Abstract: The present invention provides a heat shield for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The shield comprises three metal layers shaped to conform generally to the shape of a high temperature portion of said exhaust system; said metal layers having substantially the same shape and extending in face-to-face adjacency with one layer positioned between the other two layers; all three metal layers being substantially identical.

Abstract: In a multi-link hinge assembly for a rear deck lid or front hood for an automobile, a torsional coil spring is mounted with its coil coaxial to or proximate to a pivotal connection of the hinge assembly with arms of the coil spring engaging members of the hinge assembly to bias them for pivoting about the pivotal connection. The torsional coil spring provides enhanced “pop-up” of the lid or hood on initial unlocking and can reduce the need for or size of a primary biasing mechanism to assist in opening the lid or hood.

Abstract: A cross car structure member including a beam comprising a hollow extended aluminum metal tube extending across the vehicle between the vehicle pillars, preferably, with the interior of the tube being used as a heating, ventilating and air conditioning duct.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rocker arm assembly for an internal combustion engine comprising an elongate rocker arm having a pushrod engaging portion proximate one end, a valve stem engaging portion proximate its other end, and a socket-forming recess inbetween the ends with an aperture therethrough, retaining stud means extending through the aperture, part-ball-means retained on the stud means within the socket-forming recess forming with the recess a ball-in-socket type coupling of the rocker arm and stud means for relative articulated movement, the improvement wherein a plurality of ball bearings are arranged in a part spherical array to bear loading beteeen the recess and the part-ball means. By providing either of the recess or the part-ball member with a part spherical bearing surface, the ball bearings may be coupled to the other in a spherical array.