Abstract: A method for obtaining an electrical earth connection device wherein a metal plate having a threaded seat is provided with a screw having a flanged head which is tightened against the plate, whereupon the assembly so formed is affixed to a vehicle body and the vehicle body together with the connection device is painted in a painting bath, whereupon the screw is loosened to receive a cable terminal.

Abstract: A system for the rapid clamping of dies on a horizontal press for the injection moulding of plastics materials consists of a pair of structures fixed permanently along two opposite sides of the fixed and movable plates of the press and defining therewith two guides adapted slidably to receive the fixing flanges of the respective die. Motor-driven clamping means are associated with these guides and are operable simultaneously to clamp the fixing flanges of the die to the attachment structures.

Abstract: Assembly for fastening upholstery to the padding of a vehicle seat, which assembly comprises a bar sunk inside the padding, and a flexible plastic section stitched to the upholstery and secured to the bar by means of a number of metal fasteners.

Abstract: A body element for the production of modular bodies for use in the manufacture of cars of the same model or different models, with specific wheelbases, tracks, styles, versions and power units. The body element comprises a common horizontal floor and means selectively applicable to the floor to extend and reduce the body element longitudinally and transversely.

Abstract: The gearbox includes a continuous transmission-ratio variator and a control and operating unit for causing, through actuator devices, the variation of the transmission ratio by the variator in dependence on signals supplied by sensors of the speed of the motor vehicle and the number of revolutions of the engine. In addition, a control device operable manually by the driver, for example a potentiometer with a sliding contact, is connected to the control and operating unit to supply to the unit an electrical signal variable in dependence on the extent of its operation. The control and operating unit is arranged to modify in a predetermined manner the mode of variation of the transmission ratio by the variator, in dependence on the signals supplied by the control device.

Abstract: A press for moldinig thermoplastic, thermosetting, polyurethane polymeric articles comprises three workstations arranged side by side and including a central molding station and two lateral stations for cooling and extracting molded articles. Two molds are rigidly connected to one another and controlled by a transfer pusher which alternately moves the molds from the molding station to either of the cooling and extraction stations. A first presser at the central molding station applies a closure pressure necessary for the material injection, while auxiliary presser arranged in each station applies a reduced secondary pressure to the molds at the end of the injection step, during the translatory motion of the mold and during the cooling step.

Abstract: A method for processing large cast iron dies for use in pressing the sheet-metal components of vehicle bodies is described; this method results in improved pressing performance, such as extended life and, in particular, drastic reduction in rejects and downtimes due to seizure; its main characteristic consists of subjecting those die regions most subject to operational wear to localized heating by a laser beam which strikes normal to the surface so as to harden the treated regions without the risk of cracking; the treatment is implemented by a focusing head controlled by a robot having five capabilities of movement.

Abstract: A system is described for measuring the angular position of an internal combustion engine crankshaft, comprising a magnetic sensor and at least two projections provided on a flywheel which is rigid with the crankshaft. The main characteristic of the present invention is that the sensor has its longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the crankshaft and is supported by that portion of the crankcase which faces the flywheel. As the projections pass in proximity to the sensor, this latter generates an electrical pulse which is utilized in a central control unit for electronic ignition and/or electronic injection.

Abstract: A front seat assembly for motor vehicles is supported at the front by a first support which includes two lower guides in which support members are mounted for longitudinal movement. The latter are, in turn, engaged at their upper ends for movement relative to upper guides fixed to the front part of the seat cushion. The support members can be locked in the lower guides in a rearwardmost position while the position with respect to the upper guides can be chosen from a plurality of fixed adjustment positions. The rear part of the seat is supported by two pivotable arms which, when the seat is moved towards a forwardmost position, cause the cushion to be raised gradually, so that the visual point is substantially maintained. To facilitate access to the rear seats, the backrest can be tipped forwards by disengagement of a retaining member which hold the backrest in a fixed position relative to the cushion and of the retaining member which hold the support members within the lower guide.

Abstract: Air intakes, usually constituted by N.A.C.A. intakes, are formed in the sides of the motor vehicle immediately in front of each rear light unit. When the vehicle is moving, each of the intakes induces a flow of air towards the light unit. As it passes through flow-conditioning means, such as a deflector element mounted in a corner position on the light unit or a slot-like duct which passes through the light unit, this flow is transformed into a turbulent air flow. As it spreads into the space surrounding the surface of the light unit and/or flows over it, this air flow prevents the deposition of dirt on the light unit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle gearbox includes a main shaft and a driven shaft carrying respective meshed gears, and an intermediate reversing shaft carrying an idle reverse gear which is slidable to couple corresponding gears carried by the main shaft and the driven shaft for the engagement of reverse. A device for synchronizing the engagement of reverse are provided, which are carried by the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A rear suspension for motor vehicles comprising two longitudinal arms carrying the rear wheels of the motor vehicle at their rear ends, compression springs and a subframe. The front ends of the longitudinal arms are articulated to the subframe which is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The compression springs are interposed between each arm and the subframe so that the whole suspension can be assembled on the sub-frame before the latter is mounted on to the body. The subframe includes two sheet-metal box-section lateral supports provided with attachments for connecting the subframe to the body and for the articulation of the longitudinal arms. A sheet-metal cross member is rigidly connected at its ends to the two lateral supports. Each compression spring is interposed between and connected to a respective lateral support of the sub-frame.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle door of the so-called "open" type, the sliding window is constituted by a single unit having a runner cooperating with a fixed or telescopically-extendible guide rail which can extend from the upper edge of the body of the door.The guide rail supports the window in an intermediate position between the two vertical end sides of the door.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the inclination of a rear seat of a vehicle is described, of the type comprising an electromechanical linkage which is able to translationally move in one direction or the other the seat cushion assembly to which the back-rest is hinged, to thus vary the inclination of this latter, and first electrical control means for said linkage. The main characteristic of the present invention is that it comprises second electrical means which, when a door of the vehicle is opened, cause said cushion assembly to translate from the position which it assumed before the opening, to a withdrawn end-of-travel position in which the back-rest is lesserly inclined.

Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system includes a fluid distributor member with first and second chambers, each of which is associated with a respective one-way valve for connecting it to the source and for preventing the propagation of fluid pressure from the source and for preventing the propagation of fluid pressure from the source to the respective chamber. A piston is sealingly slidable in each chamber and divides the chamber into a first volume, which communicates with the one-way valve associated with the respective chamber, and a second volume. The first volume of the first chamber communicates with the second volume of the second chamber. Each piston has an actuator for keeping the adjacent one-way valve in an open position when the piston is moved toward the one-way valve. An actuator selectively applies a force to the piston in the first chamber to move the piston.

Abstract: A method for processing large cast iron dies for use in pressing the sheet-metal components of vehicle bodies is described; this method results in improved pressing performance, such as extended life and, in particular, drastic reduction in rejects and down-times due to seizure; its main characteristic consists of subjecting those die regions most subject to operational wear to localized heating by a laser beam which strikes normal to the surface so as to harden the treated regions without the risk of cracking; the treatment is implemented by a focusing head controlled by a robot having five capabilities of movement.

Abstract: The filter paper according to the invention is characterised in that it contains electrically conductive fibers which render it electrically conductive and able to allow the heating of the fluid to be filtered by the Joule effect. According to a particularly advantageous application, this paper may be used in filters for fuel supply circuits in diesel engines, in order to prevent the blockage of such filters at low temperatures as a result of the freezing of paraffin contained in the fuel.

Abstract: A control device for a motor vehicle gearbox in which a gear lever movable with a selection movement and a gear engagement movement drives an actuator member, located at the input to the gearbox, through a transmission including a longitudinal bar and a pair of transverse rods acutated by the longitudinal bar through a drive member pivotable about a first vertical axis which is rotatable about a second vertical axis fixed relation to the structure of the vehicle. A reaction tie rod connects the pivotable drive member to the structure of the gearbox substantially in the direction of the two rods.

Abstract: Stepwise change-speed transmission between the engine and the drive shafts of the driven wheels of a motor vehicle including expansible driving and driven pulleys supported respectively by a main shaft and a driven shaft, and a friction clutch mounted on the driven shaft to transmit drive from the driven pulley to a differential through a geared reversing unit for engaging forward drive and reverse drive. The reversing unit is designed in such a manner as to maintain the forward drive in permanent engagement and can be actuated by a hydraulic actuator to engage the reverse drive.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of sensor devices each arranged to monitor a respective physical or operating magnitude of apparatus, a device or a member of the vehicle, and to provide corresponding electrical signals. An acoustic signal generator provides a plurality of acoustic characterizing signals, indicative of corresponding predetermined operating conditions, and a plurality of acoustic level signals indicative of corresponding predetermined levels of importance attributable to the operating conditions. A processing unit detects on the basis of signals provided by the sensor devices the operating conditions of the vehicle and attaches in a predetermined manner, a level of importance to each operating condition identified, and supplies to the acoustic signal generator electrical control signals for causing the output of an acoustic signal comprising, in succession, the level signal and the characterizing signal associated with the operating condition detected.