Abstract: An inertia responsive seat belt retractor includes an actuator pendulum operatively connected to both a locking pawl mechanism for stopping protracting movement of a webbing rewind reel and to a locking cam for simultaneously lockingly engaging the seat belt webbing.

Abstract: An improved guide ring assembly consists of a guide member which is adapted to be pivotally mounted to a portion of an automotive vehicle and a plastic cover member which is snap fit over the guide member, the guide member and cover member cooperate to define first and second anti-twist elements for preventing or roping of a seat belt as it is drawn from its vehicle occupant restraining position to the retractor from which it has been paid out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically responding to headlamp radiation from oncoming vehicles to down-switch beam patterns in a tri-beam headlamp system in an automotive vehicle. A mid-beam sensor is provided to detect only that headlamp radiation from oncoming vehicles present within the defined high intensity projection areas of the mid-beam pattern and functions in conjunction with a conventional automatic dimmer sensor and a unique control circuit to achieve appropriate and automatic down-switching.

Abstract: A plunger-type injection pump for use in automotive installations is provided not only with plunger rotating means to vary the quantity of fuel injected but also with a novel tappet assembly that includes hydraulically actuated facing nested parts that can be axially separated as well as angularly rotated relative one to the other to vary the height of the plunger from an initial setting in a continuously variable manner to thereby continuously vary the injection timing.

Abstract: An engine induction system for reducing engine pumping losses provides for a minimum of two intake valves per cylinder, a primary and secondary, with valve port activation means associated with the secondary valves to control air flow to them so that at light loads only air flows through the primary intake valves, the secondary valves providing air flow at heavier loads, the primary intake valve openings being controlled so that no more than one primary valve is open at any one time; i.e., there is no overlap in openings between primary intake valves, which produces pumping losses at light loads when intake manifold vacuum is high.

Abstract: A finger-follower rocker arm type valve train has a finger-follower rocker arm with an upper surface that extends essentially unbroken from end to end with a central area surface for contact with an overhead cam, the central area surface being concave for lubricant retention purposes and having additional lubricant retaining pockets in the surface as reservoirs to maintain lubricant at the surface at all times regardless of the operability of inoperability of the engine camshaft.

Abstract: This specification is directed to a UV-base ceramic paint composition and a method of forming a glass sheet with a UV-base ceramic paint thereon. The method has the following steps. A UV-base ceramic paint is applied to the glass sheet. The UV-base ceramic paint includes selected ceramic paint components along with, as a new component thereof, finely divided zinc metal powder. The glass sheet is subjected to UV radiation and then heated to a temperature which softens the glass sheet sufficiently so that the glass sheet can be formed. The glass sheet and the ceramic paint thereon are engaged with a fiberglass covered forming die to form the heated glass sheet to a desired shape. The forming die is removed from engagement with the glass sheet. The finely divided zinc metal powder addition to the ceramic paint is credited with being effective to prevent sticking of any of the ceramic paint to the forming die. The glass sheet is cooled to obtain a formed glass sheet with a ceramic paint thereon.

Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in the valve train of an automotive type internal combustion engine has a roller at one end adapted to be engaged by the cam lobe of a camshaft for that engine. A spring biased piston is incorporated in the assembly for movement into frictional engagement with the roller at low engine speeds to dampen out vibrational or shaking forces present in the engine at this speed level by increasing the resistance to rotation of the roller. At higher engine speeds, the piston is moved progressively away from frictional contact with the roller by engine oil galley oil pressure, which increases with engine speed, to a point where the piston is completely removed from engagement with the roller and the roller is permitted to freely rotate at a point when the engine vibration or shaking forces are no longer present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling two parts of which one part is a sub-assembly formed of a plurality of relatively movable components.The method comprises the steps of holding the components of the sub-assembly in their desired relative positions for assembly, cooling the sub-assembly sufficiently to prevent relative movement between the components of the sub-assembly, and offering the sub-assembly to the other part while the components of the sub-assembly are locked against one another.It is preferred to coat the sub-assembly prior to cooling with a liquid, the cooling being sufficient to freeze the liquid to cause locking of the components.

Abstract: A method of controlling the air fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine includes positioning a two cell oxygen pumping device in the exhaust gas of the engine. A pumping current is applied to a pumping cell and an EMF is sensed across a sensor cell. The sensed EMF is compared to reference voltage and an error signal is generated. The air fuel ratio is changed in response to the error signal so as to reduce the absolute magnitude of the error signal.

Abstract: A structure and method for sensing oxides of nitrogen in a gas. The gas is first passed through an oxidation catalyst and any reducing species in the gas are oxidized. The output gas from the oxidation catalyst is received by a sensor which generates an output responsive to oxides of nitrogen because the sensor has been isolated from any reducing species in the gas.

Abstract: An improved automotive hood hinge has a pair of plates fixed to the hood and the body, one mounting a fixed pivot pivotally and translationally engaging a slot formed on the other. A single stabilizing link controls the simultaneous pivotal and translational movement of the hood during opening and closing.

Abstract: In a method of preventing vibration noise in change-speed gearboxes, in particular of motor vehicles, with an electronic control of the ignition and the fuel measuring control of the internal combustion engine which is variable timewise as a function of events, the internal combustion engine is controlled as a function of the occurrence of gearbox vibration noise in order to change the combustion process of the said internal combustion engine so that no irregularities occur in the rotational vibration behavior.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper of molded construction and with wrap-around ends is mounted on a vehicle by two push-fit post/socket joints at the front (or rear) of the vehicle and by two side extension connectors which include secure fastenings. The side connectors can have a snap-fit feature for initial location of the bumper, with the snap-fit location being subsequently backed up by insertion of a threaded fastener. The push-fit joints require no additional securing device.

Abstract: A grill assembly for an automobile is positioned to permit movement of the grill in a substantially horizontal rearward manner as the automobile bumper located forwardly adjacent the grill is stroked under impact. The desired movement is made possible by a four-bar linkage mounting arrangement that is adjustable to facilitate the fitting of the grill with respect to adjacent parts of the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A window actuator assembly for a lowerable automobile window includes a molded plastic hub having short internal helical drive lugs drivingly engageable with helical grooves molded into external surfaces of a drive spindle to effect lateral outward movement of the lower edge of the window outwardly as it approaches its fully raised position, moved upwardly with the actuator assembly by a window regulator drive which is configured to rotate the spindle as it approaches the raised position. A hinged connection is provided between the hub and the window.

Abstract: A silicon compound nozzle has two generally planar parallel plates with offset openings coupled by a shear gap. Fluid flow in the shear gap is generally parallel to the plates and increases fluid dispersion.

Abstract: Controlling the speed of an engine used with an automatic transmission to reduce tip in jerk includes determining any difference between transmission gearset speed and engine speed. Engine speed is increased if it is below transmission gearset speed so as to reduce any speed differential between the engine and transmission gearset.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided for receiving a plastic/adhesive used for mounting plastic body panels to a metallic subframe of an automobile in which the receptacle is formed through progressive die stamping from a cross formed blank. The receptacle is formed as truncated pyramidical shape and includes two sides with bent-over flanges for engaging the metallic subframe and two shorter sides which lock the receptacle to the subframe in snap-fit relationship after insertion into a square aperture.

Abstract: This specification is directed to a process for making part of an electrically heated windshield assembly. The process includes the steps of selecting a glass sheet 10. The glass sheet is formed into a windshield configuration. At least a pair of electrically conductive bus bars (14, 16) are formed on the glass sheet. One bus bar (14) extends along a lower edge of the glass sheet. A second of the bus bars (16) extends along at least a short portion (20) of the lower edge of the glass sheet in a location spaced away from the bus bar (14) and near the lower edge of the glass sheet, up a side edge of the lower edge of the glass sheet as an edge portion (22), and along an upper edge of the glass sheet as an upper portion (24). A snap-on protective member (30) is placed on the glass sheet which engages both front and back surfaces of that glass sheet. The snap-on protective member covers over lower portions and side edge portions of the second bus bar (16).