Abstract: The drawings illustrate a switch and latch arrangement responsive to vehicular odometer movement and including means formed at a predetermined location on one of the odometer number wheels, indicative of a predetermined cumulative vehicle travel, for pivoting suitable magnetic shunt means from a first position out of the path of lines of flux extending from a permanent magnet to a magnetically actuated reed switch to a second position in the path of the lines of flux, in order to selectively control an external device electrically connected to the reed switch.

Abstract: The drawings disclose a pneumatic tubeless tire including either one or two load support running bands adapted to support the weight of a vehicle should the tire become deflated. The circumferential centers of the support bands are substantially coplanar with the planes of respective annular tire beads. In one embodiment the applicable bead is a third bead integrally formed adjacent one of the normal beads on the inner surface of the beaded edge of the tire. Double rows of circumferentially oriented, spaced apart tension spokes, with alternate pairs thereof oppositely angularly disposed so as to cross one another, rigidly connect each support band to the respective annular bead. An annular ridge is formed on the rim adjacent the inner edge of each beaded end to retain the beaded ends in position during deflated tire conditions.

Abstract: The drawings disclose a pneumatic tubeless tire including a self seating stabilizer formed of a plurality of segments, each having a centrally located flange formed on the inner surface thereof. A fastener ring is secured to the segmented flanges during assembly for retaining the segments as a unit between the inner surfaces of the usual two sidewalls radially intermediate the widest portion thereof and the beaded ends thereof. The segments may be formed of any suitable material, such as thermoplastic material containing glass fiber reinforcement or aluminum. The annular stabilizer unit provides lateral and radial support for the tire sidewalls, particularly when the tire becomes deflated.

Abstract: The arrangement shown and described herein is used to seal a closure structure of a vehicle body. A weatherstrip including metal strip inserts is extruded to include not only the usual hollow deflection bulb, but also a hollow flange sealing bulb, formed in a predetermined shape on the center portion of the side surface opposite the deflection bulb. When the retention portion of the weatherstrip around the metal strip inserts is crimped to form its operational "U" shaped recess, the flange sealing bulb is located at the bottom of the recess, substantially uniformly filling the space heretofor selectively filled with a bead of butyl mastic sealant. Once the thus formed weatherstrip is installed on a body closure flange or ledge, the edge of the flange or ledge depresses the hollow sealing bulb such that the latter effectively and uniformly seals off the inside of the flange or ledge from the outside thereof.

Abstract: The drawings disclose a pneumatic tubeless tire including oppositely disposed annular support members attached to the inner surfaces of the usual two sidewalls at substantially the widest portion thereof, and a plurality of ribs formed of a suitable thermoplastic material containing glass fiber reinforcement, and each having one end thereof integrally formed with one annular support member and extending across the tire in an alternately spaced relationship from the annular support member either to the inner surface of the oppositely disposed beaded end or to the other annular support member, the annular support members and the plurality of bridging ribs providing lateral and radial support for the tire sidewalls, particularly when the tire becomes deflated.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate an air filter assembly which is assembled from a pair of identical box-like housing halves. Equally spaced rib elements are formed in each half such that, upon assembly, the rib elements are interdigitated to provide a space for confining therebetween a pleated filtering sheet having a large filtering area.

Abstract: The electromagnetic clutch illustrated includes an electromagnetic coil assembly, an armature plate, and a pulley assembly having cylindrical end portions with an intermediate groove portion, and a hub portion, all of which form part of a 4-pole magnetic flux path. A non-magnetic ring member is mounted in support relationship between the groove portion and the pulley hub. A clutch rotor is secured to an end of the pulley hub adjacent the armature plate and extends radially outwardly therefrom so as to provide a uninterrupted circular air space with the cylindrical end portion adjacent the armature plate, such that no shorting of the lines of flux can occur from the end portion to the clutch rotor, providing a faster and stronger attraction of the armature plate when the electromagnetic coil is energized.

Abstract: The arrangement shown and described herein is used to seal a closure structure of a vehicle body. A weatherstrip including metal strip inserts is molded in the usual manner and is then crimped into its operational "U" shape around an extruded tubular rubber member located at the bottom of the U-shape, the tubular member substantially filling the space heretofore selectively filled with a bead of butyl mastic sealant. Once the thus formed weatherstrip is installed on a body closure flange or ledge, the edge of the flange or ledge flattens out the tubular member such that the latter effectively and uniformly seals off the inside of the flange or ledge from the outside thereof.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate an angularly adjustable head restraint assembly for use with the backrest of a vehicle seat. The assembly includes a post carried by the backrest, a headrest pivotally connected to the post and adapted to being manually pivotally moved from a horizontally oriented reclined attitude to a vertically oriented head support attitude, locking means for locking the headrest in the vertically oriented head support attitude, a cam with cooperating overcenter spring means for causing the cam to snap overcenter once it is provided forwardly from the head support attitude by the headrest to urge the locking means out of its locked relationship with the headrest and permit the headrest to be lowered toward the reclined attitude, and a projection formed on the locking means for contacting the cam and causing it to snap overcenter in the other direction just prior to the headrest attaining the reclined attitude into position for the next sequence.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate an odometer for vehicle use, including an idler wheel mounted adjacent the highest-order number wheel, and an endless strip of flexible material mounted around these wheels having a length equal to an integral multiple of the circumference of the highest-order number wheel. An array of indicia is formed on the strip for each rotation of the highest-order number wheel, and distinctly marked to portray, for example, that a second revolution of the highest-order number wheel is in progress.

Abstract: An independent strut type suspension assembly for a vehicle including a hydraulic telescopic damper having a housing to the lower end of which is secured a wheel carrier for a road wheel of the vehicle. A lower transverse pivotal guide member is articulated to the wheel carrier and to part of the body of the vehicle. A piston rod of the damper projects from the housing and extends through an aperture in the vehicle body, and the upper end portion of the piston rod is rigidly connected to connector means including a bell-shaped member the open end portion which has a resilient connection, in the form of an annular rubber member, to the vehicle body.A helical wheel-suspension spring surrounds the damper, with the lower end of the spring seated on the damper housing.

Abstract: An independent strut-type suspension system for a front wheel drive vehicle, wherein the shock absorber is secured at the lower end thereof to the steering knuckle at an angle such that it extends rearwardly of the drive shaft and below the center line thereof, providing a low overall height profile, coupled with anti-dive and anti-lift characteristics, with a coil spring mounted eccentrically around the shock absorber to diminish bending moments on the shock absorber.

Abstract: A method of coiling a flat strip, including the steps of advancing and supporting the strip, forming a partial loop on the leading end thereof while continuing to advance the strip toward an upcoiling nest where the coiling is completed, shearing the advancing strip when the coil attains a predetermined size, completing the coiling of the sheared end thereof, and ejecting the finished coil.

Abstract: The sheet metal draw die apparatus disclosed is used with a double-acting press for drawing a planar metal sheet to a predetermined nonplanar drawn article. Both the lower and upper dies consist of spaced-apart modules having only male work contact surfaces formed thereon such that the juxtaposition of the upwardly and downwardly facing male work contact surfaces constitute a distinct, continuous surface defining the drawn article.

Abstract: A column-mounted shift control arrangement for use with a shift tube and associated shift bowl having an "angular throw" such that REVERSE, FIRST and THIRD ratio positions are in the same circumferential location, and including (1) pivotable, spring-loaded locking means operatively connected between the shift tube and the gear sector on the lock cylinder to prevent the latter from being rotated to OFF LOCK until the shift tube is moved axially downwardly to REVERSE, and (2) interference means formed on the toothed rack associated with the gear sector to prevent the shift bowl from being rotated while in REVERSE.

Abstract: An independently sprung front suspension system for improving the ride and handling of a recreational vehicle having a unitized body and frame. A wishbone-shaped lower control arm having spaced apart inner ends is mounted for pivotal movement on a control arm shaft, and a tubular member surrounding the control arm shaft is secured to the frame. A pair of spaced apart elastomeric bushings are mounted on the shaft within the tubular member which permit large horizontal deflection and minimal vertical deflection of the shaft within the tubular member during road impact and braking conditions, thereby substantially isolating the frame from such road impact.

Abstract: An independently sprung front wheel assembly including a frame, a steering knuckle and associated wheel, a control arm pivotally connected at its inner ends via a shaft and surrounding clamp members to the frame and its outer end to the steering knuckle, a coil spring mounted between the control arm and the frame, and an elastomeric bushing mounted around the shaft within each clamp and having vertically oriented sides of reduced effective thickness for providing a low horizontal rate and high vertical rate for increased horizontal movement and minimal vertical movement of the wheel and control arm relative to the frame during road impact conditions to substantially isolate the frame from such impacts.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch including a clutch plate member rotatably mounted in the clutch housing, and serving as a rotatable wall dividing the chamber within the housing into an annular working chamber adjacent one face thereof and an annular reservoir chamber adjacent the other face thereof, with inlet and outlet ports formed in the clutch plate and a radially extending, resilient, flexible valve member mounted on the reservoir chamber face thereof for controlling the flow of fluid medium from the reservoir chamber to the working chamber through the inlet port, in response to the action of a temperature-responsive power unit mounted on the housing.

Abstract: An independently sprung front wheel assembly including a frame, a steering knuckle and associated road wheel, a control arm pivotally connected at its outer end to the steering knuckle and at its inner ends to a shaft mounted in a pair of spaced clamp members secured to the frame, a coil spring mounted between the control arm and the frame, and a pair of eccentric elastomeric bushings mounted around the shaft within the respective clamps, each bushing having a vertically oriented scalloped void or cut-out formed in the side thereof facing the wheel (1) for providing high deflection in the horizontal plane and low deflection in the vertical plane of the shaft and, hence, the control arm relative to the clamp members during road impact conditions, to substantially isolate the frame from such impacts, and (2) for controlling the compliance center about which the lower control arm pivots to minimize steering reaction that might be caused by braking and road impact conditions.

Abstract: A self steering two-wheel trailer including frame and hitch means for rigidly securing the trailer to a motor vehicle so as to be pivotable relative thereto in the vertical direction only, and adjustable link means pivotally connected between the wheels, the adjustable link means including tie bars axially aligned and interconnected at their inner ends by damper means suitable for responding to road load conditions upon reversing the direction of travel to automatically accommodate pivoting of the wheels to a toe-in attitude in the new direction of movement.