Abstract: An air bag restraint system has an air bag module located centrally of a steering wheel and secured with respect thereto by at least one fastener, the air bag module including an inflator and a screw for arming the inflator, an interlock is associated with the screw which will prevent release of the fastener until the inflator has been disarmed and will provide an indication of whether the inflator is armed or not.

Abstract: A hydraulic device has an inner rotor of cylindrical section mounted eccentrically within an outer rotor of tubular section. Angularly spaced axially extending ribs of part-circular cross-section are provided on the inner rotor and correspondingly spaced axial recesses of part-circular cross-section are provided on the opposed surface of the outer rotor, the ribs meshing with the recesses over an arcuate working zone in which a plurality of adjacent ribs engage corresponding recesses, the ribs moving relative to but in engagement with the recesses as they progress through the working zone. A baffle is located between the rotors to provide a seal therebetween outside the working zone and an inlet port is provided to the working zone adjacent the termination thereof relative to the direction of rotation of the rotors while an outlet port is provided adjacent the center of the working zone, the inlet and outlet ports being separated by at least the pitch of the ribs on the rotor.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket incorporates a base member to be secured to a secondary member. The base member has an aperture formed in it and a plate member is mounted adjacent to the base member so as to be slidable relative thereto, the plate member engaging with the base member so as to be slidable relative thereto, the plate member engaging with the base member in the direction of sliding so as to restrict rotation of the plate member relative to the base member. The plate member has an elongate slot which is inclined relative to the direction of sliding and is co-operable with the aperture in the base member so as to define therewith a window of variable position. A fastening element passes through the window for securing the base member to the secondary member.

Abstract: A hydraulic tappet for an internal combustion engine has a collar located axially on a valve stem, the outer periphery of the collar slidably engaging a cylindrical bore which is coaxial with the valve stem. A cap having a central tubular formation which slidingly engages over the end of the valve stem and an outer periphery which engages the cylindrical bore, is separated axially of the collar, to define a first chamber between the cap and collar and a second chamber between the cap and the end of valve stem. An inlet for hydraulic fluid is provided to the first chamber and the first and second chambers one interconnected by a non-return valve which prevents flow from the second chamber. A controlled leakage path is provided from the second chamber and a spring biases the cap into engagement with a cam formation.

Abstract: A valve stem which is located for axial movement; a valve lever is pivotally mounted at one end and is attached adjacent the other end to the end of the valve stem, the valve lever defines a track; a drive pin engages in the track the drive pin being mounted at one end of a first link the other end of the link being pivotally mounted about a fixed pivot, a second link is pivotally mounted at one end about moveable pivot, the first and second links being interconnected by an intermediate link pivotally attached to said first and second links at positions separated from their pivots, a drive link is pivotally connected at one end to the pivotal connection between the second link and intermediate link and at the other end to a crank, so that rotation of the crank will cause the linkage to oscillate and the drive pin to perform a reciprocating motion along an arcuate path; the trank has a first portion which is engaged by the drive pin when the valve is closed and coincides with the arcuate path of the drive pin

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system includes an input assembly having a first member connected to an input shaft, the first member being of cylindrical formation and having a pair of axially separated inwardly directed flange formations. The opposed faces of flange formations are conical and are inclined inwardly away from one another. A second member is mounted in fixed rotational relationship but movable axially of the first member. The second member has an inwardly directed flange formation with oppositely inclined conical faces. The first and second members thereby define a pair of inwardly directed annular grooves the walls of which diverge inwardly. First and second annular discs are mounted for rotation about axes parallel to but eccentric of the axis of rotation of the input assembly, so that each disc engages in a different one of the grooves. Each disc engages the opposed conical walls of its associated groove so that drive is transmitted from the input assembly to each of the discs.

Abstract: A mechanism for transmitting rotational motion from an input shaft to an output shaft includes a link which is constrained to move about an orbital path, the input shaft being coupled to the link so that rotation thereof will drive the link about its orbital path, and the output shaft being coupled to the link so that orbital motion of the link will cause the output shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission unit includes a disc drivingly connected to a first shaft, said disc having a frusto-conical groove in its outer periphery, the walls of the groove being inclined inwardly towards one another; an annular element is mounted for rotation about the disc, so that the inner periphery of the annular element is located within the groove, opposite faces of the annular element engaging the opposed walls of the groove. A connection is provided for transmitting rotation of the annular element to an output shaft and the annular element is mounted for rotation on a carrier, the carrier being adjustable radially of the disc to alter the eccentricity of the annular element with respect to the disc and house the drive ratio of the transmission. The transmission unit may drive suitable gear trains to extend the range of drive ratios thereof. Positive drive elements may be included between the disc and annular element.

Abstract: An engine and transmission arrangement for a four wheel drive vehicle comprises an engine arranged to extend substantially along a longitudinal center line of the vehicle. A gearbox receives power from the engine and a torque splitting device is connected to an output of the gearbox so as to pass part of the power to a rear final drive and part of the power to a front final drive. The front final drive and the rear final drive each includes a drive shaft which extends substantially along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle and at least a part of one of the drive shafts extends above a substantial portion of the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly comprises a door hardware assembly which includes a quarterglass frame and two lower sideglass guides. The quarterglass frame is formed with an upper sideglass guide and the sideglass is provided with three guide pins which engage with the upper sideglass guide and the lower sideglass guides. This arrangement enables the sideglass guides to have differing degrees of curvature.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a piston slidingly sealed and constrained to move along a linear path in a cylinder, the piston having a rigid connecting rod which extends axially of the cylinder, a link constrained to move in an orbital path in a plane parallel to the axis of the cylinder is coupled to the connecting rod by means of a crank shaft rotatably mounted on the link, the crank shaft having a first crank pin which is pivotally connected to the connecting rod, the first crank pin being constrained to move in a linear path as the link moves about its orbital path and the crank shaft rotates relative to the link, so that linear movement of the piston will drive the link about its orbital path, a drive shaft being coupled to the link so that orbital movement of the link will cause the drive shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A piston has a head portion and a skirt formation, a gudgeon pin by which the piston may be pivotally connected to a connecting rod is supported transversely of the skirt formation, the skirt formation is defined by a pair of part cylindrical skirt portions, the gudgeon pin connecting the skirt portions together and interengaging formations are provided on the head portion and skirt portions to locate the skirt portions axially with respect to the head portion.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system has an air bag module located centrally of a steering wheel and secured with respect thereto by at least one fastener, the air bag module including an inflator and a screw for arming the inflator, an interlock is associated with the screw which will prevent release of the fastener until the inflator has been disarmed and will provide an indication of whether the inflator is armed or not.

Abstract: A mechanism for transmitting rotational motion from one shaft to another includes a link which is constrained to move in an orbital path, an input shaft is connected to the link so that rotation of the input shaft will cause the link to move in its orbital path and a second shaft parallel to the input shaft is connected to the link so that orbital motion of the link will cause the second shaft to rotate. At least one of the shafts is connected to the link by a mounting which is capable of movement in the plane of the link, said mounting making frictional engagement with the link so that when a lateral stress above a predetermined value is applied between the shaft and link, the mounting will move laterally to relieve the stress, said predetermined value being above the lateral stresses experienced during normal operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A linear actuator has a screw threaded shaft mounted so that it is restrained from rotational movement, a cage is mounted in sliding relationship on the shaft and an internally threaded member is mounted at one end of the cage in a spherical bearing. The threadform of the internally threaded member is similar to that of the shaft but of larger diameter. The internally threaded member has a skirt formation which extends towards the other end of the cage, a circumferential portion of the skirt formation being made of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A balancer has a pair of shafts disposed parallel to one another and being adapted to be driven at the same speed in opposite directions, each shaft has a pair of axially separated weights mounted thereon, all four weights being of equal mass. The weights on each shaft are disposed at different angular positions, the disposition of weights on one shaft being the same as that on the other shaft, each weight on one shaft being disposed at 180.degree. to the corresponding weight on the other shaft when the centers of mass of the weights are disposed in the common axial plane of the shafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a piston mounted for reciprocating motion within a cylinder and sealed with respect thereto. The piston is connected to a crankshaft by means of a connecting rod, pivotal connections being provided between the connecting rod and crankshaft and between the connecting rod and piston. An oil ring is provided in a circumferential groove in the wall of the piston, said oil ring being split so that there is a gap in the ring when it engages the wall of the cylinder. An interconnection is provided between the connecting rod and oil ring by which tilting of the connecting rod upon upward movement of the piston will reduce the gap so that the load applied by the oil ring on the cylinder wall is reduced, the oil ring being permitted to expand against the cylinder wall upon downward movement of the piston.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission unit includes a disc drivingly connected to a first shaft, the disc having a frusto-conical groove in its outer periphery, the walls of the groove being inclined inwardly towards one another; an annular element is mounted for rotation about the disc, so that the inner periphery of the annular element is located within the groove, opposite faces of the annular element engaging the opposed walls of the groove. A connection is provided for transmitting rotation of the annular element to an output shaft and the annular element is mounted for rotation on a carrier, the carrier being adjustable radially of the disc to alter the eccentricity of the annular element with respect to the disc and to change the drive ratio of the transmission. The transmission unit may drive suitable gear trains to extend the range of drive ratios thereof. Positive drive elements may be included between the disc and annular element.

Abstract: A two stroke engine has a closed plane cylinder with an inlet port and outlet port disposed on opposite sides of the cylinder towards the open end thereof. A piston is slidingly sealed in the cylinder the piston having a head portion which is slidingly sealed with the wall of the cylinder and a connecting rod portion which extends axially from the head portion. The end of the connecting rod portion remote from the head portion is connected to a crank on a crankshaft, the ports being disposed one on each side of the vertical axial plane of the crankshaft so that; upon downward movement the piston will tilt, opening the exhaust port before the inlet port and; upon upward movement the piston will tilt closing the exhaust port before the inlet port, the throw of the crank producing a maximum piston tilt of up to 10.degree.. A multi-cylinder engine may comprise a plurality of piston/cylinder assemblies described above, disposed radially of one another about a common crankshaft.