Abstract: In the preferred form a locking plate comprises a small rigid sheet of metal having a longitudinal axis of symmetry along which a generally rectangular central aperture extends. The central aperture has transversely opposed internal side edges and longitudinally opposed arcuate end edges. The central aperture defines a pair of spaced apart longitudinal side straps bent upwardly from the plane of the locking plate and a pair of spaced apart transverse arcuate end bases. Each base plate is formed with an arcuate slot with the slots having a common center of curvature located at the axis midpoint and subtending a predetermined central angle. The central aperture internal side edges juxtaposed diametrically opposite side flanks of the hex-head enabling a fastener to be received in each arcuate slot and an underlying one of a pair of diametrically opposed threaded bores so as to lock the hex-head in its tightened position.

Abstract: A vehicle park interlock system has a gearshift selector assembly coupled with an ignition locking slider receiving mechanism. The system prohibits the vehicle gearshift from being moved from a park position without the vehicle ignition mechanism being unlocked, e.g. in an off, on or start position.

Abstract: A one-piece guide sleeve for a vehicle seatback headrest support post enabling infinite vertical movement of the headrest. The guide sleeve provides integral locking prongs which normally apply frictional self-effort force to the support post. Conforming notches on the post are adapted to trap the prongs in a self-locking manner to prevent unintentional removal of the headrest assembly from the seatback.

Abstract: An automotive front suspension strut upper mounting arrangement providing a compact low profile design requiring a minimal number of parts. The suspension spring rebound load is placed on a lower rebound stop member of the mount and the suspension jounce load is placed on an upper jounce stop member of the mount. As a result the upper jounce stop member provides an installation pilot for ready assembly while the lower rebound member is fixed to the vehicle body allowing the strut rod freedom to move relative to the strut thrust bearing.

Abstract: One-piece plastic actuation button for a vehicle seat adjuster providing ready snap-in interlocking capture of the button in a panel elongated opening while permitting smooth reciprocal travel therein. The button comprises an elongated head portion having its undersurface formed with a coextensive guide channel sized to receive therein a tongue portion of a seat adjust lever. The channel cooperates with upper and lower vertically spaced stem portions projecting normally from the button face to swing the tongue and operate the release lever. The upper stem portion is a push-in retainer comprising bifurcated mirror-image hook-halves defining a slotted intermediate space therebetween and two opposed outwardly divergent slopes terminating in a pair of undercut locking shoulders.

Abstract: A vehicle spare tire hanger arrangement comprises an elongated carrier member suspended from the vehicle by together with first and second holding rods depending from the vehicle underside for storing either a minimum or a maximum thickness spare tire substantially horizontally therebelow. The carrier member comprises a main tire support portion having first and second connectors adjacent each end thereof with each connector offset a predetermined dimension from one side of the main support portion. The first holding rod lower end is attached to the first end connector by a universal hinge assembly enabling the carrier member, upon release of the second holding rod from the second connector, to be pivoted about a transverse horizontal axis from a horizontal tire stowage position to a downwardly angled tire removal position.

Abstract: A seat belt strap assembly allowing for longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat such that it maintains and restores an anchor strap pivotally secured to the seat fixed base. The tether assembly comprises an elastic band having each free end thereof engaged by one of a pair of identical plastic retainer clips. Each retainer clip is adapted for ready snap-in insertion in an associated one of a pair of normally opposed elongated apertures formed in the anchor strap and the seat side shield, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for attaching a flexible elastomeric panel integrally formed with one or more female connectors to an automotive body support surface having one or more associated male connectors in a blind assembly connection. Each female connector comprises a cutting-tooth shaped notch molded in an attaching flange of the panel while the male connector comprises a elongated stem projecting from the support surface. The elongated stem includes a backing plate positioned in parallel spaced relation to the support surface defining a layered gap therebetween. The panel flange is moved into flush contact with the support surface enabling the support flange to be received in a layer-like gap with the stem adapted to be received in a lean-in passage of the female connector.

Abstract: A vehicle dual function tow hook bent from one length of steel bar stock into a generally P-shaped member so as to be available for either a tie-down line, a towing line, or a tow bar. The tow hook comprises upper and lower longitudinally extending rod-stem portions having their aft ends terminating in upper and lower eyelet portions separated by a gap for receiving a substructure flange of the vehicle therein. With the eyelet portion central openings aligned with an aperture in a flange a single fastener secures the tow hook on the flange. The upper rod-stem portion has a length at least twice the length of the lower rod-stem portion while the lower rod-stem portion forward end terminates in a bend portion joined to a downwardly sloped rod-angled portion. The forward ends of the upper rod-stem portion and the rod-angled portion are joined by an open loop portion available for a towing or tie-down line.

Abstract: A vehicle park interlock system has a column mounted ignition pin locking slider receiving device adapted to couple with an ignition pin locking slider of the ignition system of the vehicle. The ignition pin locking slider receiving device is coupled with a gearshift selector assembly forming the system. The system prohibits the vehicle gearshift from being moved from a park position without the vehicle ignition mechanism being unlocked, e.g. in an off, on, or start position.

Abstract: A pair of separable hinge assemblies mount a seat cushion on a vehicle for positioning between a rearwardly folded regular seating mode and a forwardly folded stored mode. The hinge assemblies each comprise a body-half hinge plate mounted to the vehicle body and a seat-half hinge plate mounted to the seat cushion hardened undersurface. The body-half plate has upstanding side webs each formed with open end mirror image slots adapted to releasably capture a pintle pin extending transversely between parallel ear portions of the seat-half hinge plate. Each ear portion includes mirror image first and second cam shoulders adapted to frictionally retain the hinge assemblies in their respective seating or folded modes. Upon placement of the seat cusion in an intermediate position both sets of cam shoulders of each seat-half hinge plate are spaced from their associated body-half plate camming surfaces.

Abstract: An improved strutless synchronizer wherein a composite blocker ring is composed of fiber reinforced thermosetting resin. The blocker ring is uniquely designed with three radially extending external detent bumps equally spaced about the ring. The detent bumps provide interference to the passage of three sets of corresponding internal cam-like tall teeth formed on the synchronizer sleeve as the sleeve is moved axially to engage clutching teeth of a ratio gear. Initially the tall teeth contact their associated detent bumps loading the ring internal clutch cone surface on the ratio gear external clutch cone surface. As the sleeve continues to move, the tall teeth ride over the detent bumps and resiliently compress the blocker ring thereby generating the required break-through load of the synchronizer enabling the sleeve to pass the blocker ring and lockingly engage the ratio gear clutch teeth.

Abstract: A self-adjusting gear shift lever assembly serving as a link in the shift cable connection between the transmission and the shift lever providing a spring preload on the shift cable and fastener means for adjusting backlash and build tolerances in the shift cable. Two embodiments of the assembly each include a relatively rotatably interconnected lever member and clamp plate. One embodiment has a D-shaped opening formed in the clamp plate for being secured to the transmission shift shaft, with the fastener means on the clamp plate and pin means on the lever member for mounting the end of the shift cable, and a tension spring between the lever member and clamp plate. The other embodiment has the D-shaped opening formed in the lever member, with the fastener means on the lever member and the pin mounting means on the clamp plate, and a compression spring between the lever member and clamp plate.

Abstract: An automobile transmission shift fork has its free branch ends formed with diametrically opposed notches with each notch engaging an improved plastic insert adapted to be received in an annular groove of a shift element. The insert has individual side walls interconnected by an intermediate spacer block designed for fixed conforming reception in an associated branch end notch. This arrangement substantially increases the effective insert side wall thrust face area relative to the groove abutting radial side thrust surface obviating the need to increase the depth of an existing shift element groove. The insert has an indented stop wall which engages its associated notch back wall upon fixed reception in its notch. The spacer block exceeds the notch depth by a predetermined differential dimension establishing paired insert raised edges adapted to ride on the annular groove base surface eliminating metal-to-metal contact therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle plastic panel is mounted by means of a one-piece molded screw anchor on a substructure member in a bi-directional tolerance compensating manner. The screw anchor is adapted for snap-in capture in a substructure elongated rectangular aperture enabling it to slide along the aperture major axis. Upon the insertion of a self-tapping screw in a panel circular opening overlying the screw anchor, the screw tip enters the anchor upper lead-in chamber. If the screw and anchor are misaligned, the screw tip contacts a subjacent one of a pair of opposed anchor ramped side surface portions whereby the anchor is cammed for limited adjustment along the aperture major axis. The anchor ramped surface portions terminate in a lower, elongated channel extending transverse to the major axis. The anchor base wall is adapted to be threadably engaged upon driving the screw at a piercing point in vertical alignment with the panel opening.

Abstract: A one piece plastic vent cap having its open end adapted for receiving one end of a flexible hollow conduit with the conduit other end connected to a vent hole in a housing enclosing a vehicle component. The vent cap closed end if formed a central stem element projecting axially therefrom with a plurality of radial ribs interconnecting the stem element with the cap cylindrical side wall. The ribs are L-shaped defining with the central stem element a concentric space adapted for flexibly receiving one end of the conduit with the stem element telescoped within the conduit passage. Upon the conduit being inserted in the cap the conduit internal and external surfaces cooperate with the cap structure to define axial inner and outer flow passages communicating with a crossover flow passage allowing ventilation of the housing to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A pliers-type hand tool for assembling a cable fitting to a manual operable gearshift mechanism by use of a spring metal clip retainer.

Abstract: An alternative attaching arrangement for a seat structure side shield panel providing ready installation and positive retention of the panel. An existing integral raised C-shaped connector, molded on the inner surface of the side shield panel, is adapted to engage an outwardly extending slotted pivot pin of the recliner apparatus of certain seat structures. An oversize seat structure, however, requires modification to accommodate the side shield panel. The present invention provides a unique U-shaped add-on metal clip which is readily snap-fitted on the C-shaped connector at a predetermined locked orientation so as to releasably engage the slotted pivot pin of the oversize seat structure.

Abstract: An improved fastening arrangement provides for easy and quick attachment of a convertible top boot to a vehicle body. A plurality of plastic J-section fastener strips each have a forwardly extending planar pad portion, an intermediate arcuate resilient web portion, and a rearwardly extending hook-shaped portion. The pad portion is adapted for flush mounting to the underside of a boot backing panel by a plurality of rivets. The hook-shaped portion free edge is formed with an enlarged locking bead coextensive therewith. A retainer member, mounted on the body upper deck aft of the storage well, provides a transversely extending upwardly opening lead-in gap and subjacent enlarged furrow. The bead is adapted for releasable engagement in a self-seeking manner in undercut fittable retainer groove of the furrow upon snap-action passage through the lead-in gap that is hidden from view by the overlying boot.

Abstract: A two-piece cable mounting arrangement is provided for a vehicle gearshift mechanism support base comprising an upper-half section and a bottom-half section of molded synthetic plastic material adapted to receive a pair of tubular cable guides end fittings therebetween. An upstanding bolt is fixed to the support base and extends through a central boss integral with the bottom-half section. The bottom-half section includes a pair of support blocks having concave troughs cradling an associated end fitting on either side of the boss. The upper-half section has a central wall portion receiving the bolt therethrough whereby the wall portion rests on the boss. The wall portion is formed with a pair of downwardly facing concave half-circle sectioned shell portions matching the pair of concave troughs such that each end fitting is captured between its associated lower trough and upper shell portions. The wall portion has an undercut locating notch interlocking with an upstanding tongue portion of the base.