Abstract: A thermoformed storm water chamber has an exterior surface formed of first layer having an increased reflectance additive and an interior surface formed of a second layer. The increased reflectance additive is a pigment (other than a black pigment) or may be a mineral component. Optionally, a supplemental ultraviolet and/or antioxidant protection additive is also provided in the first layer. The thickness of the first layer is less than the thickness of the second layer, optionally in a 20%/80% of total thickness ratio. The two layers may be made from the same or different HDPE or blends thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for manufacturing a part or a part pre-form, for example, a vehicle part or vehicle part pre-form, as well as articles of manufacture incorporating pre-stretched paint films and substrates such as extruded sheet. Also described herein is an apparatus useful for the process described, which process includes providing a paint film having a length as measured along a longitudinal axis of the paint film; continuously stretching the paint film in the transverse and/or longitudinal directions of the film over the length of the paint film to form a pre-stretched paint film; and applying the pre-stretched paint film to a thermoformable substrate to form a part or part pre-form.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for a raked steering column including a stationary bracket having a pair of vertical legs on opposite sides of the steering column, a spacer on the steering column between the legs of the stationary bracket, and a clamp on the steering column for squeezing the legs of the stationary bracket against the spacer. The clamp includes a long bolt spanning the legs of the stationary bracket, a nut on the bolt, a one-way clutch between a head of the bolt and the stationary bracket permitting rotation of the bolt in only a tension-increasing direction, and a snap-on operating lever rotatable as a unit with the nut. After assembly on a vehicle, the clamp afforded by the bolt can be adjusted without changing the terminal positions of the lever by rotating the head of the bolt in a tension increasing direction while the operating lever is maintained in a clamped terminal position corresponding to maximum bolt tension between the vertical legs of the stationary bracket.

Abstract: A method of making a plastic ball sleeve assembly includes the steps of forming a flat plastic sleeve blank, cold forming a plurality of ball sockets in the sleeve blank, cold forming a plurality of integral living hinges in the sleeve blank, inserting respective ones of a plurality of hard metal spheres in corresponding ones of the ball sockets, cold forming the sleeve blank to define retaining means at each ball socket operative to retain the spheres in the sockets while exposing surface segments of the spheres on opposite sides of the sleeve blank, and flexing the sleeve blank at the living hinges until opposite end edges of the sleeve blank abut whereby a tubular ball sleeve assembly is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, interlocking tangs and notches are formed in edges of the sleeve blank which interlock to capture the tubular shape of the ball sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A method of attaching a flat annular contact plate of a horn ring assembly to a flat annular flange of plastic substrate such as a turn signal canceling cam includes the steps of forming deformable tabs on the contact plate perpendicular to the plane thereof, forming slots in the substrate adjacent an inner edge if the annular flange, forming integral plastic shrouds with pockets therein adjacent the slots and perpendicular to the plane of the flange, seating the contact plate agaianst the flange with the deformable tabs projecting through the slots into the pockets on the shrouds, and bending the tabs against the flange to clamp the contact plate to the flange. The pockets hold the shrouds over the bent tabs and prevent spurious electrical contact with the tabs.

Abstract: An electrically operated air pump for supplying air to the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a central mounting plate which is integral with the electric motor assembly. The armature shaft of the electric motor drives an impeller within a working chamber defined by an impeller housing and one side of the mounting plate. A silencer housing encloses the motor assembly and contains an air circuit for channeling air to and from the working chamber of the pump. The air circuit contains a solenoid operated air valve for restriction of outlet air, and sound insulation means for external sound reduction. The central mounting plate, impeller, impeller housing, and silencer housing are constructed of a polymeric material which allows complex features to be molded into the part thereby minimizing machining and assembly complexity.