Abstract: A cam and follower mechanism for connecting a vehicle accelerator pedal to an engine throttle body throttle valve for varying rates of movement of the throttle valve, including a washer-like cam operatively connected to the vehicle accelerator pedal by a pivotal connection to a cable assembly connected to the pedal, the cam having an internal surface adapted to be engaged progressively on a point-to-point basis by a one-piece tang follower to provide an infinite number of fulcrums about which the follower and throttle lever and throttle valve are forced to rotate as the accelerator pedal is progressively moved, the follower moving as the cam is pulled in one direction to thereby change the fulcrum progressively and thereby provide initially a slow rate of opening of the throttle valve in response to a large movement of the accelerator pedal, followed by a faster rate of movement of the throttle valve as the pedal moves in essentially a constant manner, to provide more nearly a movement in proportion to the an

Abstract: Steering wheel return assist mechanism for use in a vehicle having a steering column assembly rotatably supporting a steering shaft comprises a spring operated return assist device which permits a limited degree of free rotation of the steering shaft before activation of the mechanism. The return assist device urges the shaft and the steering wheel to a near central neutral position after rotation of the steering wheel. In a second embodiment, a second return assist means structured substantially the same and spaced axially apart and inverted along the steering shaft from the first return assist means is disclosed so that the steering shaft is urged to a near central neutral position after the steering wheel has been turned in either direction.

Abstract: In a cable length adjuster, a slider is guided for movement within a housing and is biased by a spring to take up unnecessary slack in the cable. A latch is moveable, normal to the direction of slider movement, and becomes engaged with teeth on the slider. A stud carried on the housing fixes the position of the housing against movement in the direction the slider moves. A leaf spring forces the latch toward locking engagement with the slider.

Abstract: A rod connecting mechanical attachments whose positions in space and distances between each other are variable includes a rod carrying a grommet engageable by a pin located on one of the attachments and a pin formed on an adjustable member adapted to engage a grommet or other suitable mechanical attachment. The rod is connected to a housing by way of tangs located in rectangular slots, whereby the axial and angular position of the rod and housing are established. An adjuster is biased by a spring so that a tang formed on the adjuster contacts the end of a slotted hole formed in the housing. A lock has flexible legs extending downward into contact with stops and detents formed on the housing, and includes teeth formed on an inner bore adapted to engage teeth formed on the adjuster. Rotation of the lock causes the lock to engage the adjuster and to establish the axial position of the adjuster relative to the housing and lower attachment.

Abstract: A vehicle accelerator pedal push-pull type cable is connected from the accelerator pedal lever to the carburetor throttle lever through a support bracket that includes a flexible soft pliable sleeve type connector with a dumbell-like shape that permits extreme bending of the cable and connector during servicing and other operations, one end of the connector being secured within the bracket, the other end extending cantilever-like from the bracket and formed to resist separation from a dust tube surrounding the cable.

Abstract: A cam and cam follower mechanism for connecting a vehicle accelerator pedal to the throttle body throttle valve for varying rates of movement of the throttle valve, including a washer-like cam operatively connected to the vehicle accelerator pedal and having an internal cam surface adopted to be engaged by a number of pins fixed to a throttle lever at different radial distances from the lever and throttle valve pivot, the pins each constituting fulcrums about which the throttle lever and throttle valve are forced to pivot one at a time as the accelerator pedal is moved angularly between closed and open throttle valve positions, the pins shifting as fulcrums upon continued movement of the accelerator pedal to provide initially a slow rate of opening of the throttle valve in response to a large angular movement of the accelerator pedal followed by a faster rate of movement of the throttle valve more nearly in proportion to the angular movement of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a Bowden-wire cable assembly to a vehicle accelerator pedal mounting lever has a closed end needle-like or teardrop shaped nose portion closely hugging the cable assembly with only minimal clearance between to allow movement of the cable relative to the assembly, the outer periphery gradually increasing in radius to slowly blend to the diameter of a circumferential groove in the body portion having wall portions of a radial extent greater than the aperture in the lever within which it is to be inserted for snugly retaining the connector to the pedal mounting lever, and including a number of axially extending slots permitting collaspe of the grooved portion toward the center to permit insertion through the aperture and released to their free state to snugly straddle the wall of the lever defining the aperture receiving the connector, the needle-nose shaped end providing a self-centering action to the connector regardless of the misalignment of the axis of the cable assembly with respe

Abstract: A universal connector for interconnecting a linearly movable engine speed control mechanism to a linearly and arcuately movable carburetor throttle valve control lever, including an elongated plastic body having a bore at one end, the body receiving in the bore a pin type shaft that projects from the throttle valve lever, the body at the other end capturing the chain-like end of the speed control cable, the shaft having a rounded end with an annular groove just behind the end that cooperates with one leg of a hairpin like spring clip that locks or unlocks the plastic body from the shaft upon inward or outward movement/deflection of the leg, the body thus being able to swivel on the shaft without relative lateral movement to accurately translate a linear movement of the speed control cable to an arcuate and linear movement of the throttle control lever.

Abstract: A cable length adjusting device includes a housing fixed in position against longitudinal displacement and formed with a surface having multiple teeth, an adjuster fitted within the hole of the housing and formed with teeth along its length that can engage the teeth of the housing, a compression spring that biases the adjuster away from the housing, a retainer that limits the amount of longitudinal movement of the adjuster relative to the housing due to the effect of the spring, a locking mechanism that pivots the adjuster on the surfaces of the housing hole so that the teeth of the adjuster and housing are brought into engagement, a conduit fixed to the adjuster and a cable core supported within the conduit and adapted for attachment at each of its ends to a pivotally mounted lever.

Abstract: A cable assembly for transferring motion between two pivotally mounted levers includes a mounting bracket for fixing the device against movement, a sleeve formed with grooves or teeth on its outer surface, an adjustment lock mechanism including a clip adapted to engage the teeth on the sleeve, and a spring that resiliently biases the sleeve away from a housing formed with a bore into which the sleeve, a conduit and a cable extend. The cable length is adjusted by applying tension to the cable, which forces the conduit and the sleeve to move in the direction of the tension force. The clip is then moved into engagement with the teeth of the sleeve to fix the length of the cable assembly to a desired length.

Abstract: A gauge for use in adjusting the position of the axis of a first attachment with respect to the axis of a second attachment includes a mounting plate having a scale representing the relative positions of the first and second attachments that can be mounted on the carburetor at a first attachment and at a third attachment. The mounting plate provides a pivot upon which an indicator arm can move above the scale and provides the second attachment. Adjustments made to the angular position of the first attachment operates to align the first and second attachments.

Abstract: A dual ratio accelerator arm assembly is disclosed. The assembly provides a slow first throttle opening rate through a first arc of movement of the arm assembly and then a discrete change to a higher throttle opening rate through a second arc of movement of the arm that noticeably signals a higher fuel consumption. The assembly comprises an accelerator arm, a bracket supporting the arm for operable movement, a pair of pivot pins carried by the arm, and means in the bracket for defining at least one pair of first and second pivot pin receptacles. Each receptacle is associated with one of the pins, has a fulcrum segment, and is effective to allow limited movement of the pin therein. The first segment, with its fulcrum segment engaged by its associated pin, defines a force applying lever arm which is shorter than the force applying lever arm defined by the second receptacle with its associated pin in engagement with its fulcrum segment.

Abstract: A throttle valve linkage gauge comprising a gauge plate adapted to be connected to the pivot of a throttle valve lever. The gauge plate pivotally mounts a pointer arm near its center, one end of the pointer arm being adapted to be connected to the end of a throttle valve control rod, and the other end of the pointer arm having a pointer cooperating with reference indicia provided on the gauge plate to indicate proper alignment of the throttle valve lever pivot and the throttle valve control rod.