Abstract: An assembly of vehicle body members by injecting an adhesive into a predesigned channel cavity formed at the joint interface of the vehicle body members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ laser welding of a hemmed joint are applicable for, among other things, production of vehicle doors having inner and outer panels to be joined. In a preferred method, the laser welding of a hemmed joint is carried out while a stable condition is maintained between the inner and outer panels. Locating members of a hemming machine are engaged with the metal sheets to be joined and a compressive force is applied to the panels. A plurality of welding units may be sequentially or simultaneously controlled by a computer. The apparatus includes a first portion for vertically locating the hemmed joint and a second portion for horizontally locating the hemmed joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a generally cylindrical workpiece includes a band clamp and a clamp compressor. The band clamp is generally C-shaped and includes first and second ends. A sleeve is attached to the first end and receives a threaded shaft of a bolt. A head of the bolt is retained by the second end of the clamp end. A nut engages the threaded shaft of the bolt. The clamp compressor includes a main body portion and a locating portion extending from the main body portion which is adapted to releasably engage the first end of the band clamp. The locating portion is further operative to establish a fixed vertical position of the clamp compressor relative to the band clamp. The clamp compressor further includes a drive element interconnected to the main body portion which is adapted to releasably engage the second end of the band clamp. The drive element is adjustable so as to urge the first and second ends of the band clamp together when rotated in a first direction.

Abstract: A switch housing surrounds a strut and cylinder, with the strut and cylinder being mounted between the rear lift gate window of a vehicle and an interior surface of the vehicle. A switch is disposed in the housing, and when the window is opened or broken, the strut moves relative to the cylinder to actuate the switch and thereby generate a lift gate open alarm signal.

Abstract: A sealing washer assembly includes a threaded fastener, a nut and a resilient member attached to the nut and washer or screw and washer. The resilient member, typically a polymer of propylene, ethylene or other suitable material, is oversized with respect to the nut. The assembly is useful for connecting one member to another via an opening in the first member, and particularly, provides a system for sealing the opening against the passage of fluid, such as air.

Abstract: A battery disconnect switch is provided for breaking the conductive path in an electric vehicle comprising at least one conductor pin moveable between a conducting position and a non-conducting position. At least one spring is provided for biasing the conductor pin toward the non-conducting position. A surging mechanism moves the conductor pin to the conducting position and a locking mechanism holds the conductor pin in the conducting position against the bias of the spring. A release mechanism releases the locking mechanism allowing the bias of the spring to force the conductor pin to its non-conducting position.

Abstract: A bucket seat comprising an apparatus for hanging articles comprising a hanger base mounted to a plurality of structural columns of said seat via a cross member passing through a sleeve defined by the hanger base and a plurality of openings in the hanger base defining projections for hanging articles.

Abstract: A synchronizer mechanism for synchronizing the rotation of gears between a power input shaft and a power output shaft in a manual transmission includes a hub and a synchronizer sleeve disposed about the hub and moveable relative thereto into and out of engagement with adjacent gears to synchronize the rotation of the adjacent gears with the rotation of the power input shaft. An indexing mechanism is employed for indexing the synchronizer sleeve into and out of engagement with adjacent gears. The indexing mechanism includes a retaining mechanism and a detent portion having a pair of gear engagement positions and a neutral position disposed therebetween. The retaining mechanism is receivable in the gear engagement positions and the neutral position to positively hold the synchronizer sleeve in these positions thereby preventing errant movement of the sleeve as it is moved into and out of engagement with adjacent gears.

Abstract: A method of displaying a shift lever position for an electronically-controlled automatic transmission system having an automatic transmission, a shift lever mechanism, a transmission controller interconnecting the automatic transmission and the shift lever mechanism, a body controller, and a communication bus interconnecting the transmission controller and a body controller, said method comprising the steps of sending a gear position indicator message from the transmission controller to the body controller, determining from the gear position indicator message whether the transmission system is in an automatic or manual mode of operation, indicating a position of the shift lever mechanism if the transmission system is in the automatic mode of operation, and indicating a gear selected of the automatic transmission if the transmission system is in a manual mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for offset impact testing of vehicle components at a sub-system level includes a mobile unit and a vehicle sub-system. In an exemplary application, the vehicle sub-system includes a toe-board and a torque box. A mounting flange is secured to the vehicle sub-system and provides for releasable attachment of the vehicle sub-system to the mobile unit. By advancing the mobile unit into a rigid barrier at a predetermined speed, full-scale toe-board intrusion and torque box crush can be accurately predicted at a significantly reduced cost and time.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a stiffening plate for a spare tire storage system that is supported by a plurality of protrusions in the form of raised beads in the tub floor. The plate is raised from the tub floor via the beads, the structure thus forming a "double thick" cross section that reduces low frequency vibration, while at the same time allowing drainage during the coating process from between the layers and which does not increase weight or cost.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a motor vehicle having a sliding door includes a track having longitudinally extending grooves in opposite surfaces thereof and disposed horizontally on the vehicle. The guide assembly also includes a support bracket having one end connected with the sliding door and another end including a bearing housing. The bearing housing has a longitudinal slot including sides having spacedly opposed bearing pockets. A plurality of ball bearings is rotatably mounted in the opposed bearing pockets and engages the longitudinally extending grooves in the opposite surfaces of the track for supporting and guiding the support bracket and sliding door for movement relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A sliding door center adjustable hinge includes a first hinge member having a pair of spaced walls with aligned hinge pin receiving apertures and a second hinge member including a bracket received between the spaced walls with predetermined clearance for vertical motion therebetween. The bracket includes hinge pin receiving apertures aligned with the apertures of said spaced walls. A hinge pin is received in the apertures and includes a threaded shank, a shoulder and a head engageable for rotation of the pin.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a male member, a female member, a cam lever for engaging the male and female members, and a lock portion including a sliding member slidable on a track and engaging the cam lever for holding said cam lever in a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus used with a vehicle one way ventilation exhaust valve with a plurality of flexible flaps is provided comprising a retainer with a frame and a plurality of flap retention members connected across U-shaped members attached to the frame such that when the apparatus is positioned proximate the valve, the retention members bias the flaps in the closed direction to prevent excessive movement of the flaps.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a female member and a male member further comprising a pin connector body defining a plurality of cavities and a plurality of pins within the cavities, the pins rotatably mounted within the cavities.

Abstract: A two way electrical connector for an automotive vehicle includes a terminal insulator having at least one passage to receive at least one box terminal staked wire, a wedge member cooperating with the terminal insulator to retain the at least one box terminal staked wire in the at least one passage and a connector position assurance member cooperating with the terminal insulator to detect and indicate an unmated condition of the terminal insulator to a mating connector.

Abstract: An adjustable sling seat for a motor vehicle occupant compartment defined by a floor and an overhead roof structure. A flexible webbing has its forward end connected to a webbing storage roller assembly rotatably supported about a transverse axis on a floor mounted front anchorage mechanism while the webbing aft end is connected to a roof mounted rear anchorage mechanism. The webbing slack length, suspended between the front and rear anchorage mechanisms, defines a forward seat cushion surface portion and an aft seat back surface portion. A roller take-up spring clutch includes a pintle member, aligned on the roller axis, pivotally connecting one end of the roller to a clutch rotary control knob. Turning the knob rotates the roller in either direction, for shortening or lengthening the slack length, thereby either raising or lowering the seat cushion surface portion.

Abstract: A two way electrical connector for an automotive vehicle includes a terminal insulator having at least one passage to receive at least one socket terminal staked wire, a wedge member cooperating with the terminal insulator to retain the at least one socket terminal staked wire in the at least one passage, a ring seal disposed about the terminal insulator and an end cap cooperating with the terminal insulator to retain the ring seal between the terminal insulator and the end cap.

Abstract: A four-speed automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a transmission housing, an input member, an output member, three planetary gearsets for changing a ratio of torque between the input member and the output member, a plurality of clutch assemblies to selectively couple the input member to predetermined gears of the planetary gearsets, a plurality of brake assemblies to selectively couple predetermined gears of the planetary gearsets to the transmission housing, and a structure for allowing the output member and a planetary carrier from one of the planetary gearsets and an annulus gear of another of the planetary gearsets to rotate simultaneously.