Abstract: A constant cross-sectional area filament wound composite material leaf spring of optimal energy storage efficiency given the constraints of filament winding and maximum spring width comprises a portion which widens toward the end of the spring, the rate of increase of width of the spring being such that the longitudinal side surfaces of the spring along such portions follow a lateral, outwardly convex curve of radius R.sub.I, wherein R.sub.I at each point is substantially equal to the camber, i.e., the longitudinal radius of curvature R.sub.C at that point.

Abstract: A filament-reinforced plastic composite tube or tubular component is adapted to be load bearing and to more efficiently absorb energy by stable collapse in the event of axially compressive impact. The tubular component has at least one substantially planar wall comprising coplanar laminations of filament-reinforced plastic, wherein at least a portion of the filaments are non-oriented material such as graphite or glass and extend axially substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The tubular component is characterized in that the tube is provided at one end with a collapse trigger means adapted to promote stable, energy absorbing collapse of the tube. Specifically, the tube wall has a bevelled end surface forming at least one apex substantially normal to the plane of the aforesaid coplanar laminations. Each bevelled end surface is at an angle of about 5.degree.-40.degree. to a line coplanar with the laminations and perpendicular to the axially extending filaments thereof.

Abstract: A wheel housing lining for motor vehicles comprises a shell of plastic material adapted approximately to the contour of the wheel housing and secured thereto. The plastic material forming the shell is a needled plastic-fiber fleece material (7/6) which is adapted from sheet material by warm working to the contour of the wheel housing (2) and is secured in the wheel housing (2) by adhesion (8), gripping, screws or the like.

Abstract: A multi-mode child restraint system is disclosed, comprising a seat and a bolster adapted to receive and releasably engage the seat. The seat provides a seating unit and means for propping the seating unit rearwardly, such propping means being mounted within the seat of the seating unit. The restraint seat, either with or without the bolster, is adapted to be secured to a motor vehicle seat by a seat belt associated with such motor vehicle seat.

Abstract: A motor vehicle scuttle-dash instrument panel component of plastics material having an integrated ventilating and heating unit comprising (i) a first part extending between the inner walls of the motor vehicle bodywork and having integrally formed hollows and walls adapted to receive components of the ventilating and heating unit, (ii) a second part likewise extending between inner walls with correspondingly matching shaped hollows and walls. When the two parts are adjacent they form together a unit having spaces and channels of a specific shape. The first and second parts can be inserted in the bodywork as a pre-assembled structural member supplemented by the corresponding components of the ventilating and heating unit and additional covering elements and being connected to the bodywork by way of lateral flanges.

Abstract: A multi-mode child restraint system is disclosed, comprising a seat and a bolster adapted to receive and releasably engage the seat. The seat provides a seating unit and an impact shield pivotably mounted to the seating unit. The impact shield is rotatable rearwardly to form a support stand for the seating unit in a reclined position. The restraint seat, either with or without the bolster is adapted to be secured to a motor vehicle seat by a seat belt associated with such motor vehicle seat.

Abstract: A novel pre-form for a fiber reinforced synthetic material vehicle wheel comprises:a substantially planar spider portion comprising sheet molding compound comprising randomly oriented fiber reinforced resin, substantially all of which fiber is from about 0.5 to 2.0 inches in length;a first tubular section comprising fiber reinforced resin sheet surrounding said spider portion about an axis substantially normal to the plane of said spider portion; anda second tubular section surrounding and substantially coaxial with said first tubular section comprising fiber reinforced resin sheet, said fiber reinforced resin sheet of said first and second tubular sections preferably comprising random, chopped fiber of about 0.5 to 2.0 inches length and continuous fiber in a ratio of about from 1:1 to 1:4, respectively. A novel fiber reinforced synthetic material wheel is made by compression molding said pre-form.

Abstract: A motor vehicle fuel tank is disclosed, having a fluid pressure thermoformed tank wall comprising a bottom wall and opposed side walls unitary with and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The fuel tank is characterized in that it has a fuel reservoir unitary with the tank wall and, specifically, formed by convolutions in the bottom wall of the tank. The fuel reservoir comprises two opposed substantially C-shaped ridges extending upwardly into the tank from the plane of the bottom wall, each such ridge extending from a corresponding one of the side walls toward the opposed side wall to a second end, diminishing in height to approximnately the plane of the bottom wall at such second end. The two C-shaped ridges cooperate to partially surround a portion of the surface area of the bottom wall of the fuel tank. A channel between each ridge and the end of the other ridge permits fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir even during low fuel conditions.

Abstract: An operating lever mechanism 10 for a hydraulic brake cylinder 28 includes a pedal 12 and a link 26 operable connected at one end to a hydraulic piston 29 and the cylinder 28 and at the other end to the pedal 12. Movement of the pedal 12 is transferred to the link 26 by means of a complementary abutment surface 22 on pedal 12 and abutment surface 34 on link 26. A shaft 36 extends from the end of the link 26 through an aperture 24 in the pedal by an amount "a" when surfaces 22 and 24 abut; the distance "a" being equal to or greater than the distance "b" through which the pedal 12 about aperture 24 travels when the pedal moves between its rest and engaged positions. The shaft 36 and aperture 24 retain the abutment surfaces 22 and 34 in alignment even when the abutment surfaces are separated by distances equal to or greater than the travel of the lever at the point of the abutment surface 22 about aperture 24.

Abstract: An improved leaf spring clamp is provided, particularly for use with composite material leaf springs, to securely fix the position of the leaf spring relative to a wheel axle or other suspension system member, such as in the suspension system of a motor vehicle. The leaf spring clamp comprises a rigid clamp base, a resilient wedge insert, and a rigid clamp plate. The clamp base provides a bottom wall and substantially parallel side walls extending from the bottom wall to form a channel adapted to receive the wedge insert. The inner surface of at leaf one side wall of the clamp base fairs from both ends into a channel-widening concavity, preferably at the longitudinal midpoint of the channel. The wedge insert has a bottom wall and substantially parallel side walls extending from the bottom wall to a top wall and forms an inner channel adapted to laterally jacket the leaf spring.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for mounting a vibrating body to a support structure, being particularly adapted for use as an engine mount system for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A fitting for the end of a fuel tank filler tube such as a plastic, blow molded filler tube in an automotive vehicle comprises:a flexible band adapted to be inserted into the end of the filler tube to form a locking ring lying against the inside surface of the filler tube, wherein a V-shaped gap between the ends of the locking ring taper to be more narrow in a direction inward the filler tube, the inner surface of the flexible band comprising first engagement means such as, for example, annular or spiral ridges or grooves;a wedge adapted to be inserted into the V-shaped gap between the ends of the locking ring to force the locking ring tightly against the inside surface of the filler tube; anda restrictor cup comprising a tubular side wall and a restrictor wall with an opening through it, adapted to be inserted into the filler tube, restrictor wall end first, to engage said locking ring, which restrictor cup comprises engagement means such as, for example, annular or sprial grooves or ridges adapted to engage

Abstract: In a filament winding technique, filaments are wound around a mandrel, and the mandrel remains in the structure and becomes part, normally a structural part, of the article. The mandrel may be any suitable rigid, light-weight material, but a foamed material such as a structural foam is thought to be most suitable. Metal inserts for attaching other components to the filament wound article can be moulded into the mandrel surface, and locked in place by the filament windings. According to a preferred aspect of the invention a motor vehicle suspension wishbone is made according to such filament winding method and the mandrel on which the filaments are wound remains in the structure.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly is described to comprise a dual drum brake housing mounted to a vehicle wheel or shaft to be rotated therewith. The dual drum brake housing has two axially extending, concentric, radially spaced drum surfaces defining an annular channel between them. A torque member is fixed against rotation with the vehicle wheel and an expandable friction lining assembly is mounted to the torque member. The friction lining assembly is positioned within the annular channel and carries radially outward and radially inward facing friction linings. Upon expansion of the friction lining assembly each of the friction linings is moved into contact with the corresponding drum surface, thereby transferring braking force to the wheel.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly is described to comprise a dual drum brake housing mounted to a vehicle wheel or shaft to be rotated therewith. The dual drum brake housing has two axially extending, concentric, radially spaced drum surfaces defining an annular channel between them. A torque member is fixed against rotation with the vehicle wheel and an expandable friction lining assembly is mounted to the torque member. The friction lining assembly is positioned within the annular channel and carries radially outward and radially inward facing friction linings. Upon expansion of the friction lining assembly each of the friction linings is moved into contact with the corresponding drum surface, thereby transferring braking force to the wheel.

Abstract: A motor vehicle fuel tank is disclosed, having a fluid pressure thermoformed tank wall comprising a bottom wall and opposed side walls unitary with and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The fuel tank is characterized in that it has a fuel reservoir unitary with the tank wall and, specifically, formed by convolutions in the bottom wall of the tank. The fuel reservoir comprises two opposed substantially C-shaped ridges extending upwardly into the tank from the plane of the bottom wall, each such ridge extending from a corresponding one of the side walls toward the opposed side wall to a second end, diminishing in height to approximately the plane of the bottom wall at such second end. The two C-shaped ridges cooperate to partially surround a portion of the surface area of the bottom wall of the fuel tank. A channel between each ridge and the end of the other ridge permits fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir even during low fuel conditions.

Abstract: Diene functional modified aminoepoxy resins are disclosed, which resins are the reaction product of (i) diepoxide reactant, (ii) amine functional conjugated diene chain extending reactant, (iii) optionally, end-capping reactant such as monohydroxy functional diene, (iv) hydroxy functional secondary amine modifying agent, and (v) certain secondary amine terminated or carboxy terminated butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer modifying agent.

Abstract: An improved axle clamp is provided, particularly for use with composite material leaf springs, to securely fix the position of the leaf spring relative to a wheel axle or other suspension system member. The axle clamp comprises a rigid clamp base, a resilient wedge insert, a rigid clamp plate, and a resilient cover pad. The clamp base provides a bottom wall and substantially parallel side walls extending from the bottom wall to form a channel adapted to receive the wedge insert. The inner surface of at least one side wall of the clamp base fairs from both ends into a channel-widening concavity, preferably at the longitudinal mid-point of the channel. The wedge insert has a bottom wall and substantially parallel side walls extending from the bottom wall and forming therewith an inner channel adapted to laterally jacket a leaf spring.

Abstract: Novel solvent-based thermosetting composition comprising (a) hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin of number average molecular weight (Mn) between about 1,000 and about 5,000, comprising the reaction product of diepoxide with aliphatic diol and, subsequently with monobasic fatty acid; and (b) polyfunctional, hydroxy-reactive crosslinking agent, for example, aminoplast crosslinking agent or blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent comprising isocyanate groups blocked by reaction with an active hydrogen bearing blocking agent. The coating composition can be formulated as a primer composition sprayable with conventional spraying equipment.

Abstract: A self-crosslinkable resin and a composition of matter comprising same are provided, which resin comprises certain diene functional blocked dieneophile functional aminopoxy resin, which resin is self-crosslinkable at elevated cure temperature. The diene functional blocked dieneophile functional aminoepoxy resin comprises the reaction product of diepoxide with amine functional diene chain extending reactant, amine functional blocked dieneophile chain extending reactant, optionally, monofunctional end-capping reactant such as mono-secondary amine functional diene and mono-secondary amine functional blocked dieneophile, and modifying agent comprising hydroxy functional secondary amine. Compositions comprising the aforesaid self-crosslinkable resin may further comprise crosslinking agent reactive with hydroxy functionality of the resin.