Abstract: A buckle for a child safety seat comprising a body having an opening for receiving and selectively retaining in position a tang portion of a first belt portion connector, a loop element for connecting a second belt portion, the loop element engaging the tang portion to connect the first and second belt portions, the loop element comprising a base with a pair of legs extending therefrom and abutting at distal ends at a split surface. Each leg includes an anti-spread tab extending generally perpendicularly from the leg configured to engage the opening when the buckle is operably assembled to prevent separation of the split surface and retain the loop element engaged on the tang portion. The anti-separation tabs allow separation of the split surface as the tang is partially withdrawn from the opening so that the lop portion may be disengaged from the tang by movement generally transverse to the tang.

Abstract: An attachment clip assembly for securing a splash guard to an edge of a vehicle panel. The attachment clip assembly includes inner and outer clips and a threaded fastener. The inner clip includes wedging and gripping arms and the outer clip includes wedging and support arms, the inner clip fitting in nested relationship in the outer clip. The threaded fastener extends through an opening of the inner clip and a slotted opening of the outer clip. The wedging arm of the outer clip includes spaced apart shoulders overlying respective outer edges of the wedging arm of the inner clip such that, upon tightening the threaded fastener, the wedging arm of the inner clip slides along the wedging arm of the outer clip in a direction toward a central portion of the outer clip thereby moving the inner clip gripping arm toward the outer clip support arm.

Abstract: A method for forming a fluid tight seal is disclosed. The method may make use of a first component having a first sealing surface, and a second component having a second sealing surface. The method may further involve coating one of the first and second sealing surfaces with a metallic film layer adapted to transform into a liquefied metallic layer when a temperature of one of the first and second surfaces exceeds a melting temperature of a metal used to form the metallic film layer. Once it becomes liquefied, the liquefied metallic layer forms a pressure-tight seal between the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A lubricating coating which can prevent the occurrence of galling even when makeup is carried out with a high torque and which has excellent rust preventing properties is formed on the contact surfaces of a pin and/or a box of a tubular threaded joint. The lubricating coating contains copolymer particles made from particles of an acrylic-silicone copolymer with an average particle diameter of 10-50 ?m dispersed in a highly viscous matrix made from a mixture of a rosin-based substance selected from rosin and its derivatives, wax, a metal soap, and a basic metal salt of an aromatic organic acid (such as highly basic Ca sulfonate).

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting double jacketed pipes is provided. The apparatus includes two pipe coupling parts corresponding to one another and a locking element for axially connecting the pipe coupling parts: at least one of the pipe coupling parts being divided in form and having two separate components, namely an inner component which is formed by an inner ring or at least includes the latter and has an external thread, and an outer component which is formed by an outer ring or includes the latter, and has an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the inner component so that the outer component can be screwed onto the inner component.

Abstract: A fluid connection unit comprises a quick-connect coupler fitting and a fitting mount. The coupler fitting is mounted to the fitting mount.

Abstract: A device for connecting pipelines subjected to axial length changes, comprising a pipe element with a flange having an end-face annular surface and a ring encompassing the pipe element, a sliding sleeve, the internal diameter of which corresponds to the external diameter of the flange and one end of which has an opening for receiving the pipe element, the flange being arranged such that it can move axially in the sliding sleeve, and by an outer bushing which is attached to the sliding sleeve and is arranged around the pipe element and the ring and the internal diameter of which corresponds to the external diameter of the ring and the interior of which is connected to the interior of the line by at least one opening in the pipe element and in which the ring forms a pressurized annular surface which is substantially the same size as the annular surface.

Abstract: The coupling element is characterized by the locking pieces, on the coupling element and on the nipple element, with circumferentially extending projections which viewed in cross-section are substantially serrated (or roof-shaped) and which extend around a part of the whole circumference of the locking pieces. The coupling element and the nipple element are elastically deformed during the inserting operation and lock in place one after the other. At least one circumferential section of the locking pieces, of the coupling element and of the nipple element, is free of serrated (or roof-shaped) projections and has guides for the twist-proof inserting operation.

Abstract: Provided is a threaded joint for steel pipes having high sealability even under a bending load. In the threaded joint, when a pin 3 and a box 1 are threadedly connected with each other, the outer peripheral face of a nose 8 of the pin and the inner peripheral face of a nose of the box are in metal-to-metal contact with each other at a contact portion and the contact portion serves as a seal portion 20. A threaded portion, at which the externally threaded portion 7 and the internally threaded portion 5 are threadedly connected with each other, has a negative load flank angle ?, shoulder portions 12 and 14 have a negative torque shoulder angle ?, and the ratio L/d0 of a length L of the nose and a pipe outside diameter d0 is equal to or higher than 0.08.

Abstract: A connection for the fluid connection of at least one first fluid-conducting, medical-technical system to a second one, a method for connecting at least two fluid-conducting, medical-technical systems, as well as an external medical-technical apparatus and a medical-technical apparatus are described.

Abstract: Door lock for a door of a household appliance with a first device for detecting a closed state of the door, and a second device for locking the door, wherein the first and second devices are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric swing plug door operator with a remotely powered auxiliary lock mechanism, door striker, catch and manual release system for use on light to medium duty shuttle or utility vehicles. The swing plug door system includes a door operator and base plate assembly, a shaft and arm assembly, a guide rod assembly, a lower shaft pivot, a door panel with a leading edge catch and lock striker assembly, an auxiliary lock and a manual release cable. The auxiliary lock assembly includes a lock bar engaging the lock striker mounted to the trailing edge of the door panel when the door reaches the fully closed position. The door operator includes a manual release lever and gear motor subassembly to drive the door system linkage and to manually disengage the door linkage and lock assembly to gain manual egress from the vehicle.

Abstract: A tamper evident security seal includes a locking unit and a bolt with a groove at its shank locking portion, the groove for receiving a resilient locking ring attached to a lock body in a locking unit receiving the bolt in a locked state. The locking unit includes two housing portions one of which has a top wall, a bottom wall and a first upstanding segment of a circular cylinder side wall interconnected thereto may be of any color. The top wall has an aperture for receiving the bolt therethrough. A mating second housing portion has a second segment of a circular cylinder side wall, preferably white having ID indicia thereon, forms a circular cylindrical housing with the first housing portion and is captured between the top and bottom walls. A lock body first element is plastic and molded one piece with the second housing portion. A lock body second steel element mates with the first element forming a lock body with an annular channel in which the ring is positioned.

Abstract: A door handle device includes: a base member having handle supporting portions provided between a pair of supporting boards facing each other; a handle grip provided with an arm portion protruding at one end of the handle grip, shaft support portions provided on an extreme end of the arm portion and pivotally supported by the handle supporting portions of the base member, and an operating portion provided at the other end of the handle grip and configured to operate a lever provided on the base member; and a double torsion spring having a restriction portion extending between the pair of supporting boards of the base member, and hooked to the supporting boards of the base member by its own biasing force, in which a recessed portion with which the restriction portion of the double torsion spring is engaged is formed in the arm portion of the handle grip.

Abstract: An anti-ligative ergonomic type door-knob primarily of the institutional type, essentially serving to defeat the effort of a temporarily mentally-depressed room occupant from succeeding in committing self-hanging via contrived ensnaring by which to secure a cord like hanging-noose. Generic-variant embodiments of my anti-ligative doorknob are set forth, including both a circular and semi-circular escutcheon-plate for I-shaped V-shaped Y-shaped X-shaped fin-levers, and also a non-finned hemispherical iteration. The novel critical minimum approximate 40-degree anti-ligative principle of my LIFESTAR™ doorknobs reliably prevents a person ensnaring any heretofore problematically hazardous to portion of the door-knob assembly, while my optionally cooperating door latchbolt is formed to a matching critical minimum approximate 40-degree anti-ligative tri-beveled latchbolt as well.

Abstract: An engagement head for engaging a porous substrate includes at least two pin sets, each pin set including a plurality of pins arranged in a plurality of parallel pin rows at a predetermined pin angle, wherein pins of immediately neighboring pin rows are arranged such that pin angles for the pins in a pin row are inversely symmetrical to pin angles for the pins in a neighboring pin row. The pins of a pin row move collectively in the same direction when a pin set is extended, which direction is determined by the pin angle of the pin row, whereby neighboring pin rows move in opposite longitudinal directions from one another when the pin set is extended. The pin sets may be extended and retracted in unison by a single actuation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connection fixture capable of attaching without the use of bolts to a substantially planar structure having a plurality of vertical holes therein to be lifted to facilitate the lifting thereof. In one embodiment, the connection fixture includes first and second bracket portions capable of interlocking with one another and securely holding the substantially planar structure. In the interlocked position, the connection fixture has a pair of generally C shaped lips which surround the edges of the substantially planar structure, a pin which engages a vertical hole in the substantially planar structure, and a pair of aligned transverse holes. A shackle can be secured through the aligned transverse holes in the connection fixture.

Abstract: A robotic finger assembly can include a base for mounting the finger to a robotic hand, with the base having a motor, and at least three links. The links of the robotic hand are connected to each other and to the base by a series of joints. A joint shaft and a pivot shaft, where the pivot shaft can freely move within its respective joint shaft, is connected to a preceding link. The motor is activated for opening or closing the finger. The finger closes on an object with a distributed force across the links. Grasping also can mean engaging an object like a human hand, by closing the first finger link until it engages the object, then closing the second finger link until it engages the object, then closing the third link until it engages the object. A robotic hand assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compliant underactuated grasper includes a base and a plurality of fingers. At least one of the plurality of fingers includes: a proximal phalanx; a proximal joint connecting the proximal phalanx to the base; a distal phalanx; a distal joint connecting the distal phalanx to the proximal phalanx; and a member for moving the phalanges. At least one of the proximal joint and the distal joint includes a flexure joint having a first compliance in a first direction and a second compliance in a second direction, the second compliance being stiffer than the first compliance. The distal phalanx includes: a rounded end face; and a lifting portion including a lifting edge adjacent the rounded end face. The member acts in parallel to the first direction. The grasper further includes at least one actuator associated with the member. The grasper has fewer actuators than degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripping or clamping device for gripping or clamping objects, comprising at least one actuator that can be driven by a drive, at least one jaw, and a transmission provided between the actuator and the jaw, wherein the force produced by the drive is transmitted to the object at least by means of a force transmission element provided on or formed by the transmission and/or the clamping means, wherein the force transmission element has a force conducting section, wherein a clamping element that permits an elastic flexibility in the force transmission direction is provided between the force conducting section and the force transmission element.

Abstract: A suction structure includes a pad and a fixing base. The pad includes a contact portion which makes contact with a target object to be sucked and which has a seal wall, and a major surface portion which is surrounded by the contact portion and which defines an inner space in conjunction with the seal wall as the contact portion makes contact with the target object. The fixing base includes a support portion configured to support the pad at a position offset from the center of the major surface portion of the pad, and a suction hole configured to bring the inner space into communication with a vacuum source.

Abstract: A protective device is provided for a gripping device on a handling apparatus, e.g., a handling robot. The gripping device has gripping parts in the form of gripping fingers, which gripping parts are movable using a transmission mechanism. The gripping device has at least one overload safety device as the protective device which, in response to the exceeding of a certain force on the gripping device, has the effect of an evasion of the gripping device. The protective device responds exclusively in response to forces which occur from a direction and which act upon the gripping parts outside a direction of forces required for gripping objects.

Abstract: An ergonomic ladder rack assembly mounted on the roof of a topper for a pick-up truck bed or on the roof of a cargo van, the topper having a ladder rack assembly mounted thereon, the ladder rack assembly designed to lift, move and return a ladder load between a stowed position atop the roof of the topper or van and a deployed position alongside of the vehicle. The roof of the topper or van has recessed areas formed therein for containing components of the ladder rack to thereby lower the height profile of the combination.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a slide-out room disposed in an aperture of a side wall of a vehicle from a retracted position to an extended position in a drive direction. The apparatus includes a drive assembly supported by the side wall of the vehicle and a driven assembly driven by the drive assembly. The driven assembly is connected to a wall of the slide-out room such that the slide-out room moves with the driven assembly from the retracted position to the extended position in the drive direction and the driven assembly is movable in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the drive direction relative to the wall of the slide-out room. The room is extended and retracted horizontally and moved between upper and lower positions vertically in a square Z or square h pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering a storage compartment (10), in particular a glove compartment in the interior of a motor vehicle, with a cover plate (22), the inner surface (30) of which in opened state forms a storage surface. The device is characterized in that the cover plate (22) is able to be moved from its closed position by means of at least one guide (40, 42) for the formation of the storage surface into a horizontal storage position or into a stowage position, wherein the storage compartment (10) is at least partly opened in the storage position and in the stowage position.

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: A profile element for connecting a vehicle pane to a water draining chamber includes a U-shaped snap-in recess formed by a bearing rib and a resilient leg disposed below the bearing rib. At an entrance into the snap-in recess, the bearing rib protrudes downward towards the resilient leg and the resilient leg protrudes upward towards the bearing rib so as to define an engagement aperture into the snap-in recess between an upper-most part of the protrusion of the resilient leg and a lower-most part of the protrusion of the bearing rib. A detent element is disposed in the snap-in recess behind the engagement aperture in an insertion direction of a rib of the water draining chamber.

Abstract: A configurable pickup bed utility management system features a segmented panel assembly pivotally mounted to a pickup bed. The panel assembly features a first panel, a second panel pivotally located on the first panel, a third panel pivotally located on the second panel, and a fourth panel pivotally located on the third panel. A plurality of curved linear extrusions with ridges are located on the panels. The panel assembly can be fully extended over the pickup bed forming a bed cover structure, fully extended posterior to the pickup bed forming a work surface structure, fully extended posterior to the pickup bed forming a ramp structure, partially extended posterior to the pickup bed forming a sun shade structure, folded into the pickup bed forming a lockable toolbox, or folded into the pickup bed forming a bed extender.

Abstract: A trim panel system includes a vehicle trim panel movably coupled to a vehicle body. The vehicle body defines a vehicle body opening. The vehicle trim panel is configured to move between an open position and a closed position wherein the vehicle trim panel covers the vehicle body opening. The trim panel system further includes an arm movably coupled to the vehicle body and a cable coupled between the vehicle trim panel and the arm. As such, the vehicle trim panel is configured to move from the closed position toward the open position in conjunction with a corresponding movement of the arm relative to the vehicle body and through the vehicle body opening.

Abstract: A removable hard top system for a convertible sport utility vehicle is described. The system comprises an adapter kit which is installed onto a vehicle and which remains in place on a semi-permanent basis. The system further comprises a removable hard top assembly which disassembles into component parts that may be fully stored in the vehicle to allow the user to install the hard top assembly on the vehicle at a time and place either at or remote from the home base of the vehicle. The system is modular so that the user can customize the coverage desired.

Abstract: A protective cover system for a trailer is provided that includes a cover and a line. The line moves relative to the trailer for moving the cover from a lowered position to a raised position. A portion of the line may be located outboard from a side surface of the trailer in a lateral direction and may be located rearward of a front surface of the trailer in a longitudinal direction.

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: An air-guiding device (12) is arranged in a rear-end region of a vehicle and has a central main air-guiding element (13) that is displaceable from a retracted rest position into a deployed operating position. Lateral auxiliary air-guiding elements (14, 15) are adjustable substantially linearly relative to the main air-guiding element (13) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be transferred from a rest position, in which they are retracted into the main air-guiding element (13), into an operating position, in which they are deployed out of the main air-guiding element (13). Each auxiliary air-guiding element is movable along a guide unit (22) in the main air-guiding element (13) and is guided in the guide unit (22) in a first direction by at least one slide element (26) and in a second direction by at least one guide pin (27).

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle skeleton member including a composite material of a thermoplastic resin and a carbon fiber, wherein the composite material is a unidirectional carbon-fiber composite material (A) that a form of the carbon fiber in the composite material is a continuous fiber aligned in one direction and/or a random carbon-fiber composite material (B) that a form of the carbon fiber in the composite material is a discontinuous fiber arranged two-dimensionally randomly.

Abstract: An energy-absorber device is mountable to a component of a vehicle, such as an engine cradle. The energy absorber device includes an elongated first member and an elongated second member. The first member has a first pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the first member. The second member has a second pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the second member. The first member is attached to the second member with the side walls of the first member at least partially overlapping the side walls of the second member, with a base of the first member positioned opposite a base of the second member. Aligned pairs of apertures function as deformation initiation features when a predetermined force in a longitudinal direction is applied to the first ends.

Abstract: A vehicle hood assembly includes a first panel member, a second panel member, and a third panel member disposed between the first panel member and the second panel member. The third panel member includes a corrugated body. The third panel member defines a plurality of panel perforations extending through the corrugated body in order to attenuate kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly.

Abstract: A front-end assembly including a deflector and a catcher bracket. The V-shaped deflector is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, a rear leg of the deflector has a distal end disposed adjacent to the frame rail. In a collision, the distal end of the rear leg engages the catcher bracket to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body rear floor structure characterized as follows is provided. The front end of a rear floor panel in a vehicle longitudinal direction includes a front wall extending between a pair of side sills. The front wall forms an arc whose central part in a vehicle width direction projects upward from the floor. The front wall lower end is joined to a rear end of a main floor panel. A cross member forms an arc whose central part in the vehicle width direction projects upward from the floor, and extends along the front wall with the central part of the cross member in the vehicle width direction placed on a floor tunnel. The cross member ends, in the vehicle width direction, are joined to the side sills and main floor panel. The cross member central part in the vehicle width direction is joined to the floor tunnel.

Abstract: A rear structure of a car body includes: a rear pillar extending vertically at the rear part of the car body; a member extending from a vertically middle position of the rear pillar to the front side of the car body; a rear wheel housing disposed at a lower side of the member; and a stiffener having a lower end coupled to the rear wheel housing and an upper end coupled to the member. At least in a rear part of the member to which the upper end of the stiffener is coupled, a rear lower end of the rear part is sloped so that the rear lower end can be higher than a front lower end of the rear part.

Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure may include front side members and front fender apron members. The front side members are formed to be extended in a length direction of a vehicle, are disposed at both left and right sides in a width direction of the vehicle, respectively, and each includes a front tip portion that is positioned at a front side in the length direction of the vehicle. Each of the front fender apron members is provided with a front tip portion that is formed to match the front tip portion of a respective front side member in the length direction of the vehicle to be coupled to the front tip portion of the respective front side member, and formed to be extended in the length direction of the vehicle. The structure effectively reduces impact of a frontal collision accident by increasing structural rigidity of the front vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle hood structure capable of both raising the energy absorbing ability when an impacting body has impacted a hood and enhancing deformation properties of the hood during a frontal collision. A framework formation section configuring a central region in a hood inner panel is provided with beads and indented portions formed to extend along the hood front-rear direction. Plural through holes are formed at a hood front-rear direction substantially central portion of the framework formation section in a row along the hood width direction. The through holes are formed in bottom portions of the indented portions. Beads are also formed in the two hood width direction edge portions in positions aligned with the hood front-rear direction positions of the through holes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a main frame having a plurality of members; and a reinforcing member that is made of a reinforced resin and that is disposed at a junction where two members out of the plurality of members intersect a point from two directions or a bent portion of one member.

Abstract: A water drain valve is provided for a water box drain channel of a motor vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to a support that can be attached to the water box drain channel, on which an elastically bent sealing lip supports itself in its middle region, which extends on both sides of the support in downstream direction and sealingly presses at least one part of a downstream sealing lip edge against a sealing surface that can be connected to the water box drain channel.

Abstract: A vehicle open roof construction includes a closure element movably supported and adjusted by a driving slide. A front longitudinal guide track extends along a roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening. A front support which is movably guided by said front longitudinal guide track supports the closure element, while a rear support also supports the closure element and includes a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear longitudinal track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device and the guiding device are integrated as a rotatable element. A forcing mechanism determines whether the rotatable element acts either as the lifting device or the guiding device. The rotatable element is adjustable in vertical direction with respect to and independently of the rear guide track when the movable element acts as the lifting device.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a guide channel and a cooperating slide shoe the which guide channel comprises a first part extending in a substantially horizontal direction configured to move the shoe on a first level and a second part extending downwardly relative to said substantially horizontal direction configured to move the shoe to a lower second level an elongate drive member is attached to the shoe and extends along the channel, substantially in parallel to the first part of the channel. At least one portion of the shoe moves relative to the remainder of the shoe so as not to interfere with the drive member when the shoe is positioned at the lower second level. The drive member is located within the vertical projection at a level above the level assumed by the lowermost part of the slide shoe when the slide shoe is positioned at the lower second level.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable folding tattoo chair comprising a left part (100) and a right part (200), the left part (100) of the chair comprising a left cushion (101), a left fixing plate (102), a left fixing frame (103) and a left footing support (104); the right part (200) of the chair comprising a right cushion (201), a right fixing plate (202), a right fixing frame (203) and a right footing support (204); the left part (100) and the right part (200) of the chair being rotatable so as to be folded together, the left footing support (104) and the right footing support (204) being rotatable to be folded up. The tattoo chair in unfolding states may provide various auxiliary modes for different tattoo positions. The chair can also be folded after use to save space and transportation cost. The chair can be used as a pushcart to add functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device for providing a changing room and/or bathroom space on a watercraft. More specifically, a lounge chair is configured to open either manually or with aid of gas or air shocks in certain embodiments to reveal a changing room and/or bathroom space. On opening, a header bracket is released and deployed, in certain embodiments with aid of gas or air shocks, whereby the privacy curtain's substantially opaque and lightweight fabric is deployed around the revealed space.

Abstract: A utility tray apparatus is provided which is attachable to lightweight foldable chairs. The chairs generally consist of tubular frames with fabric seat and backrests. The utility tray apparatus has a body portion and a tray portion. The body portion has two channels formed therein. The channels are suitable for receipt of the tubular leg members of the chair. The channels are tapered such that an interference fit is achieved when the diameter of the tubular leg member matches the width of the respective channel. An attachment member may be provided which fits within the channels of the body portion. The attachment member having a clamp on the bottom thereof suitable for clamping to a square or circular tubular member, such as a rail on a deer stand.

Abstract: A method and a structure of electrically connecting a conductive fiber in fabric to an external device electrically connects the conductive fiber to the external device by pressing a conductive member that is electrically connected to the external device against the fabric.