Abstract: A vehicle suspension link or attachment includes prefabricated and assembled elements comprising a bolt or stud assembly and retainer elements on each end. The stud or bolt assembly is mounted between two suspension elements and secured by the retainer assemblies to provide a rigid, spaced, shock-absorbing connection between components of a vehicle suspension system. The invention is used in one form as a connecting link between the end of a stabilizer bar or anti-sway bar and the movable mounting arms of the vehicle's independent suspension system. The stud type suspension link includes a single spacer element or a pair of spaced-apart spacer elements which are integrally molded on the stud.

Abstract: A self-adjusting shim includes an inner element and an outer element. The outer element defines an internal threaded bore and a projecting tab that limits rotation of the outer element. The inner element includes a threaded outer surface and an inner opening. The threaded outer surface is received in the threaded internal bore such that relative rotation between the inner and outer element results in relative axial movement therebetween. The inner opening includes a torque transmitting feature such as an out-of-round surface or an internally projecting element that is directed radially inwardly so as to couple the inner element to a bolt for rotation.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud and bearing sub-assembly that is economical to manufacture, strong, durable and long-lasting. The bearing is molded directly on the ball surface of the ball, thereby eliminating the need for precise tolerances in machining the ball. Microcavities formed on the ball surface facilitate the introduction of lubricant between the ball and the bearing. A two-piece stud and collar nut adds ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A composite link and insulator, and method of construction, includes a fiberglass body. The body is formed by coating glass fibers with a liquid resin and winding the fibers around a plurality of tubular fittings or bushings in two layers, a first extending longitudinally of the body and the second transversely and around the first. A polymer shield layer and weathersheds are injection molded over the fiberglass body to create an insulator. The insulator may also be provided with stiffening plastic inserts at either end for increasing strength without adding significantly to the insulator's overall weight.

Abstract: A composite link and insulator, and method of construction, includes a fiberglass body. The body is formed by coating glass fibers with a liquid resin and winding the fibers around a plurality of tubular fittings or bushings in two layers, a first extending longitudinally of the body and the second transversely and around the first. A polymer shield layer and weathersheds are injection molded over the fiberglass body to create an insulator.

Abstract: An automatic cable connector includes a hammer that is moved to a cocked position by the end of an inserted cable. A hammer spring is compressed during the cocking motion. When the cocked position is reached, a frangible abutment fractures and the hammer is free to move independently of the cable. The spring drives the hammer into tapered gripping jaws with an impact that firmly grips the jaws onto the cable.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge pressure sensor including upper and lower housings coacting to define a pressure chamber within the housing. A board member assembly is clamped between the housings and defines a diaphragm portion which extends across the pressure chamber to divide the pressure chamber into upper and lower chamber portions. The board member assembly includes a relatively thin plate member, including a diaphragm portion, and a relatively thick support member bonded to the upper face of the thin plate member and including an annular portion positioned in surrounding relation to the diaphragm portion. The circuitry of the sensor is screen printed onto the lower face of the plate member and includes the various resistor elements of the strain gauge assembly, the various elements of the conditioning circuit receiving the output of the strain gauge assembly, and the various further leads required to connect the circuitry elements to the terminals of the sensor.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge pressure sensor including upper and lower housings coacting to define a pressure chamber within the housing. A board member is clamped between the housings and defines a diaphragm portion which extends across the pressure chamber to divide the pressure chamber into upper and lower chamber portions. All of the circuitry of the sensor is screen printed onto the lower planar face of the board member including the various resistor elements of the strain gauge assembly, the various elements of the conditioning circuit receiving the output of the strain gauge assembly, and the various further leads required to connect the circuitry elements to the terminals of the sensor. The sensor terminals are provided by a plurality of connector pins extending downwardly through the board member for connection at their respective lower ends to the circuitry provided on the lower face of the board member.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge sensor of the type including a circuit board carrying circuitry, a diaphragm bonded to the circuit board, and strain gauge circuitry on the diaphragm. The strain gauge circuitry includes a plurality of leads defining free ends and the circuitry on the circuit board defines a plurality of leads defining free ends. The diaphragm is bonded to the circuit board by a frit layer and the frit layer includes voids which are in respective alignment with the free ends of the strain gauge leads and the free ends of the circuit board leads. A conductive epoxy is positioned in the voids in the frit layer to establish electrical communication between the strain gauge circuitry leads and the circuit board leads without the use of solder joints.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge pressure sensor including upper and lower housings coacting to define a pressure chamber within the housing A board member is clamped between the housings and defines a diaphragm portion which extends across the pressure chamber to divide the pressure chamber into upper and lower chamber portions. All of the circuitry of the sensor is screen printed onto the lower planar face of the board member including the various resistor elements of the strain gauge assembly, the various elements of the conditioning circuit receiving the output of the strain gauge assembly, and the various further leads required to connect the circuitry elements to the terminals of the sensor. The sensor terminals are provided by a plurality of connector pins extending downwardly through the board member for connection at their respective lower ends to the circuitry provided on the lower face of the board member.

Abstract: A clamp assembly with a releasable bail for securing and suspending cables, drop wires or the like that utilizes a locking structure cooperating with an aperture in a tail of the clamp assembly to secure and lock the releasable free end of the bail to the clamp assembly. Preferably, the locking structure is a foot segment and head at the end of a leg of the bail with a reduced portion permitting passage of the foot segment from an entry portion along a connecting portion to locate the head at a lock portion. Additionally, the other leg of the bail can be slideably attached utilizing an interlocking structure that reduces bail deformations during installation. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for assembling the cable clamp assembly wherein the first and second legs are assembled and attached to the tail, and also providing a method for simultaneously forming the reduced portion of the second leg and a deformed region in the tail to capture the first leg in the tail.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge pressure sensor including upper and lower housings coacting to define a pressure chamber within the housing. A board member is clamped between the housings and defines a diaphragm portion which extends across the pressure chamber to divide the pressure chamber into upper and lower chamber portions. All of the circuitry of the sensor is screen printed onto the lower planar face of the board member including the various resistor elements of the strain gauge assembly, the various elements of the conditioning circuit receiving the output of the strain gauge assembly, and the various further leads required to connect the circuitry elements to the terminals of the sensor. The sensor terminals are provided by a plurality of connector pins extending downwardly through the board member for connection at their respective lower ends to the circuitry provided on the lower face of the board member.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge pressure sensor including upper and lower housings coacting to define a pressure chamber within the housing. A board member is clamped between the housings and defines a diaphragm portion which extends across the pressure chamber to divide the pressure chamber into upper and lower chamber portions. All of the circuitry of the sensor is screen printed onto the lower planar face of the board member including the various resistor elements of the strain gauge assembly, the various elements of the conditioning circuit receiving the output of the strain gauge assembly, and the various further leads required to connect the circuitry elements to the terminals of the sensor. The sensor terminals are provided by a plurality of connector pins extending downwardly through the board member for connection at their respective lower ends to the circuitry provided on the lower face of the board member.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar end link includes a force absorbing and force transmitting arm having a ball stud connector at each end. The force transmitting arm portion is fabricated by crimping together two similarly configured stampings to provide a rigid torsion resistant arm. Each ball stud connector is secured between the stampings during assembly to form a ball and socket joint and includes a threaded portion extending generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the arm. The invention may be used in one form as a connecting link between various suspension components of a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor including a housing defining a chamber; a seal structure within the housing dividing the chamber into a central pressure chamber and a measurement chamber; a diaphragm positioned within the chamber with a central portion of the diaphragm positioned in the pressure chamber and an annular peripheral portion of the diaphragm positioned in the measurement chamber; and a measurement circuit including an annular electrode carried by the lower face of the annular portion of the diaphragm coacting with a further electrode carried by a confronting portion of the housing and operative to generate an output signal which varies in proportion to the deflection of the diaphragm in response to exposure of the opposite faces of the diaphragm to differential pressures.

Abstract: A torque converter reactor includes a monolithic body of plastic resin having a hub and radially extending vanes terminating in an outer rim. A clutch with metal parts is partly encapsulated in the hub during a molding operation. The clutch is preheated to accommodate the resin shrink rate, and shut off plates keep the interior of the clutch free of plastic material.

Abstract: A leveler for adjustably selecting and thereafter maintaining a selected spacing interval between two parts comprises a base adapted to be fixedly mounted on a first part and including a threaded element therein. An elongated threaded support post is mounted in adjustable threaded engagement with the base and is selectively adjustable to extend outwardly thereof. A bumper formed of resilient material is secured to an outer end of the support post and includes a bearing surface for supporting engagement with a second part to be spaced from the first part. The base includes a lock for frictionally engaging the threaded support post for preventing unwanted rotation once the desired spacing interval is manually selected.

Abstract: A plastic capped lock nut includes a metal body having a threaded bore extending axially between transverse opposite end faces and includes an annular wall extending outwardly of one of the end faces to define an open ended cavity for receiving a resilient lock ring mounted in the cavity in coaxial alignment with the threaded bore. An end cap of plastic material including an annular side wall and an outer end engages the lock ring and is sonically welded thereto. The annular wall of the metal body is deflected inwardly tightly against the lock ring to secure the ring in the cavity against rotation relative to the body. The end cap provides protection for exposed threads of a threaded rod or other element extending outwardly of the bore of the lock nut body and ring.

Abstract: A backward starting locknut comprises a polygonal-shaped metal nut having a threaded axial bore extending from a front end face normal thereto toward a recess formed in an opposite or backside of the nut body. A locking insert of resilient plastic material having a threaded bore aligned with that of the nut is seated in the recess and includes an annular, thick wall portion secured within the recess and an annular, thin wall portion integrally joined to the thick wall portion and extends outwardly from the recess and is provided with a threaded bore. The metal nut includes an annular wall section defining the recess and the wall section is deflected radially inwardly to compress the thick wall portion of the plastic insert and thereby constrict an inner portion of the threaded bore in order to establish a prevailing torque when a threaded rod is fully engaged in the bore of the insert.

Abstract: A plastic encapsulated nut and washer assembly includes a plastic retainer or body for holding a hex nut and washer in axially aligned abutting relation ready for assembly with an external threaded member. A portion of the plastic retainer provides an annular seal around the washer when the nut is tightened on a threaded member and an extension bore is formed in the plastic material for providing a lock-nut function when the threaded member is extended into the extension bore from the threaded bore of the hex nut.