Abstract: An alignment adjuster for wheel alignment of a motor vehicle is provided. The alignment adjuster includes a shaft that is moveable within an elongated slot. The adjustable member in the preferred embodiment is a lower control arm and is attached via bushing to the shaft. The shaft includes a pinion gear that operatively contacts a rack element that is disposed near the elongated slot. Rotation of the shaft will initiate lateral movement of the shaft in the elongated slot.

Abstract: A removable console assembly is provided that includes an upwardly extending main body defining an inner cavity. The main body has an open upper side and first and second panels pivotally attached to the main body for providing access to the inner cavity. A locking mechanism selectively locks both the first and second panels to the main body to prevent access to the inner cavity. A mounting assembly is attached to the floor for releasably receiving the main body. A latching arrangement includes a latch extending from a bottom surface of the main body and a handle disposed within the inner cavity for manually operating the latch. An electrical connector is provided and includes a first and second portions. The first portion is carried by the mounting assembly and electrically interconnected to a battery of the motor vehicle. The second portion in selective electrical communication with the first portion for providing power to various components of the console assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing buffeting in a vehicle caused by airflow over a removable or retractable roof-opening includes a rail that is mounted adjacently to the leading edge of the roof-opening. Attached to the rail is an angled deflector that diverts the airflow away from the roof-opening. Extending from the top edge of the deflector is a trip segment that causes the airflow to stabilize and reattach at a point beyond the roof-opening of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating tool paths for cutting a physical part. The present invention includes storing geometric data indicative of the geometric configuration of the part. A plurality of planes are used to slice the geometric data. Micro features of the part are recognized based upon the sliced geometric data. Macro features of the part are determined based upon groupings of the recognized micro features. Tool path data is generated based upon the determined macro features of the part. Thereupon, the tool path data is used for cutting the physical part.

Abstract: A mechanical latch for securing a moveable structure to a fixed is provided. The mechanical latch includes a movable catch pin and a proximity pin disposed within a housing cavity. Both pins are spring loaded to urge the pins towards the moveable structure, and both pins also include stops projecting therefrom to limit this movement. An insert member is attached to the housing between the pins and has an end which is engaged by the stops. In an engaged position, the catch pin interacts with a slot in the moveable structure. In the engaged position, the proximity pin and the moveable structure generate a gap between its stop and the insert which allows the other catch pin to be selectively drawn rearward from its latched condition. A peg carried by the catch pin is urged into the gap and against the insert which secures the catch pin in a latched condition.

Abstract: A method of welding in which an edge portion of a first panel is placed over an edge portion of a second panel, with an outer edge of the edge portion of the first panel adjacent to a shoulder of the second panel to provide a joint between the outer edge and the shoulder. Spot welds are applied to the panels along the joint by a bronze metal inert gas (MIG) welding gun. Pressure applied by a pressure applicator alongside the MIG welding gun presses the edge portions of the panels together during the spot welding. Linear MIG weld segments are then applied along the joint between the spot welds by the MIG welding gun to form a continuous line of MIG welding. The continuous line of MIG welding is polished to remove irregularities so that it blends evenly and smoothly with the panels.

Abstract: A self-locking, twist & lock, system for attachment of an engine flexplate to a torque converter mounting plate including a plurality of lugs carried on the end surface of the torque converter mounting plate in a circumferentially spaced-apart relationship to one another. A snap-lock spring retainer is releasably secured to each of the lugs. The flexplate has a plurality of retainer receivers in a circumferentially spaced-apart relation identical to the placement of the lugs. Each of the retainer receivers defining a retainer bar segment and openings for receiving the lugs and spring retainers. Each spring retainer has a flexible head portion adapted to engage a corresponding retainer bar segment to secure the plates together.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled adjustable height bearing support bracket is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing support bracket supports a rear end of a front drive shaft of an automotive drive train with a multiple piece drive shaft. A driver is provided to adjust the height of the bearing support bracket based upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The bearing support bracket height is adjusted to minimize the angle between the front and rear drive shafts during conditions of high torque transfer of the drive train to minimize launch shudder in the vehicle.