Abstract: An axle beam suspension arrangement comprises a lateral link assembly which is mounted to a single support point on a vehicle body and two support points on an axle beam of the vehicle. The lateral link assembly consists of a lateral link member connected between a support point on the axle beam and the support point on the vehicle body, an assist link is provided which connects between the second support point on the axle beam and a point on the length of the lateral link, closer to the end at which the lateral link connects to the axle than the end connecting to the vehicle body. The lateral link is connected to the axle beam support point via a bush which is flexible in the axial direction of the lateral link. Thus scuff, or vertical disalignment of the vehicle wheels during bounding and rebounding is prevented while occurrence of rolling may be detected while jack-up forces applied to vehicle wheels are absorbed.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for controlling vehicle ignition lock and transmission shift lock in an interlocked relation to each other. The mechanism comprises a lock member movable into a lock position for blocking up a passage to a Park position of a position plate. An operating member drives the lock member into the lock position in response to upward movement of a position pin in the Park position. A stopper of an ignition lock is movable between a lock position for preventing rotation of a key rotor into a lock position and an unlock position for allowing the same. A cable interconnects the lock member and the stopper to allow them to move in unison such that movement of the lock member into the lock position causes the stopper to move into the unlock position and movement of the stopper into the lock position causes the lock member to move into the unlock position. A spring is installed in the ignition lock for urging the stopper toward the lock position.

Abstract: A canvas top type sunroof structure is disclosed, which comprises a pair of guide members which extend along respective sides of a sunroof aperture; a canvas top adapted to cover the aperture; a carry member having a terminal part of the canvas top secured thereto, the carry member being slidably guided by the guide members; a latching device for latching the carry member to one end of the aperture when the carry member comes to a given terminal position relative to the aperture; and a brake mechanism for restraining the carry member to one of the guide members when the carry member assumes a position other than the given terminal position.

Abstract: A steering lock device includes a housing and a key cylinder rotatably disposed in the housing. A generally cylindrical member is rotatably disposed within the housing coaxially with the key cylinder. The cylindrical member includes an outer wall with a groove having a first circumferential groove section, a second circumferential groove section axially spaced from the first circumferential groove section, and a junction section connecting the first and second circumferential groove sections. A first surface is disposed at one end of the first groove section at the junction section and inclined at a predetermined angle to the first groove section, and a second surface is disposed at the end of the second groove section at the junction section and arranged generally perpendicular to the second groove section. A latch is slidably disposed within the housing and includes a first end projecting outwardly from the housing and a second end projecting within the groove in the outer wall of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission shift control device, a rocking lever and a second biasing unit are provided for holding a selector lever in a shiftable condition when the selector lever is in one of the gear positions other than a parking position. A first biasing unit is provided for holding the selector lever in a locked condition when the selector lever is in the parking position. A solenoid is provided for releasing the selector lever from a locked condition when energized. The solenoid is energized only when a brake pedal is fully depressed under a condition where an ignition key is in an "ON" position and the selector lever is in the park position.

Abstract: A vehicular seat is formed with an adjustable spring structure at an internal portion thereof. The structure is selectively adjustable for determining the degree of support the seat occupant receives at his or her lower back and features an arrangement which is supported on the end of a pair of adjustable crank arms so as to be operable between a normal position in which the support to the lower back of the seat occupant is mildly enhanced, and an extra support position in which the seat back contour is altered and the support of the seat occupant's lower back is greatly enhanced in a manner which reduces fatigue of the seat occupant over long periods.

Abstract: A swimming aid comprises a floating body and a bottom viewer and may be used at a swimming pool or in the sea. The floating body is U-shaped in cross section and has a hood at the top thereof. The floating portion buoyantly supports the upper half of the swimmer's body in the water. The bottom viewer is made of a transparent material such as vinyl chloride resin and takes the form of a dome. The bottom viewer is installed on the top of the hood and provides a wide forward or underwater view of the swimmer. The swimmer when laying with his body on the bottom of the floating body can swim without great resistance while looking forward or downwardly underwater through the bottom viewer.

Abstract: A structure of an air conditioning apparatus applicable to a vehicle compartment is disclosed. In the air conditioning apparatus, a heater core for heating an introduced air is disposed in a heating unit casing so as to be in parallel to an air stream passage derived from an air cooling unit or inclined through a predetermined air suppression angle with respect to the air stream so that air resistance of the heater core against the air stream is minimized and a higher cooling characteristic can be achieved. In addition, a door member disposed on an upstream end surface of the heater core for mixing cooled and heated air is substantially aligned with an extension line of an air output side surface of the heater core in a maximum cooling mode of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an automotive seat which comprises a seatback proper; and a pair of side supports which are pivotally connected through respective pivot shafts to both sides of the seatback proper, each side support including a front surface which extends in a given direction. The thickness of each side support gradually decreases with increase of height of the same, and each pivot shaft extends substantially in the given direction.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a powered seat slide device which comprises an elongate rack plate which is received in an elongate tunnel-like space defined between movable and stationary rails and secured to the stationary rail, a gear mechanism which is mounted to the movable rail and has a pinion projected into the tunnel-like space to operatively engage with the rack plate, and an electric motor for actuating the gear mechanism.

Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of air to be discharged into a cabin of a vehicle in an automatically controlled air conditioner system of an automotive vehicle. The air conditioner system is provided with a cooling unit and a heating unit for cooling and heating conditioning air in the air conditioner system for delivery to the cabin of the vehicle. The air conditioner system includes a mechanism for mixing the cooling air and the heating air in a stepwise manner so as to generate a controlled temperature of conditioning air to be discharged into the vehicle cabin with a moderate adjustment in transition so as to maintain a desired vehicle cabin temperature.

Abstract: In order to move a steering wheel about a large radius to a safe position during a head on collision or the like, the steering column is supported on a first stay which is resistant to bending and which is connected to the dashpanel which separates the engine room and the passenger compartment, at a level lower than the center of the steering wheel. A second stay is connected to the first in a manner which defines a triangular arrangement which, when the dashpanel is deformed, tends to rotate about the location the first stay is connected to the dashpanel. The upper end of the first stay is detachably connected to the structural panels of the vehicle by a "snap off" type releasably connection which permits the bracket to move vertically upon the application of a force in excess of the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: The crankshaft of an engine or compressor is arranged to define an Oldham type sliding connection which permits the stroke of a piston or pistons to be selectively varied. When the axis of the control disc is displaced along a arcuate path the TDC position and compression ratio of the device can be varied. Combining four sliding connections in a four square configuration permits inherent vibration cancellation. Valve train timing can be varied using a belt tensioning technique and can be combined with the stroke control provided by the sliding connection arrangement or arrangements.

Abstract: A position pin is pushed down by an effort applied on a control button to disengage the position pin from a position plate when a selector lever is to be moved from a parking position to other gear positions. A bushing is mounted on a post of the selector lever for ratation but against axial movement. The bushing has at the upper end a pair of diameterically opposed notches with which the position pin is engaged when pushed down to effect the above disengagement. When an ignition key is at the "on" position and the selector lever is at the parking position, the bushing is rotated into a position where the notches are misaligned with the position pin unless a brake pedal is fully depressed, i.e.

Abstract: An automatic air conditioning system for an automotive vehicle can operate in vent mode, bi-level mode or heater mode, the automatic selection of which is adjusted on the basis of air conditioning-influencing external conditions. The heat value required to adjust the room temperature in a vehicle cabin is derived in accordance with the air conditioning-influencing external conditions. The operation mode is selected depending upon the derived heat value. Changeover between heater, bilevel and vent modes is effected as a function of computed heat value and set-temperature.

Abstract: A dynamic damper comprising at least one elastic member and mass member is mounted within a conventional shaft housing eccentrically with respect to an axis center of a steering shaft. The elastic member of the dynamic damper gives a spring constant which is maintained at a constant value designed to provide a required resonant frequency at the mass member for suppresing a vibration transmitted to a steering wheel via the steering shaft since the vibration transmitted from the steering shaft to the steering wheel is always applied to the dynamic damper in the shear direction of said elastic member regardlessly of the steering wheel angular position.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system which delivers air from upper and lower air outlets at independently controlled temperatures has a pressure responsive door interposed between an upper air mix chamber and a space near the outlet of a heater core or a lower air mix chamber. The pressure responsive door is adapted to allow or prevent air flow from the outlet of the heater core into the upper vent air mix chamber according to the pressure differential across the door. The pressure responsive door establishes one-way air flow from the heater core into the upper air mix chamber for temperature adjustment and prevents the air in the upper air mix chamber from affecting the temperature of air in the lower air mix chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a door opening. A door has a front edge and a rear edge. The door is slidable relative to the vehicle body and is able to close and unblock the door opening. A device serves to releasably lock the door rear edge to the vehicle body when the door is in its closed position. Another device serves to releasably lock the door front edge to the vehicle body when the door is in its closed position.

Abstract: An automotive roof structure includes a detachable set roof detachably mounted on a cut-out or opening formed in a fixed roof of the vehicle body. The set roof is provided with a male guide engageable to a female guide installed on the edge of the cut-out or opening for positioning the set roof within the cut-out or opening. The female guide is adapted to interfere with lateral movement of the male guide when the set roof is in place within the cut-out or opening, and thus prevents the set roof from unexpectedly separating from the cut-out or opening. In addition, the structure includes a double seal structure to ensure a water-tight seal between the set roof and the mating surfaces around the cut-out or opening in order to effectively prevent water, in particular rain water from leaking into the vehicle compartment.

Abstract: The temperature of the air discharged into the upper region of an enclosed space such as an automotive vehicle cabin and the temperature of the air discharged separately into the lower region thereof, is individually controlled in response to a manually inputted command signal (or signals) and in response to at least one (sensed) parameter which affects the environment of said enclosed space whereby the temperature of each region can be varied according to personal taste.