Abstract: The present invention envisions a fastener and a blank for forming a fastener. Threads are formed on the fastener blank of the present invention to achieve the fastener of the present invention. The fastener and blank include a shank which defines a central axis of the fastener. A head is provided on one end of the shank and a leading end is provided on an opposite end of the shank distal the head. A plurality of lobes are provided on the shank and are generally axially aligned with the central axis. Flutes are defined between neighboring lobes. The plurality of lobes include at least three major lobes and three minor lobes. The major lobes are defined by a major arc which is struck by a major radius. The minor lobes are defined by a minor arc struck by a minor radius. The major and minor radii extend from different radial points of origin.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for mounting an inflatable module on a vehicle includes a support structure arranged for securing the inflatable module to a vehicle component, for example, a steering wheel hub or the like, and a first coupling member carried by the support structure and being flexible to accommodate any misalignment for ease of assembly; a second coupling component is adapted to be carried by the vehicle component and one of the first and second coupling components includes an aperture to receive a tongue member on the other coupling component to cooperate in snap-fit locking engagement which secures fastening of the module to the vehicle component.

Abstract: A novel diffusor cup forms part of an inflator device which is used to inflate an airbag. The novel structure of the diffusor cup substantially reduces the deflection thereof during deployment of the airbag. This improves the consistency and reliability of inflating the airbag with a proper volume of gas. The diffusor cup is attached to a bottle which houses a pressurized gas and the bottle and diffusor cup are mounted within a housing module. The diffusor cup is formed from a first wall which bears against an end plate of the housing module, a second wall which depends from the first wall and joins with the bottle, and a third wall which depends from the opposite end of the first wall. The second wall is formed from a truncated cone such that it tapers from the first wall to the bottle. A stud is mounted within the diffusor cup walls and is mechanically secured thereto by a plurality of graduated steps formed on the stud and by a back shear.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for an inflatable module includes a support structure arranged for securing the inflatable module to a vehicle component or the like, and a coupling member having a portion projecting from the support structure. A locking member securable to the vehicle component is arranged for reception of the coupling member which has a resilient lock element slidably carried on the projecting portion of the coupling member and arranged for snap fit into a locking position within the locking member to secure fastening of the module to the vehicle component.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for an inflatable module includes a support structure arranged for securing the inflatable module to a vehicle component or the like, and a coupling member having a portion projecting from the support structure. A locking member securable to the vehicle component is arranged for reception of the coupling member which has a resilient lock element slidably carried on the projecting portion of the coupling member and arranged for snap fit into a locking position within the locking member to secure fastening of the module to the vehicle component. In one embodiment, a resiliently compressible split-ring is slidably carried within a contoured recess on the coupling pin projecting from the housing of the inflatable module and a locking bushing mounted for example in the hub portion of a steering wheel is arranged to receive the coupling pin so that the split ring is inserted and locked into a locking cavity within the bushing to secure fastening of the module to the steering wheel hub.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for mounting an inflatable module on a vehicle includes a support structure arranged for securing the inflatable module to a vehicle component for the like, and a coupling member projecting from the support structure and provided with a coupling aperture. Insertable into the coupling aperture is a further coupling element which is secured to the vehicle component and the coupling insertion secures fastening of the module to the vehicle component. In one embodiment, the coupling member includes an arm having a cam-following portion arranged for camming engagement against a coupling tongue on the vehicle component so that the camming engagement produces deflection of the coupling arm until the coupling aperture reversely deflects in snap-action bringing insertion of the tongue therethrough into a wedged, locking position which prevents withdrawal of the inflatable module in the mounted position, for example in the steering wheel hub.

Abstract: A system for inserting and retaining a fastener between two generally parallel spaced apart webs formed on a first workpiece. The fastener is inserted using ultrasonic energy to deform the material of the webs to engage an axial force resisting portion and a torsional force resisting portion of the fastener with the material of the webs. The present invention includes the fastener which is constructed for use in the system, as well as an article employing the fastener for attaching the first workpiece, to which the fastener is attached, to a second workpiece.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the orientation of a vehicle headlamp includes a housing enclosing a gear movably coupled to an adjusting member such that rotation of the gear imparts linear movement to the adjusting member which controls the orientation of the headlamp. The housing also includes an internally projecting journal member which supports one end of the gear. The adjusting member extends through the journal member and projects from the housing. The housing can include first and second housing portions such that the first housing portion is secured between a pair of spaced walls projecting from the second housing portion and the adjusting member projects through the first housing portion and both of the spaced walls of the second housing portion. An additional feature includes a calibrating gauge or indicator to simplify resetting the correct translational position of the adjusting member which governs the proper vertical or horizontal alignment of the headlamp.

Abstract: A flexible electric heating pad has a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramic thermistor chip heating elements arranged in a two dimensional array between first and second flexible planar sheets of electrically conductive material, preferably woven of copper wire or other electrically conductive fibers. The PTC thermistor chips are disposed in spaced openings in a flexible dielectric separator disposed between the sheets and each chip has opposed planar surfaces soldered, welded or brazed to the sheets to establish electrical and thermal contact therewith. An outer flexible dielectric material covers the external surfaces of the sheets to prevent grounding or shock. A metallic enclosure, for example of stainless steel, can be formed over the outer dielectric material to add corrosion or abrasion resistance to the flexible heating pad.

Abstract: A flexible heating cable using positive temperature coefficient thermistors as a primary heat source with the thermistors being electrically and mechanically connected to substantially flat, preferably braided, electrical conductors with dielectric material preferably separating the conductors. A covering of dielectric material preferably is used to electrically separate the cable from the environment. The cable construction improves the heat transfer from the thermistors to the environment and improves the temperature distribution of the cable.

Abstract: A parallel, zoned heating cable wherein parallel electrical conductors are spaced outwardly from a central heating element preferably formed of a fibrous material containing carbon or graphite or coated with a conductive polymer. Heat conducting dielectric members are preferably located between the heating element and the electrical conductors for improved thermal distribution of the cable. The conductors are alternately connected by splices to the electrical conductors to produce heat of a constant wattage.

Abstract: A skin effect heat generating pipe for use with a low frequency alternating current source includes a ferromagnetic pipe (e.g., steel) having thickness substantially greater than the penetration depth of the current of the frequency of the power source. A shunt conductor in the form of an electrically conductive metal layer (e.g., copper) is applied as a discrete layer to the inner surface of the pipe and in electrical contact therewith throughout the length of the shunt conductor, thereby forming a parallel resistance circuit wherein both the shunt conductor and pipe each are capable of conducting substantial current. One end of the pipe is electrically connectable to a first terminal of the power source. A return conductor installed in the pipe and electrically insulated therefrom has one end electrically connected to the second end of the pipe and its other end electrically connectable to the other terminal of the power source.

Abstract: A new and improved heat transfer apparatus and method, wherein a heat tracing conduit assembly provides a self-contained closed conduit loop formed of two concentric tubular conduit members which may be laid as a single unit on the fluid pipe, thereby eliminating the need for a separately mounted return conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parallel-type heating cables. In accordance with the present invention a heating core element is formed by connecting two essentially parallel bus wires with a plurality of electrically conductive splices to a centrally disposed resistive element and around which heating core element a protective sheath is formed. The present invention permits this heating core element to be formed by splicing the spaced apart, essentially parallel wire elements followed by a single extrusion application of a protective sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parallel-type heating cables. In accordance with the present invention a heating core element is formed by connecting two essentially parallel bus wires with a plurality of electrically conductive splices to a centrally disposed resistive element and around which heating core element a protective sheath is formed. The present invention permits this heating core element to be formed by splicing the spaced apart, essentially parallel wire elements followed by a single extrusion application of a protective sheath.

Abstract: A heating assembly adapted to be releasably mounted externally of an instrument for the transfer of heat to the instrument by conduction to maintain the instrument at a desired temperature.

Abstract: A heating assembly adapted to be releasably mounted externally of an instrument for the transfer of heat to the instrument by conduction to maintain the instrument at a desired temperature.