Abstract: Apparatus for loading sheet material into a stamping press comprising a tool releasably mounted on the outer end of a boom. The tool has grippers for picking up and releasing sheet material. The boom is advanced lengthwise into the press where the grippers release the sheet material for stamping. The boom can be swung laterally to a tool-charting position where the tool can be changed easily and safely.

Abstract: A bolster supports the lower dies of a row of die sets for use in a transfer press. The upper dies are carried by a vertically reciprocable ram. Transfer mechanism is provided to move blanks along the row of die sets, comprising longitudinally extending side rails and cross bars having blank grippers releasably attached to the side rails. A plurality of stands are mounted on the bolster. The stands are adapted to support the cross bars after the cross bars have been detached from the side rails and the bolster is moved out of the press to change dies. The stands also support the cross bars in positions for re-attachment to the side rails when the bolster is moved back inside the press. Some of the stands are mounted on the bolster for pivotal movement away from the dies so that after the cross bars have been removed, there is sufficient clearance for removing and replacing the die sets. Other stands are removable.

Abstract: A tote tank has a flexible, collapsible liner for water-based or water-borne paint. The liner when full of paint fills the tank and lines the interior walls thereof. A paint outlet from the liner extends through a wall of the tank for withdrawing paint. A paint inlet to the liner is provided for filling the liner with paint and is normally closed and sealed by a closure plate. An air inlet to the tank allows the liner to collapse as paint is withdrawn. An air meter measures the amount of air entering the tank through the air inlet as an indication or measure of the amount of paint withdrawn.

Abstract: Apparatus for dampening vibration of a steering column which permits quick release and axial collapse of the steering column in a collision. Mounting brackets on the steering column have slide bars which fit in grooves in support brackets secured to the vehicle frame. Wedges fit in recesses between the slide bars and grooves to dampen vibration. The wedges release instantly when the steering column collapses in a frontal impact, allowing the collapse of the steering column without interference.

Abstract: A composite article such as an automotive trim strip comprising a thermoplastic shell secured to the front of a supporting member. An icon is embedded in a recess in the front of the shell so that the front of the icon is substantially flush with the front of the shell. The icon is secured in the recess of the shell by an adhesive. The supporting member is made of a hot melt material and is bonded to the shell in an injection mold. The heat of the molding operation softens the thermoplastic shell sufficiently to cause the icon to form a recess in the shell and become embedded therein. The heat of the molding operation also cures the adhesive bonding the icon to the shell.

Abstract: A turn broaching machine for broaching a workpiece comprises a hollow arbor having a plurality of axially spaced apart, circumferentially extending cutting segments projecting radially outwardly from the side wall thereof. The cutting segments each have a radially outer peripheral edge provided with broaching elements. A closed loop system circulates a heated fluid through the arbor. The fluid is heated to an elevated temperature of about 100 F.-150 F. to maintain the arbor in a similarly heated condition during broaching. Maintaining the arbor at a relatively constant, elevated temperature during broaching stabilizes the broach by eliminating axial thermal expansion.

Abstract: An engine balance lifter has a main beam and two cross beams. The cross beams are secured to the main beam in spaced-apart relation at selected points along the length of the main beam and in selected angular positions with respect to the main beam. Clamps adjacent the ends of the cross beams can be bolted onto the engine to lift the engine out of the engine compartment or to install it. A suspension hanger supports the main beam at a selected point along the length of the main beam.

Abstract: A removable cover for temporarily protecting a lid on a passenger air bag module installed in an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle, during assembly of a trim panel on the instrument panel. The cover is shaped to fit over and protect the lid. The cover is fabricated of a rubber-like material and has mounting tabs adapted or releasably engage in slots in the air bag module. Magnets on the cover magnetically engage the air bag module. Projections on the air bag module engage in recesses in the cover to assist in locating the cover.

Abstract: A molding tool is provided that has a cavity half and a core half for molding a workpiece. The molding tool has a male trimpiece that is attached to the cavity half of the molding tool via a plurality of securing devices for removal of the male trimpiece when worn. A female trimpiece is attached to the core half of the molding tool via a plurality of securing devices for removal of the female trimpiece when worn. An adjustable stop plate is also provided that is attached to the core half of the molding tool via a plurality of securing devices. The stop plate is disposed around, and is adjacent to, the female trimpiece. The stop plate is vertically adjustable to provide for varying thickness of the workpiece. A trimline retention reservoir is also disposed in the core half of the molding tool between the female trimpiece and the stop plate for receiving the male trimpiece when the molding tool is in the closed position. The thicknesses of each trimpiece can be varied so as to change the size of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for locating a striker on a vehicle body in position for engagement with a latch on a closure mounted on the vehicle body for swinging movement from an open position to a closed and latched position comprises a central frame, and a pair of elongated, rigid support bars. The inner ends of the bars are pivoted to the frame for swinging movement between a retracted position and an operative position in which the bars extend in opposite directions laterally outwardly from the frame in substantial alignment with one another. A spring mounted foot on the outer end of each bar is adapted to support the device on the vehicle body when the bars are in their operative positions. A striker locator is attached to the frame.

Abstract: A gear shift lever can be moved to several "Drive" positions and to a "Park" position. A retainer holds the lever in the "Park" position. An operator is provided to retract the retainer so that the lever may be shifted out of "Park". A lock prevents the retraction of the lever retainer until the brake pedal is depressed. A mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the lock retracts the lock away from its locking position when the brake pedal is depressed.

Abstract: Hinge apparatus for a door of a motor vehicle providing precise door-on-door-off capability enabling the door to be hinged to a vehicle body post in adjusted position, unhinged, and then re-hinged in the same adjusted position. A pair of hinges connect a door panel to a body post panel. Each hinge comprises a first hinge plate connected to the body post panel and a second hinge plate connected to the door panel. A tapping plate is secured to the door panel and has a pair of spaced threaded holes therein. Clearance openings are provided in the second hinge plate and in the door panel in alignment with the threaded holes in the tapping plate to clear mounting screws which are threaded into the tapping plate. The clearance holes are large enough to allow adjustment of the door. A locator comprises a tab secured to the second hinge plate, provided with a locator pin adapted to extend into a locator hole in the tapping plate.

Abstract: A composite article such as an automotive trim strip comprising a thermoplastic shell secured to the front of a supporting member. An icon is embedded in a recess in the front of the shell so that the front of the icon is substantially flush with the front of the shell. The icon is secured in the recess of the shell by an adhesive. The supporting member is made of a hot melt material and is bonded to the shell in an injection mold. The heat of the molding operation softens the thermoplastic shell sufficiently to cause the icon to form a recess in the shell and become embedded therein. The heat of the molding operation also cures the adhesive bonding the icon to the shell.

Abstract: An instrument panel has a recess in which a passenger air bag canister is mounted. The mounting includes a flange on the bottom wall of the canister fastened to the instrument panel. The mounting also includes an elongated horizontal rib on the canister and an elongated horizontal slot in the recess which receives the rib. As a further option, brackets on the end caps of the canister may be fastened to the instrument panel.

Abstract: A lower bearing assembly for supporting a steering shaft within a tubular jacket of an automotive steering column. The steering shaft is of double-D configuration having two diametrically opposite, arcuate side walls and two diametrically opposite parallel flats. A cup is fitted within the jacket having a hole in the bottom wall through which the steering shaft extends. A bearing within the cup supports the steering shaft for rotation. A wedge is sleeved on the steering shaft and has a tapered nose wedged between the bearing and the steering shaft. The wedge has an inner double-D configuration matching that of the steering shaft. A compression coil spring encircles the wedge and bears on a flange on the wedge to hold the nose of the wedge wedged tightly between the bearing and the steering shaft. A retaining ring is sleeved on the steering shaft and holds the spring under compression. The inner edge of the retaining ring has the same double-D configuration as the steering shaft.

Abstract: An air bag having a main sac portion and a lateral extension of the main sac portion, which together provide a broad cushion to protect the right front occupant and the center occupant of the front seat of an automotive vehicle. An external tether is attached to the lateral extension to restrict air bag rotation, when the air bag is inflated.

Abstract: A rear axle assembly has a rotatable rear axle extending lengthwise within an elongated rear axle tube. A wheel hub is mounted on the axle for rotation as a unit therewith. A bearing supports the wheel hub for rotation. The inner race of the bearing is rigidly connected to the wheel hub. The outer race of the bearing is rigidly connected to the axle tube.

Abstract: A fixture for testing the strength of a resistance spot weld connecting two test strips comprises two identical clamping frames, each having releasable clamps for gripping and holding one of the test strips. A pull bar is mounted on each clamping frame in any one of several selected angular positions. The pull bars are aligned with one another and then grasped by a pulling mechanism to apply a separating force on the two strips. The arrangement is such that the line of the separating force passes through the weld.

Abstract: A back light assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising a housing having separable housing parts forming a chamber for a light bulb. The housing parts are releasably secured together by at least one and preferably two elongated, flexible, compressible, stretchable fasteners. Each fastener extends through aligned passages in the respective housing parts. Each fastener has two enlargements, one engageable with an abutment in the passage of one housing part and the other engageable with an abutment in the passage of the other housing part to hold the housing parts together. The distance between the enlargements in the unstretched, free state condition of the fasteners, before installation, is less than the distance between the abutments, so that when installed, the fasteners are stretched and in tension. One of the enlargements of each fastener is adapted to engage the rear window of the vehicle when the back light assembly is properly mounted.

Abstract: A shipping container having a relatively conventional rectangular shape is provided fabricated of multi-ply corrugated cardboard. A pallet is provided within the container. The pallet is supported by the bottom wall of the container. The pallet is also fabricated from multi-ply corrugated cardboard. A portion of one of the container side walls and an attached closure flap are provided with substantially parallel discontinuace slits which extend from and edge of the closure flap to a point substantially midway of the side wall. Tab portions are provided along the length of each slit. The tabs may be torn to separate the material between the slits and provide an opening which permits ready access to articles in the lower portion of the container.