149 results about "Lateral deflection" patented technology

A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.

A multi-component connection system suitable for automobiles includes a female clip member having a slot, and a male clip member having a male element insertable within the slot. The slot and male element include mutually engageable cooperative structures. A shank connected to the male element includes wings mounted at a distal end and capable of resilient lateral deflection relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank. The female clip member may be affixed to a first component and the male clip member may be insertable within a hole in a second component so as to connect the two components when the male clip member is inserted in the hole, the male element is disposed within the slot, and the cooperative structures are engaged.

A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly is provided, the aerodynamic skirt assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to route airflow along the trailer, skirt supports adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer are also provided with a plurality of resilient struts providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient struts allowing substantial lateral deflection of the skirt panel away from an aerodynamic configuration. A method of assembling an aerodynamic skirt assembly and an aerodynamic skirt kit are also provided.

A vegetation attachment device for supporting plant limbs is used in combination with an overhead support member, such as the horizontal support wire of a trellis system used to support grape vines. Embodiments of the device generally comprise an attachment hook configured to engage the overhead support wire, a closing hook, a catch member for engaging the closing hook, a deformable limb containment structure, and biasing means for maintaining the engagement of the closing hook to the catch member. The deformable limb containment structure deforms to accommodate limited lateral deflection or growth in the vine or plant limb. Embodiments of the disclosed apparatus may be used instead of currently known devices, such as wire ties, for supporting vines and branches.

A retention latch mechanism having corresponding retention features and stress reducing members is provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the retention latch mechanism comprises a pair of spring arm retention features of a receptacle engageable with a corresponding pair of recessed retention features of an insertable tab and one or more backup spring members for reducing stress within the spring arms during insertion of the tab into the receptacle. The backup spring may be positioned adjacent an outward facing surface such that outward lateral deflection of the spring arms deflects the backup spring thereby reducing force within the spring arm. The backup spring may include any or all of a bent portion of an associated bracket or arm member, a wire, a loop, a complementary spring arm, dual backup springs, elastomeric members and self-lubricating members. Methods of providing retention of a tab within a receptacle are also provided herein.

A gondola car has a body for lading carried on an underframe. The underframe includes a center sill and cross-bearers. The car has deep side beams having top chords, side sills, and side sheets. The lower portion of the car includes tubs that seat between the cross-bearers. The car may have an internal volume of more than 8000 cu. ft. The car may have rotary dump claw sockets. The car has opposed internal and external stiffeners aligned at the longitudinal stations of the cross-bearers. The internal stiffeners may be triangular cantilevers extending upwardly inside the side sheets. The side sheet lies intermediate the stiffeners and their flanges. The top chords may be wider in cross-section than the side sills. The side sills may define torque tubes that co-operate with the sidewall stiffeners and the top chords to resist lateral deflection. The car may include a false deck, or dog-house at one end to accommodate the brake reservoir and brake valve, such that the car is longitudinally asymmetric.

A retention latch mechanism having corresponding retention features and stress reducing members is provided herein. In an example embodiment, the retention latch mechanism comprises a pair of spring arm retention features of a receptacle engageable with a corresponding pair of recessed retention features of an insertable tab and one or more backup spring members for reducing stress within the spring arms during insertion of the tab into the receptacle. The backup spring is positioned adjacent an outward facing surface such that outward lateral deflection of the spring arms deflects the backup spring thereby reducing force within the spring arm. In some embodiments, the backup spring includes any or all of a bent portion of an associated bracket or arm member, a wire, a loop, a complementary spring arm, dual backup springs, elastomeric members and self-lubricating members. Methods of providing retention of a tab within a receptacle are also provided herein.

The invention relates to a vehicle illuminating device (4) for the integrated attachment in each edge region of a motor vehicle, wherein the housing (14) thereof comprises at least one chamber (2, 2', 5), at least one light source (3, 12, 13) positioned in a bracket, at least one reflector (9, 16), at least one intermediate light disc (1, 1', 7) having optical means (20) arranged therein in at least partial regions, wherein the intermediate light disc (1, 1', 7, 10) comprises at least one signal function region dyed in a signal color, and comprising the electric connection contacts and a cover housing disc (6, 6') spaced from the intermediate light disc (1, 1', 7). According to the invention, the at least one reflector (9) comprises in a first chamber (2') at least one lateral section (8), which is provided in a predominantly horizontal, lateral direction facing away from the motor vehicle. The housing of the vehicle device comprises a lateral light region (6') extending into the lateral region of the body of the vehicle, an additional lateral intermediate light disc (10, 10') being arranged in said region, wherein the cover housing disc (6, 6') covers also the lateral light region (6) with the lateral intermediate light disc (10, 10') from the outside at a distance.

An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed.

The present invention provides a device for reinforcing the rear end of a vehicle having a ladder-type frame. The device includes a first bar that is adapted to be secured between the left side rail and right suspension attachment of the vehicle frame and a second bar adapted to be secured between the right side rail and left suspension attachment such that the first and second bars are mounted to the frame in a crosswise fashion with respect to each other between the side rails. The device is mounted adjacent the rear of the vehicle frame whereby torsional stiffness and rigidity can be added to the rear of the frame and lateral deflection of the suspension attachments that occurs during aggressive driving is sharply minimized.