Abstract: A handheld computer unit for use by, e.g., a car sales person (seller) prompts the seller with a standard script to be followed at each step in the process after a prospect enters a dealership. The prospect's response to the scripted questions is used to identify the prospect's particular interests of a general nature, e.g., safety, and of a specific nature, e.g., trailer towing capacity. When either a general or specific interest is identified, the seller is prompted to tailor the conversation to address the prospect's interests.

Abstract: A handheld computer unit for use by, e.g., a car sales person (seller) prompts the seller with a standard script to be followed at each step in the process after a prospect enters a dealership. The seller is also prompted to record data about the prospect and the prospect's needs as well as potential trade-in vehicles. In the event that the prospect does not purchase on the initial visit, this information may be transferred to a conventional sales prospect control system to manage the process of later follow-up contacts with the prospect. The handheld unit permits the seller to retrieve useful information such as inventory availability from a sales information data store. The handheld unit also is able to access remote communications links to external data sources to obtain information on credit-worthiness of the prospect, financing terms, and availability. The handheld unit also displays motivational information such as the percentage likelihood of consummating the sale successfully.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for the steering wheels of a vehicle. The drive mechanism includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the frame of the vehicle and a differential gear in the housing adapted to be operatively connected to the drive shaft of the vehicle. A pair of half shafts are provided in the housing which are operatively connected to the differential gear and extend outwardly from the differential gear in opposite directions generally perpendicular to the vehicle drive shaft with at least the inner portions thereof having a common axis. A pair of stub shafts are provided in the housing which are operatively connected to the half shafts and extend outwardly beyond the ends of the half shafts remote from the differential gear generally parallel to and laterally spaced from the outer portions of the half shafts. The drive mechanism also includes a mechanism for accommodating the relative pivotal movement between the stub shafts and at least a portion of the half shafts.

Abstract: A friction-type clutch assembly is provided for connecting full-speed power to a dead load, including an output shaft assembly including axially spaced, annular separator plates extending outwardly from and slidably secured along their inner circumference directly to an output shaft hub, a drive gear assembly including axially spaced, annular friction plates extending inwardly from and slidably secured along their outer circumference directly to an outer carrier member, with the annular friction plates of the drive gear assembly interposed between the annular separator plates of the output shaft assembly so that lateral motion of the respective plates toward one another causes clutching action of the drive gear and output shaft, and a piston and cylinder arrangement for drivingly connecting the drive gear assembly to the output shaft assembly, including an annular piston rotatably mounted on the output shaft and interposed between the drive gear and the output shaft hub, with the outer piston face being annul