Abstract: A coupling device for tubing for use in pressurized fluid systems and having a locking and unlocking actuator lever supported by an annulus in a flexible manner producing a mild bending movement of the annulus corresponding to pivotal movements of the lever.

Abstract: An arrangement for readily joining a plastic handgrip knob to a metal gearshift rod in a positive non-slip manner. The handgrip includes a plastic core member molded with an axial blind bore defining a linear key therein extending a predetermined axial distance from the upper terminus at the bore closed end to its lower terminus spaced from the bore open end. The junctures of the key sides with the internal surface of the bore define a pair of fillets coextensive with the key with the fillets being tapered from a maximum chordal distance at the key lower terminus to minimum chordal distance at the bore closed end. The rod is formed with a keyway extending from the rod upper end a predetermined distance sufficient to receive the key therein.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement and method of manufacture for clamping synthetic resin panels to a workpiece such as a vehicle metal substructure. A composite joint pad has a plate-like metal bushing pre-molded therein. The bushing comprises a raised central embossment having an exposed portion terminating in an arcuate sectioned rim extremity positioned a predetermined distance outwardly from the bonding face of the pad. Upon the bushing exposed embossment being received in a panel aperture, the pad's face is bonded to a panel mating surface with the rim flush with an adjacent surrounding surface of the panel. This enables the pad's arcuate sectioned rim to be clampingly attached to the substructure by means of a threaded fastener being overdriven in the bushing stem without causing stress on the panel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing is disclosed for the installation of a one piece damper member for retaining the midpoint of a torsion tube on the torsional axis of a channel-shaped cross beam vehicle rear axle. The damper member is formed during the axle assembly line advancement by injecting a first mass of hardenable urethane paste material into a side gap portion and arcuate shaped central gap portion of a D-shaped recess defined intermediate the channel interior and the tube. A second mass of the urethane paste material is injected into the remaining side gap portion and channel upper open end space. As an adjunct to the axle being advanced through assembly line washing, wax coating and heat treating operations the first and second masses coalesce and attain an accelerated final curing of the tube retaining damper member.

Abstract: A modular parts supply rack is provided for supplying a plurality of containers filled with small parts from a loading end to a delivery end for use by vehicle assembly line operators and for return of empty nested containers from the delivery end to the loading end. The rack comprises a pair of upstanding spaced apart side walls which are connected together by a plurality of detachably mounted support bars. A plurality of side-by-side slide members extend between pairs of support bars and are detachably secured thereto.

Abstract: A clip mounting structure is provided which is attachable to a vehicle body without use of fixtures. This is done by initially providing the mounting structure with spacer tabs. The spacer tabs are positioned with respect to an available reference location, such as another previously mounted molding or panel. The tabs are break-away structures and are removed after the mounting structure is secured in place. The clip mounting structure is then used to secure a molding in place.

Abstract: A method for reading the barometric pressure surrounding a vehicle and manifold absolute pressure from an engine utilizing a manifold absolute pressure sensor and a solenoid to vent the sensor to atmosphere as controlled by an electronic control system for an engine to measure the barometric pressure and to vent the sensor to manifold pressure to measure the manifold absolute pressure.

Abstract: A cable strap is provided for securing a cable to a panel. The cable includes a tubular sheath having longitudinally spaced apart annular grooves on the outer surface thereof. The cable strap comprises a flexible strap having a buckle at one end for reception of the other end of the strap to secure the cable strap to the cable. A fastener is provided on the outer surface of the strap for securement to a panel. Teeth are provided on the inner surface of the strap to engage the tubular sheath and prevent rotation or movement longitudinally of the sheath with respect to the cable strap.

Abstract: A flair molding arrangement for a vehicle wheel opening wherein the molding is formed of plastic with a generally right angled L-shaped section defining inner and outer legs. A plurality of spring metal clips are formed with inner and outer arms oriented at a predetermined interior acute angle. The molding outer leg hidden surface has an inwardly facing channel formed along its free edge for receiving each clip outer arm therein. The molding inner leg hidden surface has a plurality of raised lugs formed therealong adapted to lockingly capture an associated clip inner arm whereby a lug through-bore is aligned with a hole in the clip inner arm.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for developing a point on one end of a vehicle molding which is initially fabricated as an extruded member of a resinous material of a first color with a uniform transverse cross-section. A longitudinal extending layer of a second color is adhered to a portion of the exterior surface leaving a second longitudinal portion of the exterior surface of the first color. The pointed end is provided by first cutting a wedge shaped section out of one end of the molding, pressing the ends of the molding together in an injection mold and then reforming the end of the molding in the desired pointed configuration by the injection of liquid resinous material into the mold.

Abstract: A firmware/hardware electronic digital speedometer connected to a vehicle multi-measurand data communications system maintains virtually no flicker in the display of digital numbers in a digital display unit such as a vacuum fluorescent display during movement of a vehicle when no change in speed is apparent. A speed sensor supplies speed information to a first computing unit which establishes an accumulated count of speed during a first interval. Then the first computing unit supplies over a communications link the speed count to a second computing unit at a rate that approximates the update rate of the display unit. The second computing unit processes the speed data in a particular manner to effect the virtually flicker-free updating of the display and improved accuracy.

Abstract: A switching device with a normally open electrical condition which engages contacts in response to a rise in fluid pressure for the purpose of activating an associated electric powered device such as a fuel pump in an automobile when pressures are much greater than zero.

Abstract: A container construction is provided having an erected configuration and a storage configuration. The container construction comprises a pallet, a sidewall structure, a divider and a lid. These elements may be erected into a container construction or disassembled from an erected container construction and formed into storage packs. The divider extends between oppositely disposed sidewall members. A reinforcing clip is provided at each upper juncture of the divider and sidewall structure.

Abstract: An improved strutless synchronizer has an annular spring interposed between an internally splined sleeve, mounted for axial sliding movement on a main shaft, and an associated blocking ring. Selected ones of the sleeve splines are formed at the extremities with radially inwardly extending teeth. Each of the teeth has a dual chamfered face portion in opposed relation with the annular spring. The blocking ring has three equally spaced lugs each formed with a transverse groove sized to axially capture the annular spring so as to allow the spring freedom to rotate in its grooves relative to the blocking ring. Each time the sleeve is moved toward meshed engagement with an associated main shaft ratio gear its spline teeth chamfered faces compress the spring at random points thereby minimizing spring wear. Also, the grooves, by positively retaining the spring, insure instant unloading of the blocking ring.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for use in mounting an auxiliary seat on a vertical body wall of a vehicle such as a pickup truck extended cab. The hinge assembly comprises a seat-half banana hinge member and a body-half bracket hinge member for rotating the auxiliary seat between a first vertical stowed position and a second horizontal seating position. The bracket hinge has a pair of vertically extending side walls each formed with an oblique guide slot so as to movably support one end of a spring rod for reciprocal travel therein. A cam track having forward and rear notched detents is formed on each bracket hinge member side wall and is adapted for capturing a respective one of a pair of cam followers mounted adjacent each end of the spring rod. An overcenter tension spring urges the cam followers into rolling engagement with their associated jump motion cam track providing quick-return capture of the followers into their associated forward or rear notched detents.

Abstract: A spring-assisted transfer case fork assembly for shifting a synchronizer clutch sleeve from its neutral position to complete lockup of its internal splines with external splines on a transmission shaft speed-change gear. The invention uniquely arranges a dual spring biased bracket on the fork shift rail allowing subsequent lagging travel of the shifting mechanism. The shift fork assembly is affixed to a tube member with forward and aft tube portions adapted to slide on the rail for reciprocal travel between its neutral and complete lock-up positions. A first compression spring operates to constantly bias the bracket's one flange in predetermined space relation with the tube member's opposed end. A second weaker compression spring biases the bracket aft flange forwardly into abutment with the tube member's other end.

Abstract: Adjustment means are provided to properly position a vehicle bumper assembly. The vehicle bumper assembly includes bumper structure and energy absorbing devices which mount it to vehicle structure. The adjustment means comprise threaded structure permitting rotative motion to move the energy absorbing devices in an axial direction. The threaded structure is adapted to move the bumper assembly a predetermined measured amount measured by opening means which provide for detachable fastening of the assembly in place.

Abstract: Height of a front end of a motor vehicle equipped with torsion bars is measured and adjusted by a jouncing device that compensates for initial height loss of the front suspension system of new vehicles due to the setting of front end components.

Abstract: A switching device operated in response to changes in fluid pressure, including a housing supporting a switch conductor and including a movable terminal support which is insertably attached to the housing, the terminal having a contact surface thereon in sliding engagement with an exposed surface of the conductor to maintain electrical continuity even while there is relative insertive movement between the housing and support member.