Abstract: A steering column-mounted shift control assembly includes a rotatably mounted shift lever unit, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and a spring for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward a planar gate unit having Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Second and Low detents formed thereon for selective cooperation with the spring-loaded shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position. A mechanical brake interlock system cooperates between a foot brake lever and a blocker member pivotally mounted adjacent the terminal end of the shift handle adapted to prevent pivoting of the blocker member away from the terminal end to thus prevent movement of the terminal end of the shift handle out of the Park detent position prior to depression of the commonly used brake pedal and its associated brake lever.

Abstract: A tote tank has a flexible, collapsible liner for water-based or water-borne paint. The liner when full of paint fills the tank and lines the interior walls thereof. A paint outlet from the liner extends through a wall of the tank for withdrawing paint. A paint inlet to the liner is provided for filling the line with paint and is normally closed and sealed by a closure plate. An air inlet to the tank allows the liner to collapse as paint is withdrawn. The tank is mounted on a pivot and cranks are linked to the tank to rock it back and forth to keep the paint in an agitated condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly of an automotive vehicle in adjusted position. A rack on the steering column assembly is engaged by a pawl to lock the steering column assembly in the position selected by the driver. A bracket is provided to hold the pawl engaged with the rack and prevent it from becoming disengaged. The tilt of the steering column can be re-adjusted by moving the bracket so that the pawl can disengage the rack. A latch is provided for latching the bracket in its position holding the pawl engaged with the rack.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle molded of a resinous plastic material. The instrument panel assembly is a honey-comb structure including box-like cells throughout the entire construction to result in rigidifying the structure. The instrument panel assembly has an upper section consisting of two duct retainers which together form two integral air ducts, and a lower section consisting of two parts provides a housing for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HEVAC) apparatus. Air from the HEVAC apparatus is discharged into the vehicle by the ducts. The ducts are formed of one piece with the duct retainers to provide a strong, rigid structure obviating the need for a steel reinforcing substructure. The HEVAC apparatus is preloaded into the housing so that the instrument panel assembly and HEVAC apparatus can be installed in the vehicle as a unit.

Abstract: A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being preassembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the preassembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision.

Abstract: A luggage rack for an automotive vehicle comprising a pair of side rails adapted to be mounted on the roof of an automotive vehicle in laterally spaced apart relation. Each rail has an elongated channel extending lengthwise thereof. One or more cross members extend between the rails and have stanchions at the ends slidably engaged in the channels. A lock member is mounted in a recess in each stanchion. Each lock member has a locking pin engageable in any one of a line of apertures formed in the associated side rail. Each lock member is spring-pressed to a position in which the locking pin engages one of the apertures. Each lock member has a button accessible through an opening in the stanchion which may be pressed to withdraw the pin from an aperture and permit the cross member to be adjusted lengthwise of the rails.

Abstract: Cleaning unit for a work transfer belt having a stationary top support frame to which a box-like lower main body is attached that contains belt cleaning devices. The top support frame provides an upper closure for the main body and cooperates therewith to form spaced entrance and exit openings isolating sections of the belt feeding through the unit. A manifold mounted in the main body directs washing fluid on the belt as it moves through the unit. The main body has a removable module supporting magnets for removing metallic particles and a squeegee unit for removing moisture and foreign matter from the belt. A squeegee mounting system keeps the squeegee blades in spring loaded contact with the belt. A wear indicator connected to the squeegee mounting system exhibits operational wear of the squeegee blades. The module with the squeegee and magnet aboard can be removed from the main body for refurbishment of module mounted components at a remote location.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle has a bearing which supports the steering shaft and a spring wedge unit for supporting the bearing. The spring wedge unit is in the form of an integral one-piece ring of flexible resilient material, preferably urethane, and encircles the shaft. The ring has an annular wedge and an integral annular spring flange. The wedge has a cylindrical radially inner surface in bearing contact with the shaft, and a conical radially outer surface providing a radially inner support for the bearing. The spring flange is tapered and abuts a tapered portion of the shaft under pressure which resiliently flexes the spring flange and resists axial movement of the ring to dampen vibration and suppress noise.

Abstract: An integrated brake/clutch arm and pedal pad combination for an automotive vehicle in which the arm is made of a plastic material and comprises an elongated lever body having an integral end portion formed to provide a pad holder. A pad also made of plastic material is molded to the pad holder and is of a somewhat softer material to provide frictional resistance and prevent a foot from slipping off. The plastic materials of the arm and pad are compatible and provide an integral bond when the pad and pad holder are molded together.

Abstract: A power steering system has a power assist for the steering gear of an automotive vehicle. The power assist comprises a piston reciprocable in a cylinder. Hydraulic fluid is delivered to opposite sides of the piston by a control valve. A pressure line delivers hydraulic fluid to the control valve from a pump. A return line returns hydraulic fluid to a pump reservoir. An anti-rattle device provides a restriction in the return line to suppress the transmission of noise and vibrations from the road travelled through the steering gear to the steering wheel.

Abstract: An adjustable tie-rod assembly for an automotive vehicle has inner and outer rod end sections, and an intermediate rod section. The intermediate and inner rod end sections are rotatably connected together. The intermediate rod section is threaded on the outer rod end section and a jam nut maintains this connection. A stud projects laterally outwardly from the outer rod end section for connection to a steering arm.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the assembly in abutting relationship of at least two stamped mating sheet metal parts is provided. The method includes the steps of providing bench mark indicia on each of the mating parts at a predetermined location near to the juncture of abutment of the mating parts and then subsequently, after assembly of the mating parts, comparing the relationship of the bench mark indicia of one mating part to the bench mark indicia of another mating part with a predetermined optional relationship.

Abstract: A tail light assembly for an automotive vehicle has a housing provided with a back panel and a translucent cover secured to and cooperating with the back panel in defining a tail light chamber. A row of light bulbs is mounted in the chamber in spaced apart relation. A reflector is secured to the back panel behind the light bulbs. The reflector is of the Fresnel-type having annular reflector segments encircling each bulb and shaped to reflect the rays of light from the bulbs along substantially parallel paths. The reflector is in the form of a substantially flat plate having an edge along the row of light bulbs which is substantially straight or only slightly curved and visually perceptible through the translucent cover when the light bulbs are illuminated. Electrical circuitry for the light bulbs is disposed within the housing sandwiched between the back panel of the housing and the reflector plate. Preferably, the circuitry is disposed in a recess in the back panel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover noise testing machine comprises a test wheel mounted for rotation in the compartment of a first housing. A wheel cover is attached to the test wheel. A drive wheel is mounted in the compartment of a second housing. The housings are supported adjacent to one another in a cage and have adjacent walls provided with registering openings. The drive wheel is in frictional peripheral contact with a tire on the test wheel through the openings so that the test wheel may be rotated by the drive wheel. A microphone in the compartment for the test wheel detects wheel cover noise.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly is provided having a passenger air bag canister mounted on a metal frame in front of a hinged door of an instrument panel. The door is pushed open by the inflating air bag when the air bag deploys in a collision. The metal frame has mounting brackets on opposite sides of the door opening. The canister is secured to a rear frame bar extending between the brackets. The bar is removably attached to the brackets so that if damaged when the air bag deploys, it may be removed and replaced obviating the need to replace the entire metal frame. A front canister-mounting frame bar, forwardly of the rear frame bar, normally is not damaged upon deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: First and second stamping press lines have multiple stamping stations to serially stamp first and second parts into finished form and with bench marks reflective of the different stamping stations that also interrelate with one another to show if the stations are stamping to specifications. The marks on a part finished by the first line ideally match with the marks on a part finished by the second stamping line providing a visual indicator of quality so that the two separate parts can be permanently secured together with assurance of a quality assembly. Bench marks on separate parts that do not align or conform with one another identify stamping lines and stamping stations requiring adjustment or repair.

Abstract: A column-mounted shift control assembly. The latter includes a rotatably mounted shift lever unit, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and resilient device for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward a planar gate unit having Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Second and Low detents formed thereon for selective cooperation with the spring-loaded shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position. A mechanical brake interlock mechanism cooperates with a blocker member pivotally mounted adjacent the terminal end of the shift handle adapted to prevent pivoting of the blocker member away from the terminal end to thus prevent movement of the terminal end of the shift handle out of the Park detent position prior to depression of the commonly used brake pedal.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a collapsible energy absorbing steering column includes a lower support bracket for pivotally attaching a lower portion of the steering column to vehicle support structure. The steering column assembly includes an upper mounting mechanism for pivotally attaching an upper portion of the steering column to vehicle support structure. The steering column assembly includes a locking structure for locking the steering column in a plurality of tilt positions relative to the upper mounting mechanism. The steering column assembly further includes tilt release lever assembly for actuating the locking structure to allow the steering column to be tilted to a desired position and locked in place. The tilt release lever assembly includes a tilt release lever being made as one-piece from a plastic material.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag disposed inside a module housing. An air bag inflater extends into the housing through an opening in the housing. The inflater has a flange on the outside of the housing. The air bag has an opening surrounding the inflater. The air bag has a plurality of angularly spaced retainer tabs extending from the opening in the air bag through the opening in the housing and sandwiched between the housing and the inflater flange. Mounting studs are affixed to the housing and extend through the retainer tabs and through the inflater flange. Nuts are threaded onto the studs to secure the inflater flange to the housing and to clamp the tabs between the housing and the flange. The opening in the air bag has marginal edge portions between the tabs which extend through the opening in the housing and are also clamped between the housing and the flange.

Abstract: A back light assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising a housing having separable housing parts forming a chamber for a light bulb. The housing parts are releasably secured together by at least one and preferably two elongated, flexible, compressible, stretchable fasteners. Each fastener extends through aligned passages in the respective housing parts. Each fastener has two enlargements, one engageable with an abutment in the passage of one housing part and the other engageable with an abutment in the passage of the other housing part to hold the housing parts together. The distance between the enlargements in the unstretched, free state condition of the fasteners, before installation, is less than the distance between the abutments, so that when installed, the fasteners are stretched and in tension. One of the enlargements of each fastener is adapted to engage the rear window of the vehicle when the back light assembly is properly mounted.