Abstract: A coupling arrangement for permitting fluid-tight, pressurized fluid flow therethrough includes a pair of conduit members located in end-to-end alignment, each of the conduit members having a flared end. An encircling coupling unit surrounds the ends of the conduit members and has structure to tighten the coupling unit around the flared ends of the conduit members, the coupling unit having inner lateral surfaces partially defining a coupling cavity. An encircling, deformable gasket is disposed in the cavity of the coupling unit. The gasket has exterior lateral surfaces spaced from the inner lateral surfaces of the coupling unit, and interior surfaces defining an annular recess therein. A rigid ring liner is retained within the annular recess of the deformable gasket to reinforce the gasket. The flared ends of the conduit members are engaged in wedging and sealing relationship between the inner lateral surfaces of the coupling unit and the exterior lateral surfaces of the deformable gasket.

Abstract: A coupler for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside the band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.

Abstract: A flanged coupling ring for a duct element has a mounting section configured to be mounted or a connection portion of the duct element, and flange means extending outwards from the mounting section. The flange means has, along its periphery, flanged coupling portions for connecting two duct elements, each of which is provided with a coupling ring, by means of external coupling means configured to engage with the flanged coupling portions.

Abstract: An offset handle assembly for use on a vehicle or structure comprising a tray that has a front side and back side, which also defines a recess. A handle is pivotal with respect to the tray. The handle is substantially located on the front side of the tray, and within the recess. A mechanical linkage is operatively connected to the handle. The mechanical linkage operates when the handle is turned. Also, an operating mechanism is operatively connected to the mechanical linkage. The operating mechanism is disposed on the back side of the tray and adjacent the recess so as to be laterally offset from the handle. Operation of the mechanical linkage causes the operating mechanism to operate.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted armature assembly is mechanically moved into engagement with an electromagnet assembly bringing the components of a secondary locking system between the assemblies into position to become active if a predetermined force is applied to slide the armature assembly across an energized electromagnet assembly.

Abstract: A locking-mechanism control means having a push rod which controls the adjustment of door-mounted catches, it being possible for the catches to be locked in relation to the door frame, having a first and a second adjustable blocking device arranged in the door. It is further possible for said blocking devices to be adjusted in dependence on the door movement, and one of the blocking devices arresting the push rod in the open position when the door is open. A driver is provided on the push rod and can be coupled to a rod which executes a movement corresponding to the push rod in order for an arresting unit, which engages with the door in the closed state of the latter, to be displaced out of engagement with the door in the open position of the latter.

Abstract: The energy absorber is provided for interposing between a rigid beam and a bumper skin in order to absorb, by compression, the energy of impacts directed in a crumpling direction. The energy absorber comprises a set of ribs each of which extends parallel to the crumpling direction and each of which possesses a free edge for pressing against the beam. The set of ribs includes at least one rib arranged in the event of an impact so that its free edge remains pressed against the beam, while the rib itself buckles, and at least one other rib arranged in such a manner that in the event of an impact, its free end escapes from the beam, causing the rib to bend.

Abstract: A bumper system includes an elongated beam configured to be operatively mounted to the frame of the vehicle. Also included is a foam portion that extends along a portion of the beam and a fascia surrounding the foam portion. The fascia and the foam portion are operatively attached to the beam. The foam portion has a plurality of recesses formed therein which extend through a predetermined thickness of an inside portion of the foam portion. An integrated cylindrical cell matrix is disposed with the recesses and is configured to absorb energy resulting from impact force applied to an external portion of the bumper.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a frame suitably shaped to fit within the confines of a vehicle bed. One or more securing members are structured to engage the frame and a surface of the vehicle bed to hold the frame in a fixed relationship relative to the vehicle. The apparatus is designed to be non-invasively installed in the vehicle bed, i.e. without modification to the bed such as drilling or cutting. A cargo tray unit is structured to slide relative to the frame, being rearwardly extensible from the vehicle bed.

Abstract: A pick-up bed space divider includes a device for removably positioning in a pick-up bed. The pick-up bed has a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, and a tailgate. The bottom wall has a pair of wheel wells. The device has a first panel having an upper edge, a bottom edge and a pair of side edges. The bottom edge is selectively abutted against the bottom wall and positioned adjacent to the wheel wells. A second panel has a back edge, a front edge, and a pair of lateral edges. A hinge is attached to and pivotally couples the back edge to the upper edge. The second panel has a width between the lateral edges that is greater than a width between the side walls. The second panel abuts an upper edge of the side walls and the tailgate when the second panel is in a horizontal position.

Abstract: Interior trim components for vehicles include a trim panel configured to be attached to an A-pillar of a vehicle. The trim panel is a multilayer composite and an exposed layer includes one or more reflective elements constructed and arranged to provide a rear view image to a driver of the vehicle. A housing may be provided that is movably mounted to the trim panel and that is rotatable about a first axis. A reflective element is movably mounted to the housing and rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis.

Abstract: A latch mechanism associated with one of a convertible top and a automobile component is provided. The latch mechanism is adapted to cooperate with an engagement member associated with the other of the convertible top and the automobile component. A hook, a first guide pin and a second guide pin are provided. The first and second guide pins are associated with the hook. A first guide slot is associated with the first guide pin and a second guide slot is associated with the second guide pin. A drive mechanism is associated with the latch assembly and adapted to move each of the first and second guide pins along its respective first and second guide slot to move the hook between a latched position and an unlatched position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved window frame stud used for affixing a removable window frame to a vehicle door panel. The improved window frame stud being constructed of a one-piece, unitary, high-strength, low corrosive material and including a tapered grip-portion for use with a standard size metric and/or SAE size wrench or pliers in the absence of damaging the window frame stud. The present invention has particular application for use with off-road and/or sport utility vehicles having the option to conveniently remove the window frame(s) from the door panel.

Abstract: A pin-linked latch structure for an automobile tailgate is disclosed wherein the outside handle can be positioned up or down of latch assembly. Using a reverse-U aligned rod, the rod can be rendered upward as well as downward.

Abstract: A pickup truck modification includes opposing, hingedly attached sidewalls for effectively extending the width of a truck bed. The sidewalls may be selectively positioned vertically or horizontally, and, when positioned horizontally, allow for positioning relatively wide loads. The truck bed is effectively widened as the sidewalls are laterally positioned in weight bearing relation by abutment members which depend from the sidewalls. Loads wider than the truck bed, but not substantially exceeding the additional width created by the laterally extended sidewalls, may be placed on the truck bed with the excess portion of the load supported by the sidewalls. When used in combination with an extendable ramp assembly, loading and unloading of bulky loads is greatly facilitated.

Abstract: A front end panel (10) is fixed to side members (50) behind crushable zones (51). Due to this structure, most of the impact forces are absorbed by the deformation of a bumper reinforcement (60) and the crushable zones (51) and large impact forces are not transferred to the front end panel (10). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the front end panel (10) from being seriously damaged by impact forces produced in collision while preventing increases in both the number of parts and the man-hours required in assembling the front end structure and an increase in the repair costs for the front end panel because brackets, which are additional parts, can be discarded and, as a matter of course, notches to be provided to the brackets can be dispensed with.

Abstract: An automobile includes a door, inner and outer rocker panels, and a floor pan joined to the inner rocker panel. A structural frame extends under the body. A frame standoff member is mounted to the inner rocker panel and extends inboard to a frame rail. The frame standoff member is separated from the frame rail by a clearance gap. Once the gap is closed due to lateral deformation of the door, rocker panels, and floor pan, the frame standoff member will resist further deformation of the door and rocker panels without dynamically coupling the door or rocker panels to the frame rail during normal operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sunshade for a sunroof assembly includes two opposed halves which accordion fold to a collapsed position. The collapsed position of the sunshade is within a projected area of the sunroof panel. Thus, room within the roof, in addition to the room taken by the sunroof panel, is not require for the sunshade when in its open position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a mechanism supporting a table for articulation between a stowed position and an extended position. A surface of the table extends generally horizontally from an integral part of the seat, a cover overlies the table surface, and the cover is detachably secured to the table in a manner that will allow the table to be moved to the stowed position and back to the extended position without damaging the cover.

Abstract: A seat for use by a person bathing includes a horizontal surface supported by four legs. Each leg is connected to another leg to form a support assembly. Each support assembly is affixed to the underside of the horizontal surface. The seat also includes two guide rails which support a basket mounted on the underside of the horizontal surface. The basket may be slid out from either the front or rear of the horizontal surface. The guide rails are also used to reinforce the seat. In addition, the basket may be affixed to an edge of the horizontal surface to allow access by the user of the seat.

Abstract: An adjustable height automotive seat (10) is provided, including a backrest portion (12) and a seat portion (14), the seat portion (14) capable of being vertically displaced in relation to the backrest portion (12) and thereby accommodating shorter passengers.

Abstract: In an in-vehicle monitor support structure of the present invention, a rotation support section 16 which rotates about a vertical axis is provided on one of seats 11 and 12 positioned on the left and right of a vehicle with space provided therebetween, and a monitor 60 is supported by the rotation support section 16 in a state in which one side of the monitor is adjacent to the aforementioned axis and the other side is positioned laterally from the axis. Consequently, movement between the front and rear seats is easily achieved.

Abstract: A flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by the coefficient of friction reduction method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of installing a spring into a chair and a chair with a preload member that prevents a user from removing an initial stress from the spring. The method includes positioning a spring guide in a first position and installing the spring into the chair in an unstressed state. The spring is then stressed by adjusting the spring guide away from the first position. When the spring has been stressed to at least the desired initial stress, the preload member is positioned to prevent the spring guide from being adjusted back to the first position.

Abstract: A recliner assembly for selectively locking a seat back in one of a plurality of reclined positions relative to a seat cushion on a vehicle seat. The recliner includes a cylindrical shaft extending axially and longitudinally between first and second ends and having a plurality of teeth extending radially outwardly therefrom between the first and second ends. The recliner also includes a seat back disc rotatably coupled to the shaft between the teeth and the first end and fixedly secured to the seat back and having a rack of teeth extending axially therefrom. The recliner includes a seat cushion disc fixedly secured to the shaft between the seat back disc and the first end and also fixedly secured to the seat cushion. A locking disc having a center bore defined by a plurality of locking teeth is axially coupled to the shaft by mating engagement of the locking teeth with the teeth on the shaft. A cam ring is slidably coupled to the shaft and fixedly secured to the locking disc.

Abstract: It is possible to set a free zone and use a greater number of pawls in a reclining device having a plurality of pawls even if an angular range where a certain pawl is out of mesh with a ratchet and an angular range where pawls adjacent to that pawl are in mesh with the ratchet overlap with each other in a plan view, by bringing the other pawls out of mesh through an operation of bringing one specific pawl out of mesh. An unlock plate holds at least one pawl in retreat from the ratchet while a stationary disc holding the pawls and a movable disc having the ratchet form a relative rotational angle within a predetermined range. By holding the other pawls out of mesh through retreat of the pawl from the ratchet, an angular range for the operation of bringing one of the pawls out of mesh with the ratchet by means of the unlock plate, and an angular range for the operation where the adjacent pawls are brought into mesh with the ratchet are so set as to overlap with each other in a plan view.

Abstract: A child's headrest for baby seats and car seats is disclosed. The headrest generally includes a base pad adapted to receive the child's head and rest over the seat. Two side cushions are connected to the base pad and generally run along the child's temples, cheeks and shoulders, and interconnect under the child's chin. The headrest provides support against side to side and forward motion of the child's head.

Abstract: A headrest assembly comprises a headrest pivotable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the headrest is generally proximate a seatback of the motor vehicle. In the second position, the headrest is generally proximate a headliner of the motor vehicle.

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

Abstract: An elongate water spray nozzle (8) for use with mining equipment, comprises a cylindrical body member (9) having a leading end (10) and a trailing end (11), with a circumferential groove (12) provided in the body member (9) towards the trailing end (11), the groove (12) housing firstly an inner, resiliently deformable ‘O’-ring (13), and secondly an outer, split spring steel latching ring (14), the ‘O’-ring (13) being resiliently operable on the steel ring (14) to bias the steel ring (14) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (15) of the nozzle (8). The invention also includes a pick box (6) provided with nozzles (8). The invention also includes a pick box provided with a nozzle (8), and a rotary cutting head provided with a plurality of such pick boxes.

Abstract: A cutting tool has a tool body with a seat at the forward end thereof and a cutting insert in the seat. The insert has a central portion made of a hardened material, and surrounding the central portion is a softer metal sleeve. Surrounding the metal sleeve is a collar made of the hardened material.

Abstract: A hubcap for a wheel hub. The hub is threaded and preferably includes several notches in its otherwise smooth radially outer end face. The hubcap has an open end terminating in a threaded end portion, a closed end and a discontinuous radial flange between the ends. One or more latching tabs fit into the discontinuities in the flange, and each tab contains a projection which fits into the notch. The tab can be manually lifted to disengage the tab from the notch, but the hubcap cannot otherwise be unscrewed.

Abstract: An automobile spider wheel is made of aluminum alloys and has an outer face layer made of stainless steel. A process for manufacturing the automobile spider wheel includes working the stainless steel insert by a known press process based on side face shapes of an automobile wheel. Joining faces of the insert are treated roughly by sanding or brushing for joining with melted aluminum alloys. Protrusions are fixed on the joining faces of the insert in positions corresponding to rim support faces of the insert. The stainless steel insert is inserted in surface-to-surface relationship with a surface of a lower mold of a molding device with the protrusions projecting upwardly. The stainless steel insert is integrally molded-to the melted alloys to form the wheel by a known die casting process after closing the molding device.

Abstract: In a wheel for a motor vehicle, the existing hollow spaces are filled with residual cores. These cores are made of a metallic foam or are of shell-shaped bodies or shell-shaped bodies filled with metallic foam. The cores are arranged in closed and open hollow spaces.

Abstract: A mounting element for the wheels of rolling containers comprises: a load-bearing member rigidly attachable to a bottom edge of a container designed to be rolled along a surface; an arm supporting at least one wheel designed to enable the container to be rolled on the surface; a pivot connecting the load-bearing member to the arm; and a helical spring located between load-bearing member and the arm. The latter, together with the load-bearing member defines a substantially sealed chamber within which the spring is enclosed and protected, and presents three end portions located at respective vertices of a triangle, a first portion being rotatably attached to the pivot, a second portion rotatably supporting the wheel and a third portion being attached to the spring.

Abstract: A lightweight axle assembly may include a bracket at each end thereof for receiving a mount at one of a plurality of positions thereon. The mount may include a standoff for spacing an actual wheel assembly a suitable distance from the bracket. The axle may be formed to include a beam for suitable cross section including I-beams, channels, or boxes, as well as cylindrical tubes. Wheels may be mounted to spindles rigidly attached, to driving axles contained within the axle assembly, or to kingpins secured to the mounts. The axle may be adjusted to accommodate a broad range of suitable, relative, distances between the mounting surface (top or bottom of the axle end) and the center line of a wheel assembly associated with the axle. Forged mounts may be manufactured to accomplish structural objectives. Meanwhile, areas of less stress may be fabricated from lighter materials of various unconventional configurations.

Abstract: A compressed air braking system for a railcar and railcar moving vehicle combination. The railcar moving vehicle comprises a modified semi-tractor configured to ride on railroad track and couple to a railcar. The railcar moving vehicle further includes means for producing compressed air at a desired pressure, means for transmitting the compressed air through an outlet conduit to the braking system of one or more coupled railcars, and brake actuation means whereby an operator may selectively release pressure in the outlet conduit to actuate the compressed air brakes of the railcar. The brake actuation means may comprise a plurality of electrically operated valves for selectively releasing pressure from the brake pipe of the connected railcar, and a multi-position electrical switch for activating the plurality of valves.

Abstract: Noise produced during a supplemental brake apply is reduced eliminated by reducing the quantity of additional brake fluid supplied to the pump during the apply. The prime valve is opened only at the initiation of the supplemental apply to supply a predetermined small quantity of brake fluid to the accumulator and pump inlet and is then closed for the remainder of the apply. The quantity of extra fluid supplied can be retained by the accumulator and does not need to by blown off back to the master cylinder. The apply valve of the non-regulated wheel brake is controlled to regulate pressure to the regulated wheel brake through the apply valve thereof, which is left open while the release valve of the regulated wheel brake is left closed. The release valve of the non-regulated wheel is controlled to maintain a lower pressure at the non-regulated wheel, preferably equal to the master cylinder pressure whenever possible, while permitting fluid flow back to the accumulator.

Abstract: A luminescent display device of active matrix drive type comprises: a substrate; a switching thin film transistor, a current control thin film transistor, a capacitor, a signal line, a scanning line and a common line which are provided on the substrate; an electroluminescent device provided on the substrate and comprising a pixel electrode connected to the common line via the current control thin film transistor, an electroluminescent layer having at least one light emitting layer, and a counter electrode; and a light-shielding layer for preventing light emitted from the electroluminescent device from reaching the switching thin film transistor and the current control thin film transistor.

Abstract: The opening system entails a longitudinal translation and a rotation of plates of a counter or display unit along the customer's side; each plate is fixed to a first bar; the latter is hinged to two supporting arms by pivots and at its turn each supporting arm is hinged to a lower bearing bar by two further pivots; the supporting arms are parallel and the pivots insist on their ends; a gas-actioned piston is connected to a supporting arm; the lower bearing bar is shaped in such a way to house in its section all the moving mechanics of plates; the two supporting arms of each plate in co-operation with each bar on which the plate-holding clamps are attached and the lower bearing arm form a parallelogram-like moving system.

Abstract: TVs and other consumer electronics devices like VCRs and DVD players use on-screen display of messages. For display together with MPEG encoded video signals the picture content of an OSD text or graphic is stored in a non-volatile memory in a specific format: the OSD text or graphic content is divided into macroblock units and the OSD macroblock data are stored in MPEG encoded form in the memory. The OSD macroblocks to be displayed are then handled as a slice.

Abstract: A printing machine as described has a plurality of image formation units each of which serves to perform an printing operation on a printing sheet. Particularly, the printing machine is capable of reporting an error in the printing operation in order to minimize the time period during which the printing machine does not work, and of effectively supporting the printing job of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink jet recording process including an ink jet recording step of discharging one or more kinds of inks based on entered image information to record an image of one or more colors on a recording medium, and an overcoat step of forming a protective layer for covering the image on the recording medium, wherein control tables corresponding to changes in characteristics of the color(s) which occur by covering the color(s) output onto the recording medium with the protective layer are prepared beforehand, and in the ink jet recording step, discharge control of the ink(s) is performed in accordance with the control tables to record the image, thereby making it possible to faithfully reproduce the entered image information. Also disclosed is an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for the ink jet recording process.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet type printing apparatus having a print head, the ink cartridge including: a container having an ink chamber for containing ink therein; an ink supply port for ejecting the ink from the ink chamber to the print head; a memory device for storing data related to the ink or the ink cartridge, the memory device has an area in which the data is stored in a rewritable manner; and a contact device enabling the transmission of data between the memory device and an external device. The memory device may include data indicative of the history of the ink cartridge which may be utilized to control a reproduction of the ink cartridge.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer, a control unit converts externally provided printing data into jetting data associated with a size of dot to be printed. A drive signal generator generates a drive signal including a plurality of drive pulses. In a printing head, a pressure chamber is communicated with a nozzle. A pressure generating element varies pressure inside of the pressure chamber when at least one of the drive pulses is applied. A decoder decodes the jetting data into pulse select information in accordance with a predetermined conversion relationship. A switcher selects at least one of the drive pulses to be applied to the pressure generating element in accordance with the pulse select information. Pattern data defines the conversion relationship. A common signal line transfers the jetting data and the pattern data from the control unit to the printing head.

Abstract: First to third recording units 11-13, each of which is made up of a recording part 2 for recording an image on a record sheet 4 and a feeding part 3 for feeding a record sheet 4 to the recording part 2, are driven concurrently to share the processing of recording image data ranging over two or more record sheets 4. A delivering part 5 loads record sheets 4, which have been image recorded in the recording unit 11-13, onto specific bins 51-56 so that the record sheets 4 are stacked together on top of one another in a specific sequence.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with a holddown device for a medium lying on a platen, said device comprising first cockle-control means which in a medium output zone downstream of the print zone control an expansion of the medium to be in the form of a wave defined by a plurality of bubbles and substantially adapted in frequency to a ridged surface of the supporting platen; the holddown device may comprise second cockle-control means which control an expansion of the medium in the print zone to be in the form of at least two parallel waves defined by a plurality of bubbles and alternated such that a downward bubble of one of the waves is adjacent to an upward bubble, or no bubble, of an adjacent wave in the direction (Y) of advance of the medium. The effects of cockle are improved without tensioning the medium downstream from the printing zone, and improving vertical banding.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a test circuit for an ink jet printer which measures the voltage decay over time. Specifically, the test circuit utilizes a known resistor connected to the power source (voltage) and the printer. The printer functions as a capacitor to complete the test circuit as an RC circuit. After isolating the power source from the test circuit, the voltage decay is monitored to indicate the presence of a short circuit.

Abstract: A ganged inkjet printhead sealing system maintains inkjet printhead health in an inkjet printing mechanism during periods of printing inactivity. In multi-printhead printing mechanisms, separate caps seal against each of the printheads. The caps each have an outlet vent. The vents are all ganged together and fluidically coupled to a single, common pressure regulation chamber that isolates the environment adjacent the printhead nozzles from the external environment when the printheads are capped. A fluid in a U-shaped manometer tube, or an elastomeric bladder are used to isolate the pressure chamber environment. The bladder may be constructed as a thin-walled sheet, a spring-biased bag, or as a bellows. The pressure chamber volume changes to accommodate pressure spikes during the capping process, as well as environmental changes in temperature, elevation, barometric pressure, etc. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a ganged capping system, along with associated capping methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes as one embodiment a cleaning system for an inkjet printhead, including a wiper and a media detection device coupled to the wiper for activating engagement of the wiper with the printhead when no media is detected and for deactivating the wiper when media contacts the media detection device.