Abstract: A pre-heater for internal combustion engines, especially adapted for use in cold climates while a vehicle is being stored, parked, or otherwise idle. The heater has a base member that is adapted to be secured in an opening of the engine block, and an electric heating element carried by the base member and exposed to the interior area of the block so as to be in contact with the coolant thereof. Electric terminals carried by the base member are connected to the heating element to effect energization thereof. An electric cable is also provided, having a plug detachable from the base member. The plug has mating terminals cooperable with the electric terminals of the base member to establish an electrical circuit through the heating element. A heat-responsive sensor device is carried by the plug, and monitors the temperature of the base member and heating element in order to effect an automatic control of the energization of the latter.

Abstract: An electric heater assemblage for attachment to the air intake opening of a fuel vapor recovery canister of the type containing material adapted to alternately adsorb and store, or release fuel vapor. The assemblage includes a wafer of electric resistance heating material, and electrical connections for effecting energization of the wafer. The wafer has opposite expansive surfaces, and there is a first wall located at one side of the wafer and having an expansive surface coextensive with one wafer surface, and a second wall located at the opposite side of the wafer and having an expansive surface coextensive with the other wafer surface. The first wall and wafer thus define a first chamber, and the second wall and wafer define a second chamber in communication with the first chamber at the periphery of the wafer.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery canister having a housing including an outer wall with spaced-apart vapor ports. Adsorbent material in the housing adsorbs and stores fuel vapors entering one vapor port, or under other circumstances releases such vapors for exit through one of the ports. In one embodiment the housing has interleaved baffle plates between the ports, which force vapors entering one port to flow along a serpentine path, giving maximum exposure of the vapor to the adsorbent material. In a second embodiment, a helical partition is provided, similarly forcing vapor flow to occur along a serpentine path.

Abstract: A cigar lighter assemblage for mounting through an opening of a vehicle dashboard from the front thereof, including a tubular socket having an opening for receiving an ignitor plug, a light-conducting bushing surrounding the socket and constituting a bezel therefor, and a lamp-holder carried by the bushing. There are cooperable structures on the bushing and holder for slidably mounting the latter on the bushing, and enabling it to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The lamp holder has a projection for engagement with the panel, which functions to shift the holder from its extended position to its retracted position as the bushing is being frontally inserted in the panel. An especially simple arrangement results, characterized by both manufacturing economy and ease of assembly.

Abstract: An electrical power receptacle having a tubular plastic housing with a transverse end wall at one end, and a tubular metal well which is snap fitted in the housing by means of an apertured end wall adjacent the housing end wall, cooperating with hooks in the housing. Two terminals mounted on the housing end wall project for connection to a source of power. One of the terminals engages the shell and the other terminates in an internal contact member. The housing has integral spaced-apart stand-off mounting legs, and a pivotally mounted cover plate which, when closed, seals the housing and interior contacts thereof.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device for installation in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, for igniting and vaporizing particulate matter in the exhaust stream. The device includes a canister having a tubular casing with an open end, and an end fitting having a wide mouth which fits against the open end, and thereby closing off the same. The fitting has an inlet port for connection to the exhaust pipe of the engine. Disposed within the casing is a porous filter element which traps small amounts of solid matter such as soot, and keeps it from entering the atmosphere through the vehicle's tailpipe. Igniting devices in the canister adjacent the inlet side of the filter, are located along the exhaust stream flowpath. Upon contact with the igniting devices, at least some of the particulate matter in the stream is vaporized, and passed, as a gas, through the filter.

Abstract: A float switch construction for monitoring liquid levels, comprising a float housing having a float member which is movable therein between raised and lowered positions. In the housing there is a fixed contact member and an asymmetric, elongate movable contact member, the latter having a laterally offset portion constituting a gravity-responsive mass. The housing has an electrically conductive bearing which mounts the movable contact member for both turning and pivotal movement and for conducting current to or from it. The float member and movable contact member are freely turnable with respect to one another, and have cooperable engaging portions for causing the movable contact member to pivot in response to movement of the float member. The fixed contact member has contact portions disposed annularly for engagement by the movable contact member in response to its pivotal movement irrespective of the angular orientation of the float housing.

Abstract: A one-piece clamping shell for electric cigar lighters, which comprises a rolled sheet-metal body of tubular configuration, having open ends and a reverse-bend clinched seam extending longitudinally between its ends. At one of its ends the body has a radially inwardly extending flange means configured as a one-turn helical thread, said flange means having notches in it, one of which is bounded by edges that are located in planes spaced axially apart an amount essentially equal to the pitch of said thread, thereby to constitute in effect a nut adapted to be screwed onto an externally threaded shell at the rear of the cigar lighter.

Abstract: A composite clamping shell for securing the socket of an electric cigar lighter to a panel of an automobile, has a rolled sheet-metal body of tubular shape, with open ends and a clinched seam. Attached to the body is a drawn, sheet metal sleeve having a rolled screw thread. The body has inwardly displaced stop shoulders to position the sleeve, which latter has an annular out-turned flange abutting the stop shoulders. Edge portions of the body end are laid over the out-turned flange of the sleeve to hold it captive and prevent relative movement. The body is stamped out of a piece of flat sheet metal stock and thereafter rolled into the desired cylindrical shape. The sleeve is produced by drawing operations, from flat stock, reduced manufacturing cost is thus realized.

Abstract: An electric switch construction having a housing with electric terminals, two concentric springs disposed in the housing and respectively connected with the terminals, and a movable contactor cup adapted to establish continuity between the terminals and a conductive, barrel portion of the housing. The outer spring biases the cup to a circuit-closing position wherein both terminals are connected to the barrel portion of the housing. A manually-engageable plunger is arranged to engage the cup. When the plunger is actuated, first one terminal is disconnected from the barrel portion of the switch, and subsequently, upon further movement of the plunger, the remaining terminal is disconnected therefrom. The plunger carries an O-ring which forms a partial seal along the bore of the housing, so as to minimize the accumulation of dirt or moisture from the surfaces where electrical contact is made or broken.

Abstract: An electric preheater for an internal combustion engine includes a heater having a metallic base member adapted to be secured to and cover an opening of an engine block and carrying an electric immersion heating element adapted to project through the opening into the coolant passage of the block. The base member has electric terminals for supplying power to the heating element. An electric power supply cable is detachably connected to the terminals by a molded plug having mating connectors embedded in a projecting resilient boss on the plug. A heat sensor, in the form of a thermistor, is embedded in the boss and has an exposed sloping leading surface at the side of the boss to facilitate insertion of the plug into a hollow recess defined by an encircling metallic side wall provided on the base around the heating element terminals.

Abstract: A tool bit for facilitating the application of a cigar lighter socket to an apertured mounting plate in an automobile, comprising a driving member having a shank receivable in the chuck of a power tool, and a separate shouldered plug member carried by the driving member and having a portion receivable in the mouth of the cigar lighter socket for the purpose of rotatably driving the same. Threads at the rear of the socket are screwed into mating threads of a clamping shell which is usually hand-held at the rear of the panel. The driving member and plug member can rotate with respect to one another against the action of a spring-charged clutch or detent on the members. When the plug member is inserted into the socket mouth it becomes keyed to the socket and effects a rotation of the same as power is applied to the driving member. When the desired torque is reached, the clutch slips, thereby insuring against overtightening and possible damage to the parts.

Abstract: A composite clamping shell for securing the socket of an electric cigar lighter to a panel of an automobile, has a rolled sheet-metal body of tubular shape, with open ends and a clinched seam. Attached to the body is a drawn, sheet metal sleeve having a rolled screw thread. The body has inwardly displaced stop shoulders to position the sleeve, which latter has an annular out-turned flange abutting the stop shoulders. Edge portions of the body end are laid over the out-turned flange of the sleeve to hold it captive and prevent relative movement. The body is stamped out of a piece of flat sheet metal stock and thereafter rolled into the desired cylindrical shape. The sleeve is produced by drawing operations, from flat stock. Reduced manufacturing cost is thus realized.

Abstract: A chime generator circuit of the type employed to monitor the condition of parameters associated with an automobile, such as warning functions involving headlight operation, fastening of a seat belt, or indications of the ignition key having been inadvertently left in place as the driver is leaving the vehicle, etc. The circuit employs an oscillator which is modulated at a relatively low frequency, on the order of one or two cycles per second, and a unique coupling arrangement for exciting one of the existing speakers of the automobile radio to provide the necessary audible sound. In the disclosed device, the output of a signal generator is fed directly to one speaker, and a switch is interposed in the line extending between the radio output and the speaker. When the switch is open, the radio and speaker are isolated from one another and the generator feeds the speaker directly, producing the desired sound and warning the driver that a certain condition exists.

Abstract: A two-piece clamp shell for an automotive electric cigar lighter of the type that includes a socket carried in a panel or other support surface of the vehicle and has a threaded inner end receiving energy through a snap-on fitting connected to the vehicle's electrical system. The clamp shell comprises a two-piece assemblage which can be applied to the socket from the underside of the panel, to secure the same in place. It includes a tubular, encircling body part and a nut part. The body part has a forward edge portion which engages the rear face of the support surface, and a rear edge portion which is engaged by the nut part, the latter having a thread mating with the socket thread, and abutments disposed forward of the thread. The rear edge of the body part is engaged by the abutments on the nut part during the clamping.

Abstract: An encapsulated PTC heater for a cold-start carburetor comprises a ceramic PTC wafer having ohmic terminal means on its opposite faces, and a thickened annular rim portion adapted to withstand appreciable clamping forces. The rim has portions of said ohmic terminal means. An annular metal holder assemblage has opposite ring portions overlying said thickened rim portion, and has ring-like contacts engaged with the rim portion to bring current thereto. One of the ring-like contacts is nested in an insulating annulus to isolate it from the remainder of the metal holder assemblage, and has a terminal lug extending through an insulating bushing to the exterior. The other ring-like contact is resilient in nature, and is clamped against the rim portion of the wafer by lugs of an annular metal housing constituting part of the holder assemblage.