Abstract: A digital pulsewidth modulator switch regulator is used in a power supply for a multisection vacuum fluorescent display system. Pulsewidth modulations are based on grid and anode load characteristics of each section of the display, stored prior to system operations in a designated location of memory of a microcomputer used for controlling switching regulations. Display voltage updates are made utilizing the stored data as well as new load data derived from the power supply output voltage feedback signals indicative of changes in the display voltage.

Abstract: An engine balance device utilizing rotating balance shafts mounted in a housing means beneath the crankshaft and attached to the engine block by a plurality of legs spaced in the direction of the crankshaft axis to engage bearing journals located between cylinder bores. An oil pumping means evacuates oil from the housing means in cooperation with vacuum formation preventing air bleed means to the housing interior.

Abstract: In an engine with an evaporative emission control system, a fuel vapor storage device adapted to receive and store vaporous fuel until subsequently purged with air passing through the storage medium therein. The subject device is constructed to more effectively receive and store fuel vapor and to be more effectively purged thereafter.

Abstract: A movable molding is provided for a vehicle on the vehicle body adjacent to a wrap-around end portion of the bumper. The molding and end portion of the bumper have mating abutment walls through which these elements are fastened together. When the bumper moves towards the vehicle upon impact, the molding is thereby caused to move therewith. Slide means are provided between the molding and vehicle body for sliding of the molding along the body. A cam surface is provided in the sliding structure which causes the end of the molding remote from the bumper end porton to move away from the vehicle body and thereby avoid damaging contact with any outwardly projecting vehicle body structure which lies in the path of the molding.

Abstract: A preformed ornamental cap of the type commonly referred to as a vinyl roof is provided for mounting on the roof of a vehicle. The cap, which has a top wall, side walls and a rear wall, is fixedly mounted to the vehicle in the areas of the top top and side walls. The rear wall of the cap is provided with tongues which engage U-shaped spring clips on the vehicle body for securement of the cap rear wall to the vehicle.

Abstract: A shipping rack is provided which is convertible to a first rack length for snug lengthwise loading across the interior width of a semi-trailer and convertible to a second rack length for snug loading lengthwise across the interior width of a railroad boxcar. This is accomplished by providing pivotable extensions on one end wall of the rack which may be pivoted into the end wall to form a short rack length and out of the end wall to form a longer rack length.

Abstract: Retention of terminals in an edgeboard connector for connecting wires to a printed circuit board is affected using a variety of structural elements. Lances depending from the front end of each terminal are inserted in slots in the bottom wall of the connector; stop-blocks on the interior of the connector are used to orient and retain the terminals in position within the connector housing and a lock bar is fixedly attached to a rear portion of the connector so as to abut against ears disposed on a sidewall of the terminal so as to simultaneously hold in place the entire array of terminals in the connector.

Abstract: A movable molding is provided for a vehicle on the vehicle body adjacent to a wrap-around end portion of the bumper. The molding and end portion of the bumper have mating abutment walls through which these elements are fastened together. When the bumper moves towards the vehicle upon impact, the molding is thereby caused to move therewith. Slide means are provided between the molding and vehicle body for sliding of the molding along the body. Fastening means attach the molding to the bumper end portion. The fastening means aid in easy assembly and permit vertical movement of the bumper end portion while the molding remains stationary.

Abstract: For inclusion within a cast metal cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, a ceramic valve seating and stem supporting integral device for supporting and sealingly interacting with a conventional engine poppet-type valve. The integral valve seating portion has an annularly shaped valve seat defining a circular configuration for sealing engagement with the poppet-type valve. The valve supporting portion is of tubular configuration. Also included are connecting ceramic portions between the valve seat forming portion and the valve stem supporting portion. The device is integrally cast together to form a unit for subsequent inclusion within the metal cylinder head of the internal combustion engine by casting. Resultantly, the axis of the tubular valve support portion ispositioned normal to the plane of the annular valve seat and its circular valve seat surface and with the axis of the tubular support portion being coaxially aligned with the axis of the valve seat portion.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for first and second plate members whereby the plates are permanently interlocked in a flush manner. The first plate member has an open loop depending strap portion pierced therefrom adapted to be engaged in an elongated frusto-conical sectioned raised slot in the second plate member. The parts are of predetermined dimensional relationship such that upon upper and lower die members flattening the depending strap portion engaged in the raised elongated slot the plate members are permanently interlocked in a flush manner.

Abstract: A digital pulse width modulator for generating output frequencies with adjustable pulse widths that can be controlled by a microcomputer interface. This allows the traditional uses of PWMs to enter the realm of microcomputer systems.

Abstract: A method for generating finished illustrations from a computer graphic display image is effected using a computer graphic art copy system. A finished illustration is formed from and a visible but non-reproducible reference image formed on a transparency and an enhanced reproducible image formed over the non-reproducible reference image.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation control for an internal combustion engine having a selectively operated bypass to a conventional pressure responsive flow control.

Abstract: A one-piece grommet having a central elongated tubular portion surrounded by a cylindrical rim portion. One end of the rim portion is formed with a continuous laterally extending mounting flange spaced from an annular detent shoulder defining an annular groove for securing the grommet in a panel opening. A thin-walled resilient frusto-conical web portion connects the rim portion to the tubular portion. The web small diameter end forms a juncture with one end of the rim portion in the transverse plane of the annular groove while the web large diameter end forms a juncture with the rim portion other end at a predetermined axial distance from the transverse plane. This offset web arrangement allows the tubular portion to be positioned at any desired angle relative to the panel while maintaining the grommet annular groove in sealed engagement with the panel opening.

Abstract: A shipping unit is provided which protects easily damaged articles of manufacture during transit. The shipping unit includes a rack which comprises one or more of tiers of vertically spaced apart shelves which are fabricated of a pliable stretchable cloth. The vertical distance between each pair of vertically adjacent shelves in the unloaded condition is slightly greater than the thickness of the article of manufacture to be loaded thereon. Articles of manufacture are loaded thereon whereby the upper shelves stretch into contact with an article of manufacture loaded onto a lower shelf to steady the load on the rack and prevent damage to the articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing device utilizing a conductive hollow sphere buoyed by the liquid and guided vertically within a metal tube. An elongated resistance card is mounted in the tube adjacent the sphere to permit the sphere to slide along its surface as the liquid level changes thereby electrically connecting a portion of the resistance card to the metal housing through the conductive sphere. The resistance card is mounted so as to be flexed from its normal flat configuration with the flexed configuration producing a light force on the sphere to maintain good electrical contact therewith and between the sphere and the housing but insufficient to deter the sphere from following liquid level changes.

Abstract: A spring mounted molding is provided for a vehicle on the body adjacent to a wrap-around end portion of the bumper. The molding and end portion of the bumper have mating cam surfaces. When the bumper moves toward the vehicle upon impact, the mating camming surfaces interact causing the molding to be deflected outwardly and the end portion of the bumper to slide therebeneath thus avoiding damage to the parts. Upon retraction of the bumper to its normal position, the spring mounting causes the molding to return to its normal position lying against the body of the vehicle. A spring urged extension is telescopically received in the end of the molding and defines the molding camming surface. The extension takes up any space between the molding and the end portion of the bumper.

Abstract: A power memory seat and mirror apparatus useful for controlling manual and automatic operations is disclosed. Supply voltage switch signals and analog voltage potentiometer sense signals are buffered so as to provide digital logic signals utilized by a microcomputer to store in a non-volatile memory desired seat and mirror position data. Means are provided permitting later recalling of the desired position data and automatically repositioning the seat and mirrors to the memorized positions. The system also provides diagnostic and failure mode operations. Additional means is included for activating the system when the ignition switch of the vehicle is off.

Abstract: An improved deflection jounce bumper for a vehicle suspension strut. The bumper is a generally cylindrical shaped elastomeric member having a solid upper hub portion encircling the strut piston rod. A lower impact portion of the bumper has outer and inner concentric wall portions defining an intermediate downwardly opening channel. The wall sections are interconnected by a plurality of integral column-like mirror image arcuate bridging segments defining therebetween an axial blind bore. Upon the bumper being impacted the wall sections together with the bridging segments stretch to absorb impact energy thereby providing initially high dampening load displacement resistance.