Abstract: A flexible bellows, such as for protecting the end of a longitudinally movable steering rack, has a hollow connector mounted on it adjacent its larger diameter fixing collar. The connector enables a connection to be made from the interior of the bellows through a similar connector on a second bellows covering the opposite end of the rack and thus to the interior of the second bellows. As the rack moves to and fro, compressing one bellows and expanding the other, the increased pressure in the compressed bellows is automatically transferred to the expanded bellows. The connector is pre-produced, such as from relatively rigid material by a moulding operation, and then placed in the mould which is used for producing the bellows. A parison or preform of thermoplastics material is placed in the mould and then blown to form the bellows.

Abstract: A force-responsive sensor comprises upper and lower cover layers, the upper layer being resilient and flexible and shown as transparent for ease of illustration. An electrically conductive layer carries separate individual electrically insulating spacers which separate it from two electrically conductive members. Each of these members has a plurality of spaced resilient fingers, the fingers of the two members being inter-digitated. The members are formed as films on the layer. Where the members are not supported by the spacers, they are normally held apart from the conductive layer by the resilience of the upper layer. In response to an applied force, one or more of the fingers is pressed into contact with the conductive layer to enable the production of a corresponding electrical signal. The positioning of the spacers ensures that they do not increase the overall width of the sensor. A force applied by a relatively large-area flat object is transmitted by a protruberance to one of the fingers.

Abstract: A force-responsive sensor comprises upper and lower cover layers, one superimposed on the other. The underside of the upper layer carries a first conductive layer which is electrically insulated from a second conductive layer carried by the upper surface of the lower cover sheet by a series of electrically insulating spacers placed along the length of the sensor with longitudinally spaced gaps between them, each spacer extending over substantially the full width of the sensor and being obliquely inclined to the longitudinal direction of the sensor.

Abstract: A resilient support (10), such as for supporting part of the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, is molded from elastomeric material such as rubber. Upper and lower end blocks (16, 18) have through bores (12, 14) for receiving fixtures connected respectively to the body of the vehicle and to the exhaust system. The blocks (16, 18) are interconnected by three integral diagonally directed arms (22, 24, 26). Vertical vibration of the exhaust system is resisted, absorbed and damped by a combination of tension in the arms (22, 24, 26) and bending at their points of interconnection with the upper and lower blocks (16, 18). The support (10) is thus relatively resilient in this direction. However, sideways movement of the exhaust system, tending to cause movement of the lower block (18) in the direction of the axis of the lower bore (14), is firmly resisted by the arms (22, 24, 26).

Abstract: A movable-window safety device for arresting upward movement of a power-driven window glass in a motor vehicle body in the event of obstruction in the window opening comprises a resilient channel for receiving the window glass and which is mounted in a rigid window frame. The base of the resilient channel comprises an electrical detecting member housed in a hollow chamber. The side walls of the resilient channel extend proud of the sides of the rigid window frame and carry curved-over outer lips and inner lips. An obstruction in the window opening is carried upwardly by the window glass and applies a force to one or other of the side walls of the resilient channel, according to whether the obstruction extends inwardly or outwardly of the window opening. The resultant force is applied to the detecting member.

Abstract: A fluid pressure spring (8), such as for opening the hatchback door of a vehicle, comprises a hollow cylinder (10) having a fixture (24) for pivotal connection to the hatchback door. A piston (30) is connected to a hollow piston rod (114) which carries a fixture (46) for pivotal connection to the vehicle body. The interior (40, 42) of the cylinder is filled with gas under pressure, and the gas extends into a chamber (54) within the piston rod via a bore (62). A free piston (50) within the hollow piston rod (14) is subjected to exterally applied hydraulic pressure via a pipe (20) connected to a second chamber (56) within the hollow piston rod (14). Controllable increase of this pressure moves the free piston (50) to augment the gas pressure within the spring and to increase its lifting force. In this way, a remote control can bused to unlatch the hatchback door and temporarily augment the gas pressure within the spring to cause the door automatically to lift from the fully closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A gas spring comprising a cylindrical body in which a main piston is slidable and carries a piston rod extending in sealed manner outwardly of the cylinder. The main piston includes a bore connecting with a labyrinthine passageway. The interior of the cylinder contains a fluid comprising gas under pressure and (optionally) some oil. The gas urges the piston rod outwardly of the cylinder. During the corresponding travel of the piston, the fluid transfers from one side of the piston to the other in a controlled manner through the bore and the passageway to allow relatively rapid travel. However, when the main piston comes into contact with a second piston, freely slidable on the piston rod and biassed towards the main piston by a compression spring, this contact closes off the end of the fluid passageway, and fluid can now only transfer through the main piston by passing through a narrow radial channel, thus reducing the speed of outward travel of the piston rod.

Abstract: A sealing, trimming and guiding strip for the window of a motor vehicle body defines a first or main opening (6) for a vertically slidable window glass and a second, subsidiary, opening (8) for a fixed window glass. The strip (5) is of partially moulded and partially extruded construction. Over the region (ABC) extending around part of the main window opening (6), only the face of the strip facing outwardly of the vehicle is moulded. The inside face of the seal over this region is formed by extruded portions which are either attached to the moulded part or are held in juxtaposition with the moulded part by means of a rigid mounting channel forming part of the window frame. The cross piece (9) and the whole of the strip extending around the remainder of the subsidiary window opening (8) are entirely of moulded construction, and integrally moulded with the moulded part of the strip extending around the main window opening (6).

Abstract: An engine mount assembly comprises a rigid dome-shaped cover secured to the vehicle body or chassis. The cover supports internal rubber elements which in turn support rigid facing jaws. A damping module comprising two bellows chambers and an assembly of two valve elements is inserted in a unit, together with a valve arrangement. A bolt secured to the engine of the vehicle passes through the valve elements and holds the damping module in position and transmits engine vibrations to the damping module. Hydraulic fluid in the chambers is thus forced through a helical conduit which contains a restriction for damping the fluid movement and thus the vibrations. At higher vibration frequencies, valve flaps vibrate causing alternate small compression and expansion of the chambers and thus damping of the vibrations.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing between a window frame carried by the upper part of a vehicle door and the frame of the door opening, comprises a sealing strip. An outer frame member of the window frame extends in a peripherally outward direction of the window opening and is curved-over in re-entrant form to define a rigid channel facing inwardly. The sealing strip has a locking portion comprising a flexible wall of a hollow chamber. The flexible wall can be partially depressed into the hollow chamber to enable the locking portion to pass into the rigid channel, whereafter the wall resiles to lock the sealing strip in position. The flexible material of the sealing strip has an integral sealing lip sealing against the window frame. The window frame supports a second rigid channel which in turn supports a flexible channel for receiving the window glass.

Abstract: A window frame, as for a motor vehicle, with a window pane slidably movable therein along a predetermined path and a sealing arrangement for sealing against the window pane as it moves along the predetermined path is disclosed which comprises mounting means for mounting the sealing arrangement on the frame, sealing means forming part of thc sealing arrangement and comprising flexible material, a sealing lip made of harder material, whereby the flexible wall dampens vibrations of the lip.

Abstract: A gas compression spring comprises a gas-filled cylinder in which a piston carrying a hollow piston rod is slidable and divides the interior of the cylinder into first and second chambers. Over part of the length of the cylinder, a groove is provided in the cylinder wall. Gas pressure within the cylinder causes the piston to drive the piston rod outwards of the cylinder, this being permitted by the groove which allows transfer of gas pressure between the two chambers. When the piston reaches the end of the groove, such gas pressure transfer ceases and movement of the piston rod stops. External manual force applied to a control rod, extending through the hollow interior of the piston rod, unseals an opening at the end of the piston rod which brings the two chambers into communication again. Gas pressure transfer can now take place between the two chambers via the interior of the piston rod.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for attachment to the window frame running around a window opening on a vehicle door comprises a sealing strip made of extruded plastics or rubber material and incorporating metal reinforcemet. The strip fits over a flange forming part of the window frame. The strip has a locking protrusion made of flexible material having a shoulder adjacent a hollow interior chamber. The latter enables the shoulder to flex and pivot and to pass over a re-entrant rigid lip at the mouth of a rigid channel in the frame and to lock behind this lip. The strip can thus be fitted and removed without the use of a tool. The strip also defines a channel for receiving the window glass.

Abstract: A protective bellows (24) covers over the end of, and protects the mechanism within, the casing (6) of a universal or articulated joint (5). The universal joint (5) is of normal construction, its casing (6) being drivingly connected to an output shaft (10) by ball or rollers (14) mounted in grooves (16) on an inner element (12) fixed to the output shaft (10) and in grooves (18) on the inner face of the casing (6). The balls or rollers (14) permit the desired angular movement of the axis of the output shaft (10) relative to the axis of the casing (6). In addition, a certain amount of axial movement (L) is permitted. In order to resist any tendency of this axial movement to dislodge the balls or rollers (14) from the casing (6), a rigid zone (40) is integrally molded onto the inside of the bellows (24) adjacent its large diameter end. This rigid zone (40) extends in a radial direction part way across the open end of the casing (6) to resist dislodgement of the balls or rollers (14).

Abstract: A sealing and wiping arrangement is shown for mounting along the waist-line gap of a vehicle door through which gap a window glass is raised and lowered. The sealing and wiping arrangement is made of plastics or rubber material and grippingly engages a flange on the outside part of the vehicle door. A sealing lip is formed by part of the outside wall of a first flexible chamber. A wiper blade is mounted on the outside of the flexible wall of a second flexible chamber separate from the first chamber. When the glass is stationary, the first chamber is in an expanded state to ensure that the sealing lip is in firm sealing contact with the surface of the window glass. At the same time, the second chamber is in an expanded state and ensures that the wiper blade is clear of the window glass. When the window glass starts to move, the first chamber is partially evacuated so that the sealing lip is moved clear of the surface of the glass and does not impede glass movement.

Abstract: A sealing, trimming or finishing strip for fitting to the flange around the edge of a door or similar opening in a motor vehicle body has a channel-shaped gripping portion supporting a tubular sealing portion on the outside of the door opening and onto which the door sealingly closes. On the inside of the door opening, a cosmetic lip integrally extends laterally from the gripping portion and is curved-over to form a concave surface for embracingly receiving and gripping the edge of a trim panel. A cloth or textile covering extends over the outside surface of the cosmetic lip, around its distal edge and over the whole of the concave surface of the lip to terminate at a point on the outside side wall of the gripping portion.

Abstract: A sealing or guiding assembly for sealing or guiding the corner of a movable window glass, such as for the window in a motor vehicle door, comprises two lengths of sealing or guiding strips connected together at a corner. The corner is bridged across by a flexible flap which is produced by an in-situ moulding operation. The moulding operation is carried out so that the flap is connected to each sealing strip only over a small area. The flap is therefore otherwise spaced from each sealing strip by a gap which, during the moulding operation, is occupied by a plate defining part of the mould cavity. This plate and the gap protect an adjacent flocked area of a lip from damage by the heat of the moulding operation. The flap defines a shallow groove or ridge matching a ridge or groove either on the sealing strip or on a rigid support to which the strip and flap are to be attached.

Abstract: A sealing strip for sealing between a flange defining the door opening, such as in a motor vehicle body, and the door of the opening, comprises a channel-shaped gripping part for gripping the flange and supporting a hollow tubular sealing part, preferably made of sponge rubber. The latter is partially compressed between the flange and the closing door so as to provide a barrier against ingress of moisture and draft. In order to provide improved blocking of acoustic energy, so as to reduce the amount of exterior noise (road noise, aerodynamic noise) transmitted into the interior of the the vehicle, the hollow tubular sealing part supports a metal wire running lengthwise along and within the hollow tube and supported from the tubular side wall so as to be capable of vibrating in a transverse direction.

Abstract: An air extraction valve and grill assembly for mounting in an opening in the bodywork of the passenger compartment of a vehicle body, and for enabling the extraction of stale air from the passenger compartment, is molded from the rigid thermoplastic material and defines two air extraction apertures. Each aperture is controllably closed off by a valve flap. Each valve flap is molded from rigid thermoplastics material, or produced from other similar rigid material. Onto each valve flap are over-molded two strips of thermoplastic material. One of these strips forms a hinge for supporting the valve flap in the aperture and biassing it into a position where the other over-molded strip acts as a seal with the rigid body of the assembly.

Abstract: A reinforcing channel-shaped carrier for a sealing, trimming or guiding strip is made of metal and provided with slots of several different types. Slots of a first type extend across the base of the carrier and for short distances into the side walls and facilitate bending about an axis parallel to the base and perpendicular to the length of the channel. Slots of a second type are positioned in the side walls and facilitate bending about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the base. The latter slots are of two different forms. Slots of one form are shorter than those of the other form. This increases the stiffness of the carrier. The carrier is produced by slitting a flat metal blank and then rolling it along stretch paths to cause it to be thinned-down and expanded lengthwise to convert the slits into slots. The carrier is advantageously used in a sealing, trimming or guiding strip in closed loop form ready for fitting to a vehicle door opening.