pivot connection is formed by a circular eccentric constituted in a casing carrying an eccentric pin, said casing being mounted to pivot in a housing in the front frame, while the rear assembly is fixed to the eccentric pin on either side of the casing, and wherein the second pivot connection is formed by a connecting rod constituted by a simple plate disposed in the general direction of the frame.

Abstract: A stretchable bicycle comprises a separate but connectable crossbar consisting of a sliding bar extended rearward from a head tube of front frame and a cross tube fixed to a support tube of rear frame, the cross tube being adapted to telescopically receive and permit the sliding bar to project from its rear end. Also, two quick-releases are provided for fastening the sliding bar at both ends of the cross tube respectively. Hence, a distance between two wheels can be adjusted by sliding a desired portion of the sliding bar inside the cross tube.

Abstract: A quick release clamping mechanism for securing a sleeve about a tubular structure or post where the sleeve has first and second outwardly projecting lugs that may drawn together toward one another to compress the sleeve. Each of the lugs has a bore extending therethrough and is positioned on the sleeve such that the bores are generally aligned with one another. The bore on the first lug is internally threaded. The clamping mechanism comprises an elongate bolt member receivable through the bores in the lugs. The bolt member has a first threaded end that threadably engages the threaded bore through the first lug. The clamping mechanism further comprises a tensioning member operable between an engaged and a disengaged position. When in its engaged position the tensioning member bears against the second lug and draws the first lug toward the second lug to compress the sleeve. When in its disengaged position the tensioning member releases the force drawing the first lug toward the second lug.

Abstract: A lean-right steel motorcycle support brace which is removably attachable to the left side of the lower portion of a motorcycle frame. A generally flat elongated beam of steel is formed with a hook portion at one end and a circular footpad formed at a thirty degree angle to the beam at a second of the beam. The beam has elongated strengthening ribs along the beam sides. The ribs extend from a point adjacent to the hook portion to a point adjacent to the footpad. The hook is shaped to conform to the outer diameter of the tubular frame portions on the underside of a motorcycle, particularly the frame of a HARLEY DAVIDSON™ motorcycle. When properly installed, the brace temporarily supports a motorcycle in a generally upright position leaning on the brace slightly to the right for easy cleaning and servicing.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment device is provided having a hitch alignment guide and a ball target mast. The hitch alignment guide has a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, disc shaped hitch base. The ball target mast is composed of a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, ring shaped ball base. The masts are telescoping shafts having linearly spaced alignment indicia are provided in a linearly spaced manner along the upper portion of the shafts.

Abstract: A device and method for lifting and towing has at least three prongs, with two prongs curved in an opposite direction from the other prong. A cable, rope or chain is able to be interlaced between the opposed curved prongs, thus retaining the cable, rope or chain in engagement, even if tension is released during a pulling or lifting operation.

Abstract: A trailer, comprising a trailer coupler portion, a trailer frame attached to the trailer coupler portion, and at least one caster wheel attached to the trailer frame. The trailer coupler portion comprises a trailer hitch including a proximal hitch portion, a distal hitch portion, a hinge link connecting the proximal hitch portion to the distal hitch portion, and a hitch locking mechanism adapted for locking the distal hitch portion in position with respect to the proximal hitch portion. The caster wheel(s) include a spindle attached to and adapted for swiveling with respect to the trailer frame. The trailer may further include a caster locking system adapted for preventing the spindle from swiveling with respect to the trailer frame. The caster locking system includes a drum attached to the spindle of the caster wheel(s) and further includes a hitch pin lock having a body and a pin. The drum has a pin aperture through which the pin may extend to prevent the spindle from swiveling.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a hitch to a vehicle. The apparatus may include a base connected to the vehicle. A mount, having a fastening portion and a main portion, may also be included. The fastening portion may receive a plurality of hitches thereon. The main portion may pivotably engage the base to provide a pivoting motion of the mount with respect to the base between a stowed position and a towing position distinct from the stowed position. A pivot may connect the main portion to the fastening portion to provide rotation therebetween. The apparatus may also include a hitch system having a first ball hitch monolithically formed to have a shank. A second hitch may be monolithically formed to have an aperture therein. The aperture of the second ball hitch may be shaped to axially receive and engage the shank of the first ball hitch.

Abstract: A baby pushchair according to the present invention comprises a left handle bar and right handle bar; a left side bracket and right side bracket arranged symmetrically, each of which includes a front leg with a front wheel mounted at the lower end thereof and a rear leg with a rear wheel at the lower end thereof; a seat arranged between the left and right side bracket; a left armrest and right armrest, each front end of which is connected pivotally to the upper part of the left rear leg and the right rear leg respectively and each rear end of which is connected to the left handle bar and the right handle bar respectively; wherein the left/right front leg and the left/right rear leg crosses and connects pivotally to each other at the crossing part, and the left/right handle bars is connected pivotally with the upper part of the left/right front legs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for motor vehicles comprising a housing for an inflatable airbag and a gas generator which is connected to a base element fixed to the module in the assembled state, with the gas generator and the base element being combined to form an assembly serving as a vibration absorber and being unreleasably connected to one another by at least one elastic and/or vibration damping coupling element via which the gas generator is supported over its area at the base element.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant in a vehicle includes a main airbag arranged to be inflated in front of an upper half body the occupant, and a knee bag arranged below the main airbag to be inflated in front of legs of the occupant. The knee bag has a top end portion positioned at least 50 mm above a bottom end portion of the main airbag when the main airbag and the knee bag are fully expanded.

Abstract: An inflatable rigid knee airbag system for assisting in positioning and decelerating a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The system may include a front and a rear rigid panel, which may be made from sheet metal. The front and rear rigid panels define at least a portion of an inflatable chamber. The inflatable chamber is in fluid communication with an inflator that injects inflatable gas into the inflatable chamber when accident conditions exist. A support core positioned between the front and rear panels dampens vibrations of the front and rear panels and minimizes unsightly denting of the front panel when the inflatable rigid knee airbag system is in a pre-deployment state. The support core may be made from foam.

Abstract: An inflatable side impact airbag for a vehicle occupant protection device comprises an upper edge to attach it in the area of an A-column and of a roof frame of a motor vehicle. The upper edge of the airbag is straight. Further, there is proposed a method of installing such an airbag.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for controlling deployment of a side airbag from an airbag module to protect an occupant in a seat of a vehicle in a crash. The presence of an occupant and/or position of the occupant or a part thereof is/are determined and deployment of the side airbag is controlled based thereon. To determine the presence of the occupant and/or position of the occupant or part thereof, a transducer is arranged to receive waves from a space above a seat portion of the seat and a signal representative of the presence and/or position of the occupant is generated based on the waves received by the transducer. The transducer can be designed to transmit waves into the space above the seat portion of the seat which are also receivable thereby. The transducer may be mounted in a door of the vehicle to enable the distance between the occupant and the door to be determined, i.e.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises an elongated cylindrical outer housing, and a pressure chamber that is filled with pressurized gas and that is closed off by a membrane provided on an end face of the pressure chamber. The gas generator further comprises a pyrotechnical propellant charge that is provided for opening the membrane and is accommodated in a preferably bushing-shaped propellant charge housing. The propellant charge housing is connected to the outer housing at a location outside of the pressure chamber and a longitudinal axis of the propellant charge housing extends at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the outer housing. The generator also has an axial outflow opening situated at one axial end of the outer housing. The outer housing has a circumferential wall with a radial insertion opening for introducing the propellant charge housing.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) includes first and second panel portions (12, 14) each having a plurality of discrete openings (44, 54). The first panel portion (12) overlies the second panel portion (14) when the device (10) is in the deflated condition. A tether (30) interconnects the first and second panel portions (12, 14). The tether (30) includes a single thread (60) extending through the plurality of openings (44) in the first panel portion (12) and through the plurality of openings (54) in the second panel portion (14) in a serpentine manner. The single thread (60) has loop thread portions located outside the inflation fluid volume (16). The panel portions (12, 14) move relative to the single thread (60) as the device (10) is inflated from the deflated condition to the inflated condition. Preferably, stop members (120, 122) on the end portions (62, 64) of the tether (30) block movement of the end portions through the openings (44, 54) in the panel portions (12, 14).

Abstract: A vehicular impact resistant barrier system for mounting in an interior passenger compartment a vehicle. The interior passenger compartment of the vehicle is defined by a plurality of doors, a firewall, a floor wall, a roof wall, and a rear wall. The vehicular impact resistant barrier system includes a plurality of protective sheets that are mountable in the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle. Each of the protective sheets comprises a plurality of woven fibers.

Abstract: A steering assembly for an electrical scooter has a base, a connecting tube, a front steering bar, a rear steering bar, a positioning device, a frame and a handle. The front steering bar and the rear steering bar are pivotally attached to the top of the base. The positioning device is pivotally mounted between the front steering bar and the rear steering bar to keep the front steering bar and the rear steering from pivoting relative to the base. The frame is pivotally connected to the top of the front steering and the top of the rear steering bar. A headlight is attached to the frame. The front steering bar has a length longer than that of the rear steering bar. Accordingly, the steering assembly is adjustable, and the projecting angle of the light can be controlled to a desired range.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an automotive frame assembly (10) includes an inner rail (12) having an exterior side (26) and an interior side (30). First, the exterior side (26) of the inner rail (12) has fixedly attached thereto at least one flange (24) extending from a cross member (20). At least one two-sided fastener (28) is operatively applied to the exterior side (26) and the interior side (30) of the inner rail (12) so as to fixedly attach the flange (24) to the inner rail (12). Thereafter, the interior side (30) of the inner rail (12) has fixedly attached thereto at least one lip (32) extending from an outer rail (12″). Likewise, at least one two-sided fastener (28) is operatively applied to the exterior side (26) and the interior side (30) of the inner rail so as to fixedly attach the lip (32) to the inner rail (12).

Abstract: A tubular crossmember for a vehicle frame having spaced apart rails. The crossmember includes an “X” shaped member and two elongated members. Ends of legs of the “X” shaped member are constrained to ends of the elongated members. The two elongated members are parallel and are spaced apart by the “X” shaped member. The tubular crossmember is adapted to be connected to rails to construct a vehicle frame.

Abstract: A tensioner for a safety belt includes a cylinder, a piston which is slidably arranged within the cylinder, and a traction transfer element which is connected with the piston to transfer a movement of the piston to the safety belt. The tensioner further includes a drive which may exert a driving force on the piston to tension the safety belt. The piston is provided with a deformation element which the traction transfer element engages.

Abstract: A dual-purpose sports footwear is formed of a boot, an elastic plate, an arcuate outer plate, and a wheel mount plate. The boot has an arcuate inner plate which is detachably fastened to the elastic plate. The arcuate outer plate is detachably fastened to the elastic plate. The boot, the elastic plate and the arcuate outer plate form a jumpshoe. The wheel mount plate is provided with a plurality of wheel sets and is detachably fastened to the arcuate inner plate of the boot to form a roller skate.

Abstract: A soft book comprised of foam pages bound by a book binding portion and a plurality of page binding portions is presented. A front cover page, a rear cover page, and at least one page, each having a perimeter, are provided, with the pages forming a spine portion, with the book bound such that at least a portion of the perimeter each page is approximately flush with the binding portions. The pages of the book may include impressions or cutouts that may be made in various shapes. Cutouts may provide a puzzle-type game for children. Various binding materials may be used, preferably chosen to provide sufficient support for the flexible foam pages.