Abstract: An integral plastic fastener for a plastic article in the form of a cylindrical lug extending from the article and a hollow core in the central portion of the lug, the length of the core being greater than the length of the lug, extending into the plastic article. The diameter of the lug preferably is the same along its length.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for producing a negative lead-acid storage battery plate is disclosed. The improvement involves the production of a paste from sulfuric acid and a lead oxide mixture containing, distributed therethrough, from 0.1 to 1.0 part of at least one barium carbonate per 100 parts of lead therein, calculated as PbO. Preferably the paste contains from 0.1 to 0.4 part of barium carbonate per 100 parts of lead. As a consequence of reaction between the sulfuric acid and the barium carbonate, finely-divided barium sulfate is formed in situ in the paste and carbon dioxide to harden the paste is released. The barium sulfate functions as an expander and the carbon dioxide initiates curing of the paste.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a web clamp in the retractor housing to reduce the spooling effect when the retractor is locked. The webbing extends from the retractor spool about a web clamp and then outwards of the retractor housing. Extraction forces acting on the webbing in an emergency result in forcing of the web clamp against the roll of webbing to thereby prevent further withdrawal of the webbing from the spool. The web clamp is maintained in close proximity to the roll of webbing regardless of the amount of webbing left on the spool.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor in which the housing has differential structural integrity. The retractor frame has a rigid structure and contains the retraction and locking elements. A mounting flange is connected to the frame and is permitted to distort in a controlled fashion as a result of crash forces acting on the retractor, whereby the frame remains substantially undistorted.

Abstract: The output shaft of an electric motor is supported by a ballbearing mounted on the motor end plate. The outer race of the ballbearing is positioned in a cup having a semispherical portion. The motor end plate includes a socket portion to receive the semispherical portion of the cup. A retainer plate of spring metal is mounted on the motor end plate. A plurality of resilient finger-like extensions on the retainer plate press the outer race in the cup and the cup in the socket. The cup swivels in the socket. By reason of that, the outer race can be shifted with respect to the inner race, and the entire bearing can be shifted with respect to the motor end plate. A collar, containing a plurality of legs, the ends of which define a plane perpendicular to the shaft axis, is slid down the shaft. The legs pass through a like plurality of holes located in the end plate to contact the cup. Pressing the legs against the cup causes it to swivel in the socket until all the legs contact the cup.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of making expanded lead strip for use in fabricating plates for lead-acid secondary batteries. Lead strip is expanded into a non-planar shape with two mesh portions divided by a longitudinally extending unexpanded portion. The expanded strip is then flattened and smoothed from the non-planar shape and reduced in thickness.

Abstract: An electronic vacuum modulator is disclosed for controlling air flow to a throttle valve modulator mechanism for limiting the maximum speed of an engine and, optionally, for also limiting the maximum vehicle speed. An electric signal having a frequency proportional to engine speed is converted into an electric signal which smoothly and progressively controls a solenoid valve as the engine speed increases over a narrow range at a predetermined maximum engine speed. The valve is controlled such that the modulator mechanism progressively closes a carburetor throttle valve in the engine to limit the engine speed by limiting the available power. Optionally, a vehicle speed signal also is converted into an electronic signal which smoothly and progressively controls the solenoid valve as the vehicle speed increases over a narrow range at a predetermined maximum vehicle speed.

Abstract: A breaker point is supported on an abutment of a breaker plate having an integral post supporting a breaker lever urged toward the abutment by a spring fastened to another abutment. A bridging member connected to the abutments supports the free end of the post. An uncanned capacitor is sealed in a receptacle formed in the breaker plate which is constructed from an electrically insulating material. The capacitor is connected to the spring and the breaker point by conductor straps, plated sections or capacitor leads secured in recesses in the breaker plate with a portion exposed for grounding.

Abstract: A distributor for use with an electronic breakerless ignition system. The distributor has a triggering rotor and a triggering sensor which are connected by a bearing to form a single assembly so that the radial spacing between the rotor and sensor remains constant regardless of any variation in the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A vacuum advance mechanism is disclosed for an ignition distributor on an internal combustion engine, which allows each of two independent negative pressure signals from selected sources on the engine to actuate calibrated pneumatic motors cooperating together through a summing linkage to provide the appropriate total timing advance.

Abstract: A wet cell battery has a plurality of covered recesses in the top. Positive and negative terminals extend into two of the recesses. A two-conductor cable which extends out of the recesses is connected to the terminals and includes a fuse which is disposed in one of the recesses.