Abstract: A high temperature outdoor weathering chamber approximating the passenger compartment of an automobile body for testing the effect of natural sunlight on material fibers and colors. The chamber comprises a box having insulated side and end walls and a hinged closure of standard automobile glass. The hinged glass closure provides access through the top of the box to a sample rack that is positioned below the glass closure to support samples for exposure to solar radiation.An aluminum heat shield is positioned below the sample rack. The chamber is constructed and arranged so that air enters an air intake at the bottom of the box, flows through thermostatically controlled heater strips, then beneath the heat shield and out an exhaust outlet at the opposite end of the box above the level of the heat shield. Airflow is solely by convection.

Abstract: A control system for a tractor hydraulical power lift system having an electrohydraulic actuator (22) coupled to a main hydraulic valve (21), comprising a feedback electronic control circuit including a circuit for mathematically combining a plurality of transducer generated signals into a command signal. The command signal comprises the output signal of a first differential summing device (32) receiving a first input signal for a control handle transducer (24) from which is substracted a second input signal produced as the output of a signal mixer that combines input signals from a rockshaft transducer (25), a draft selector transducer (26) and a draft load transducer (27). The command signal and a signal from a transducer (28) coupled to the electrohydraulic actuator are fed into a differential summing device (49) that has as its output an error signal representing the actual and desired positions of an implement to be positioned by the power lift system.

Abstract: A seat back latch mechanism for a vehicle seat assembly having a generally horizontal seat structure and an upstanding backrest structure pivotally supported on support arms for tiltable movement over the seat structure. A latch pawl pivotally mounted on one of the structures is maintained in a cam controlled latching attitude relative to a fixed detent on the other of the structures. The latch pawl is constructed and arranged so that its center of gravity normally provides a force couple acting eccentrically of the pawl pivot axis to cause the latter to swing out of the controlled latching attitude in a direction to bypass the detent when moderate force is applied to the seat back structure to tilt the latter over the seat structure.

Abstract: A vehicle having a quick-release hinge mechanism for a closure or door for an ingress/egress opening at the body rear end to facilitate the interchange of different rear end structures without tools or special equipment to obtain optional rear end appearances and functions. When a rear door installed on the vehicle is lifted about the axis of the hinge mechanism, it rises with the assistance or one or more gas spring cylinders that when fully extended restrict the angle of door opening. In the up position, the cylinders may be disconnected from fittings located on the door. With these disconnected, the door can be lifted an additional 10 to 15 degrees allowing a cam action lock hinge mechanism to be actuated to release components of the hinge device. This permits removal of the door from the body and rapid substitution of another rear end structure or door.

Abstract: This specification discloses a motor vehicle flashing lamp and headlamp fixture to be attached to a motor vehicle body. The fixture provides a pivotable mouunting so that the flashing lamp and the headlamp can be aligned with respect to each other as well as the automobile body while maintaining a simple and relatively secure mounting. The mounting of the flashing lamps and headlamps in a body aperture of the motor vehicle includes a headlamp braced by an upper swivel providing an upper swivel point for the headlamp relative to the flashing lamp. An outer lateral lower adjusting device, movable forward and backward for the illumination range adjustment, is attached through a bracket to the flashing lamp or the body. An inner lateral upper adjusting device, which is movable forward and backward for the illumination direction adjustment, is attached to the body.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof of the roof panel of which the side wall panels are attached forming a roof frame and roof pillars. The connecting region between the roof panel and the side wall panels is recessed and is covered by a profile strip made of elastic material assuming masking, sealing, gutter and styling functions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system operational as a passive two-point or as a part passive and part active three-point seat occupant restraint. A continuous belt 15 coupled at one end to a retractor mechanism 16 mounted within a vehicle door passes through a guide ring 19 on the door frame and extends diagonally downwardly across the seat 13 to a second guide ring 23 anchored to the floor. The terminal end of the belt projects through the guide ring 23 and carries a buckle engaging element 27 that engages the guide ring 23 to prevent retraction of the belt 15, whereby the latter automatically operates as a two-point restraint system.The seat occupant has the option of extending the belt 15 as a lap belt to a buckle device 32 on the outboard side of the seat. This changes the belt system to a partially passive and partially active three-point restraint system.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat mounted for longitudinal sliding mobility, the seat frame of which is braced by slide blocks fixed to lateral connecting brackets on two parallel, upright, C-shaped guide rails. One of the C-shaped guide rails is fixed to the approximately vertical web surface of the central floor assembly tunnel and is provided with a latch device for determining the desired seat position.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly having an energy absorbing sleeve 13 supported on a hub 12 and a steering wheel 14 supported on the sleeve. The energy absorbing sleeve has a plurality of concentric, substantially rectangular rings 19 formed in stepped relationship to provide essentially crush force throughout its range of usable crush.The steering wheel 14 comprises an armature 15 forming a housing 22 for the energy absorbing sleeve, the upper end of the housing being complementary to the rectangular configuration of the sleeve. The armature further has an annular rim core 24 and a plurality of spokes 25 extending from the housing to the rim core. The housing 22, the spokes 25 and the rim core 24 are integrally molded of plastic, preferably a polycarbonate selected for its impact strength over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system having a torso belt that in passenger restraining position extends over upper torso of the seat occupant from a fixed roof rail attachment to a retractor mechanism anchored at the inboard side of occupant seating position. A trolley is movable along a track that in part parallels the vehicle roof rail and in part the windshield pillar at one side of the vehicle body. The trolley carries a "D" ring that engages the torso belt intermediate its ends. The trolley is movable along the track by a cable mechanism responsive to movement in door opening direction. As the trolley moves along the portion of the track paralleling the roof rail from the track end adjacent the roof rail attached end of the torso belt, the "D" ring automatically raises the torso belt forwardly and upwardly from restraining position. A hanger catch extends below the track prior to the point at which the track curves downwardly alongside of the windshield piller.

Abstract: This specification discloses an apparatus for adjusting a headlamp with reference to a vehicle body aperture. The headlamp is braced against a vehicle body through one fixed point and two adjusting devices. The adjusting devices include an adjusting screw coupled at one of its ends to the headlamp and engaged intermediate its ends in a threaded core of a retaining device rotatably journalled in a housing orifice in a vehicle body panel. The threaded bore for the adjusting screw is arranged eccentrically of the axis of rotation of the substantially cylindrical body of the retaining device.

Abstract: In combination a vehicle bumper comprising a rigid support beam covered with a resilient elastomeric impact energy absorbing body and a lamp assembly housed within the bumper. The lamp assembly having a body and lens assembly telescopically mounted on housing supported within the beam and normally biased to telescopically project into the energy absorbing body. Upon impact causing the energy absorbing body to abut the lamp body and lens assembly, the latter is telescopically retracted relative to the housing against the resistance of the biasing force. After the deflecting load is released, the lamp body and lens are biased to their normal extended relationship to the housing.

Abstract: A track assembly for a sliding closure member comprising a track extending in a longitudinal direction. A support arm is mounted at one end in the track for travelling movement along the track by a connecting means which retains the arm generally perpendicular to the track during part of the travelling movement. The connecting means also permits rotation of the arm about an axis perpendicular to the common plane of the track and arm in one end region of the track. The connecting means comprises a ball roller mounted on the arm for rolling movement along the track when the arm is generally perpendicular to the track. The ball roller also permits rotation of the connecting means about the axis perpendicular to the common plane of the arm and the track. A holding means engages the connecting means to prevent such rotation when the connecting means is not positioned in the end region of the track.

Abstract: A dual-step rear bumper assembly for a truck. The bumper assembly comprises a main or lower crossmember 15 extending the full width of the truck. The crossmember provides the principal bumper strength and also the lower step (16 or 17) of a dual-step feature. To this crossmember 15 is attached an upper crossmember 28 having tread portions providing the upper step 29 or 31 of the dual-step feature. The bumper assembly ends are capped by end bulkheads 41 and 44. Intermediate bulkheads 42 and 43 box in the ends of the license plate cavity located at the center of the bumper assembly. The bulkheads may be of a much lighter gauge metal then the bumper cross members. The bulkheads provide the necessary vertical compression load resistance to support the weight of a person stepping on the upper step portions.

Abstract: A compartment closure tilt assist mechanism that, independently of the operation of any counterbalance means in the compartment hinges, is effective to reduce the opening or lift effort for raising the closure to provide access to the compartment therebeneath. The assist mechanism comprises a lift arm 17 supported on a support strut 13 extending longitudinally of the compartment. Interposed between the lift arm and support strut are lift arm support links that are swingable about a pivot axis located below the strut. The links extend from the pivot axis angularly upwardly above the strut and support the lift arm between the closure and the strut in closed position of the closure. Over-center biasing means 33, coupled to the support strut and to the lift arm, are operative to reduce the lift effort to raise the compartment closure.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly 12 having a window glass 14 bonded to a window frame 15, resilient clip devices 23 interposed between the glass and frame, and a reveal molding 16 retained by the clip devices. The clip devices 23 locate and support the glass in the frame during the setting and curing of the bonding material 22 and hold the reveal molding 16 against a marginal portion of the glass. The reveal molding conceals the gap between the periphery of the glass and the frame and the clip devices located in the gap.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system including a unitary flexible bag having a plurality of compartments. The air bag in deflated condition is confined in a vehicle passenger compartment in spaced relationship to one of the adjacent passenger seating positions. The bag is inflatable for passenger restraint purposes by a pressurizing device. The bag is constructed and arranged so that during inflation it deploys towards one of the passenger seating positions, and also expands laterally across the vehicle interior in front of the adjacent passenger seating position.

Abstract: An elastic sealing and mounting strip, especially for windows in motor vehicle bodywork. The strip has a main body portion with an arch that covers the gap between the window and the bodywork. A groove receives the edge of the window and a lip extends over the flange edge of a window opening. A number of sealing lips are supported against abutting parts of the bodywork and are supported by harder inserts or are sprung as a result of the presence of hollow chambers in the strip.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system having a belt anchored to a hinged vehicle door at upper and lower anchorage points and a strap extending from an inboard retractor mechanism to a slip ring slidably on the belt. In door closed position, the portions of the belt between the slip ring and the lower anchorage point and the slip ring and the upper anchorage point forming a lap belt segment and a torso belt segment, respectively, for restraining a seat occupant on a vehicle seat. A fixed web stop located on the lap belt is sized to prevent its passage through the slip ring as the door is opened. The effective length of the torso segment becomes fixed upon engagement of the web stop with the slip ring causing the torso segment and retractor strap to be placed under linear tension and the retractor strap and belt segments to be lifted upwardly and forwardly of a seat occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt inhibitor system is designed to prevent door mounted inertial seat belt retractor 14 from locking the seat belt webbing 13 whenever the door is opened. The retractor pendulum 31, sensitive to acceleration, moves the locking bar 28 upward locking the retractor and prevents the belt webbing from paying out. An electromagnet 36, when energized, attracts a leaf spring 37 extending from the locking bar inhibiting movement of the latter. System inhibiting is initiated by closing either a door latch switch 42 or a door release handle switch 41. At low accelerations (occurring while the door is being opened), the locking bar 28 is restrained by the electromagnet 36 through the leaf spring 37. If the system should fail such that the electromagnet was energized while the door is closed, high acceleration of the pendulum would force the locking bar up, locking the retractor. Deenergizing occurs normally whenever the door is closed.