A piston ring comprises a generally annular ring body with a series of slots spaced circumferentially about an outer periphery of the ring body, each of the slots extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery. A hinge point is formed between adjacent slots, the hinge point corresponding to the outer periphery of the ring body. A wear surface material comprising ceramics is inlayed into each of the slots. The piston ring is formed by cutting a series of slots such as scallops about the out...

A condiment mill adapted to grind condiments includes a mill body, a grinding unit, an elongated shaft, a clutch disc, and a mill top. The mill body defines an elongated mill cavity therein open at an upper end portion and open at a lower end portion. The mill body also has an engaging notch in the upper end portion. The grinding unit is disposed within the mill cavity proximate to the lower end portion and is positioned to receive unground condiment from the mill cavity. The elongated shaft is ...

A joint for mating exhaust pipes includes an exhaust pipe flange gasket with a metallic body having a planar portion extending laterally inwardly from an outer edge of the body, the planar portion having at least one bolt hole, and a shielding grommet integrally connected to an inner edge of the planar portion. The shielding grommet defines an outer periphery of an aperture, and a sealing element is retained within the grommet. The gasket is disposed between two mating exhaust pipes each pipe ha...

An inventive valve stem seal assembly includes a seal body bonded to a metal retainer without the need for a separate retaining ring or a garter spring. Compressive radial force between the seal body and a corresponding engagement surface of a valve stem is provided by an end wall of the retainer, and in particular, tangs which extend generally longitudinally away from the end wall. The seal body envelops the tangs, and the tangs selectively flex when a valve stem is inserted through an aperture...

A cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine includes a substantially flat center plate and first and second spring plates disposed on opposite sides of the center plate. The center plate has an opening therein. Both the first and second spring plates have openings therein aligned with and smaller than the opening of the center plate. The first and second spring plates thereby define wire ring retention portions of the spring plates extending radially inwardly from the edge of the ce...

A clip-on towel is disclosed for use in sports and other activities where a readily accessible towel is advantageous. A first embodiment of the clip-on towel includes a clip portion that fits through an aperture in a towel portion and is adapted to engage the waistband of a user. The clip portion is attached to the towel by way of a restricted aperture thus eliminating the need for employing fasteners to attach the clip to the towel. A second embodiment includes a clip that is sewn to the towel ...

A single split oil seal is disposed between and completely encircles a rotating journal and a corresponding journal case to prevent unwanted fluid leakage. The seal includes an annular seal body with an inner radial periphery and an outer radial periphery. A lip is integrally joined to the seal body at the inner radial periphery of the seal body and extends radially inwardly to sealingly engage the journal. An annular retaining ring such as a garter spring is embedded in the seal body which urge...

The invention relates generally to an automotive vehicle hitch rack and more particularly to a drawbar coupler that provides a connection to a tow hitch on an automotive vehicle. The coupler comprises a drawbar which interfaces with the tow hitch to provide opposed overlapping surfaces, and a tightener which applies force to maintain the opposed overlapping surfaces together. The invention significantly reduces play between the drawbar and the tow hitch.

A gasket for sealing between two opposed surfaces with a rigid carrier to which a flexible sealing element is bonded includes at least two carrier members. The carrier members define continuous circumferentially closed inner and outer peripheries. A first carrier member has a first overlapping portion at a first end and a second overlapping portion at a second end. A second carrier member has a first overlapping portion at a first end and a second overlapping portion at a second end. The second ...

A device for preventing unauthorized access to the steps of vehicles. The invention includes a hinged door which covers the access steps. The door can be locked from within or without the vehicle cab. When unlocked, the door pivots, thereby allowing a foot hold to be established.