Abstract: A window crank assembly includes a guide rail mounted substantially parallel to the direction of motion of a window pane to be raised and lowered by the crank assembly; a sled mounted on the guide rail for back-and-forth travel thereon; a drive cable attached to the sled for moving the sled on the guide rail; a plug-and-socket joint for supporting a lower end of the guide rail for a pivotal motion about a lower foot point in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window pane; and a support for engaging the guide rail at a location thereof spaced from the lower end. The support defines a pivotal axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the window pane. The support holds the guide rail displaceably about the pivotal axis and shiftably parallel thereto prior to establishing connection of the guide rail with the plug-and-socket joint.

Abstract: A force measuring hub for a wheel supported on a carrier has a first annular component adapted for a coaxial attachment to the wheel and provided with a plurality of radial webs having elongation-sensing strips and a second annular component adapted for a coaxial attachment to the carrier and being operatively coupled to the first annular component such that the radial webs lie in a force path passing between the wheel and the carrier. The first annular component is a flat disc comprising an inner zone adapted to be secured to the wheel and an outer rim surrounding the inner zone. The radial webs are arranged in a single plane between the inner zone and the outer rim. The first annular component further has a plurality of extensions attached to the outer rim and oriented radially inwardly therefrom. The extensions are located in the above-noted single plane in respective spaces defined between adjoining radial webs. Each extension terminates at a clearance from the inner zone.

Abstract: In a solar radiation collector composed of a mat formed of a black foil member and a radiation pervious foil member, the two members being joined together along the outer edges of the mat and at interior locations of the mat to form an extended flow path and an inlet and outlet for a fluid heat carrier medium, the collector further including a cover connected to the mat along opposed edges thereof and arranged to be disposed in the path of solar radiation toward the mat with an air space being defined between the mat and the cover, with the cover being formed to define a flexible support for holding at least one radiation pervious pane and at least one reflecting panel in relative positions such that the pane, the panel and the mat constitute the legs of a triangle enclosing the air space.

Abstract: A wall-like component which is supported at opposite ends and exposed to thermal stresses has an elongated bilateral enlargement extending substantially parallel to a plane in which the component lies. The enlargement is oriented substantially perpendicularly to an imaginary distance line between the opposite ends. An elongated cavity extends within and codirectionally with the enlargement. The cavity is offset with respect to the enlargement in the direction of one of the ends of the component. The cavity further has a dimension--measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the component--which is greater than the thickness of a component portion adjoining the enlargement. As a result, upon breakage of parts of the enlargement under the effect of forces derived from heat-caused expansion of the material of the component, there is obtained a free edge of the component portion and a trough-like part formed together by remaining parts of the enlargement and the cavity for receiving the free edge.

Abstract: A heat-expandable tube-like component includes a tubular wall having a length dimension and defining an inner space; and a septum attached to the tubular wall and dividing the inner space into separate, longitudinally extending passages. The septum has a weakened portion which includes first and second groove-like recesses in opposite faces of the septum. The first recess extends substantially parallel to the length dimension (axial dimension) of the tubular wall. The second groove-like recess extends slightly offset from and parallel to the first groove-like recess. Further, portions of the septum flanked by the first and second recesses are sufficiently weak to break under the effect of forces derived from heat-caused expansion of the component. Also, the recesses are so arranged with respect to one another that upon breakage of the septum portions flanked by the recesses the septum halves obtained by the breakage are adapted to glide past one another.

Abstract: A protective band, e.g. a vehicle bumper cover, is made in the form of a profiled component with a longitudinal groove in its outer surface. Located in the groove is an elastic decorative strip that extends to the ends of the profiled component and through clearances in the end walls of the groove to an area with pocket-like covers. The groove is undercut and the strip is provided with a longitudinal web so as to form a clip connection with the groove. Moreover, the cross section of the strip is constant and safety clamps are attached to its ends. The ends of the elastic strip together with the clamps can be passed through the clearances into the pocket-like cover areas and fastened there under tension by flaps on the clamps.

Abstract: A passive safety belt arrangement for a vehicle includes a safety belt articulately connected to a slide. The slide is acted on by a slide-positioning device so as to move it in a guide fastened to the frame of the vehicle in the region of a door opening next to a seat. The slide is driven between an off position in which the safety belt is raised away from the body of a passenger in the seat and a restraining position in which the belt contacts the passenger's body. The belt is locked in the restraining position by a swiveling locking pawl acted upon by a spring so as to urge it into engagement with the slide. A cam-like projection on the locking pawl is contacted during a permissible movement of the slide by the slide-positioning devices so as to swivel the locking pawl out of engagement with the slide.

Abstract: A motor vehicle and a method of operation thereof. The method and apparatus relate to motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine for driving the vehicle and a flywheel coupled to the engine for equalizing the non-uniformity of the engine output torque. In accordance with the invention, at operating conditions wherein both the engine does not drive the vehicle and the flywheel rotates above a predetermined minimum speed, the coupling between the engine and the flywheel is automatically interrupted and the engine is stopped. Upon termination of these operating conditions, the flywheel is re-coupled to the engine to restart the engine. The coupling is preferably a controllable clutch arranged between the engine and flywheel, and the interruption of the coupling between the engine and flywheel is controlled as a function of one or more parameters representative of the operating state of the vehicle.

Abstract: The impact-element of this invention includes an energy-absorbing, elongated deformation member which is secured to an elongated, dimensionally stable carrier that is, in turn, mounted below the dashboard of the vehicle. The energy-absorbing deformation forces are generally independent of the impact direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the energy-absorbing deformation member is an elongated, hollow body which, in transverse cross section, is ring-shaped at least in the portion opposing the knees of the occupants of the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the elongated, energy-absorbing member is hollow and is box-shaped in transverse cross section. In the second embodiment of the invention, a dimensionally stable, elongated cross piece is diagonally positioned within the box-shaped energy-absorbing member and contacts the upper end of the carrier.