Abstract: An improved gasket is designed for use on a complex interface surface between an oil pan and an engine. The gasket is formed as a one-piece molded part and is preferably injection molded from a silicone rubber. The gasket incorporates crush limiters at each bolt hole, and dual spaced sealing beads along the sides, with a circular sealing bead surrounding each bolt hole. The crush limiters control the amount of tightening of the bolts, while the sealing beads accommodate warpage of the oil pan, or undertightening of the bolt. In other features, tabs are disposed on each side of the gasket to accommodate an oil dip stick. The user of the gasket merely removes a cutaway portion associated with one of the tabs to provide a space for passage of the oil dip stick on the appropriate side. In this way, a single gasket can be incorporated into engine configurations having dip sticks on either side.

Abstract: An insulating laminate, which is particularly suitable for a sound attenuating barrier, such as a contoured vehicle headliner. The disclosed embodiment includes a finish lamina, which may be preferably cloth-like, and a substrate which is preferably structurally stable and self supporting and which may be adapted to absorb sound primarily at predetermined higher frequencies. In one preferred embodiment, a thin flexible film is located between the finish lamina and the substrate which is adapted to absorb sound primarily at relative lower predetermined frequencies. The film may include a pattern of openings or holes designed to absorb sound primarily at predetermined lower frequencies. In the disclosed embodiment, the substrate includes a porous fiber mat, preferably including fibers having a range of thicknesses to improve sound attenuation at higher frequencies, a structural foam lamina and a reinforcing scrim, preferably comprising spunbonded polyester filaments.

Abstract: An improved expandable gasket, sealed joint and method of forming a sealed joint which includes a gasket having at least 5% by weight unexpanded or unexfoliated graphite. The graphite material is preferably a mixture of expanded and unexpanded graphite compressed in a sheet or other shape affixed to a metal plate. The preferred composition is 5 to 70% by weight of unexpanded graphite and 30 to 95% expanded graphite, wherein the percentage of unexpanded graphite is controlled to provide the desired gasket expansion. A more preferred composition includes at least 10% by weight unexfoliated graphite or more preferably 15 to 50% by weight. The gasket is placed between the surfaces to be sealed and clamped in place. When the joint is heated, the unexpanded graphite exfoliates, causing the gasket to swell or expand, tightly sealing the joint.

Abstract: A diaphragm for spring brake actuators includes an aperture that receives a threaded securement member such that the diaphragm is directly fixed to a push rod. In this way, misalignment between the push rod and the diaphragm is eliminated. To overcome any leakage through the aperture the diaphragm is formed with sealing beads compressed by the securement member to achieve a seal. Preferably, diaphragm plates are received on each side of the diaphragm, and the sealing beads are compressed by the securement member to achieve a seal between the securement member and the diaphragm plates. An adequate seal is thus achieved, while still allowing the direct connection of the diaphragm to the push rod by a threaded connecting member. The diaphragm plate on the power spring side of the diaphragm extends upwardly into a recess in the power spring plate, and is in facial contact in an axial direction with a surface of the power spring plate when the spring is actuated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: A shield for a brake actuator has a bore closely surrounding a piston rod which is welded to a yoke. The shield is formed with a plurality of slits that allow portions of the shield between the slits to bend radially outwardly and allow the yoke to move through the bore. Thus, the invention allows the use of a yoke which is welded to a piston rod, and also allows the use of a shield which closely surrounds the piston rod.

Abstract: A gasket for use on a exhaust connection between an exhaust manifold and an exhaust pipe includes a spherical sealing portion which mates with sealing portions on both the exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipe. The spherical-to-spherical-to-spherical contact allows adjustment between the various sealing surfaces, while maintaining an adequate seal. Interference fits are utilized to secure the gasket to one of the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. Further, a method of forming the gasket involves first drawing a sheet into the general shape, and then punching all required openings in the gasket shape.

Abstract: An improved removable shade for a vehicle moonroof, sunroof or other window assembly. The shade includes a relatively rigid panel having a size and shape configured to cover the window, a retainer button permanently attached to the window having a releasable retainer element on the opposed side and a connector button attached to the shade panel having a mating releasable retainer element, and a handle is attached to the shade panel, preferably coaxially aligned with the connector and retainer buttons. The retainer elements preferably comprise a plurality of resilient, generally linear connector elements projecting from each of the buttons having transverse end connector portions providing a releasable connection between the buttons and the connector button is preferably permanently adhesively bonded to the window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: An insulating laminate, which is particularly suitable for a sound attenuating barrier, such as a contoured vehicle headliner. The disclosed embodiment includes a finish lamina, which may be preferably cloth-like, and a substrate which is preferably structurally stable and self supporting and which may be adapted to absorb sound primarily at predetermined higher frequencies. In one preferred embodiment, a thin flexible film is located between the finish lamina and the substrate which is adapted to absorb sound primarily at relative lower predetermined frequencies. The film may include a pattern of openings or holes designed to absorb sound primarily at predetermined lower frequencies. In the disclosed embodiment, the substrate includes a porous fiber mat, preferably including fibers having a range of thicknesses to improve sound attenuation at higher frequencies, a structural foam lamina and a reinforcing scrim, preferably comprising spunbonded polyester filaments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.