Abstract: An improved spindle arrangement for a suspension system for supporting skis of a snowmobile induces a steering bias in each of the respective skis. A spindle is attached to respective upper and lower linkages of unequal dimensions by ball joints. The ball joints attached at each respective spindle are offset from the longitudinal axis of the spindle in a manner such that a bias is induced in each respective ski causing it to toe-out. Accordingly, the bias induced in the skis creates a situation wherein the snowmobile will give the rider much more confidence and a more comfortable ride when operating the snowmobile at high speed by eliminating the disconcerting feeling that can be generated when the skis tend to toe-in.

Abstract: A suspension/traction unit for a snowmobile is disclosed as having an area of primary support and a two stage angle of attack. The traction unit includes a drive sprocket rotatably mounted to the snowmobile chassis a predetermined height above ground level when the snowmobile is at rest. An endless belt is guided by slide rails such that a low primary angle of attack of about 6 degrees is presented as well as a secondary angle of attack steeper than the primary angle attack making it possible for the snowmobile to effectively start and move in deep snow.

Abstract: A suspension system for the skis of a snowmobile controls the movement of a projected steering point associated with each ski such that the steering points move substantially parallel to a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the snowmobile during deflection of the suspension system. The linkage for each ski includes a spindle arrangement, the chassis, an upper suspension linkage, and a lower suspension linkage.

Abstract: A handle assembly for attachment to a screed includes a clamp sized to receive either a wooden screed or a metal screed, a power handle extending upwardly from and fixed to the clamp for controlling the attitude of the screed and applying power to pull the screed over freshly poured concrete, and a pivoted handle pivoted relative to the power handle for applying downward pressure and lifting forces to the screed. A single handle assembly can be used with a short screed or multiple handle assemblies can be used with longer screeds. The arrangement permits controlled movement during multiple passes of the screed over freshly poured concrete by a workman in a standing position.

Abstract: An air intake noise suppressor for a snowmobile engine disposed on the intake side of a carburetor has an enclosure with a front face having apertures therein connected to the carburetor and a rear face canted relative to the front face. The rear face has an integrally formed frustoconical extension for permitting air to flow into the enclosure. The frustoconical extension extends into the enclosure and the enclosure has a irregular bottom wall providing additional reflective surfaces inside the enclosure. Sound emanating from the carburetor enters the enclosure through the apertures and is reflected and entrapped therein unit it is attenuated. The small amount of sound that may escape the enclosure through the frustoconical extension is either attenuated in a juxtaposed enclosure formed by a shroud or directed through louvers down and away to either side of the driver.

Abstract: A heater arrangement for an automotive vehicle includes a switching arrangement having a conventional control device which is fed signals from sensors sensing the temperature outside of the vehicle, the temperature inside the vehicle, the temperature of the engine coolant, and the speed of the vehicle. A pulse sequence is generated for controlling a valve which in turn controls the flow of a heating medium to the heating system for heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the duration of the pulses in the sequence being varied in accordance with respective conditions. A frequency changer, timer and switch are disposed between an inverter and relay for concomitantly controlling an electric auxiliary heater on the vehicle, such as an electric rear window heater. The switching arrangement provides for switching of the auxiliary heater in conjunction with the switching of the control device for the heating system for the passenger compartment.

Abstract: Water guide channels for motor vehicles are known, which have a continuous profile strip running along the windscreen pillar and the roof, the profile strip having a constant cross-sectional shape over its entire length.In order to optimize an arrangement of this type, it is proposed that in the region of the windscreen pillar, the profile strip form a wall part of a water guide channel open towards the center of the vehicle and, that, in the approximately horizontal roof region, it completely covers up the top of a channel formed by depressions in the external skin of the roof thereby forming the water guide channel by a leg of the profile strip, and the external skin of the roof.

Abstract: A fuel injection timer for internal combustion engines, wherein a shaft of a fuel injection pump is rotated relative to a drive shaft connected to the internal combustion engine as a function of the rotational speed of the engine. Oscillating bodies are disposed between first tracks connected to the drive shaft and second tracks connected with a shaft of the fuel injection pump. The first and second tracks are disposed in opposed pairs and the oscillating bodies each transmit a portion of the pump drive torque and move from an inner end position at a lower rotational speed of the engine to an outer end position at a maximum rotational speed of the engine under the influence of centrifugal forces and counteracting spring forces. A slope formed by the tracks affects the relative torque between the two shafts with the displacement curve of the injection time which corresponds to a favorable combustion cycle.

Abstract: A rotary damping device has a shaft provided at one end with a rotor and the shaft also has a damping portion extending radially. The shaft is rotatably housed and accommodation spaces in the device are filled with oil. Located near to the opening of the shaft bearing is a radially extended sucker-shaped flange having a surface sloped axially forward. When the flange is contained within the accommodation space the rim portion of the flange presses against the front wall of the space to prevent damping oil leaking from the housing.

Abstract: A molded plastic buckle adapted to releasably secure extremities of a web-like material includes a receptacle body and an insert body having a tongue portion adapted to be slidably received in the receptacle body. The receptacle body includes a top wall having a through aperture defining a plurality of surrounding side surfaces. At least one of these side surfaces is angled to converge in the direction of slidable insertion of the insert body tongue portion. The insert body tongue portion includes a raised portion receivable within the aperture. This raised portion has a trailing side surface formed at a complementary angle to the angled side surface of the aperture to facilitate locking interengagement between the raised portion and the aperture.

Abstract: A clip type fastener for attachment to a mounting or supporting element, as the handle of a toolbox or toolbox drawer, for wedgingly receiving an article, as a key for the toolbox lock, in accessible position to insert or remove the same relative to a mounting recess in the fastener body portion from which spaced legs extend in directions for selectively and resiliently gripping mounting or support elements, as handles, of different cross-sectional configurations; outer legs being adapted for snap engagement and mounting on the web portion of a formed angle or beam type, as a T-angle, mounting element or handle with an intermediate leg acting as a strut against the web portion for properly positioning the fastener thereon; and with an outer leg and an intermediate leg adapted for snap engagement and mounting on a handle or other supporting element of generally uniform cross-section, as an extruded aluminum element, for properly positioning the fastener thereon.

Abstract: A plastic buckle comprises an obverse half buckle member provided with an engaging piece and snap engaging means and a reverse half buckle member provided at the positions corresponding to those of the first half buckle member with surface portions adapted to be caught by the engaging piece and snapping engaging means. These two half buckle members are assembled into one complete buckle by fastening the surface portions to the engaging portion and rotating the two half buckle members toward each other with the point of contact thereof serving as the fulcrum of rotation until they come into fast union.

Abstract: This invention relates to a one-piece push-in type of fastener having side wings or fronds on a shank and adapted to prevent withdrawal of the fastener when inserted into a hole in which the shank is of H-shape in cross-section with wings or fronds on opposite plane surfaces of the shank and with the front surface of each wing or frond curved at its inner end to lead to the inner end of the rear surface of the next adjacent wing or frond.

Abstract: A plastic fastener comprises a female member provided with a flange, a leg extended from the flange and an insertion hole bored longitudinally along the axis of the leg, and a male member provided with a head portion and a shaft portion extended from the head portion and adapted to be inserted into the insertion hole of the female member, whereby panels are brought into tight union. The female member and the male member are provided on the upper surface of the flange and on the lower surface of the head portion respectively with cam faces which are inclined in the circumferential direction around the common axis of the two members and matched so that these are brought into intimate contact at the time of the forced driving of the male member into the female member and, at the time of release of the tight union of the panels, caused to slide on each other by a rotation given to the male member to thereby cause the head portion to be lifted from the upper surface of the flange.

Abstract: A switch actuating device designed to control the speed of rotation of shafts, particularly electric motor shafts. A plastic hub section is designed to be positioned about the shaft, and a plurality of relatively independent, flexing leg, weight members, radially disposed from the hub and integrally connected to the hub by a thin web section, create the actuating members for acting on a switch which directly controls the rotation of the shaft. The web section is dome-like in configuration so that the top regions of the legs are at an axial plane below the uppermost region of the hub and is so designed to permit the legs to force the web upwardly snappingly into contact with the independent switch member.

Abstract: A radiator grille fixing structure comprises a plurality of fasteners which are each composed of a base plate and engaging means formed one each on the opposite sides of the base plate, with at least one of the two engaging means containing a shank portion of increased wall thickness and a flexible arm extended from the leading end of the shank portion and provided with an engaging step portion. In this structure, at least one of the plurality of fasteners is disposed in a direction opposite the direction in which the remaining fasteners are disposed. This fixing structure, when used as the medium for the union between a radiator grille and an automobile body, withstands all external forces exerted upon the radiator grille during the travel of the automobile.

Abstract: A cash replacement system including an encoded plastic card and a card acceptor mechanism is provided by punching a number of specially shaped apertures with predetermined orientations into a card. The acceptor mechanism which receives the card has a sensor pin aligned with each of the punched apertures of the plastic card. The sensor pins have a probe section at one end which is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the punched apertures of the plastic card so that when they are in alignment with the apertures the probe sections will fit in the apertures as the sensor pins are depressed toward the card. The sensor pin also has a surface area adjacent the probe section which engages the card so that when the probe section extends through the aperture it insures that the aperture is of the correct shape and orientation. The sensor pins are lowered toward the card by a drive mechanism which is linked to a handle or other control device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved swivel connector assembly for connecting a member to be pivoted to a pivot. The assembly includes just two components which may be readily assembled, a socketed assembly and a retaining sleeve. The socketed assembly has a forward portion including a socket forming a bearing seat and a rearward portion having a cylindrically shaped socket. A slot which extends from a point forward of the bearing seat center to and through the rearward portion to form bifurcated opposed socketed portions which may be separated to enlarge the bearing seat and cylindrically shaped socket to permit ready assembly of the same to a pivot ball and a member to be pivoted. The sleeve is arranged to be axially slid over the socketed rearward portion to thereby maintain the assembly in assembled relation.