Abstract:
A method for fabricating a micromechanical part from a substrate in which the part is fabricated by providing a plurality of fasteners between the part and the substrate, the fasteners being sacrificial, characterized in that the fasteners include at least one hinge at the end of each fastener located beside the part, and in that the method includes a step of breaking the sacrificial fasteners. The micromechanical parts employing this type of sacrificial fastener are also described.
Abstract:
A mechanical device includes a long, narrow element made of a rigid, elastic material. A rigid frame is configured to anchor at least one end of the element, which is attached to the frame, and to define a gap running longitudinally along the element between the beam and the frame, so that the element is free to move within the gap. A solid filler material, different from the rigid, elastic material, fills at least a part of the gap between the element and the frame so as to permit a first mode of movement of the element within the gap while inhibiting a different, second mode of movement.
Abstract:
Briefly, the invention involves a hinge construction. The hinge construction includes a pair of contoured wing members connected at one end with a living hinge, each wing member including a portion of a hinge barrel. The wings are constructed to be folded around a hinge pin, forming the hinge barrel and positioning the wings in a generally parallel relationship with respect to each other. A portion of a wall or door jamb is positioned between the wings. Fasteners or the like are secured through the wings to fix the assembly, whereby the hinge pin is free to rotate within the barrel created by the folded wings.
Abstract:
A conductive hinge is made of a superelastic shape memory alloy such as nitinol (NiTi) having a large elastic strain limit for enabling the hinge to bend to a small radius during stowage and flexible return to a trained rigid hinge position by training the shape memory alloy to assume a predetermined deployed configuration when released from a stowage configuration. The hinge is trained by forging at a temperature above a training temperature. The hinge is stowed and released in the superelastic state to deploy solar cell panels as the hinges unfold to the trained deployed configuration.
Abstract:
The present relates to a molding process for, and structural configuration of, a cable assembly. More particularly, the present invention includes a cable assembly including a housing having a conduit and a clam-shell encasement integral with the conduit. The housing defines a passage that extends through the housing. The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a cable assembly including the steps of forming a housing having a conduit and a clam-shell encasement integral with the conduit. The encasement is movable between an open position and a closed position and the housing defines a passage. The method further includes the steps of disposing a cable in the passage and placing the encasement into its closed position.
Abstract:
A trim component for a vehicle incorporates a spring-loaded living hinge for connecting a door. Preferably, the door includes a rigid panel having a first portion and a second portion joined by a flexible region comprising a living hinge. A spring biases the first portion away from the second portion. Preferably, a pivot point is located adjacent the flexible region and helps to secure the spring to the first and second portions. The door is secured to the trim component by a latch that holds the first portion relative to the second portion. Release of the latch permits the spring to rotate the first portion away from the second portion. Thus, a door incorporating the present design is capable of rotating the first portion relative to the second portion in an unassisted fashion in opposition to the force of gravity.
Abstract:
Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are molded to fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. Once the article has obtained form stability, such as by heating to remove water by evaporation, the article is removed from the mold and allowed to harden to gain strength. The articles may have properties substantially similar to articles presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. They have especial utility in the mass production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix, optionally reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, optionally fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation. The starch and cellulosic ether form the binding matrix of the sheets with the fibers and optional inorganic filler dispersed throughout the binding matrix. The starch-bound sheets can be cut, rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued to fashion articles from the sheets much like paper or paperboard. The sheets are particularly useful in the mass production of containers, such as food and beverage containers.
Abstract:
A hinge for connecting a lid to a box which includes a flexible web, a pinching means for securing the hinges to a panel of a box and a mounting means for affixing adhesively a lid to the hinge.
Abstract:
A connection system for interconnecting various components, such as components of an overhead garage door system, is provided which includes, in one aspect, a first component having a pair of spaced apart hook members, an intermediate guide member and a detent extending from a planar body of the first component. A second component includes a pair of spaced apart apertures which are shaped and aligned to receive the hook members, and an intermediate aperture which is shaped and aligned to receive the guide member upon registration of the first and second components in face-abutting relationship. As the first and second components are translated relative to each other, the detent of the first component engages the intermediate aperture of the second component to thereby establish a connection between the first and second components. Connection of a roller bracket to a door stile of an overhead garage door system is provided by the novel connection system, as well as connection of a door stile to a door panel. In a second aspect of the invention, interconnection of horizontal tracks, vertical tracks and track radiuses is provided by the novel connection system to form continuous door tracks on opposite sides of a door frame.