Abstract: A joint for brazing includes a male member having an external surface and a female receptacle having an internal surface. The external surface is positionable in face-to-face relationship with the internal surface when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle. A self-fixturing surface is provided on at least one of the male member and the female receptacle for centering the male member with respect to the female receptacle when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle and to provide substantially equal clearance between and around the male member and the female receptacle for proper capillary attraction of the metallic intermediate bonding material or filler alloy during brazing. The filler alloy is drawn by capillary attraction into the space between the meeting faces defined by the external surface of the male element and the internal surface of the female receptacle.

Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle includes an upper track slidably mounted in a lower track. A seat belt buckle mounting bracket is attached to the upper track and connects a fixed seat belt to the upper track. The seat belt buckle mounting bracket includes first and second angularly disposed legs, with the first leg attached to the upper track and the second leg attached to a fixed seat belt buckle. The attachment structure mounts the seat belt buckle mounting bracket in a first, normal operating position in which the second leg of the bracket extends upward from a side wall of the upper track. The attachment structure permits the seat belt buckle mounting bracket to rotate from the first position under a force applied through the fixed seat belt to a second position in which the second leg of the bracket is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the upper track to place the first and second legs of the bracket in tension with the applied force.

Abstract: A vehicle seat adjuster includes a pair of spaced upper tracks, each slidably mounted in one of a pair of lower tracks. A seat support arm connected to each upper track slidably extends through a slot formed in each lower track. A rod extends between each pair of track assemblies and releasably engages a notch formed in each support arm and one of a plurality of notches formed in the lower track to releasably lock the upper track in a stationary position relative to the lower track. A bearing conforming to the shape of the upper track is interposed between each upper and lower track. Support members are connected to each lower track to anchor each lower track to a vehicle floor. Cooperating resisting elements are formed in each upper and lower track pair and inter-engage under deforming load of the tracks and bearing to resist separation of the upper track from the lower track.

Abstract: A composite small-diameter tubing resistant to interaction with materials conveyed therethrough such as liquids containing alcohols or corrosive agents which includes a cylindrical outer metal conduit having a hollow central shaft extending longitudinally therethrough defined by an interior wall; and a continuous non-reactive interior tube surrounded by and positioned within the cylindrical metal conduit. The tubing can be manufactured by a process which includes the steps of a) positioning a length of non-reactive tubing having a predetermined outer diameter within an inner diameter of metal tubing of essentially corresponding length, the metal tube having an unsealed side seam, wherein the inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the non-reactive tubing; and b) sealing and reducing the metal tubing to an outer diameter essentially equal to the predetermined outer diameter of the interior tubing. The non-reactive interior tube may be made of a suitable polymeric material.

Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.

Abstract: A unitary assembly of tubing and an end fitting. The end fitting includes a threaded fastener fitting having a tubular bore extending therethrough. A conical transition is coaxially provided to the bore at the thread/hex interface where the bore constricts. The end of the tubing is coaxially impacted, expanded and sized to an external configuration and dimension that achieves an interference fit relative to the tubular bore through the end fitting. The non-expanded end of the tubing is inserted into the larger of the two bores in the end fitting passed the conical transition and through the smaller bore until it experiences interference from the expansion. The interference is overcome by pressing the expansion into the bore in the end fitting until the expansion is completely seated into the end fitting. The expanded tube and end fitting is machined coaxially using a five step tool.

Abstract: A floating-frame spot-type disc brake is described comprising a floating frame (1) guided in a manner axially displaceable on a brake carrier (12), and being furnished with two brake cylinders (2, 3) and two brake pistons (4, 5) directly acting on two axially inwardly disposed brake shoes (6, 7). The brake carrier (12) is located entirely on one side of the brake disc and no portion extends across the outer edge of the brake disc (15), so that the maximum diameter of the brake disc is limited only by the relatively thin sections of the floating frame (1) extending across the outer edge of the brake disc. Additional brake shoes (8, 9, 22), on the axially outer side, are fixed to the floating frame (1), in turn transmitting the circumferential force acting on the outer shoes occurring during braking, through a bolt guide (10), into the brake carrier (12).

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus includes first and second telescopingly arranged members. A non-deformable ring is mounted on one end of one of the members and engages a plurality of projections extending from the side wall of the other member. The projections extend longitudinally along the other member and are provided in various lengths, widths, heights and numbers to provide selective force versus displacement characteristics during the telescoping collapse of the first and second members with respect to each other. Preferably, the first and second members form a steering column housing for a vehicle steering apparatus.

Abstract: A spindle drive for a vehicle seat connected with an upper rail. According to this invention, an upper rail slides on the surface of a drive nut preferably made of plastic whose internal thread is engaged by the spindle. Advantageous further developments deal with improving the longitudinal guidance of the upper rail on the drive nut as well as with preventing the upper rail from radially moving away from the drive nut.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for hydraulic brake units with slip control is described which has a magnetic armature (2) surrounded by a valve dome (14), the magnetic armature (2) positioned by energization of a magnet coil (16), so that a valve needle (1) which is carried by the magnetic armature (2) is moved onto a valve seat (3). A hydraulic actuating force is generated by an arrangement causing the valve needle (1) to open even through the solenoid valve is energized causing the valve to act as a pressure relief or limiter valve.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a steering column stalk switch apparatus includes the steps of fixedly engaging a hub attached to an elongated shaft to one end of a hollow housing having apertures formed at opposite ends, movably mounting a button in one of the apertures in the housing, the button being movable between first and second positions and biased to the first position, mounting a first electrical contactor having first electrical contacts thereon in the button, movably mounting a second electrical contactor with second electrical contacts thereon in the housing, the first and second electrical contacts being co-planarly aligned, mounting a circuit board with conductive tracings in the housing such that the first and second contacts slidably engage the conductive tracings and complete circuits therebetween depending upon the position of the first and second electrical contacts, mounting the second electrical contactor on a movable carrier in the housing, biasingly mounting a detent paw on the carrier, alig

Abstract: A stuffer pin for mounting seals and a retainer element in a quick connector used with fluid conduits. The stuffer pin includes an integral shaft, an enlarged stop and a handle. Annular seal mounting portions are formed on the shaft for releasibly supporting seal elements. A ridge is formed on the shaft for releasibly engaging and mounting a retainer on the shaft. Resilient arms extend axially from an end of the shaft and have a larger nominal outer diameter than the diameter of the shaft to retain the seal elements on the shaft prior to insertion into a bore in a fluid carrying member. The resilient arms are bent radially inward when contacting a stepped bore in the fluid carrying member to enable release of the seals and retainer elements during withdrawal of the stuffer pin from the bore.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube suitable for use on motor vehicles composed of a cylindrical wall having an outer surface, and an inner surface essentially parallel to the outer surface. The cylindrical wall has a first region having an essentially uniform cross-sectional diameter and a second region which has a cross-sectional diameter differing from the essentially uniform cross-sectional diameter of the first region. The second region has at least one convolution or corrugation contiguously adjacent to the cylindrical wall of the first region.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The drive nut is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link.

Abstract: A squeeze-to-release quick connector for engaging a flanged male member includes a cylindrical body portion which is open at one end for receiving the male member and forms a conduit receiving adapter at its opposite end. An annular retainer ring is axially spaced from the open end and is attached to the body portion by two circumferentially opposed, generally parallel axially elongated beam members. Each beam member is affixed at one end to the retaining ring and at an opposed end to a mount located on the body portion axially spaced from the open end. Two circumferentially spaced detents extend inwardly from a retaining ring to capture the male abutment surface to effect positive engagement therebetween. The opposed ends of the beam members extends axially beyond an abutment surface of the detents and is spaced from the detents. A finger is formed on each detent extending axially from the abutment surface of the detent toward the open end of the body portion and is spaced from the adjacent beam member.

Abstract: The invention is related to a spot-type disc brake with a stationary brake carrier (19) at which a floating caliper (1) is slidingly guided which straddles the edge of a brake disc (10), with two brake cylinders (11, 12) which are positioned on the internal axial side of the brake disc (10) aside each other and whose brake pistons (13, 14) act on the brake shoes (5, 7) which are arranged on the same axial side and in circumferential direction of the brake disc (10) at a distance from each other. According to the invention a third brake shoe (6) is fixed on the external axial side of the brake disc (10) to the floating caliper (1), which brake shoe is positioned staggered in such a manner that its friction area point of gravity (36) comes to be arranged substantially between the other two brake shoes (5, 7) in the circumferential direction of the brake disc (10). Braking noises and brake rubbing are eliminated by this arrangement.

Abstract: A method for producing polymeric tubing which is resistant to permeation by organic material contained therein which has at least one region defined by a plurality of outwardly extending annular ridges. In this method, tubular polymeric material having a first outer diameter and composed of at least three overlying polymeric layers is introduced into a mold device upon exit of the tubular polymeric material from a suitable extrusion device, the surface of the mold device having at least one region defined by an annular depression in an essentially cylindrical surface. Once the tubular material is introduced, it is expanded to a second outer diameter such that the tubular material deformably contacts the mold surface. The corrugated tubular material then exits from the die device after completion of the expansion step.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The drive nut is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link.

Abstract: A steering column mounted stalk switch apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a hub fixedly mounted at one end. The hub fixedly engages one end of a hollow knob housing. An aperture is formed in the opposite end of the housing and movably receives a button therein having at least one electrical contact mounted thereon. A carrier is slidably mounted in the housing for movement between a plurality of discrete positions and includes a projection extending externally through a side wall of the housing. Electrical contacts are mounted on the carrier and engage conductive tracings on the circuit board as the carrier is moved between the discrete positions.

Abstract: A hinge and check assembly for checking the door of a motor vehicle when in the open position. The assembly provides a base having check profiles formed therein to establish predetermined check positions. The assembly also provides a strap that provides a spring biased contact surface for engaging the check profiles formed in the base. The strap is pivotally connected to the base through a pivot pin that defines a hinge axis, and the strap is allowed to rotate with the door of the vehicle about the hinge axis. Upon rotation of the strap, the contact surface follows the check profile and establishes a predetermined check position. The check profiles are perpendicular to the pivot pin, and the contact surfaces are perpendicular to the check profiles so that the check force applied to the pivot pin is in an axial direction. By having the check force applied axially to the pivot pin, deformation and wear to the pivot pin and its associated bushing does not occur.