Abstract: A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being pre-assembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the pre-assembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision.

Abstract: A pivot/rotational device comprises a pivot pin having a head and a tubular, cylindrical shank of reduced diameter projecting from the head. A two-part bushing assembly comprises a ring and a sleeve. The ring encircles the shank. The sleeve is formed of anti-friction material and is disposed concentrically between and in surface-to-surface contact with the ring and the shank. The sleeve has a radially outwardly extending collar at one end disposed between and in surface-to-surface contact with the head and one end of the ring. The tubular shank has an open end opposite the head provided with a radially outwardly extending flange which overlies the other end of the ring. The ring is restrained from axial movement between the collar and the flange. The sleeve may also have a second collar between the flange and the ring.

Abstract: Spring-clips are pressed into push buttons to provide a stabilized and yieldable fit on the ends of cassette player control levers. This allows freedom of button movement, if needed, to enhance the assembly of the escutcheon-lens assembly to the cassette player-chassis assembly. Because of the great accumulation of tolerances between the escutcheon-lens assembly and the cassette player-chassis, the spring clips provide sufficient freedom of movement of the buttons relative to the levers, as needed, to improve the alignment of the buttons with corresponding openings in the escutcheon-lens assembly. Once the escutcheon-lens assembly is secured to the player-chassis assembly. This invention eliminates or reduces button rattle while imparting a firm feeling to the activation action of the button.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a stamping press or the like having a die opening, comprising a beam structure including a pair of elongated, laterally spaced, generally parallel beams. The beam structure is extended through the die opening with the ends of the beams projecting beyond the front and rear of the stamping press. Wheeled trucks disposed beneath the projecting ends of said beams support the beam structure at an elevation sufficient to raise the stamping press above the factory floor so that it may be moved to a new location.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for the steering column of a vehicle comprising a pair of U-shaped energy absorbing straps made of relatively stiff, bendable, flexible strip material. One leg of each strap is connected to fixed vehicle support structure. The other leg is connected to the steering column. If the steering column collapses as in a collision when the driver is thrown forward against the steering wheel, one leg of each strap will move with the steering column, resisting movement thereof and absorbing energy gradually to prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering wheel against the driver.

Abstract: A method of transferring an instrument panel assembly from a pick-up station to the interior of an automotive vehicle body for installation while the body moves along a path spaced laterally from the pick-up station, A bridge extends between the pick-up station and the path and a transfer unit is moved along the bridge to the pick-up station where it picks up an instrument panel assembly. The transfer unit and attached instrument panel assembly are moved to a position adjacent the path and the instrument panel assembly is introduced into said moving body. The bridge is moved with the body during the introduction of the instrument panel assembly into the body so that the transfer unit and instrument panel assembly likewise move with the body. The instrument panel assembly is installed in the body and the transfer unit withdrawn. An attachment unit moves along a second bridge which is generally parallel to the first. The attachment unit completes the attachment of the instrument panel assembly.

Abstract: A wheel construction is provided. It is preferably made of a lightweight material such as aluminum or magnesium. The wheel has a wheel body and a rim, with balance weights on the axially inner side of the wheel body in positions such that they cannot be seen from the axially outer side of the wheel. The balance weights are releasably secured to two circular flanges on the radially inner surface of the rim. The flanges are located on opposite sides of the centerline of the wheel to achieve both static and dynamic balance. The balance weights may be of the saddle-type having two weights so that a weight is on both sides of the flange.

Abstract: An elongated tubular bumper beam for an automotive vehicle is of box-like cross-section. The bumper beam has upper and lower walls connected by outer and inner walls. A reinforcing web of generally S-shaped configuration interconnects the outer and inner walls. The bumper beam is preferably made of a lightweight material such as aluminum, magnesium or plastic.

Abstract: A latchable tilt mechanism for a steering column of a vehicle includes a first bracket attached to a sleeve of the steering column and a second bracket pivotally attached to the first bracket and operatively connected to a rotatable steering wheel of the steering column. The latchable tilt mechanism also includes a plurality of pawls pivotally attached to the second bracket and urged into engagement with a latching member. The latchable tilt mechanism has a lever which rotates the pawls out of engagement with the latching member. The pawls have a plurality of locking slots which are distinct from one another but which are configured to operate in concert to allow a discrete pawl to be restraining the steering column from tilting in one direction and another in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A vehicle parking brake cable actuating structure is provided. The structure includes a support member having a manually operable brake lever pivotally mounted thereon. A brake cable is connected to the brake lever. The brake lever is pivotable between a cable released position and a cable tensioned position. A pawl and ratchet are provided for maintaining the brake lever in the cable tensioned position. The ratchet includes a single ratchet tooth to thereby result in only one possible cable tensioned positioned maintained by the ratchet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a vehicle having a frame, and a plurality of wheel hubs, and a suspension system operatively connecting the wheel hubs to the frame is provided. The method and apparatus provide sensors for sensing angular relationships between the wheel hubs and the frame in multiple suspension positions, and a computer connected to the sensors for calculating camber, castor and toe based upon the sensed angular relationship and for displaying whether camber, caster and toe are within preset ranges.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel structure is provided for extending transversely across the width of a vehicle interior forwardly of a vehicle occupant seat. The instrument panel structure includes an upstanding backing plate having a layer of foam material thereon covered by a decorative covering. The backing plate is a unitary member formed of a plastic material. A pair of spaced apart elongated horizontally extending box-like protuberances are provided on one portion of the lower section of the backing plate in the path of occupant knee travel which may occur during sudden deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pad for a pedal such as a brake pedal on an automotive vehicle is formed of two components, namely a body of a moldable, relatively soft material, and an insert of a relatively hard material having raised lettering on one surface. The body is molded about the insert in a manner such that the insert is completely encased in the body except for the tips of the lettering which project through and are visible at the surface of the body. The body and insert are formed of compatible materials, preferably including polypropylene, causing them to adhere and bond to one another after being molded together.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle has a shelf formed with a multiplicity of parallel grooves and ridges to minimize reflected images and glare. The grooves and ridges are generally V-shaped with forwardly and rearwardly facing surfaces. The forwardly facing surfaces are each inclined upwardly and rearwardly at an angle selected to prevent reflection of light upwardly to the windshield and thence into the vehicle operator's eyes or glare directly from the shelf surface into the operator's eyes.

Abstract: A method of aiming a headlight for a vehicle includes removing a bulb from a headlight, installing an aiming device in the headlight in place of the bulb, and connecting the aiming device to a source of power to produce a laser beam. The method also includes locating the laser beam on an aiming screen placed in front of the vehicle and adjusting the position of the headlight, if necessary, to locate the laser beam at a predetermined position on the aiming screen.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring an instrument panel assembly from a pick-up station to the interior of an automotive vehicle body for installation while the body moves along a path spaced laterally from the pick-up station. A bridge is mounted for movement along a track which is parallel to the path. The bridge extends between the pick-up station and the path. A swing frame assembly is mounted on the bridge for movement between the pick-up station and the path. The swing frame assembly has a pivoted arm which swings about a generally vertical axis. The arm is swingable from a receiving position for picking up an instrument panel assembly at the pick-up station to a transfer position in which the instrument panel assembly may be introduced into the body and installed therein when the carriage moves along the bridge and the bridge moves in unison with the body. A second bridge spaced from the first bridge is in the direction of the vehicle body movement also moves along the track.