Abstract: A barrier apparatus for protecting a bus driver including a vertically-oriented panel selectively moveable along a set of tracks between a forward position and a rearward position within a bus, the forward position including the panel positioned between a driver's seat and a passenger entryway of the bus. The panel is arranged so that, when in the forward position or the rearward position or moved between the forward position and the rearward position, the panel remains on a driver's side of the bus thus ensuring that the panel does not obstruct passenger traffic into and out of the bus during any phase of operation of the barrier system.

Abstract: A laminated composite guard to protect the rub rail of a flatbed or, alternatively, the side wall of a box van, is disclosed. The guard is formed of at least three layers: a fibrous fabric such as carbon fiber sandwiched between two planar members of high impact resistant plastics, such as polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate. A fourth layer of an elastomeric polymer may coat the outer surface that abuts the rub rail. Hangers such as a bungee strap or hook bracket holds the guard against the planar portion of the truck to be protected from damage caused by forklifts or other loading equipment.

Abstract: A cowl trim assembly includes a panel body having an outwardly extending support base. An adjustable footrest assembly is supported on the support base between fore and aft positions. The footrest assembly includes connecting members adapted to couple the adjustable footrest assembly to the panel body at laterally extending slots disposed on the panel body. The laterally extending slots include receiving grooves incrementally spaced along the slots which are adapted to receive the connecting members of the footrest assembly in assembly. Thus, the footrest assembly is laterally adjustable relative to the panel body along the length of the slots.

Abstract: Various configurations of drive units for tarpaulin cover systems, particularly for use on vehicle bodies, are disclosed. Exemplary drive units include a gear arrangement configured to attach to an upper perimeter section of an open-top structure and at least one motion initiating device coupled to the gear arrangement. The gear arrangement can include a left spur gear attached to a left cable holder/pulley and a right spur gear attached to a right cable holder/pulley. A motion initiating device is configured to impart a force that initiates rotation of the left spur gear and the right spur gear in opposite directions and movement (i.e. retraction and extension) of a tarpaulin coupled to the gear arrangement. The motion initiating device can be either a crank, which is driven manually, or a motor, which is driven electrically. In other configurations, at least two bevel gears or at least one secondary spur gear are coupled to the motion initiating device.

Abstract: A cabriolet vehicle having an opening hood which is displaceable between a closed position spanning the interior of the vehicle, and a stowage position which opens up the top of the vehicle interior and which comprises a hood frame which comprises a frame arrangement on each side in relation to a vertical vehicle longitudinal center plane wherein the frame arrangement is mounted pivotally on a main bearing fixed on the vehicle at the rear end and in the closed position of the hood engages through a frame opening arranged in a vehicle edge area wherein the opening can be covered by means of a flap arrangement when the hood is in the stowage position, as well as a locking arrangement which secures the hood in its stowage position.

Abstract: To provide an opening/closing body structure for a vehicle that can improve the fitting performance of an opening/closing body for a vehicle. A lock reinforcement is fixed to a lock mechanism mounting portion at a door inner panel. A pair of left and right hinge reinforcements are fixed to regions from left and right upper end portions to lower portions at vehicle transverse direction outer side end portions at an outer peripheral portion of the door inner panel. At wires, whose mounting portions at one end sides thereof are fixed to the lock reinforcement, mounting portions at other end sides are fixed to vertical direction intermediate portions of the hinge reinforcements, and the wires are tensed rectilinearly.

Abstract: A rear windshield with protection box for electronic components is described. The rear windshield has a car body connection fastened to a windshield, a protection box fastened on the car body connection, a protection box base body, a protection box cover, and a foam encapsulation of the car body connection. The foam encapsulation seals off and fixes the protection box base body at the car body connection.

Abstract: A crash structure is provided as an internal support in an armrest on a door lining of a motor vehicle. The crash structure has cross-shaped recesses. A foam element is above the crash structure and is covered by a decorative layer above the crash structure. The crash structure absorbs loads in the event of a side impact to protect the vehicle occupants against increased force peaks.

Abstract: An exterior module of a motor vehicle has an exterior panelling for a modularly constructed housing component. The exterior module has a multilayer construction, which includes an inner surface layer and an outer surface layer with an exterior skin arranged thereon, which forms the exterior panelling. At least the inner surface layer is a thermoplastic FRP surface layer having stiffening elements on the side facing away from the outer surface layer.

Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, a side wall, and a door. The door at least partially defines a passageway and is pivotally coupled with the side wall and pivotable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing portion is configured for selective routing through the handle and releasable coupling to an adjacent portion of the utility bed.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft, which is adapted to provide self-contained, individual seating and sleeping accommodation for a passenger, said seating assembly includes a supporting structure (42) for supporting said assembly off the floor of a vehicle; one or more movable, passenger-bearing, structural components (71,72); and means for connecting said movable, structural components to said structure such that said components can be selectively moved between a seat configuration, in which a plurality of passenger-bearing surfaces on said one or more structural, movable components (71,71) or said supporting structure form a seat for the passenger, and a bed configuration, in which a plurality of said bearing surfaces (47,48,67,74,76) are disposed substantially coplanarly and substantially contiguously to form a bed for the passenger; characterized in that at least one of said movable components (72) is double-sided, comprising first and second opposite sides, one of said sid

Abstract: A chair (1) for relieving back pain of a user, with a seat surface (2) and a backrest (3), wherein a backrest angle (4) between backrest (3) and seat surface (2) is adaptable. At least one support element (5) for supporting the upper body of the user, when the latter is in an intended sitting position, is arranged on the backrest (3), wherein the support element (5), in the intended sitting position, can preferably be arranged, or is arranged, under the armpits of the user. The support element (5) is designed in such a way, and arranged on the backrest in such a way, that it can be moved by the user in order to obtain a desired support of the upper body at a predefined backrest angle (4) while he is in the intended sitting position.

Abstract: A seating unit for use in a space including a floor surface, the seating unit comprising a base including a bottom ring adapted to be supported above the floor surface, a pan attached to the bottom ring and adapted to support articles above the floor surface, a central hub positioned above the pan and legs extending from the central hub to the bottom ring and a seat structure comprising a one-piece seat shell rotatably attached to and positioned above the central hub.

Abstract: A hunting blind comprising a metal framework that is bent at the midpoint of the long axis at an angle in the range of one hundred to one hundred sixty degrees to form a leg rest portion, a seatback portion, a first curved rocker, and a second curved rocker. The leg rest portion comprises a seat. The seatback portion comprises a first stop leg, second stop leg and back support. Diagonal side supports connect the leg rest portion to the seatback portion. A hunting blind comprising a molded polymer unit with a leg rest portion, seatback portion, molded swivel rocker, molded seat indentation, and first and second rotatable stop legs. A hunting blind comprising a molded polymer leg rest component, molded polymer seatback component, first and second connecting rods, and first and second rotatable stop legs.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a vehicle seat with a seat base and a seat back. The vehicle seat has at least one actuator configured to move one of the seat back and seat base along a path between a first position and a second position. A sensor has a generally planar surface defining a sensing area. A controller is in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a sliding input on the sensing area, control the at least one actuator to move the one of the seat back and seat base along the path.

Abstract: A variable lumbar support assembly for a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly includes a support bracket and a lumbar member. The support bracket has an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a pair of side rails extending between the upper end and the lower end. The support bracket has a curved central portion positioned between the upper and the lower end. The lumbar member is slidingly attached to the pair of side rails of the support bracket. The slidingly attachment of the lumbar member along the pair of slide rails provides both a vertical displacement and a fore and aft displacement of the lumbar member.

Abstract: An MUV having a utility bed including a bed floor having at least one panel. The bed floor panel is convertible between a planar storage surface and at least one passenger seat back by displacement of a lever. The bed floor being devoid of a latch handle.

Abstract: In a fitting system for a vehicle seat having at least one fitting by which a rest can be pivoted relative to a seat part from at least one use position to a non-use position, the fitting has a first fitting part with a toothed rim, a second fitting part, having at least one moving bolt which locks the fitting in the use position by interacting with the toothed rim, a prestressed eccentric which moves the bolt radially outward to interact with the toothed rim, and a control cam which moves the bolt radially inward in the event of rotation in the opening direction, to terminate interaction with the toothed rim. The control cam can be rotated in the closing direction in a manner uncoupled from the eccentric, to lock the fitting in the non-use position by interaction between the one bolt and the toothed rim.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided with a first guide member mounted proximate to a vehicle seat back. A second guide member is mounted to the first guide member for translation along the first guide member. A locking mechanism is mounted to the second guide member in cooperation with the first guide member for locking the second guide member relative to the first guide member. The first and second guide members are connected by at least one spherical bushing. A torsion spring is connected to the first guide member and oriented about the second guide member for locking the second guide member relative to the first guide member.

Abstract: An inclinable headrest includes a base bracket including first and second side walls, a ratchet gear, and a lock gear movable for engagement with the ratchet gear. Both ratchet and lock gears are disposed inwardly of the first and second side walls. The lock gear has a connecting hole. The first side wall of the base bracket has an opening defined at a location where the connecting hole of the lock gear exists, and a connecting region defined near to that opening. Provision of those opening and connecting region allows direct and quick connection by a worker' hand of a tension spring between the lock gear and base bracket from the outside, such that the worker can directly engage one end of the tension spring with the lock gear's connecting hole through the opening, while directly engaging the other end thereof with the base bracket's connecting region.

Abstract: An unlocking mechanism of inclinable headrest includes a push button having a connecting element and an internal frame having a cylindrical element defining a through-bore in which the push button is slidably accommodated. Provided within the internal frame is a slidable lever element having one end operatively connected with a lock gear for locking the headrest and another end having a connecting hole in which the connecting element of the push button is resiliently inserted and engaged. The slidable lever element is slidably supported by a guide element so that the connecting hole thereof is retained at a location corresponding to the through-bore of the cylindrical element. Hence, in assembly, simple insertion by a worker of the push button in the cylindrical element results in quick and precise connection of the push button's connecting element with the slidable lever element's connecting hole invisibly disposed in the headrest.

Abstract: A modular portable home staging sofa, that when assembled resembles a wood-framed sofa. The staging sofa comprising a base, a seat piece and a back. The seat piece comprising two similarly-sized and similarly-shaped seat cushions, two similarly-sized and similarly-shaped arm cushions, a back deck and a skirt, all sewn together. The skirt extend to a length sufficient to cover the base. The back comprises two trapezoid-shaped back cushions that are placed atop the seat piece.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with a backrest-side and/or a seat part-side base structure which comprises at least one movable sidepiece structure. At least the sidepiece structure of the base structure is made of at least one framework structure. The at least one sidepiece framework structure has flexurally elastic flanks and deflectable transverse braces which lie between the flanks and which are arranged on the flanks via elastic connecting element, whereby a force pulse that acts on the transverse braces of the at least one sidepiece framework structure from one direction via a flexurally elastic flank causes a compensating autoreactive deformation of the at least one sidepiece framework structure in the opposite direction at another point.

Abstract: A collapsible chair includes a frame having two sidepieces, each having a base portion and a back portion. The base has an upward facing concave edge complementary to a portion of a spherical profile of a seating ball, the base portion further includes a frontal aspect. Each sidepiece has one or more hinges to connect the two sidepieces. The sidepieces, when hinged together, are moveable between a collapsed arrangement and an open arrangement. The chair further includes a cross member having an upward facing concave edge complementary to a portion of the spherical profile of the seating ball. The cross member is configured to mate with the frontal aspects of the two sidepieces so as to stabilize the two sidepieces in the open position. The upward facing concave edges of the sidepieces and the cross member form a triangular cradle that supports the seating ball.

Abstract: A chair comprising a seat assembly and a support assembly is disclosed. The seat assembly has a deflectable body disposed about an axis that provides resilient convex seating surface. The support assembly retains the seat assembly and allows the seat assembly to rotate about its axis and additionally allows the seat assembly to rotate to cause limited tilt displacement of the axis from a neutral alignment. The support assembly includes biasing means that serve to urge the seat assembly towards the neutral alignment when the seat assembly is displaced from the neutral alignment.

Abstract: In accordance with one implementation, a cushion includes at least two columns of axially aligned cushioning elements and one or more binding layers elastically connecting the at least two columns together. The binding layer may be oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial alignment at an intersection of two or more cushioning elements. In one implementation, the shear reduction may be directionally tuned so as to provide for different shear force mitigation in different directions.

Abstract: An assistive device for closing an extended recliner having an assistive mechanism operatively associated with the extension and retraction mechanism of a recliner footrest wherein said mechanism is constructed and arranged for a user to actuate said mechanism in order to assist in closing the extended footrest of a recliner.

Abstract: Spoke nipple structure for reducing rupture of spoke thread, which could maintain the straightness of the spoke thread by improving spoke and mated nipple; the spoke comprises: a spoke body as well as head and threaded portion set separately at both ends of the spoke body; the head is pulled or bent in practice to mate with the hub, and the threaded portion is provided with a threaded section of certain length; especially, a cyclic bulge is shaped on the spoke body adjacent to the threaded portion; the max. OD of the bulge is less than or equal to the ID of the nipple's large hole for tight coupling; the locking effect of cyclic bulge could maintain the straightness of the threaded portion and eliminate the bending point formed in the threaded portion of spoke arising from the transversal stress.

Abstract: In a hydraulic brake system including a cylinder device that includes a front chamber and a rear chamber located on front and rear sides of a pressurizing piston, respectively, presence or absence of liquid leakage from a brake line is detected based on a hydraulic pressure in the rear chamber. Where a state in which a subtraction value obtained by subtracting an actual rear hydraulic pressure from a target rear hydraulic pressure is larger than a first malfunction determination threshold value has continued for a time not shorter than a first malfunction determination time, and then an increase of the actual rear hydraulic pressure at a rate not lower than a set rate has caused the subtraction value to become smaller than a return determination threshold value, it is determined that the pressurizing piston has been bottomed due to liquid leakage from the front chamber.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a pin that has a lubricant channel therein. The pin is accommodated in an inner bushing that also has a channel extending therethrough for accommodating the pin. The pin extends beyond either end of the inner bushing. The pin and inner bushing are partially disposed in an outer bushing that also has a channel for accommodating the pin in inner bushing. The ends of the inner bushing and pin extend beyond the ends of the outer bushing. First and second inserts are disposed at either end of the inner bushing. The first and second inserts are disposed between the outer bushing and a pair of opposing collars which are disposed on the ends of the pin beyond the inserts and beyond the ends of the inner bushing. The inserts and collars each include seals. The seals of the collars are supported by one or more thrust rings as opposed to the inserts or partially by the inserts.

Abstract: A system configured to power a vehicle or vessel. The system may include an enhanced power control system. The enhanced power control system having a distributed architecture such that power conversion and/or management is provided for individual energy supplies and/or system loads. The distributed architecture of the power control system may enhance the power efficiency of the vehicle or vessel. The distributed architecture of the power control system may enable a plurality of different energy supplies and/or system loads to be incorporated into the power system in a selectable, configurable manner. This may facilitate the addition and/or subtraction of energy supplies and/or system loads from the system to customize the vehicle or vessel for a specific use and/or mission without having to reconfigure the power control system as a whole.

Abstract: Systems and methods include operating a power system in a first state, and detecting an anticipated load increase. The systems and methods further include changing operation of the power system from the first state to a second state upon detection of the anticipated load increase.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and tuning the assembly. The assembly includes proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field to sense activation. The method of tuning includes generating an activation field with a proximity sensor, generating a signal in response to the activation field, detecting noise associated with the signal, and adjusting a parameter based on the detected noise, wherein the parameter is used to detect a proximity state such as activation of the proximity switch.

Abstract: An electrical cabinet of an aircraft is provided. The electrical cabinet includes at least one motherboard including on a first face sockets into which are plugged PCB boards ensuring one or more electrical functions, the said electrical cabinet being linked to the electrical circuit of the aircraft organized as various electrical harnesses by way of an electrical connection system, characterized in that the electrical connection system comprises at the level of the second face of the motherboard at least one additional layer, the free face of the last additional layer comprising sockets each ensuring electrical connection with an electrical harness of the aircraft, the additional layer or layers comprising tracks which make it possible to reorganize the electrical circuits emanating from the sockets intended for the PCB boards so as to render them compliant with the sockets intended for the harnesses of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently regulating the fuel consumption of a variable speed combustion engine used to control loads such as a hoist motor in a mobile gantry crane based on load motor speed commands issued by a crane operator. The system and method can rely on a programmable logic controller to issue engine fuel commands to regulate engine speed based on interpolations derived from data representing the relationship between load motor voltage and engine speed and data representing the relationship between engine speed and engine power capacity. The method may also be used in modified form by combustion engines which need digital fixed speed commands.

Abstract: An electric power conversion system for an electric vehicle includes a capacitor operable to smooth a current of the battery, first discharge resistor and second discharge resistor operable to discharge the capacitor, a first substrate attached to a case of the capacitor, and a second substrate in which a circuit that controls the second discharge resistor is mounted. The second discharge resistor rapidly discharges the capacitor while generating a larger amount of heat per unit time per unit current than the first discharge resistor. The case of the capacitor is located between the second discharge resistor and the second substrate. An electrically conducting path that electrically connects the second substrate with the second discharge resistor is routed through the first substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traveling battery storing electric power, an auxiliary battery connected to the traveling battery, a DC/DC converter supplying the electric power from the traveling battery to the auxiliary battery, and an engine operated at a load corresponding to the electric power supplied from the traveling battery to the auxiliary battery. If the load of the engine is smaller than a threshold value during load operation of the engine, the DC/DC converter supplies the electric power from the traveling battery to the auxiliary battery.

Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes an electric motor; a first electrical storage device that is of a high-voltage type and supplies an electric power to the electric motor; a plurality of auxiliary machines; a second electrical storage device that is of a low-voltage type and supplies an electric power to the plurality of auxiliary machines; and a vehicle control device. The first electrical storage device can supply an electric power to the second electrical storage device. The vehicle control device determines whether a degree of degradation of the first electrical storage device can be determined, selects a auxiliary machine from the plurality of auxiliary machines, and drives the selected auxiliary machine to estimate the degree of degradation of the first electrical storage device when it is judged that the degree of degradation of the first electrical storage device can be determined.

Abstract: A data center includes a plurality of electronic devices, a plurality of cooling devices, and a power supply system. Each electronic device includes a power supply unit (PSU). The power supply system includes an alternating current (AC) power supply, an energy router electrically connected to the AC power supply to receive power from the AC power supply, and a high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) system. The HVDC system is electrically connected to the energy router, each PSU, and each cooling device. The HVDC system receives power form the energy router, converts the received power into a high voltage direct current, and outputs the high voltage direct current to each PSU and each cooling device. Each PSU converts the high voltage direct current into an operation voltage of the electronic device to power the electronic device.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a switching power supply for outputting a predetermined DC voltage by converting an AC voltage from an AC power supply, a latching relay provided on an AC input line for switching a connection state of the switching power supply and the AC power supply in response to a relay drive signal, a storage circuit storing electricity from the switching power supply, a control device for receiving electric power from the storage circuit in a disconnection state, and a relay drive circuit for generating the relay drive signal and outputting it to the latching relay. The control device determines whether an amount of charge of the storage circuit has decreased to a predetermined amount of charge in the disconnection state, and generates and outputs the relay control signal to the relay drive circuit.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling the charging and discharging of one or more battery packs (8) connected to a power source (7) or an apparatus (9) driven by the battery packs. The battery pack (8) comprises a number of battery cells connected to two or more terminals for establishing an electrical connection with the power source or the apparatus. The electronic system (2) for controlling the charging of the battery pack (8) and the electronic system (6) for controlling the operation of the apparatus (9) are integrated into the battery pack (8). The battery pack (8) comprises a communications interface for communicating with other battery packs (8) and generates a charging and discharging pool, where the most effective battery pack (8) to charge or discharge is charged and discharged first.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes switching regulator circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first switching regulator stage receives a first input voltage and produces a first voltage on a first node. A second switching regulator stage receives the first input voltage and produces a second voltage on a second node. A capacitor includes a first terminal coupled to the first node and a second terminal coupled to the second node, and the first switching regulator stage and the second switching regulator stage are configured to set a first voltage on the first node and to set a second voltage on the second node.

Abstract: There is a request for charging and discharging of a lithium-ion battery with as less degradation as possible. In an operation using only binary values as in conventional technology, however, in a charged state in which the battery is used, there is a high possibility that the battery is used toward accelerating the degradation thereof. In a power distribution device for distributing power between a plurality of batteries and a plurality of customers, when distributing the power of the batteries to the loads of the customers, by being based at least on the degradation information of the batteries, the state of charge, and the temperature data of the batteries, a battery discharging function is achieved that makes the degradation of the batteries minimum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic current limiting control the charge current for charging a battery of a device by determining the difference between the maximum supply current of an external supply source and the device current of the device in operation as it varies over time. Accordingly, the battery may be charged faster, using a charge current that, combined with the device current of the device in operation, does not exceed the maximum supply current of the external supply source.

Abstract: A power supply system having a power supply cut-off function in an emergency is provided. The present system includes a power supply device for receiving and supplying external input power to a device for power supply, a remote controller for controlling an operation of the power supply device according to a remote control signal from a remote place, an uninterruptible power supply device for supplying operation power to the remote controller, a first line switch for, when a power switch is turned on, supplying the external input power to the power supply device and the uninterruptible power supply device, and a second line switch disposed between the power supply device and the first line switch and cutting off the external input power supplied to the power supply device via the first line switch when the uninterruptible power supply device does not output the power.

Abstract: A method of adding a power feed to electrical systems includes coupling a set of input lines to a power source such that the input lines are connected to at least one phase of AC power from the power source, and coupling a set of backfeed lines to an output receptacle in a power distribution unit. The output receptacle may be connected in parallel with at least one other output receptacle that is supplying primary power to systems in the data center. The set of backfeed lines and the set of input lines may be tested to determine a match between a pair of lines in the set of backfeed lines and a pair of lines in the set of input lines. Determining the match may include matching the phase of the pair of backfeed lines with the phase of the pair of input lines.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system, including: a plurality of uninterruptible power supply devices which are connected in parallel with respect to a load, and switch between power supplies supplying power to the load depending on states of the power supplies; a control unit controlling an operation of switching between the power supplies by the uninterruptible power supply devices; a storage battery connected to the plurality of uninterruptible power supply devices in common; a converter converting AC power; a contactor switching between the DC power converted by the converter and DC power input from the storage battery; and an inverter inverting the DC power and supplying the power to the load. The control unit deactivates the inverter which does not contribute to supplying a power amount required for the load, of a plurality of inverters.

Abstract: A method and module for monitoring a voltage of a power cell, sampling and holding a voltage of the power cell, and balancing a voltage of the power cell. In accordance with an embodiment, an interface circuit is capable of operation in a plurality of operating modes. In accordance with another embodiment, the interface circuit is coupled to a filter section.

Abstract: A method of sustaining a production of power in a munition. The method including: (a) initiating a reserve power source of two or more reserve power sources upon a predetermined event; (b) storing a portion of a supply of electrical energy from the reserve power source in at least one electrical energy storage device; (c) providing a portion of the supply of electrical energy from the reserve power source to one or more electronic components on-board the munition; and (c) repeating the initiating for another reserve power source of the two or more reserve power sources upon determining that the electrical energy stored in the at least one electrical energy storage device is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power supply device that switches one of a first power supply, a second power supply, and a third power supply, all of which supply power to an auxiliary device, to a transfer gate in a CMOS image sensor having a photodiode and outputs the corresponding power to the transfer gate is disclosed. The device includes: a first transistor driven by the second power supply and outputting power of the second power supply to the transfer gate; a second transistor driven by the second power supply and outputting power of the first power supply to the transfer gate; a third transistor driven by the third power supply and outputting power of the third power supply to the transfer gate; and a fourth transistor located before the second transistor, driven by the first power supply, and outputting power of the first power supply to a source of the second transistor.