Abstract: A steering mechanism for an articulated vehicle having first and second frame sections with one of the frame sections having a pair of idler links pivotally mounted thereto at laterally spaced points, and the other frame section having a pair of drive links pivotally connected thereto at laterally spaced points. The free ends of adjacent drive and idler links on each side of the vehicle are pivotally interconnected and the relative lengths of the drive and idler links as well as the location of the pivot connections joining the drive and idler links to the first and second frame sections and to each other is such that the return steering torque at 90.degree. steer angle is at least equal to the steering torque available at 0.degree. steer angle.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device located in a bus stepwell that includes foldable hinged sections normally positioned through a first linkage to form a step with a riser and in which the first linkage operates during deployment to control forward swinging movement of the sections to form a platform for supporting a wheelchair that can be lowered to ground level by a second linkage.

Abstract: A concealable headlamp assembly and an actuator therefor that provides an increased force output for moving the headlamp assembly from the concealed position to the exposed position when opening movement of the headlamp assembly is resisted.

Abstract: A lamp socket that is insertable into a generally circular opening in a mounting panel and having a pair of radially outwardly extending access slots for portions of the lamp socket, characterized in that the lamp socket includes a flexible locking tab that moves into one of the access slots to lock the lamp socket to the mounting panel after the lamp socket is rotated a limited distance about the longitudinal center axis of the lamp socket.

Abstract: A ball-joint assembly having a two-part hinged plastic bearing member adapted to be positioned about the ball portion of a ball-stud member and be placed within an aperture formed in a link having a plurality of upstanding tabs which are adapted to be bent over for maintaining the ball-stud member and bearing member in the end of the link.

Abstract: An antiglare rear view mirror assembly which includes a mounting assembly two parts of which are tubular in configuration and axially aligned, and wherein one of the tubular parts of the mounting assembly supports a mirror element and is manually tiltable about a horizontal axis relative to the other of the tubular parts for selective adjustment of the mirror element between a "day" position and a "night" position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for close-coupling a tractor-trailer combination wherein the trailer has a pair of pivot members connected thereto that are movable within a continuous 3-section track carried by the tractor, with two of the track sections being curved and connected to the straight track section and converging towards a common point so that during a turn one of the pivot members moves in the straight track section, while the other pivot member moves in either of the two curved track sections.

Abstract: An antiglare rear view mirror assembly which includes a mounting assembly, two parts of which are tubular in configuration and wherein one of the tubular parts of the mounting assembly supports a mirror element and is manually tiltable about a horizontal axis relative to the other of the tubular parts by a rotatable actuator so as to provide selective adjustment of the mirror element between a "day" position and a "night" position.

Abstract: An apparatus having a pivoted arm mounted on a base for seizing and releasing an article that is hinged at one end and which includes a control link that maintains a fixed length while the arm moves the article about its hinged end between preset positions, but changes its length and thereby provides a signal indicating that the arm has seized the article when the latter is moved in a direction opposite to the normal movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a vehicle door as a vehicle body is being conveyed through a paint booth and having a primary arm pivotally mounted on a carriage and supporting a secondary arm for seizing and releasing the vehicle door under the control of a link, the apparatus being characterized in that the pivotal connections interconnecting the primary arm and the link to the secondary arm and to the carriage are located in positions which allow the primary and secondary arms to be positioned in substantially parallel relationship adjacent the carriage when the apparatus assumes a stored position.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system having a gas flow-control device that houses an inflator-diffuser combination and that is formed with an elongated horizontally orientated nozzle combined with a pair of retarder members for providing a controlled deployment of the restraint cushion.

Abstract: A pullyoke assembly for a scraper that includes a transverse torque tube having a central tubular member rigidly interconnecting the lower portions of a pair of drawbar members and being connected through each of the drawbar members to an outer tubular member which has a pair of outwardly flared ends, with one of the flared ends being rigidly secured to a pull-arm that extends rearwardly for pivotal connection with a scraper bowl, and the other of the flared ends being connected to one of the drawbar members in axial alignment with the central tubular member.

Abstract: A mounting member for an actuator that is adapted to have the front portion thereof inserted into an opening in a support panel and to be secured thereto by a plurality of spring arms integrally formed with the mounting member. The rear portion of the mounting member is formed with a plurality of cantilevered sections which allow the actuator to be inserted into the mounting member at the rear portion thereof and serve to maintain the actuator within the mounting member.

Abstract: A switch having a pair of operating levers located within a housing in side-by-side relationship and in which the pair of operating levers are supported for conjoint and independent movement about a common pivot axis for selectively opening and closing contact members which establish a plurality of lighting circuits.

Abstract: An antiglare rear view mirror having an actuator assembly formed with a bearing surface at one end and a rotatable positioning member at the other end that are mounted between a pair of projecting flange members formed on the housing which carries the mirror element and in which the flange members are drawn towards each other for placing the actuator assembly in compression to thereby ensure that the housing maintains its position when moved to the "day" position or the "night" position.

Abstract: A telescoping steering assembly having an upper column supported by a lower column for axial movement between two extreme positions. The upper column carries a lock pin located in a groove formed in the lower column, and the lock pin is relatively movable into one of a plurality of openings formed in the groove to lock the upper column in an adjusted position.

Abstract: In a lamp assembly having a rearwardly extending annular boss on the rear of the reflector about an opening in the reflector, a terminal socket sealed to the rear surface of the boss, said socket having a central portion through which the lamp terminals extend into the reflector and are sealed, an annular dish shaped portion integrally formed with the central portion extending outwardly and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the lamp assembly, sealing compound between the adjacent surfaces of the boss and the dish shaped portion of the terminal socket, the width of the dish shaped portion being larger than the width of the seating surface of the boss to enable free sliding movement therebetween for adjustment of the light source with respect to the reflector in the up-down and sideways directions, this and longitudinal sliding of the terminals being performed prior to the setting of the sealing compound.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly which includes a stationary steering column member rotatably supporting a steering shaft fixed with a steering wheel and characterized in that the steering column member supports a pair of concentric conductor rings that are adapted to be electrically connected to a sensor that forms a part of an occupant restraint cushion system. A heater element is provided for heating the conductor rings so as to prevent frost from forming thereon in cold weather and causing variations in the contact resistance of the electrical connector arrangement.

Abstract: A positioning device for selectively maintaining a vehicle closure member in an opened position and a closed position and including four pivotally interconnected link members which work in pairs for locking the closure member in the opened and closed positions.