Abstract: A seat adjuster mounts a vehicle seat for back and forth adjustment between different functional positions and is adapted to lock the seat in each selected position. When the seat back is tilted forwardly, the seat adjuster releases the seat to enable the seat to move fully forwardly to an entry position. A mechanical memory is incorporated in the seat adjuster and, when the seat is shifted rearwardly following forward movement to its entry position, the mechanical memory automatically stops the seat in its last-established functional position.

Abstract: A swivel for connecting a cable to a lever of a parking brake release mechanism is made as a unitary sheet metal stamping having a flat body portion, an end flange projecting laterally from one end of the body portion and parallel side flanges projecting laterally from the side edges of the body portion with the side flanges merging with the side edges of the end flange. The end flange is perpendicular to the body portion and each side flange is perpendicular both to the body portion and to the end flange. The opposite end of the body portion is pivotally connected to the lever and an enlarged head on the end of the cable is inserted through a window in the body portion and then the cable is moved through a slot in the body portion to a connecting slot in the end flange so that the head on the cable bears against the end flange.

Abstract: A rivet having a cylindrical head portion, a cylindrical shoulder portion of reduced diameter and a tenon portion of further reduced diameter is projected through first and second parts which are to be fastened together. The head portion abuts one side of the first part, the shoulder portion extends a substantial distance through an opening in the first part and the tenon portion projects through and beyond a hole in the second part. An axial bore opens through the head portion and extends into the shoulder portion but stops short of the tenon portion, the bore terminating in an end wall. A first tool is projected into the bore and bears against the end wall to place substantially all of the shoulder portion in tension and to hold the rivet while a second tool engages the tenon portion to deform the latter and form an enlargement engaging the second part, the tenon portion thereby being in compression.

Abstract: The legs of the landing gear of a semi-trailer may be automatically extended and retracted by a pneumatically operated actuator adapted to be connected to the crankshaft of the landing gear and adapted to rotate the cross-shaft of the landing gear selectively in either direction at a high or low speed. The crankshaft is rotated by gears and ratchets which are driven by pawls adapted to be reciprocated by an air-actuated cylinder and adapted to be alternately positioned in active and inactive positions. The flow of pressurized air to the cylinder is controlled by a cycle valve and an on-off valve, the latter being capable of turning off the actuator automatically when the legs are fully retracted.

Abstract: The legs of the landing gear of a semi-trailer may be automatically extended and retracted by a pneumatically operated actuator adapted to be connected to the crankshaft of the landing gear and adapted to rotate the cross-shaft of the landing gear selectively in either direction at a high or low speed. The crankshaft is rotated by gears and ratchets which are driven by pawls adapted to be reciprocated by an air-actuated cylinder and adapted to be alternately positioned in active and inactive positions. The flow of pressurized air to the cylinder is controlled by a cycle valve and an on-off valve, the latter being capable of turning off the actuator automatically when the legs are fully retracted.

Abstract: A transmission selector is mounted on the floor of an automobile by elastomeric S-shaped straps which permit the selector to move back and forth in a longitudinal direction while holding the selector substantially rigid in vertical and transverse directions.

Abstract: A trailer coupler includes mounting wings which straddle and are welded to the outer sides of the webs of I-beams which form the A-frame tongue of the trailer. A tongue projects rearwardly from the coupler into the space between the webs and is welded to the inner sides of the webs to increase the load-carrying capacity of the coupler.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises a piston assembly slidable in a cylinder closed at one end and open at the other with a rod connected to the piston assembly and projecting through the open end of the cylinder. This open end is sealed by a sealing assembly and the interior of the cylinder contains a body of oil and a gas under pressure. The sealing assembly includes a shell of resilient material with one annular portion in sealing engagement with the rod, a second annular portion in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the cylinder, and a cavity containing a reservoir of oil. When the pressure in the cavity is less than the pressure in the cylinder, the inner portion of the shell collapses and, when the pressure differential is reversed, the inner end of the shell opens to permit oil to flow from the cavity to the cylinder. In either case, however, the action of the shell is such as to maintain the sealing action of each annular portion of the shell.

Abstract: A cap for accommodating an overflow of brake fluid from a master cylinder reservoir and for venting the reservoir to atmosphere. The cap is formed from two cup-shaped members adapted to be telescoped together with a snap fit and adapted, when telescoped together, to define an overflow chamber and to define a labyrinth-like passage for venting the chamber to atmosphere.

Abstract: A pivoted linkage is associated with an anti-sway mechanism in such a manner as to enable the mechanism to retard lateral sway of a trailer while preventing the mechanism from restricting forward surging of the trailer. As a result of the linkage, the anti-sway mechanism does not interfere with the operation of a surge brake actuator having pivotally interconnected front and rear units.

Abstract: An electrically conductive gas spring for use in opening and closing a hinged deck lid of an automotive vehicle and for transmitting electric current to current consuming devices on the deck lid by way of an electrical path which extends between terminal connectors at opposed ends of the spring. The terminal connectors each have integrally formed mounting apertures which are of smaller size than a respective terminal pin upon which the connector is mounted such that the connector tightly and securely engages the outer perimeter of the terminal pin in electrically conductive relation without the need for auxilary threaded fasteners or the like. In one embodiment, the terminal connectors further serve to secure end mounting fittings to the ends of the gas spring without additional fastening means.

Abstract: A ball coupler assembly for a gooseneck hitch is described for attachment to a truck having an upstanding coupler ball mounted thereon which extends upwardly from the bed of the truck. The hitch assembly of this invention is secured to the lower end of an adjustable jack at the forward end of the trailer or the like. The hitch comprises a support member having a ramp-like guide at the forward end thereof adapted to guide the coupler ball into coupling position. A coupler is mounted on the support member and extends upwardly therefrom and has an open lower end adapted to receive the coupler ball therein. A slide member is slidably mounted on the support member below the coupler opening and is movable between forward, intermediate and rearward positions. A locking mechanism is mounted on the support member and permits the slide to be moved rearwardly with respect to the hitch so that the coupler ball may be received within the coupling.

Abstract: A trailer is adapted to be hitched to a towing vehicle by a surge brake actuator which includes pivotally interconnected forward and rear units. When the rear unit moves forwardly relative to the forward unit, a plunger assembly is moved to a braking position to actuate a master cylinder and apply the trailer brakes. The disclosure pertains to (1) the construction and operation of the plunger assembly (2) the construction and mounting of the master cylinder (3) a friction lock for holding a breakaway cable in an emergency position when the trailer breaks away from the towing vehicle and (4) a clamping and latching mechanism for releasably coupling the forward unit of the actuator to a hitch ball on the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A ball socket assembly having a ball received in a socket member to swivel relative to the latter with the ball initially inserted into a first end portion of an elongated slot in the socket member and then shifted to the second end portion of the slot. A flange is formed on the socket member at the opening of the slot generally around the second end portion thereof to retain the ball in the socket member and a wedge is slidable in the socket member across the first end of the slot to assume an active position in which it holds the ball in the second end portion of the slot. A lip on the wedge engages the ball and holds the wedge in the active position.

Abstract: A trailer is adapted to be hitched to a towing vehicle by a surge brake actuator which includes pivotally interconnected forward and rear units. When the rear unit moves forwardly relative to the forward unit, a plunger assembly is moved to a braking position to actuate a master cylinder and apply the trailer brakes. The disclosure pertains to (1) the construction and operation of the plunger assembly (2) the construction and mounting of the master cylinder (3) a friction lock for holding a breakaway cable in an emergency position when the trailer breaks away from the towing vehicle and (4) a clamping and latching mechanism for releasably coupling the forward unit of the actuator to a hitch ball on the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A rivet for pivotally securing a link to a bracket and adapted to compensate for tolerance variations in the thickness of the link and the bracket. A substantially hemispherical recess is formed in the shank end of the rivet while a counter-recess defined by a substantially hemispherical recess and by a frustoconical recess is formed in the head of the rivet.

Abstract: A gas spring comprising a cylinder having a closed end and an open end with the rod of a piston projecting into the cylinder through the open end and a sealing assembly surrounding the rod adjacent the open end of the cylinder and normally sealing the interior of the cylinder from the surrounding atmosphere. The sealing assembly includes an annular resilient sealing member having surfaces which are in sealing engagement with the rod and the inner wall of the cylinder and a plurality of protuberances are formed on the inner wall of the cylinder and are located inwardly of the normal position of the sealing member. When the open end of the cylinder is placed in communication with a gas under pressure, the gas moves the sealing member into engagement with the protuberances so that openings are formed between the member and the inner wall of the cylinder and the gas flows into the cylinder through these openings.

Abstract: A seat is supported in a vehicle by a swivel platform which is clamped to a base in such a manner as to be free to turn but which, at the same time, is tied to the floor of the vehicle by straps so as to prevent the platform from pulling loose from the base during a collision. An axially slit and radially split bearing ring supports the platform for turning on the base.

Abstract: A gas spring for movable members such as vehicle deck lids in which a piston assembly carried on the end of a rod slides back and forth in a cylinder to expand and contract the spring. The cylinder is sealed at the head end and also around the rod and is filled with a combination of oil and a gas under pressure. The piston assembly is such that the passage of oil and gas from one side to the other is restricted as the spring is expanded by extending the rod and this produces a dampening action but the restriction is eliminated when the spring is contracted so that there is virtually no dampening effect. The sealing assembly around the rod includes sealing means, an oil reservoir disposed inwardly of the sealing means and capillary passages communicating with the reservoir. Capillary action maintains a body of oil between the sealing means and the gas in the cylinder irrespective of the angular attitude of the spring.

Abstract: A gas spring for movable members such as vehicle deck lids in which a piston assembly carried on the end of a rod slides back and forth in a cylinder to expand and contract the spring. The cylinder is sealed at the head end and also around the rod and is filled with a combination of oil and gas under pressure. The piston assembly is such that the passage of oil and gas from one side to the other is restricted as the spring is expanded by extending the rod and this produces a dampening action but the restriction is eliminated when the spring is contracted so that there is virtually no dampening effect. The head end of the cylinder is closed by a plug which includes an inner portion carrying an O-ring to form a seal between the plug and the cylinder and an outer portion with peripheral teeth which bite into the cylinder wall and hold the plug in place.