Abstract: Automatic measurement of toe setting, thrust angle and run-out compensation provide data for automatic adjustment of the toe planes of front wheels of a motor vehicle. Vehicle stabilizers are employed for moving the vehicle so that the center line of the vehicle is coincident with the center line of the toe-set alignment system. Transducer units derive static toe angles and camber, as well as dynamic run-out compensation values for all from wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement providing for easy and quick attachment of a convertible top boot to a vehicle. A slidable bolt is mounted flush in each of the interior trim panels adjacent the forward extensions of the top receiving well. The bolts engage with keepers carried by the outboard portion of the boot and secure the forward outboard portions of the boot to the vehicle body.

Abstract: Multiplexing a bandpass filter circuit to work with a flux-gate sensor output to minimize the amount of electronic circuitry required to work with the control system and to reduce the effect of gain on the circuit by emphasizing repeatability.

Abstract: A torsional vibration viscous damper coupling arrangement for a manual transmission countershaft. The coupling includes a first driven gear journalled on the countershaft and in constant mesh with the input shaft gear. A second driven gear is fixed on the countershaft and is in constant mesh with a speed gear journalled on the main shaft. The first and second driven gears each have a set of longitudinally extending mirror image axial teeth sized to mesh in a loose fitting manner. A diametrical through-bore extends through the countershaft intermediate the first and second driven gears. The spaces between the teeth communicate with the through-bore to define a viscous fluid chamber enclosed by a sleeve surrounding the meshed teeth and sealed to the driven gears. Viscous fluid in the chamber provides a dampening medium obviating the transfer of torsion vibrations from the input shaft to the countershaft.

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: A dual planetary differential for a two wheel/four wheel drive vehicle transfer case mechanism providing an unequal torque split between the front and rear wheels during its full-time four wheel drive operation. The dual planetary gear set may be shifted by means of a mode clutch to provide either four wheel drive with full-time differentiation between the front and rear wheels or a part-time four wheel drive mode wherein the dual planetary is in a locked-up condition. The first and second sun gears of the dual planetary have unequal diameters with differing numbers of teeth such that, for example, proportionally more torque is transferred to the rear wheels than the front wheels. The sun gears have complementary frusto-conical web portions arranged in a juxtaposed compact manner within the transfer case.

Abstract: An improved vehicle load sensing mechanism for a brake proportioning system including a suspension spring follower lever. The follower lever is mounted co-axially with a leaf-type spring mounting fastener and utilizes a low-friction sleeved bearing assembly to thereby exactly duplicate pivotal movements of the spring end caused by road irregularities without creating significant force levels between portions of the lever and the end of the spring.

Abstract: A tubular piston pin for an internal combustion engine being of lightweight and high strength design with a cylindrical exterior surface and a double hourglass shaped aperture defined by thin-walled end portions; a thin-walled intermediate portion and two thicker-walled portions therebetween. A method for easy and inexpensive piston pin manufacture includes: the formation of half pins by molding a metal slug between two dies each having tapered end portions, punching out a midportion or intermediate web or wall to form an aperture therethrough with a generally hourglass shape, and aligning and joining two half pins axially together to form a piston pin with the double hourglass shaped interior aperture.

Abstract: A shaft retainer or support means adapted to encircle a midportion of a shaft without need of axial travel over the shaft end portions includes a body portion having a circular channel means of more than about 180 degrees circumference so that the shaft can be inserted laterally into the channel means by slight flexing which is of sufficiently flexible material to allow this. The body portion also includes a second channel extending parallel to the circular channel and interconnected therewith for receiving a locking key member which axially moves along the shaft in the second channel means thereby completing a 360 degree engagement with the circumference of the midportion of the shaft. The preferred embodiment also includes axially locking means for the slideable key member to maintain it in a desired axial position within the second channel of the body.

Abstract: Continuous status monitoring of a plurality of switches and smart sensors associated with the switches, wherein each sensor is connected to a separate single point on a single-wire bus is affected by a smart sensor multiplex arrangement. The multiplex arrangement employs a microcomputer and a driver and receiver circuit for developing a particular pulse train waveform, which is placed on the bus to provide power and control voltage signals to the plurality of smart sensors. The smart sensors contain circuits that respond to the waveform in a manner that causes each smart sensor to send current signals back over the single wire bus to the driver and receiver circuit and the microcomputer during designated repetitive and sequential time slots. The driver and receiver circuit receives, interprets and converts the current signals into voltage signals used by the microcomputer for establishing a history of the status of the bus, the sensors and the switches.

Abstract: A steering knuckle is provided which has a unitary sheet metal construction. A steering arm is integral with the steering knuckle. Brake cylinder structure adapted to operatively receive brake piston structure is carried by and extends outwardly from the steering knuckle.

Abstract: An improved throttle body fuel injection system having a single electrically controlled type of fuel injector in combination with a throttle bypass air circuit to provide favorable fuel preparation at substantially closed-throttle positions such as idle and deceleration while providing good cylinder-to-cylinder air/fuel distributions at wide-open-throttle. Fuel is introduced downstream of the throttle at idle and upstream of the throttle at full load.

Abstract: A movable molding is provided for a vehicle on the body adjacent to the wrap-around end portion of the bumper. The molding and end portion of the bumper have mating abutment surfaces. When the bumper moves towards the vehicle upon impact, the mating abutment surfaces interact causing the molding to be moved against the action of a spring along a slide element thus avoiding damage to the parts. Upon retraction of the bumper to its normal position, the spring biases the molding back to its normal position lying against the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a pivotally mounted door of an interior compartment, such as a compartment of a vehicle, is provided. The latching mechanism includes a latch mountable within the compartment and a striker plate mountable on the door. The latch includes a latching element. The striker plate has catch means to engage the latching element upon pushing of the door to a closed position to thereby latch the door closed. The latch includes spring means which are effective to disengage the latching element upon pushing on the door after the door has first been closed and latched. The latch also includes spring stop means mounted on the door and positioned to block disengagement of the latching element until manually deflected out of the way.

Abstract: A boot for overlying the folded top of a convertible automobile which is easily and quickly installable on the vehicle. The boot is provided with a bayonet type prong at each rearward corner of the boot which is inserted into a locking aperture in the vehicle body. Insertion of the bayonet indexes and secures the boot to the vehicle.

Abstract: A test procedure developed in our laboratory for determining the cratering potential of sheet metal lubricants on cathodic E-Coat primer. Lubricants trapped in flanges and other tight fitting areas are expelled onto the uncured E-Coated surfaces during the baking operation, causing craters to form. Surfaces containing craters must be refinished before application of the color coat or they detract from the vehicle's appearance.

Abstract: An inlet to work with an ignition distributor in an internal combustion engine where the distributor includes a distributor cap, a rotor, spark plug electrodes, a coil electrode, a shaft, a bowl-shaped housing, a rotor electrode, a vent, a spark shield and switch plate and the inlet is formed by the interaction of pockets, which are located on outer circumferential edge of the switch plate, legs located on the outer circumferential edge of the spark shield and seated in the pockets of the switch plate and further defined by the bottom circumferential edge of the distributor cap thereby leaving a gap through which air is urged inside the distributor cap.

Abstract: A vehicle reading/courtesy lamp is provided. The lamp includes a lamp body upon which is rotatably mounted a switch actuating ring. A switch is mounted within the lamp body. The switch includes a switch actuating lever which functions to turn the lamp on or off and to limit rotation of the ring with respect to the lamp body. The ring and lamp body are assembled together by means of spaced apart projections on each element. The spaced apart projections pass by each other upon assembly of the ring and lamp body and are moved to an overlapping position thereafter. The switch actuating arm prevents re-registry of the projections and spaces which would result in separtion of the ring and the lamp body.

Abstract: In a vehicle, an air conditioning control with electrical circuit means for carrying substantial current between selective switches located at one part of the assembly where accessible to a vehicle occupant and terminals located at an opposite part adapted to connect to a wiring harness to feed remotely located air conditioning components. The control assembly includes a base member which supports selective controls or switches with a face panel identifying the switches and a circuit carrying sub-assembly including a molded plastic circuit frame which operatively engages the base member in mating face to face contact. The sub-assembly frame supports metal circuit elements in the form of side-by-side terminal strips with a plurality of removable integral connector strips therebetween. The frame further has channel means molded into its surface which mates with the base member.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic voltage regulation system for controlling the charging of the battery in a vehicle. The conventional voltage regulator is eliminated and the intelligence of the microprocessor already present on the vehicle for controlling engine operation is used to regulate the output of the alternator. The battery temperature signal from a temperature transducer and a battery voltage signal from a sense line connected directly to the positive terminal of the battery are supplied to the microprocessor through an analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor is programmed to ascertain from the battery temperature signal the desired set point voltage based upon an inverse first order relationship between battery temperature and desired battery voltage with preset maximum and minimum voltage set point levels.