Abstract: A remotely actuated pivotal device is provided comprising a weathertight housing, a spherical projection disposed on the back of the device and a socket disposed on the housing. A circular elastomeric O-ring is disposed in the socket and a wobble stick for pivotally actuating the device extends through the O-ring and the socket. The spherical projection is disposed within the socket such that the device is capable of independent pivotal movements about the socket. A universal joint that limits the motion of the device to pivotal movements about orthogonal X and Y axes is provided for compressing the sphere against the O-ring to provide both a weathertight seal for said housing and to dampen vibration of the pivotally actuated device.

Abstract: An electrically actuated rearview mirror comprises a mirror, a support housing and means for pivotally mounting the mirror on the support housing. The mirror is pivotal about mutually orthogonal X and Y axes. A sphere is mounted on the back of the mirror and is disposed inwardly of the housing on a rod extending through an aperture in the housing. The X and Y drive means are disposed within the housing and arranged to engage the sphere for pivoting the mirror about the X and Y axes, when electrical power is applied to the drive means. The X drive means comprises a first surface, slidably engaging and partially encompassing the sphere and the Y drive means comprises a second surface slidably engaging and partially encompassing the sphere. The first and second surfaces extend in mutually orthogonal directions. The first and second cylindrical surfaces of the X and Y drive means are disposed on slides which are reciprocally mounted for displacement in mutually orthogonal directions in the housing.

Abstract: An electrically actuated rearview mirror comprises a mirror, a support housing for the mirror and means for pivotally mounting the mirror in the support housing, the mirror being pivotable about mutually orthogonal X and Y axes. A spherical gear is disposed on the back of the mirror, the spherical gear including an X gear section and a Y gear section. The X and Y gear sections are provided with spherical pitch lines. X and Y drive means mesh with the X and Y gear sections for pivoting the mirror about the X and Y axes, respectively. The X and Y gear sections and the X and Y drive means are provided with gear teeth having a roughly triangular cross section and the X and Y drive means are spring biased into engagement with the X and Y gear sections, respectively, to provide for ratchet-like adjustment of the mirror relative to the support housing in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: An automotive windshield visor and glare screen is provided comprising an opaque windshield visor defining a compartment for storing a glare shield or light filter. The visor is pivotable about a longitudinally extending round wire pivot. The visor is pivotable upward to a stored position and downward to an operative position for shielding the operator's eyes from the sun. The glare screen extends from an opening in one longitudinal edge of the visor. Preferably, the round wire pivot and the opening from which the glare screen extends are adjacent the same longitudinal edge of the visor. The glare screen is slidably received in the compartment for deployment downward to an operative position for reducing glare when the visor is pivoted upward in its stored position. This allows the operator to alternately choose a sun visor or filter. First and second longitudinally extending wipers are slidably received in the visor.

Abstract: A self-tapping screw of the type including a head, a depending cylindrical portion, a tapered point and a thread running continuously from the cylindrical portion onto the tapered point and a method of making same are disclosed. A screw blank is formed with a constant diameter cylindrical shank, the lower end of which includes a depression or concavity. Cooperating, relatively moving dies including opposed faces defining a tapered slot within which the blank is received cut a continuous thread into the blank. The concavity in the blank permits the metal to flow more readily resulting in crisp threads and a significant increase in the life of the thread rolling dies.

Abstract: An impact absorbing strut or shock absorber is disclosed comprising at least two telescoping tubes defining a damping fluid chamber. A quantity of damping fluid partially fills the chamber and a quantity of compressible gas fills the remainder of the chamber. The compressible gas absorbs small loads imposed upon the shock absorber. A fluid throttling port communicates with the chamber and a blowout plug is normally disposed in the fluid throttling port. When the shock absorber is heavily loaded the plug is ejected from the port to allow the damping fluid to be throttled through the port. A frangible polymeric encasement surrounds the shock absorber and seals the damping fluid and compressible gas therein. Relative movement between the encasement and one of the telescoping tubes is provided to absorb small deflections of the shock absorber without rupturing the encasement.

Abstract: This specification discloses a back and bail assembly adapted for ease of joining and separating the bail and back member. Each of the two legs of the bail or handle includes a pintle or projection extending laterally to one side to be engaged by a recess in one of two opposing walls in the back member. At least one of the legs has a relief, or cut away corner, on the opposite side of the leg from the projection to facilitate insertion of the leg between the two opposing walls when the bail is in a generally lowered position parallel to the front face of the back member. However, when the bail is lifted and force is applied to pull the bail and back member outward, the full width of the front face of the bail is positioned between the opposing walls of the back member thus preventing accidental removal of the bail from the back member.

Abstract: This specification discloses a sash lock wherein a catch is mounted on one window sash and a base supporting a latch is mounted on another window sash. The latch has a handle portion and a hook portion. In a locked position, both of the portions of the latch engage the catch, the hook portion from the top and the handle portion through an opening in the catch. The sash lock includes springs to bias the latch into a noninterfering position.

Abstract: An actuator for converting linear motion to alternating, opposite direction, rotary motion. The actuator is electrically operated and selectively activatable to produce rotary motion in a desired direction via separately incorporated electrical circuits. Included is an electric solenoid operated plunger which reciprocates a rotatable cam. The cam both drives a rotatable pivot member in alternating, opposite directions via cam followers and completes one or the other of two electrical circuits depending on the rotational position of the pivot member. The solenoid is activatable to produce rotational motion in a desired direction only if the cam is completing the appropriate electrical circuit. The cam is supported by a housing and is positioned for re-engagement with one of the pivot member cam followers by the housing after each stroke of the solenoid.

Abstract: A support assembly for attachment to a supporting surface, and preferably a vertical surface, as well as a method for assembling such a support. The assembly includes a support such as a garment hook or the like, a base on said support and a continuous retaining collar for securing the base and support to the supporting surface. The retaining collar has a base-receiving aperture smaller than the outer periphery of the base for overlapping and holding the base against the supporting surface. Although the support itself such as the garment hook is too large to allow passage of the collar thereover, assembly with the support base is accomplished by inserting only a portion of the base through the collar aperture, rotating one of the collar and base with respect to the other to pass the remainder of the base through the aperture, and seating the base against the back of the collar.

Abstract: The specification discloses a furniture pull comprising a back and bail assembly adapted for ease of installation. Each of two legs of the bail or handle includes a pin or projection extending laterally to only one side and a cut-away portion formed by a surface inclined to the direction of extension of said pin on the opposite side of the leg. A back member is provided for each leg and includes opposing wall surfaces, one of which includes a recess for the leg pin. For assembly, the pin is inserted in the wall recess and the leg or back member rotated to seat the leg between the walls while the cut-away portion provided by the inclined surface provides clearance room for such rotation. Each leg appears to be pinned to both its adjacent wall surfaces while, in fact, it is pivotally secured to only one.