Author: claimsbot

1. An automotive molding comprising a part composed of an elastomer material comprising an olefinic random copolymer obtained by copolymerizing ethylene, an \u03b1-olefin having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monomer having a functional group, and optionally a non-conjugated diene, and a metal ion for crosslinking the olefinic random copolymer.
2. The automotive molding according to claim 1, wherein the unsaturated monomer having a functional group for obtaining the olefinic random copolymer is a functional cyclic compound represented by the following general formula (1):
wherein in the general formula (1), R1 means a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Y1, Y2 and Y3 denote, independently of one another, a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or \u2014COOH, with the proviso that at least one of Y1, Y2 and Y3 is \u2014COOH, and when at least two of Y1, Y2 and Y3 are \u2014COOH, they may be bonded to each other to form an acid anhydride (\u2014CO\u2014(O)\u2014CO\u2014), o is an integer of 0 to 2, and p is an integer of 0 to 5.
3. The automotive molding according to claim 2, wherein, in the monomer components for the olefinic random copolymer, a proportion of ethylene is 35 to 94.99 mol %, a proportion of the \u03b1-olefin having 3 to 10 carbon atoms is 5 to 50 mol %, and a proportion of the non-conjugated diene is 0 to 10 mol %.
4. The automotive molding according to claim 3, wherein a proportion of metal compounds for supplying metal ions is 0.1 to 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the olefinic random copolymer.
5. The automotive molding according to claim 2, wherein the olefinic random copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 3,000,000 in terms of polystyrene as measured by gel permeation chromatography, a melt flow rate of 0.01 to 100 g10 mm as measured under conditions of temperature 230\xb0 C. and a load 10 kg, and a glass transition temperature of \u221290\xb0 C. to 50\xb0 C.
6. The automotive molding according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer material further comprises a polymeric compound selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic resin, a thermoplastic elastomer and rubber andor a softening agent.
7. The automotive molding according to claim 6, wherein a proportion of the polymeric compound is 1 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the olefinic random copolymer.
8. The automotive molding according to claim 7, wherein a proportion of the softening agent is 1 to 67 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the olefinic random copolymer.
9. The automotive molding according to claim 1, wherein the part composed of the elastomer material is a facing material.
10. The automotive molding according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the facing material is 0.01 to 10 mm.
11. The automotive molding according to claim 9, wherein a base material, on which the facing material is formed, is composed of rubber, a plastic, a thermoplastic elastomer, glass, a metal, cloth or wood.
12. The automotive molding according to claim 1, which is a door belt molding, side molding, step molding, roof molding, roof drip molding, front window molding, quarter window molding, hood top molding, rear window molding, glass run channel or bumper molding.
13. The automotive molding according to claim 3, wherein the olefinic random copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 3,000,000 in terms of polystyrene as measured by gel permeation chromatography, a melt flow rate of 0.01 to 100 g10 mm as measured under conditions of temperature 230\xb0 C. and a load 10 kg, and a glass transition temperature of \u221290\xb0 C. to 50\xb0 C.
14. The automotive molding according to claim 2, wherein the elastomer material further comprises a polymeric compound selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic resin, a thermoplastic elastomer and rubber andor a softening agent.
15. The automotive molding according to claim 2, wherein the part composed of the elastomer material is a facing material.
16. The automotive molding according to claim 2, which is a door belt molding, side molding, step molding, roof molding, roof drip molding, front window molding, quarter window molding, hood top molding, rear window molding, glass run channel or bumper molding.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A strip diffuser comprising
a pipe having
a longitudinally extending central axis,
a longitudinally extending gas flow enclosing peripheral wall and
Included in that wall; at least one elongated, thickened region integral with the pipe and
extending in the same direction as the central axis,
a membrane support member
elongated in the direction of the central axis and having
a connecting portion that is
integral with the pipe and
comprises at least one of said thickened regions, and

at least one lateral portion that
Is integral with the connecting portion and extends
\u2003laterally from the connecting portion and,
\u2003longitudinally with the connecting portion in the same direction as the pipe axis and
a membrane diffusion element
elongated in the direction of the central axis and
having ends and longitudinally extending marginal portions which are connected in sealing engagement with the support.
2. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the connection portion of the membrane support comprises a single elongated, thickened region.
3. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the connecting portion of the membrane support comprises plural elongated, thickened regions.
4. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the membrane support comprises plural lateral portions.
5. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the membrane support connecting portion is positioned at the apex of the pipe.
6. A strip diffuser according to claim 5 wherein the membrane support has plural lateral portions positioned on opposite sides of the pipe apex.
7. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein at least part of at least one lateral portion has beneath it space that is in communication with the environment surrounding the diffuser.
8. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein at least part of at least one lateral portion has beneath it space that is free of bracing connecting that part with the pipe.
9. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the pipe is integral with the membrane support over approximately the entire length of the support.
10. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the connecting portion of the support is thicker than portions of the peripheral wall which adjoin it, outside the connecting portion.
11. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral wall of the pipe has an inner surface, and the connecting portion is, when viewed in transverse cross-section along a portion of the length of the inner surface which the connecting portion adjoins, thicker than the remainder of the peripheral wall along most of the length, or combined length, as the case may be, of a portion or portions of the length of the inner surface which the remainder adjoins.
12. A strip diffuser according to claim 11 wherein the connecting portion is thicker than the remainder of the peripheral wall along at least about 90% of the length, or combined length of a portion or portions of the length of the inner surface which the remainder adjoins.
13. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which the pipe is circular or non-circular in transverse cross-section, the connecting portion is positioned at an upper portion of the pipe peripheral wall, and the wall has at least one side portion which is thinner than the connecting portion.
14. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the connecting portion comprises a single thickened region which, substantially throughout the length of the pipe, is thicker than most of the remainder of the peripheral wall along its periphery.
15. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the connecting portion comprises two thickened regions spaced apart from one another as viewed in transverse cross section, and those regions, substantially throughout the length of the pipe, are thicker than most of the remainder of the peripheral wall along its periphery.
16. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein, along at least one lateral portion, extending laterally from a nexus at which that lateral portion is joined with said connecting portion to an outer edge of that lateral portion, that lateral portion is free of underlying bracing connecting it with the pipe.
17. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which there are two lateral portions that, respectively, extend to the left and right of the connecting portion as viewed in transverse cross section and are free of underlying pipe-to-lateral portion connecting bracing from the location at which each lateral portion is joined with the connecting portion to an outer edge of that lateral portion.
18. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which there are two lateral portions that, respectively, extend to the left and right of the connecting portion as viewed in transverse cross section and in which spaces underlying at least part of both lateral portions are in open communication with the environment surrounding the diffuser.
19. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which the pipe is of generally circular cross section having an apex, and the upper portion includes the pipe apex.
20. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which the at least one thickened region and at least one lateral portion have upper surfaces, and at least one lateral portion upper surface extends generally horizontally from the at least one thickened region upper surface.
21. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which the membrane support has a generally horizontal upper surface with at least one longitudinally extending edge that, as viewed in transverse cross section, comprises a curved edge surface that curves from the upper surface of the support outwardly and downwardly and then downwardly and inwardly to beneath at least one lateral portion, and the membrane diffusion element ends are connected in sealing engagement with the support across the support upper surface by clamping bars which extend across those ends and about said curved surface by arcuate clamps.
22. A strip diffuser according to claim 21 in which the clamping bars and arcuate clamps have inter-engaging, adjacent ends.
23. A strip diffuser according to claim 22 in which the adjacent ends have inter-engaging meshed elements.
24. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 in which the support has at least one longitudinally extending edge and at least one lateral portion comprises a longitudinally extending membrane securing groove.
25. A strip diffuser according to claim 24 in which the groove is inward of the edge.
26. A strip diffuser according to claim 24 in which the support has an upper surface and the groove has a mouth which is located below that surface.
27. A strip diffuser according to claim 24 in which the groove has a mouth which is located in the under-side of the at least one lateral portion.
28. A strip diffuser according to claim 27 in which at least one marginal portion of the membrane extends into the groove and is engaged there by a securing member.
29. A strip diffuser according to claim 28 which includes a blocking member, secured to the support at the mouth of the groove, that obstructs the mouth of the groove.
30. A strip diffuser according to claim 24 in which the groove is formed at least in part by a limb extending integrally from and longitudinally with the at least one lateral portion.
31. A strip diffuser according to claim 30 in which the limb extends generally downward from the at least one lateral portion.
32. A strip diffuser according to claim 30 in which at least one marginal portion of the membrane extends into the groove and is engaged there by a securing member, and a blocking member, secured to the limb at the mouth of the groove, obstructs escape of the securing member.
33. A strip diffuser according to claim 24 in which a J-shaped member forms at least a portion of the groove.
34. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 which comprises, in or on a wall of the pipe, angularly spaced along the pipe peripheral wall from at least one membrane support lateral portion, at least one projection extending longitudinally with at least a portion of the length of, and projecting outwardly from, the pipe wall.
35. A strip diffuser according to claim 34 wherein the at least one projection assists in supporting andor securing the diffuser in relation to structure in or associated with a liquid impound.
36. A strip diffuser according to claim 34 wherein the at least one projection includes portions relatively closer and further from the pipe outer wall and at least one further portion is thicker than or disposed at least one angle to a closer portion.
37. A strip diffuser according to claim 34 wherein the at least one projection is hook-, T- or L-shaped in cross-section.
38. A strip diffuser according to claim 36 wherein the diffuser is held in vertically and laterally fixed position in a liquid impound by a connection between at least one such projection and structure of complementary shape in or associated with a wastewater aeration vessel.
39. A strip diffuser according to claim 1 wherein the diffuser is held in vertically and laterally fixed position in a liquid impound by attaching members that engage the diffuser pipes below the membrane supports andor engage connectors that connect adjacent series-connected diffusers and connect the diffusers to structure in or associated with a wastewater aeration vessel.
40. A wastewater treatment plant comprising a water impound having positioned and held in place therein strip diffusers comprising:
A. synthetic resinous pipe having
1. a longitudinally extending central axis,
2. a longitudinally extending gas flow enclosing peripheral wall and
3. Included in that wall, at least one elongated, thickened region
a. integral with the pipe wall and
b. extending in the same direction as the central axis,
B. a membrane support member that
1. is elongated in the direction of the central axis and
2. has a connecting portion that
a. is positioned at an upper portion of the pipe,
b. is integral with the pipe,
c. comprises at least one of said thickened regions,
d. has an upper surface which includes an upper surface of the pipe thickened region and
e. comprises a plurality of lateral portions that
I. are integral with the connecting portion and
ii. extend
\u2003(a) laterally from the connecting portion on opposite sides of the pipe apex and
\u2003(b) longitudinally with the connecting portion in the same direction as the pipe axis,
C. the pipe being integral with the membrane support over approximately the entire length of the support,
D. the peripheral wall of the pipe having an inner surface, and the connecting portion being, when viewed in transverse cross-section along a portion of the length of the inner surface which the connecting portion adjoins, thicker than the remainder of the peripheral wall along most of the length, or combined length, as the case may be, of a portion or portions of the length of the inner surface which the remainder adjoins,
E. at least parts of the lateral portions having beneath them underlying open spaces that are free of braces connecting those parts with the pipe,
F. the support lateral portions each having upper surfaces with longitudinally extending edges and longitudinally extending membrane securing grooves inward of the edges and having mouths located in the under-sides of the lateral portions below their upper surfaces, and
G. a membrane diffusion element that
1, is elongated in the direction of the central axis,
2. has ends and longitudinally extending marginal portions and
3. is connected in sealing engagement with the support by the marginal portions of the membrane extending into the grooves and being engaged therein by a securing member.
41. A strip diffuser sub-assembly comprising
A. pipe with
1. a longitudinally extending central axis and
2. a longitudinally extending gas flow enclosing pipe wall,

B. in addition to the pipe wall, a membrane support member that
1. is integral with the pipe wall,
2. as viewed in transverse cross-section, is partially defined, in a central region of the support member, by an upper portion of the pipe wall that extends above and across the pipe axis,
3. comprises plural lateral portions that
a. are positioned at, and extend laterally from opposite sides of, the upper portion of the pipe wall, and
b. extend longitudinally with the pipe wall.
42. A wastewater treatment plant comprising sub-assemblies of claim 41
43. A subassembly according to claim 41 that is apertured for passage of gas through the support from within the pipe.
44. A subassembly according to claim 41 comprising a limb member integral with the at least one lateral portion, extending with the lateral portion in the same direction as the pipe axis, dependent from the at least one lateral portion and forming a groove between itself and an adjacent surface of a lateral portion for insertion of a marginal portion of a membrane and of a longitudinally extending securing member.
45. A strip diffuser comprising a subassembly according to claim 41, a support that is apertured for passage of gas through the support from within the pipe, a membrane diffusion element, a groove in the support having a marginal portion of the membrane secured therein by a longitudinally extending securing member and members for sealing the ends of the membrane to the support.

1. A suspension system (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprising:
a first structural member (30, 130, 230, 330, 430);
a second structural member (32, 132, 232, 332, 432) pivotable relative to the first structural member, one of the first and second structural members including a socket (42, 142, 242, 342);
a rigid member (55, 150, 155, 255, 350, 355) mounted in the socket, the rigid member being connected with the other of the first and second structural members so as to resist movement relative thereto; and
a resilient member (60, 160, 260, 360) mounted in the socket, the resilient member defining a bore which receives the rigid member therein, the resilient member developing a resistance force as the second structural member pivots relative to the first structural member, the resistance force resisting further pivoting of the second structural member relative to the first structural member.
2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the resilient member isolates the first structural member from the second structural member such that there are no non-resilient vibration transfer paths between the first and second structural members.
3. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second structural member is angled to the first structural member.
4. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second structural member carries a wheel (20, 120, 220, 320, 420), the wheel being spaced from the resilient member.
5. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second structural member comprises first and second arms (36, 38, 136, 138, 236, 238, 336, 338).
6. The suspension system of claim 5, wherein the second structural member (32) further includes a connecting member (58), the support member connecting the first and second arms.
7. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first structural member (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) includes a connector (22) for pivotally connecting the suspension system to an associated frame member.
8. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second structural member (332, 432) includes the socket (342).
9. The suspension system of claim 8, wherein the resilient member (360) is aligned generally vertically.
10. The suspension system of claim 8, wherein a projection (364, 365) extends from one of the socket and the resilient member and is received in a recess (366, 367) of the other of the socket and the resilient member.
11. The suspension system of claim 8, wherein the rigid member comprises an insert (355) and the first structural member (330, 430) comprises a shaft (326, 426) which is threadably connected with the insert (355).
12. The suspension system of claim 8, wherein the first structural member (330, 430) comprises a shaft (336, 426) and the rigid member (350, 355) and resilient member (360) are axially aligned with the shaft.
13. The suspension system (412) of claim 8, further comprising an elastomeric member (413) of a lower durometer than the resilient member, the elastomeric member contacting the resilient member and absorbing generally vertical impacts on the wheel.
14. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first structural member comprises a shaft (326, 426) and the rigid member comprises an extension (350) of the shaft.
15. The suspension system of claim 14, wherein the rigid member further comprises an insert (355), the insert being received on the shaft extension (350).
16. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the rigid member (150, 155, 250, 255, 350, 355) comprises a shaft (150, 250, 350) and an insert (155, 255, 355) mounted on the shaft, the insert being constrained by the shaft against movement relative to the other of the first and second structural members.
17. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the socket (42, 142, 242, 342) defines at least one projection (64, 364, 365) which extends into the resilient member, the projection being spaced from the insert by the resilient member.
18. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises an elastomer.
19. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the socket (42, 142, 242, 342) is generally cylindrical.
20. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the insert is shaped to constrain the second structural member against rotational movement relative to the insert.
21. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the rigid member includes an insert (55, 155), the insert defining a generally annular inner portion and at least one spoke (80, 180) which extends from the inner portion into the resilient member.
22. The suspension system of claim 21, wherein the socket defines at least one projection (64, 164) radially spaced from the at least one spoke (80, 180) which extends into the resilient member (60, 160), the spoke and the projection being spaced by the resilient member.
23. The suspension system of claim 22, wherein the at least one spoke (80, 180) includes at least three spokes and the at least one projection (64, 164) includes at least three projections.
24. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the force is a radial force.
25. A wheelchair (10) comprising the suspension system of claim 1.
26. A suspension system (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprising:
a first structural member (30, 130, 230, 330, 430);
a second structural member (32, 132, 232, 332, 432) which carries a wheel (20, 120, 220, 320, 420), the second structural member being pivotable relative to the first structural member;
a resilient member (60, 160, 260, 360) which isolates the second structural member from the first structural member such all vibration transfer paths between the first and second members pass through the resilient member.
27. The suspension system of claim 26, further comprising:
an insert intermediate the resilient member and the first structural member.
28. A transportation system comprising:
a frame (16);
a wheel (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) for conveying the transportation system across a surface;
a suspension system (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprising:
a first structural member (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) which is pivotally connected to the frame,
a second structural member (32, 132, 232, 332, 432) which carries the wheel,
a rigid member (55, 150, 155, 250, 255, 350, 355) operably connected with the other of the first and second structural members, and
a resilient member (60, 160, 260, 360) mounted in a socket (42, 142, 242, 342) defined by one of the first and second members, the resilient member defining a bore (62, 162, 262, 362) which receives the rigid member therein, the resilient member isolating the second structural member from the first structural member.
29. The transportation system of claim 28, wherein the transportation system is a wheelchair and wherein the frame supports a seat (18).
30. The transportation system of claim 28, wherein the first member (330, 430) comprises a shaft (326, 426) and wherein the rigid member (350) comprises an extension of the shaft.
31. A method of absorbing shocks in a suspension system comprising:
pivoting a second structural member (32, 132, 232, 332, 432) relative to a first structural member (30, 130, 230, 330, 430), the first and second members being spaced by a resilient member (60, 160, 260, 360) which isolates the first member from the second member, the resilient member developing a resistance force as the second member pivots relative to the first member the resistance force resisting further pivoting of the second member relative to the first member.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

We claim:

1. A process for the thermal treatment of powdered or granular solid substances with gas flows (7, 16, 22, 23, 24) by means of a body (2) moved about an axis of rotation (1), with the following process steps to be successively carried out:
heating the bulk material held in segments (3) of the body (2) by subjecting it to steam (22),
exposing the heated bulk material to a feed of air (23) andor inert gas (24), taking place in one or more subsequent steps,
removal (17) of the dried or inerted bulk material from the moved body (2).
2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the segments (3) of a moved body of rotation (2) operated in vertical arrangement (28) are chargedemptied via the outer circumference of said body.
3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein bulk material is fed to the segments (3) at the outer ring of the moved body (2) and said segments are emptied at the outer ring of the movable body (2).
4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein inert gases (24) andor steam (16, 22) laterally enter the segments (3) of the body (2) moved about its axis of rotation (1).
5. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the entry of steam and air (7) takes place at the outer circumference of the movable body (3).
6. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein steam, air and inert gas leave at the hub (8) of the moved body (2) in the radial direction after flowing through the segments (3).
7. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the segments (3) are subjected to gas in the radial direction (9) from the inside outward.
8. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein a bulk material feed (10, 11, 12) is assigned to the outer circumference of the body (2) for supplying the segments (3) of the body (2).
9. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the segments (3) of a moved body (2), operated in horizontal arrangement (29), are subjected to gas flows (4, 16, 22, 23 and 24) parallel to the axis of rotation (1) of the moved body (2).
10. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the moved body (2) is provided on the cover side (19) with surfaces (25) covering the segments (3) in alternating succession.
11. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the moved body (2) is provided on the base side (20) with segments (3, 17) with an outlet for the treated bulk material and segmentally arranged covering surfaces (25) and also with segment surfaces (27) permitting gas outlet.
12. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein, in horizontal arrangement (29) of the moved body (2), the driving out of moisture in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation (1) is assisted.
13. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bulk material held in the segments (3) undergoes drying by air (7, 23) with a permissible residual oxygen content of the bulk material.
14. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bulk material to be freed of oxygen is inerted by direct introduction of steam (22) and feeding in of inert gas (24).
15. An apparatus for the thermal treatment of powdered or granular solid substances with gas flows (7, 16, 22, 23, 24) by means of a cellular wheel (2) which is moved about its axis of rotation (1) and has individual segments (3), wherein coverings (21, 25, 27) which allow bulk material or gas flows (22, 23, 24) to enter or leave are provided segmentally in the cover (19) and base (20) of the moved cellular wheel (2).
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the moved body (2) is designed as a cellular wheel which is movable about its axis of rotation (1) and discharge lines (8) for steam condensate and air and supply lines for inert gas to assist the emptying of the segments (3) are provided in the hub of the cellular wheel.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a cover (19) allowing stationary gas access and the access of bulk material is mounted above the cellular wheel (2) rotating about its axis of rotation (1), and a stationary cover (20) with bulk material removal (17) and segments (27) allowing gas passage is mounted below the cellular wheel (2) rotating about its axis of rotation (1).
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the segments (3) of the moved body (2) are flowed through in the vertical direction.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the segments (3) of the moved body (2) are flowed through by steam, air, inert or drying gas from the outside inward or from the inside outward.