Abstract: A valve (10) for use in an internal combustion engine comprises a base metal. The base metal is covered with a thin, dense chromium coating.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) having an elongate slot (50). A fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion has an end portion (26) extending through the elongate slot (50). A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) is positionable in any one of a plurality of positions along the elongate slot (50). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) through which the end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. The fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring (42). First and second portions (64, 66) of the connecting ring (42) engage each other to connect the first and second portions together and prevent relative movement between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A guide is proposed for a steering wheel comprising a steering wheel skeleton consisting of hub, spokes and steering wheel rim and an airbag module housed therein, which for actuation of the horn is displaceably disposed against a return force by the required contact path parallel to the steering wheel axis, which guide is characterized in that at least three guiding points (2) are provided in a manner distributed in the circumferential direction in a pot-shaped steering wheel skeleton (1) and that a pot-shaped guiding metal sheet (4) which is U-shaped in cross-section and open to the bottom is embodied on or attached to a generator support (3) of the airbag module (5).

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle (12) having a steerable road wheel (14), a steering member (30) supporting the road wheel for rotation relative to the steering member, and at least one vehicle suspension part (22) supporting the steering member for pivotal movement about a steering axis (44). The steering apparatus (10) includes a bearing (70). The steering apparatus (10) also includes a ball stud (50) having a shank portion (54) fixed to the steering member (30). The ball stud (50) has a ball end portion (52) rotatably and pivotally mounted in the bearing (70). The ball stud (50) has an axis (56). The steering apparatus (10) includes an actuatable electric motor (90) having an output shaft (92) and operable to rotate the output shaft in opposite directions. The steering apparatus (10) also includes a joint assembly (100) connecting the ball end portion (52) of the ball stud (50) for rotation with the output shaft (92) of the electric motor (90).

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a vehicular seat belt, comprises a linear drive formed of a piston and a cylinder tube, and a belt engaging part connected to the piston by a deflected traction element. To provide a belt tensioner which can be more easily integrated in existing vehicle concepts, the belt engaging part is shiftingly guided in a guide fitting to be affixed flatly located to the vehicle body and the cylinder tube is affixed on or alongside the guide fitting.

Abstract: Apparatuses for the preparation of different hot drinks, such as in particular espresso machines, conventionally have a multiway valve (2), which is used for supplying hot water or superheated steam produced in a water heater to different means, such as coffee filters, frothing nozzle and/or collecting vessels. As a result of high temperatures and pressures the multiway valve is exposed to considerable stresses, which in the long term cannot be withstood by known valves or only when a complicated and costly construction is adopted. In the novel apparatus the multiway valve is provided with a perforated disk (8) and a rotary control dial (9). Rods (14) for closing the distributing passages (5) are passed through the holes in the perforated disk. The distributing passages are provided in a distributing block (1) to which the multiway valve is flanged. The position of the rods is determined by the rotary position of the control dial provided with a guide link for the rods.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a first relatively strong spring and a second relatively weak spring which bias the spool of the retractor on which the seat belt is wound in a belt retraction direction. A mechanism is actuatable to block the bias of the first spring from acting on the seat belt so that only the second spring acts to bias the seat belt in the belt retraction direction. The first spring acts between the retractor frame and a ratchet wheel and the second spring acts between the ratchet wheel and the spool of the retractor. A pawl is movable into a first position to block the ratchet wheel from rotation in the belt retraction direction so that only the second spring acts to bias the seat belt in a belt retraction direction. A cam is rotatable relative to the retractor spool and controls movement of the pawl.