Abstract: A crosslinkable composition of matter is provided, which comprises first and second chain extended diepoxide resins, one or both of which are modified by reaction with hydroxy functional secondary amine and one or both of which are modified by reaction with certain secondary amine terminated or carboxy terminated butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer resin. The first resin, diene functional aminoepoxy resin, and the second resin, blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin, are co-reactive at elevated cure temperature. The diene functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional diene chain extending reactant and, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as monohydroxy functional diene, and certain modifying agents.

Abstract: Novel thermosetting, solvent-based, crosslinkable and chain-extendable coating compositions are provided. The coating compositions are suitable to be formulated as high solids coating compositions and comprise bis-diene oligomers, bis-dieneophile oligomers, crosslinking agent, organic solvent and, preferably, catalyst. The composition cures at elevated temperature to provide a coating on a substrate, such as sheet steel or the like, which is highly resistant to corrosion, humidity and solvents and provides corrosion protection for the substrate.

Abstract: A radially resilient caliper pin assembly for slideably mounting a disc brake caliper to a torque member comprises an elastomeric core and two preferably metal shell members bonded to the elastomeric core to form a split-shell case about the elastomeric core. The shell members each provide substantially flat outer surfaces adapted to lie against corresponding surfaces of the caliper pin receiving way.

Abstract: A crosslinkable composition of matter is provided, which comprises certain diene functional aminoepoxy resin and certain functional aminoepoxy blocked dieneophile resin, which two resins are co-reactive at elevated cure temperature. The diene functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional diene chain extending reactant and, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as monohydroxy functional diene. The blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional blocked dieneophile chain extending reactant and, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as monohydroxy functional blocked dieneophile. The composition may further comprise crosslinking agent reactive with hydroxy functionality of the resins. The crosslinkable composition of matter is useful in coating and other applications, especially solvent based primer coating compositions and cathodic electrocoating compositions.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly has a floating caliper interposed between two arms of a torque member. The caliper is mounted between the arms by two pin assemblies. Each pin assembly includes a radially compressible cylindrical sleeve substantially filled with elastomeric material and installed within an aperture formed by opposing slots within each of the torque member arms and caliper. The pin assembly has a first resilient rate when contracting from an unflexed position to a radially contracted second position which allows it to be fitted through the aperture. The pin assembly has a higher resilient rate when contracting from the second position to a further contracted third position.

Abstract: A constant cross-sectional area filament wound composite material leaf spring of optional energy storage efficiency given the constraints of filament winding and maximum spring width comprises a portion which widens toward the end of the spring, the rate of increase of width of the spring being such that the longitudinal side surfaces of the spring along such portions follow a lateral, outwardly convex curve of radius R.sub.I, wherein R.sub.I at each point is substantially equal to the camber, i.e., the longitudinal radius of curvature R.sub.C at that point.

Abstract: A crosslinkable composition of matter is provided, which comprises first and second chain extended diepoxide resins, one or both of which are prepared using an excess of diepoxide reactant and modified by reaction with hydroxy functional secondary amine. The first resin, diene functional aminoepoxy resin, and the second resin, blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin, are co-reactive at elevated cure temperature. The diene functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional diene chain extending reactant and, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as monohydroxy functional diene. The blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional blocked dieneophile chain extending reactant and, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as monohydroxy functional blocked dieneophile. The composition may further comprise crosslinking agent reactive with hydroxy functionality of the resins.

Abstract: High solids, solvent-based resin composition comprises novel chain-extendable, crosslinkable urethane modified polyhydroxy oligomers, crosslinking agent and, preferably, catalyst(s). The composition cures at elevated temperature to provide a coating on a substrate, such as steel, which is highly resistant to corrosion, humidity and solvents and provides corrosion protection for the substrate. The novel oligomers can be the reaction product of a polyol with a half-blocked diisocyanate, wherein said polyol comprises three or more hydroxy, and the half-blocked diisocyanate comprises the reaction product of an organic diisocyanate with approximately one molar equivalent of a monofunctional blocking agent.

Abstract: A self-crosslinkable resin and composition of matter comprising same is provided, which resin comprises certain diene functional blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin, which resin is self-crosslinkable at elevated cure temperature. The diene functional blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional diene chain extending reactant, mono-secondary amine functional blocked dieneophile and, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as mono-secondary amine functional diene and mono-secondary amine functional blocked dienophile. The composition may further comprise crosslinking agent reactive with hydroxy functionality of the resin. The crosslinkable composition of matter is useful in coating and other applications, especially solvent-based primer coating compositions and cathodic electrocoating compositions.

Abstract: A composite sandwich formed by enclosing a central resilient layer of a soft compressible material between two plate-shaped parts of foamable synthetic material and inserting the assembly into a cavity formed from two shells of prefabricated sheet metal. The resultant composite is subjected to a heat treatment for about 10 minutes at about 200.degree. C. so that the foamable material expands to fill the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for lubrication of the operating components of an internal combustion engine with accelerated heating of the lubricant during engine warmup, comprising (i) a primary circuit for lubricant recirculation including a primary reservoir adapted to receive lubricant drainage from the engine and a primary conduit adapted to return lubricant to the engine, (ii) means for pumping lubricant through the primary conduit to the engine, (iii) means for preheating the lubricant with heat produced by the engine employing a heat exchanger along the primary conduit, and (iv) an auxiliary lubricant reservoir and a return conduit providing fluid communication for the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary reservoir to the primary reservoir. A valve in the return line is controlled to permit flow of lubricant to the primary reservoir in response to a drop in the primary reservoir lubricant level.

Abstract: High solids, solvent-based resin composition comprises novel chain-extendable, crosslinkable urethane modified polyhydroxy oligomers, crosslinking agent and, preferably, catalyst(s). The composition cures at elevated temperature to provide a coating on a substrate, such as steel, which is highly resistant to corrosion, humidity and solvents and provides corrosion protection for the substrate. The novel oligomers can be the reaction product of a polyol with a half-blocked diisocyanate, wherein said polyol comprises three or more hydroxy, and the half-blocked diisocyanate comprises the reaction product of an organic diisocyanate with approximately one molar equivalent of a monofunctional blocking agent.

Abstract: A wear indicator for an automative driveline clutch comprises a base 20 fixed to the clutch housing 10, and a microswitch 16 mounted on a carrier 30. The carrier 30 is set in position by the first full disengagement movement of the clutch lever 12. The length of the aperture 32 is such that the lever 12 engages the microswitch 16 when the clutch linings are worn.

Abstract: Novel solvent-based thermosetting composition comprising (a) hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin of number average molecular weight (Mn) between about 1,000 and about 5,000, comprising the reaction product of diepoxide with diphenol, dicarboxylic acid and acid component comprising hydroxy functional acid and optionally further comprising fatty acid; and (b) polyfunctional, hydroxy-reactive crosslinking agent, for example, aminoplast crosslinking agent or blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent comprising isocyanate groups blocked by reaction with an active hydrogen bearing blocking agent. Coating composition may be formulated as primer sprayable with conventional spraying equipment.

Abstract: A mounting for an adjustable steering column comprising a support (6) for rotatably carrying a column member, a bracket (1) carrying the support, the support (6) being movable relative to the bracket in two mutually perpendicular directions, two rack and pinions sets (16,17,18,19 and 22,23,24,25) connected between the bracket (1) and the support (6) such that movement of the support (6) relative to the bracket in each of the mutually perpendicular directions causes the pinions (18,19,24,25) to roll relative to their racks (16,17,22,23) of respective rack and pinion sets, and clamping means (32,36,38) for clamping the bracket to the support by increasing the frictional forces opposing the relative movement of the racks and the pinions.

Abstract: A novel pre-form for a fiber reinforced synthetic material vehicle wheel comprises:a substantially planar spider portion comprising sheet molding compound comprising randomly oriented fiber reinforced resin, substantially all of which fiber is from about 0.5 to 2 inches in length;a first tubular section comprising fiber reinforced resin sheet surrounding said spider portion about an axis substantially normal to the plane of said spider portion; anda second tubular section surrounding and substantially coaxial with said first tubular section comprising fiber reinforced resin sheet, said fiber reinforced resin sheet of said first and second tubular sections preferably comprising random, chopped fiber of about 0.5 to 2 inches length and continuous fiber in a ratio of about from 1:1 to 1:4, respectively. A novel fiber reinforced synthetic material wheel is made by compression molding said pre-form.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal stop for an automotive clutch includes a stop member 20 which is moved along a ratchet 32 by the first full depression of the clutch pedal 12. The ratchet prevents return movement of the stop member so that the pedal stop 25 is set to a position which ensures a predetermined normal pedal position irrespective of manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: Novel solvent-based thermosetting composition comprising (a) hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin of number average molecular weight (Mn) between about 1,000 and about 5,000, comprising the reaction product of diepoxide with dicarboxylic acid and acid component comprising hydroxy functional acid and optionally further comprising fatty acid; and (b) polyfunctional, hydroxy-reactive crosslinking agent, for example, aminoplast crosslinking agent or blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent comprising isocyanate groups blocked by reaction with an active hydrogen bearing blocking agent. Coating composition may be formulated as primer sprayable with conventional spraying equipment.

Abstract: An improved axle clamp is required, particularly for use with composite material leaf springs, to securely fix the position of the leaf spring relative to the axle or other wheel carrying member such as in the suspension system of an automotive vehicle. The present invention provides an axle clamp comprising a clamp base (1) and a wedge insert (2). The clamp base provides a platform portion (3) and substantially parallel side walls (4A, 4B) extending from the platform portion to form a channel adapted to receive the wedge insert. The inner surface of at least one side wall of the clamp base provides a channel-widening concavity (5A, 5B). The wedge insert has a platform portion (7) and substantially parallel side walls (9A, 9B) extending from the platform portion forming an inner channel adapted to jacket a mid-portion of the leaf spring (10).

Abstract: Novel thermosetting, solvent-based, crosslinkable and chain-extendable coating compositions are provided. The coating compositions are suitable to be formulated as high solids coating compositions and comprise bis-diene oligomers, bis-dieneophile oligomers, crosslinking agent, organic solvent and, preferably, catalyst. The composition cures at elevated temperature to provide a coating on a substrate, such as sheet steel or the like, which is highly resistant to corrosion, humidity and solvents and provides corrosion protection for the substrate.