Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for securing a storage compartment door within a vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a mounting bracket, a handle, and an undivided, one piece latching member. The latching member includes a main body portion, a first pliable leg portion, a second pliable leg portion, a first post portion, and a second post portion. The latching member is in a relaxed position when the handle is in the latched position and a flexed position when the handle is in the unlatched position. The handle includes at least one abutment member for displacing the main body portion of the latching member as the handle is pivoted from the latched position to the unlatched position. Displacement of the main body portion causes the first and second pliable leg portions to resiliently retract which retracts the first post member and the second post member from extended post positions to retracted post positions.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes applying a reference stroke pressure to an oncoming control element while executing a downshift to a target gear, determining a stroke pressure adjustment in response to a turbine speed flare during the downshift, and re-executing the downshift while applying to the oncoming element an adapted stroke pressure that is a sum of the stroke pressure adjustment and the reference stroke pressure.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine 2 and a flywheel 9. Storage and release of energy by the flywheel 9 is enabled by a continuously variable transmission 10 and clutch 11 under the control of an electronic module 14. The amount of energy transferred from the vehicle one to the flywheel 9 during a deceleration manoeuvre is maximized by increasing the engine speed. As a result, the engine does more work against the braking force of the accelerating flywheel and causes the flywheel to spin up to a higher rotational speed.

Abstract: Plastic building blocks made from structural foam polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene are strong, lightweight and may be easily disassembled. The top surface of each block has frusto-conical posts which fit into corresponding bores in the bottom surface of adjacent blocks to provide interlocking capability.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle torque converter lockup clutch during a deceleration coasting event includes producing slip across the clutch by reducing the clutch's torque capacity, decreasing said slip by increasing said torque capacity, and maintaining slip across the clutch.

Abstract: An elongated flexible dental strip includes front and rear surfaces defining a thickness therebetween. The strip also includes first and second edges defining a lateral width therebetween. A first portion of the strip further is spaced from a second portion along the length of the strip, wherein the thickness of the first portion is different from the thickness of the second portion. The strip has a constant thickness across a lateral width defined between the first and second edges.

Abstract: A rain detection apparatus and method, comprising a camera adapted to view a surface and a processor adapted to capture at least one image from the camera, in which the processor is further adapted to generate at least one signal indicative of the presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the at least one captured image and to, optionally drive surface cleaning apparatus in response thereto, in which the apparatus is adapted to capture images focused at a plurality of distances; in which the processor includes edge detection means adapted to detect edges visible in the at least one captured image and difference means adapted to calculate the difference between the number of edges visible between differing images; and in which the edge detection means is further adapted to disregard edges close to areas of light larger than the largest raindrop that is desired or expected to be detected.

Abstract: A circuit for carrying hydraulic lubricant in a transmission includes a shaft including a duct, a second shaft separated by a space from the shaft, and including a second duct, and a cup plug including a leg that extends across the space, the leg and the second shaft forming a passage directed between an end of the leg and the space, and a cap having an orifice connecting the ducts.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame and a pad having a portion. A trim cover at least partially surrounds the frame and the portion of the pad. The trim cover includes a tear seam formed therein and has an underside disposed adjacent the portion of the pad. The seat further includes an airbag module having an inflator, a housing defining an opening, and an airbag deployable from a folded position within the housing to an expanded position extending outwardly through the opening of the housing. The seat further includes a deflector having a first portion mounted on the frame and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion. During deployment of the airbag, the second portion flexes relative to the first portion to move the portion of the pad away from the underside of the trim cover. The airbag is directed between the deflector and the underside of the trim material.

Abstract: A controller for electric trailer brakes that includes a three axis accelerometer for detecting deceleration of a towing vehicle and an interactive liquid crystal display controlled by a plurality of pushbuttons.

Abstract: A pivot joint assembly includes a bar generally defining an outer cylindrical surface. The bar has first and second beads extending outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The first and second beads are spaced apart from one another along the length of the bar. At least one of the first and second beads is an integrally formed portion extended outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The assembly further includes a mounting member having opposed first and second sides. The mounting member has a hole formed therein. The bar is disposed in the hole such that the mounting member is disposed between the first and second beads such that bar rotates relative to the mounting member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to N-Substituted thiomorpholine compounds of formula I, the possible isomers, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, the solvates, the hydrates or the prodrugs thereof as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV); and to a method for preparing the compounds of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I and use of the compounds of formula II in medical field, particularly in the preparation of medicaments for treating and preventing diabetes (in particular type II diabetes), hyperglycemia, X syndrome, hyperinsulinemia, obesity, atherosclerosis and all kinds of diseases modulated by immune system.

Abstract: A park assist system for parking a vehicle in a target parking space includes a sensing system. The sensing system determines whether there is a sufficient slot length in a target parking space too small to complete a parking maneuver in a single maneuver, but large enough to complete a parking maneuver in more than one maneuver. During each of the more than one parking maneuvers, the driver is prompted to execute a calculated steering trajectory.

Abstract: A steering column assembly having an adjustable shroud comprises a fixed portion arranged to be secured to a body of a vehicle and a moving portion which can be moved telescopically relative to the fixed portion, a clamp mechanism which releasably fixes the moving portion in position relative the vehicle body, the clamp mechanism being movable between a first, unclamped, position in which the fixed portion and the moving portion can move relative to one another and a second, clamped, position in which the fixed portion and the moving portion are prevented from relative movement, and a lock mechanism, wherein the assembly is so arranged that when the clamp mechanism is in the first position the lock mechanism limits a range of movement of the moving portion relative to the fixed portion at least in a collapse direction by providing a path for collapse forces from the moving portion through the lock mechanism to the fixed portion, and when the clamp mechanism is in the second position the lock mechanism permits

Abstract: A rotary hearth furnace for treating metal oxide materials comprises a hearth mounted for rotary movement within an enclosure. One or more fuel burners are positioned above the hearth. The burners are operably fired to heat the furnace so that heat radiates toward the hearth. One or more oxygen nozzles are positioned between the hearth and the burners in a manner that avoids substantial contact between the oxygen and the briquettes, thereby creating a quiescent zone immediately above the briquettes, with the quiescent zone being sufficient to minimize reoxidation of the reduced briquettes, and minimize entrainment of particulate matter from the briquettes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an automatic transmission having a torque converter, with the transmission having three gear sets and with the first gear set which has a first brake clutch and a second brake clutch being braked relative to the housing by means of simultaneous actuation of the first and second brake clutches, as a result of which an output shaft which is directly connected to the first gear set is likewise braked. The third gear set is connected in terms of gearing to an input shaft and to the first gear set and can be fixed relative to the housing by means of a third brake clutch. The simultaneous actuation of the first and second brake clutches takes place at least intermittently with the third brake clutch in a slipping state, controlling the speed of the torque converter relative to the engine.

Abstract: A releasable drive connection includes a ring including teeth angularly spaced about an axis, and grooves, each groove formed in an axial end of the ring and aligned angularly with a space between consecutive ring teeth; and a sleeve supported for axial movement, including first teeth angularly spaced about the axis, engageable with the ring teeth, each first tooth having a first length; and second teeth, each second tooth aligned with one of the first teeth, having an axial length shorter than the first length, and including a pointed end for engaging one of the grooves and permitting the first tooth to extend between and engage consecutive gear teeth.

Abstract: A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle includes engaging a gear of a transmission that driveably connects the engine and wheels of the vehicle; maintaining a current brake pressure greater than a reference brake pressure; initiating an automatic engine restart; using a timer to count down during a period of predetermined length; using a pump to produce a desired magnitude of brake pressure sufficient to suppress a wheel torque surge produced by restarting the engine and to hold the vehicle stationary; and releasing the brake pressure if either the timer expires or a peak in engine speed occurs.