Abstract: A polymeric, multiple-layer tube suitable for use as a filler neck is disclosed. The tube is comprised of a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface is approximately parallel to the outer surface and defines a generally cylindrical interior having a diameter D. The cylindrical interior, which provides a flow path for fuel, extends throughout the length of the tube. The tube is divided into one or more contiguous first and second longitudinal segments. In the first longitudinal segment, D is approximately constant along the length of the segment; in the second longitudinal segment, D varies with axial position. This variation defines a convolution, which allows the filler tube to be bent without crimping. The cylindrical wall of the multiple-layer tube further comprises an outer layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and an inner layer composed of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic having an elongation of at least 150%.

Abstract: A retainer for releasably locking together the male and female component of a quick connector. The retainer is releasably insertible into a transverse bore in the female component and includes a surface slidable over a radial flange on the male component only when the male component is fully seated in an axial bore in the female component. The engagement of the surface and the radial flange on the male component permits full insertion of the retainer into the transverse bore in the female component and around the male component to lock the male and female components together. Lock projections on the retainer engage grooves in the housing to releasably lock the retainer in a partially inserted, shipping position in the transverse bore and engage exterior lock surfaces on the housing on full insertion of the retainer to prevent separation of the retainer from the female component.

Abstract: A quick connector formed of a housing having an internal bore receiving one end of a male connector with a radially enlarged annular flange. A retainer carried on the housing has a cylindrical sleeve disposed in the stepped bore in the housing. Pivotal tabs extend from the sleeve to fingers extending angularly inward into the bore to engage the annular flange and prevent axial disengagement of the male connector from the housing. Release members extend from each tab and are adapted for pivotal, radially outward movement causing like radially outward movement of the fingers to disengage the fingers from the annular flange and to allow separation of the male connector from the housing. Lock surfaces carried on the housing engage the release members during radially inward movement of the release members caused by an axial load on the male connector to resist axial separation of the housing and male connectors.

Abstract: A clutch selectively transmits torque and rotary motion from a spindle having an axis of rotation to a drum. First and second shoe members disposed radially between the spindle and the drum move radially with respect to the axis of rotation between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the drum. The first and second shoe members are responsive to acceleration for moving into the engaged position and responsive to rotational speed for moving into the disengaged position. A biasing spring normally maintains the first and second shoe members in the disengaged position when the spindle is at rest.

Abstract: A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element fixedly mounted about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted within a housing and are disposed on opposite sides of an annular collar formed on the rotatable element. The moving members are movable between a first position in which the moving members disengage the rotatable element from bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the housing to form a high rotational resistance connection which prevents rotation of the rotatable element and the interconnected threaded shaft, and a second position in which the moving members are spaced from the rotatable element to enable the rotatable element to move axially into low resistance engagement with bearings in the housing which enables free rotation of the rotatable element and the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The bearing block is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat recliner includes an upper member (34) which is supportive of a seat back (22) and a lower member (36) which is supportive of a seat cushion (21) and is carried for longitudinal adjustment within a host vehicle. An adjuster (40) is operative to establish a substantially fixed angular position between the members, the adjuster including a longitudinally disposed drive screw (62) which is restrained from axial displacement in one direction by an abutment surface (56) which is defined by a thrust plate (46) carried by the lower member and a link (130) which is pivotally interconnected to the screw by a traveling member (126) and is also pivotally interconnected to the upper member by a parallel arrangement of a link control bracket (144) and a displaceable lock plate (154), whereby frontal impact imposed moment arm forces will subject the link and screw to substantially pure compressive loading.

Abstract: A quick connector formed of a housing has an internal stepped bore receiving one end of a male connector with a radially enlarged angular flange. A retainer has deflectable fingers which snap into receivers formed on the housing. A cylindrical sleeve is formed on the retainer for insertion into the stepped bore in the housing and forming a bearing seal surface for the end of the male connector. Thin tabs extend from the sleeve to pressure receiving pads which are spaced apart at one end of the retainer and interconnected by arcuate shaped ring members. A finger extends angularly inward from each pad to prevent axial disengagement of the male connector from the housing until the fingers are displaced radially outward by inward pressure on the pads to clear the flange on the male connector.

Abstract: An elongated fuel and vapor tube suitable for conveying fluids containing hydrocarbons having a first layer disposed radially innermost and having an inner surface capable of prolonged exposure to the hydrocarbon-containing fluid made up of a melt processible fluoroplastic terpolymer composed of a polyfluorinated alkylene, an .alpha.-fluoro-olefin and a fluorinated vinyl compound and a second layer bonded directly to the outwardly oriented face of the first layer. The second layer is composed of a resinous thermoplastic material which is preferably a polyamide such as Nylon 12, Nylon 11, Nylon 6 or Nylon 6.6.

Abstract: A fluid connector assembly having a spacer for positioning at least two quick connect conduit members in a predetermined position with respect to one another in order to reduce assembly time and ease serviceability. The spacer provides at least two means for receiving the conduit members wherein each of the receiving means has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel with respect to one another. The spacer also provides a rigid connecting means to connect the receiving means and insure that the longitudinal axis of the receiving means are substantially parallel as well as having the receiving means radially spaced and axially offset from one another. By having the receiving means the same length and having the receiving means axially offset, the spacer insures that the tubular conduit members can only be assembled to a heater core in a proper orientation. The conduit members provide a quick connect means for rotatably and releasably retaining the tubular member within the conduit members.

Abstract: A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element threadingly engaged about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted within a housing surrounding the rotatable element and are disposed on opposite sides of an annular collar formed on the rotatable element. The moving members are movable between a first position in which the moving members disengage the rotatable element from bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the housing to form a high rotational resistance which prevents rotation of the rotatable element and movement of the interconnected threaded shaft, and a second position in which the moving members are spaced from the rotatable element to enable the rotatable element to move axially into low resistance engagement with one of the bearing surface which enables rotation of the rotatable element and movement of the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A retainer for releasably locking the male and female component of a quick connector together. The retainer is releasably insertable into a transverse bore formed in the female component and includes a recess engageable with a radial flange on the male component only when the male component is fully coupled in an axial bore in the female component. The engagement of the recess and the radial flange on the male component permits full insertion of the retainer into the transverse bore in the female component around the male component to lock the male component and female component together. The female component has opposed interior surfaces spaced sufficiently apart to permit the deflectable legs formed on the retainer to flex apart while being slidingly urged over the male component to snap over the male component. The opposed surfaces block full insertion of the retainer into the female component when the male component is not fully seated in the female component.

Abstract: The invention is related to an articulated joint fitting preferably for automotive vehicles with a wobble gearing to create a swivelling motion of the joint parts. As a development of the articulated joint fitting, a reduction of costs is achieved in that the spur gear wheel is composed of a plurality of elements and a simplified adjustment of the eccentric with respect to one of the articulated joint fittings is attained.

Abstract: A tool for releasing a connector from a fitting coupled together by a retainer element through movement of an integral release member mounted in the connector. The tool includes a pair of pivotally connected jaw levers, each with a bifurcated jaw end. The bifurcated jaws engage the connector and simultaneously slidably urge the release member into the connector to disengage the retainer element from the fitting to enable the decoupling and separation of the fitting and the connector. The jaws are of thin planer construction for insertion between the outer end of the release member and surrounding structure where access space is limited.

Abstract: A release member for a quick connector engagable with a fitting. The release member includes a body formed of a resilient material and having first and second end portions, with a slot extending longitudinally through the first and second end portions for mounting of the release member over the fitting and to enable axial sliding movement of the release member through an open end of the quick connector into engagement with a retainer mounted within the quick connector to effect release of legs of the retainer from an annular flange on the fitting and disengagement of the connector from the fitting. A radially enlarged flange is formed between the first and second end portions to form a tool engagable surface on the body for forcible sliding movement of the body into the open end of the connector. Alternately, a recess or a projection may be provided on the body to form the tool engagable surface.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat recliner includes an upper member (34) which is supportive of a seat back (22) and a lower member (36) which is supportive of a seat cushion (21) and is carried for longitudinal adjustment within a host vehicle. An adjuster (40) is operative to establish a substantially fixed angular position between the members, the adjuster including a longitudinally disposed drive screw (62) which is restrained from axial displacement in one direction by an abutment surface (56) which is defined by a thrust plate (46) carried by the lower member and a link (130) which is pivotally interconnected to the screw by a traveling member (126) and is also pivotally interconnected to the upper member by a parallel arrangement of a link control bracket (144) and a displaceable lock plate (154), whereby frontal impact imposed moment arm forces will subject the link and screw to substantially pure compressive loading.

Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead may also be formed on the outer end flange of an ISO end flare. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.

Abstract: An elongated multi-layer tubing is disclosed for connection to a motor vehicle system to handle fluids containing hydrocarbons. The tubing includes a first layer disposed radially innermost and having an inner surface capable of prolonged exposure to a fluid containing hydrocarbons and an outer surface spaced a first predetermined radial thickness from the inner surface, the first layer consisting essentially of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic. The tubing also includes a second layer having a second predetermined radial thickness at most equal to the thickness of the first layer. The second layer is uniformly and homogeneously connected to or bonded to the first layer and consists essentially of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar adhesion with the first layer to prevent delamination during a desired lifetime of the tubing. At least one of the first and second layers is resistant to permeation by hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube having a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface. The zinc layer being selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An automotive door hinge assembly is provided with a hold-open device with a leaf spring member carried on a first part of a hinge assembly, and a compound roller carried on a second part of the hinge assembly, wherein the compound roller engages the leaf spring member with the combination of a flexible and resilient first material portion and a hard, rigid second material portion of the roller assembly during its motion between the door open and door closed positions. Preferably, the hard, rigid second material portion of the roller assembly is made of a single piece spool having a first, reduced diameter, annular shoulder interposed between two, longitudinally spaced, enlarged diameter, annular shoulders. To reduce noise, a synthetic bushing is preferably disposed between the spool and a roller pin of the hinge mechanism and the first annular shoulder has a roughened surface engageable with the first material portion.