Abstract: In a solar energized hot water heating system, valve means responsive to the heated output from the solar heater for directing heated water alternately between a pair of storage tanks. The valve means includes a thermostatic element responsive to water temperature with capabilities to direct heated water above a predetermined temperature to one of two storage tanks and to the other when below said temperature. The valve has a multi-use function to also mix cold water with the heated output prior to use to produce a desired lower temperature.

Abstract: Automatic temperature control system for vehicles commonly utilize vacuum pressure as a power source to perform various functions such as operating the mode damper which routes hot or cold air through either lower or upper outlets. The vacuum pressure is directed to the vacuum motor or actuator to the mode door by a vacuum switch. Normally, the switch is of the type having a stationary ported member and an overlying member which is movable to interconnect the various ports. Undesirable split modes of operation occur because of either improper placement of the rotatable switch member or excessive leakage thereby. Split mode operation may undesirably cause improper allocation of hot and cold air through upper and lower outlets. The subject application provides a vacuum switching device or "toggle" located between the vacuum switch and the vacuum or actuator motor.

Abstract: A lock and control assembly for a vehicle tailgate of the type having a pivotal upper window portion and a pivotal lower gate portion which are hinge mounted respectively along a top edge and a bottom edge so that the opposite edges of both meet when in the closed operative position. The assembly includes a pivotal fork bolt supported adjacent the top edge of the gate portion to engage and capture a striker member which is attached to the lower edge of the window when in the closed position. A pivotal detent lever selectively releases the fork bolt and is operatively attached to a first control lever which pivots in one direction to operate the detent lever and release the fork bolt. A second control lever pivots in the opposite direction to release latch mechanisms holding the gate portion in its closed position. A lock cylinder supported in the exterior panel of the gate is aligned with the operating levers and has means to selectively actuate the levers.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a sliding door assembly in which a sliding door is movable between an open position wherein said door is suspended parallel to and adjacent a side of said vehicle and a closed position wherein said door fills an opening in said vehicle side and lies flush with said vehicle side.

Abstract: A stud fastener for attaching one body member to the irregular surface of a second body member so that the axis of the stud fastener is not obliquely cocked with respect to the plane of the second body member. The stud fastener has an annular collar with struck-out contact portions thereon which remain connected to the collar by a reduced area of contact to provide a yieldable connection with the second surface, permitting movement of the contacts toward the plane of the collar as a nut fastener brings the collar against the irregular surface of the second body member. In a preferred embodiment, three pads or contacts are formed and when all three have engaged the second surface, the nut fastener is torqued out so that the stud is solidly secured to the second surface without cocking of its axis with respect to the plane of the second surface.

Abstract: A vehicle sunshade support assembly including a support member pivotally mounted to the vehicle body. A horizontally extending portion of the support has a bore therein and a keyway opening to the bore. The sunshade is attached to a horizontally extending rod which has a molded bushing of plastic material on an end configured to snugly be inserted into the bore and keyway. The sunshade and rod are rotatable as a unit within the bushing which is prevented from rotating by interaction between a key portion thereon and the keyway. Aligned slots in the horizontal support portion and the bushing receive a resilient retainer which holds the bushing axially in the bore.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat comprises a pivotal hinge fitting having a fixed component connected to a seat portion, a pivotable component connected to a back-rest, a pivot pin connecting the fixed component to the pivoted component, a toothed part rotatably mounted on the pivot pin, and fine-adjustment means on the pivotable component operable to pivot the pivotable component to adjust the angle of the back-rest relative to the seat portion.

Abstract: A signal generator for a fluid-level indicator in a motor vehicle which converts the pivotal movement of a pivot in the indicator produced by the rise and fall of a float in a fuel tank of the vehicle into digital binary coded electrical signals by means of digital binary coding means mechanically connected to said pivot, said digital binary coded signals being fed to an integrated switching circuit of the signal generator, the outputs from the switching circuit being enabled in sequence when, for example, the float rises from a minimum height in the fuel tank to a maximum height therein, each one of said outputs being connectable to a corresponding electrically-energizable light means, such as a luminous diode, associated with an illuminable display panel situated on an instrument panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back support and, more particularly, a seat back support with provision for selective adjustment of the angular position between the seat cushion and the seat back. A seat cushion mounting member has a toothed sector in its upper, rearward edge portion. Below the toothed sector, a rotatable support shaft is mounted which includes an eccentric portion on which a seat back mounting member is pivotally mounted. The seat back mounting member includes a toothed portion adapted to engage or mesh with the toothed sector of the seat cushion mounting member. An actuation lever is attached to the rotatable support shaft to move the eccentric portion upward by rotation of the shaft. Resultantly, the seat back mounting member is moved upward and its toothed portion is disengaged from the toothed sector, thereafter permitting the seat back to be angularly adjusted with respect to the seat cushion.

Abstract: A rapid heat recuperative heat exchanger particularly adapted for use with large gas turbine engines, including a heat exchanger core which is composed of a plurality of spaced plate members. The core is supported within a skeleton framework by hanger members, the lower ends of which are slidably attached to horizontal control rods which extend through aligned openings in the core plates and which guide movement of the plates in an axial direction to the rods due to thermal expansion. Pressurized air is introduced to the core by inlet and outlet fittings on the end of the core which are of significantly greater thickness than the plate members. It is undesirable to join active heat exchange members of widely varying masses and differing cross-sections. Therefore, the end plate of the core is made of material having the same thickness as the inlet and outlet fittings. Progressing from the relatively thick end plate, the plates are gradually decreased in thickness until a desired plate dimension is achieved.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly with a preload feature derived from a dished washer type compression spring located between the semi-spherical head of the stud unit and the ball joint housing. The inner diameter edge of the dished washer spring engages the stud unit and has radially outward extending slotted portions therein which effectively shift the area of greatest flexure and stress outward from the inner edge on which the greatest wear occurs.

Abstract: A hinge and latch mechanism to guide one edge of a vehicle sliding door for initially moving the edge laterally away from a vehicle body during opening and subsequently guiding movement of the edge in a longitudinal direction along the vehicle body. A generally U-shaped link member is utilized to support the one edge, a leg of which is operably connected to the door while a second leg is operably connected to the vehicle body. The body-oriented leg has a cam member attached thereto interactive with a door latching arm to prevent longitudinal movement of the latch mechanism during initial pivoting movement of the door to a laterally outward position and to permit subsequent longitudinal movement after the initial lateral movement.

Abstract: In a refrigerant system utilizing flexible hoses extending between the compressor and the other heat exchanger components, dehydration apparatus to remove moisture from the refrigerant which has passed from the atmosphere into the refrigerant system through the flexible hoses. The dehydrator includes water-impermeable housing means for a desiccant material, such as silica gel, which encircles portions of flexible hose to create a low humidity environment thereabout. Moisture in the system migrates through the flexible hose portion to the dry atmosphere produced by the desiccant material in response to the differential humidity.

Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger for gas turbine engines having an annular configuration with the air and exhaust gases, respectively, passing through the axial faces of the recuperator in counterflow relationship. The recuperator is formed by stacking a plurality of individual plates one against another about a circular form which corresponds to the inner diameter of the annular recuperator. The primary or main body of the plates are involutely curved in the radial direction and an edge extends laterally from this surface. A shoulder formed in the edge engages a portion of the next adjacent plate to space the plates one from another a given predetermined distance. The axially facing edge portions of every other plate is recessed or cut back at a radially inner location to form and inlet an outlet opening for air. Likewise, alternate plates have edge portions which are recessed near a radially outward location to form inlet and outlet openings for exhaust gases.

Abstract: An underfloor spare tire stowage or carrier assembly for a vehicle of the type having a relatively short rear overhang of the body behind the rear wheels. A tire cradle of bent rod construction directly supports the tire and consists of crossed arm portions which extend under the tire to provide vertical support. The rearward parts of the arm portions are integrally formed in bent rod fashion to provide vertical portions which position the tire horizontally and prevent its rearward movement. The forward parts of the arm portions are connected to guide members which are slidably mounted upon spaced parallel legs of a tire cradle support. The tire cradle support is also of bent rod construction and defines a generally U-shaped member including the spaced parallel legs which are pivoted at their forward ends to part of the vehicle frame. Handle means projecting through an opening in the trunk floor supports the rearward portions of the tire cradle and the support.

Abstract: A low-cost, easily fabricated bumper structure for the alleviation of repeated, low-magnitude impact shocks on a vehicle. The bumpers utilize structural elements of fiberglass or similar lightweight, high-strength materials to absorb energy of impact. The fiberglass elements of the subject bumper are fabricated by relatively inexpensive manufacturing processes, such as molding, pulltruding or extruding.

Abstract: A tailgate for a conventional station wagon type vehicle supported by a biaxial multi-hinge and a pair of hinge-latches for opening movement about a substantially vertical axis, as a door, or about a substantially horizontal axis, as a drop gate. A main latch assembly is provided to release the door for opening movement and to simultaneously release one of the two multi-hinges. A release mechanism is provided including a handle-actuated lever which is free to pivot without releasing the main latch mechanism when a selectively set lock means is in a locked condition. When the lock means is in the unlocked condition, movement of the handle-actuated lever rotates the latch release mechanism to open the tailgate in the door mode of operation with the tailgate window up or down.

Abstract: A window regulator mechanism for sequentially moving a plurality of window panels between open and closed positions including a pivotal gear sector adapted to rotate first through a first range of pivotal movement, while directly controlling the operation of a small vent window and which sequentially rotates through a second range of pivotal movement to directly control the operation of a second window. Lost motion means and a latch mechanism prevent simultaneous movement of the vent and the second window.

Abstract: A swingable and slidable vehicle door assembly opened by an initial laterally outward swinging movement followed by a sliding movement along the exterior side of the vehicle. The vehicle door assembly is supported at three points with a suspension mechanism on the leading edge combined with a lateral guide mechanism to produce the aforementioned lateral movement of the door, followed by sliding movement. A pivotal support member is mounted on the side of the door opening adjacent the door's leading edge and has rollers mounted thereon adapted to engage track means on the door. The pivotal member rotates from an initial closed-door position characterized by substantial fore and aft alignment with the plane of the door to a laterally outward position, thereby moving the leading edge of the door laterally outward from the vehicle body to permit subsequent sliding movement.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and seat cushion which is attached to one track of a dual track assembly to permit fore and aft movement along the second track whose ends are affixed to the vehicle floor. A seat adjustment positioner member is selectively located along the second track and is engaged at its forward side by stops attached to the seat cushion for limiting rearward movement of the seat cushion. The seat back is tiltably supported at both sides by arms which are attached at their lower ends to a shaft the ends of which engage the rear side of the adjustment positioner. Interconnective means between the seat back arms and the seat cushion causes forward movement of the seat cushion when the seat back is tilted in a forward direction, all without movement of the seat adjustment positioner which remains in place to relocate the seat cushion in its former position after the seat back is returned to its former position.