Abstract: A four-wheel drive system for a vehicle, comprising an engine having an output shaft rotatable about an axis in a lateral direction of the vehicle; a transmission gear unit including input and output shafts each having an axis of rotation parallel with the axis of rotation of the output shaft; a first wheel drive gear unit comprising power splitting gear means to split driving power from the transmission output shaft into two driving power components, and a first differential gear assembly for a pair of road wheels, the power splitting gear means and the first differential gear assembly being aligned with the transmission output shaft; and a second wheel drive gear unit comprising a second differential gear assembly for another pair of road wheels; the first wheel drive gear unit further comprising final reduction gear means positioned between the power splitting gear means and the first differential gear assembly, and power transfer gear means intervening between the power splitting gear means and the second

Abstract: A radio-controlled toy car which can smoothly turn its running direction even when the toy car is running with the front wheels kept lifted from the ground, that is, even during the wheelie motion. The toy car according to the present invention comprises a differential gear mechanism, two drive shafts rotatably connected to the differential gear mechanism, two electromagnets for applying a brake force to each of the two drive shafts, independently, when energized in cooperation with one of two magnetic cylindrical members fixed to the two drive shafts separately, a front wheel and, in particular, an auxiliary rear wheel, in addition to two ordinary rear wheels and two front dummy wheels. Furthermore, since a connecting rod is provided for loosely connecting the two drive shafts, the differential gear mechanism functions reliably.

Abstract: An engine knocking detection method and apparatus which can accurately separate engine knocking vibration signals from background noise signals on the basis of the waveforms of the detected engine vibration signals. Usually, engine knocking vibration signals have frequency components of from 6 to 9 KHz and envelope time constants of from 1.5 to 50 ms. Therefore, the engine knocking detection apparatus according to the present invention comprises a band-pass filter (6-9 KHz), a first smoothing circuit which outputs only engine vibration signals with envelope time constants of 1.5 ms or more and a second smoothing circuit which outputs only background noise signals with time constants of 50 ms or more, in addition to a vibration sensor, amplifiers, a rectifier, and a comparator.

Abstract: A fail-safe thermostatically operated valve includes a temperature-responsive actuator for moving a valve element between a retracted position and an extended position. The valve includes a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member which are releasably connected to one another by a temperature-responsive release device which is responsive to a second predetermined temperature above the normal operating temperature of the valve. A spring arrangement provides return capability for the valve element and overtravel capability for the valve in the normal temperature operating range, and biasing force to move the valve element from the retracted to the extended position when the temperature-responsive release device operates. In one embodiment, the temperature-responsive release device includes a miniature wax-filled actuator in engagement with a mechanical linkage. In an alternate embodiment, the temperature-responsive release device comprises a heat fusible material.

Abstract: A combination rack-and-armrest assembly for attachment to the inner panel of a door structure of an automotive vehicle body, comprising an upwardly open, hollow receptacle secured to the inner panel of the door structure and an armrest member at least in part pivotally movable with respect to the receptacle about a horizontal axis adjacent the inner panel of the door structure between a horizontal position closing the upper end of the receptacle and an upwardly inclined position allowing the receptacle to be open upwardly through the upper end of the receptacle, the receptacle and the armrest member being formed with a concavity and a recess, respectively, along the inner panel of the door structure for permitting a vehicle occupant to pull the door structure from an open position with his fingers slipped into the concavity.

Abstract: A jewelry box includes a pair of identical mating frames having interengaging protrusions to define an integral hinge. A shell is secured to each frame to define a body member and a cover member for the box. A variety of shells having different depths, colors and surface finishes are produced for a given size frame, and a variety of combinations of shells can be selected for each box.

Abstract: An air conditioner for an automotive vehicle having an air conditioner compressor driven with a crankpulley of an internal combustion engine, with an electromagnetic clutch energized, and linked with an evaporator for cooling and dehumidifying the intake air and an air mixing door located upstream of a heater core for heating the intake air.

Abstract: A reinforcing member includes a reinforcing resin layer which is elastic in its semi-hardened or unhardened state before the reinforcing member is applied to an object to be reinforced and which is rigid in its hardened state; an expandable member centered along the reinforcing resin layer; the expandable member being narrower than the reinforcing resin layer; the expandable member being elastic at least before the reinforcing member is applied to the object; the expandable member being expandable to form a bead-like projection before the reinforcing resin layer hardens; the reinforcing resin layer having its edge portions extending beyond the expandable member, the underside of the edge portions thereof being adapted to adhere to the object.

Abstract: In a tilting window having a main frame (1), an intermediate frame (3) top-hinged therein, and a sash (7) pivotally mounted or tilting movement in the intermediate frame, said sash (7) comprises an arresting member (10) which is located in the vicinity of the pivot bearing (6) of the sash and upon closing of the window, which is effected by coordinated tilting of the sash in relation to the intermediate frame and swinging of said intermediate frame in relation to the main frame, engages an associate arresting member (11) on the main frame. After locking together the intermediate frame (3) and the sash (7) at the top, the window will be firmly held in a closed or in a slightly open position. The operation of the window requires only a locking or coupling mechanism at the top of the window.

Abstract: A gearshift device for a manually operable transmission unit having a transmission case housing gears therein is disclosed as comprising a control rod having a center axis and movable along the center axis thereof with respect to the transmission case, a control lever securely mounted on the control rod and having a free end portion, and a shift fork having a pivot axis fixed with respect to the transmission case and pivotable about the pivot axis, the shift fork having one end portion bifurcated for forming a pair of protrusions and a recess between the protrusions, the free end portion of the control lever being received in the recess, the shift fork having the other end portion operably connected to the gears of the transmission unit, wherein the free end portion of the control lever and one of the protrusions are respectively formed with flat surfaces contactable with each other when the gears of the transmission unit are held in mesh with one another.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive system for a vehicle, comprising an engine having an output shaft rotatable about an axis in a lateral direction of the vehicle; a transmission gear unit including transmission input and output shafts parallel with the axis of rotation of the engine output shaft; a first wheel drive gear unit comprising power splitting gear means to split driving power from the transmission output shaft into two driving power components, and a first differential gear assembly to split one driving power component into two output power components to be transmitted to one pair of road wheels, the power splitting gear means and the first differential gear assembly being aligned with the transmission output shaft in a lateral direction of the vehicle; and a second wheel drive gear unit comprising a second differential gear assembly to split the other driving power component into two output power components to be transmitted to another pair of road wheels; the first wheel drive gear unit further comprising final

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an automatic vehicle-body assembling apparatus for automatically welding together an engine compartment assembly, a front floor assembly and a rear floor assembly to constitute a vehicle floor structure of an automotive vehicle, each of the engine compartment and front and rear floor assemblies being composed of a plurality of component members, comprising a frame structure, lower and upper working stations including lower and upper carrier means movable in lateral directions of the frame structure, at least two jig assemblies each operative to hold in position the engine compartment and front and rear floor assemblies during each cycle of operation, the jig assemblies being carried on the carrier means of one of the lower and upper working stations, and at least two welding units each operative to weld together the engine compartment and front and rear floor assemblies during each cycle of operation, the jig assemblies being movable in a lateral direction of the frame structure alternatel

Abstract: A fuel filler tube is secured to an inside constructional member of a vehicle with its fuel inlet mouth portion spacedly received in a cup-shaped member secured to a vehicle outer panel. An outwardly projected bumper member having a considerable size is mounted or formed on the fuel filler tube in the vicinity of the fuel inlet mouth of the tube. Thus, upon a vehicle collision inducing a considerable displacement of the filler tube relative to the cup-shaped member, initial collision occurs between the bumper member and the cup-shaped member thereby suppressing the collision of the filler cap with the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: In a hinge device for inclined tiltable windows with external overlapping cover rails, the base plate of the main frame supports through a pair of pivotable links an intermediate member which is movable in a parallelogramlike--or pantographlike--manner and itself carries a pivot pin on which the sash base plate of the hinge device is journalled. The rotation of said base plate about the pivot pin is co-ordinated with the movement of the intermediate member by way of a coupling link that through pivot pins is connected with the sash base plate and the pivotable link adjacent the coupling link, respectively. The coupling link makes it possible in a simple and cheap manner to reliably controlling the hing parts during the full tilting of the sash in both directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling ignition system spark timing. It is detected whether the engine is in operation with no load or in the remaining operating conditions. A digital processor is provided which uses a mathematical formula or table during no load engine operation to find value of spark advance, which mathematical formula or table is distinct from a mathematical formula or table to be used during the remaining engine operating conditions to find value of spark advance.

Abstract: An intake system of an internal combustion engine including a power cylinder having an intake valve and a fuel injection nozzle, comprising: a throttle chamber upstream open to the atmosphere; primary and secondary throttle valves provided in parallel with each other in the throttle chamber; primary and secondary air passageways leading from the throttle chamber past the primary and secondary throttle valves, respectively, and conjoined together upstream of the intake valve, the secondary passageway being larger in cross sectional area than the primary air passageway and having a reservoir chamber portion larger in cross sectional area than the remaining portion of the secondary passageway; and air heating means provided in the primary air intake pipe and operative to preheat the air to be passed through the primary air intake pipe.

Abstract: In order to improve the cold starting efficiency of a an internal combustion engines using alcohol or low cetane type fuel, an ignition method provides an ignition mode in which a plurality of energizations of the ignition plugs per cycle is effected during engine cold starting operation which is detected by sensing at least one of the engine temperature and the engine speed. The number of energizations per cycle is returned to one after the engine has sufficiently warmed up. The method is applied to both of a plasma ignition system and a conventional spark ignition system.

Abstract: In an instrument adapted particularly for analyzing agricultural products, such as grain, interference filters are rotated successively through an infrared wide wavelength band beam of light, which irradiates a sample of the product. Each of the interference filters operates to transmit a narrow wavelength band of light, the center frequency of which is scanned through a range of values as the angle of incidence of the beam of light to the interference filter varies as the filter rotates through the beam of light. An optical track is provided which rotates with the assembly of interference filters to generate pulses from index markings in the optical track. The markings in the optical track are spaced so that one pulse is generated for each angstrom of variation of the center frequency transmitted through an interference filter.

Abstract: A steering lock arrangement for a vehicle with a tilt steering wheel includes a stationary instrument panel, a key-receiving member, and a shielding member. The instrument panel has an aperture. The key-receiving member is associated with the steering wheel and moves with tilt of the steering wheel. The key-receiving member has a slot for an operating key and is located at the back of the instrument panel in such a manner that the slot faces the aperture. The shielding member is connected to the key-receiving member and engages the instrument panel in such a manner to cover the gap between the key-receiving member and the instrument panel. The shielding member is movable to permit movement of the key-receiving member.

Abstract: An ornament to be attached to a vehicle body such as automobile body to indicate a mark such as the manufacturer's mark for example. The ornament is of the self-illuminating type essentially made up of a base to be attached to an outer part of the vehicle body, a lamp such as an electroluminescent panel supported by the base and a cover which is a one-piece member formed of a transparent material attached to the base so as to entirely cover the lamp with a space therebetween. By processing of its inner side, the cover has a first area which is in a pattern corresponding to the shape of the mark to be indicated and allows the light emitted by the lamp to pass therethrough but in the daylight prevents recognition of the lamp from the outside, and a second portion which is contiguous to the first area and does not allow the light to pass therethrough.