Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support assembly, particularly suitable for the backs of vehicle seats, which is relatively simple in construction and which is durable, reliable and non-jamming in operation. The assembly includes a mounting bracket having laterally-spaced side portions defining a pair of aligned, horizontally-spaced channels which slidably receive a pair of glide blocks. A tensioned and outwardly-bowed leaf spring has its opposite end portions connected to the glide blocks, and an operating mechanism urges the blocks towards and away from each other to selectively adjust the curvature of the spring and the position of a lumbar support plate centrally connected to the spring. In a preferred embodiment, the operating mechanism includes a threaded shaft rotatably supported by the mounting bracket. A nut carried by the shaft is connected to the glide blocks by a flexible cable to shift those blocks, and thereby alter the curvature of the leaf spring, as the shaft is rotated in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A helical spring composed of a plurality of parallel, coiled strands of spring wire with such strands being unconnected along most of their length but being joined together at least at one end of the spring. In a preferred embodiment, such strands or wires are welded together at opposite ends of the spring. Such a spring is formed by incrementally advancing a plurality of wires in contiguous, parallel relation towards a wire-coiling station and then, at the termination of a coiling step, interrupting such advancement to sever the wires through, or immediately adjacent to, a first welded zone while at the same time welding such wires together in a second zone spaced a precise distance from the point of the severing operation.

Abstract: A noise suppressing device for a coil spring, and the combination of a spring equipped with such a device, in which the noise suppressing device takes the form of at least one spring metal sleeve of arcuate C-shaped cross section extending about and tightly engaging a portion of the spring intermediate the length thereof. A lug portion of the sleeve projects into the spacing between a pair of adjacent coils and limits the extent of sliding movement of the sleeve along such coils as the spring expands and contracts.

Abstract: A method of forming a helical spring composed of a plurality of parallel, coiled strands of spring wire with such strands being unconnected along most of their length but being joined together at least at one end of the spring. In a preferred embodiment, such strands or wires are welded together at opposite ends of the spring. Such a spring is formed by incrementally advancing a plurality of wires in contiguous, parallel relation towards a wire-coiling station and then, at the termination of a coiling step, interrupting such advancement to sever the wires through, or immediately adjacent to, a first welded zone while at the same time welding such wires together in a second zone spaced a precise distance from the point of the severing operation.

Abstract: An improved closure for sealing the paint drain holes of a vehicle body, and a tool and method of use therefor, are disclosed. The closure takes the form of a one-piece sheet metal plug of inverted hat-shaped configuration having a peripheral flange with a thermoplastic sealant ring located beneath the flange to form a hermetic seal about the opening of the vehicle body. In use, the closure is supported, preferably magnetically, by the head of an insertion tool and is directed by that tool into a floor pan opening or other panel opening of a vehicle body. Depending on the shape of the panel opening, the plug is then temporarily secured in place, with the sealant ring clamped between the flange of the plug and the body panel, either by a partial turn of the plug or by a tool with cam-driven dimpling elements that are forced outwardly within the cavity of the plug to produce a plurality of external enlargments or nubs.

Abstract: A relatively uncomplicated hinge and spring assembly for effectively counterbalancing the trunk lid of an automotive vehicle and for partially opening that lid when it is unlatched. The assembly utilizes an adjustable tension coil spring that exerts a diminishing lifting force as the lid is raised and that, at the manufacturer's/user's option, is used to counterbalance or slightly exceed the gradually diminishing unsupported weight of the lid as it moves from lowered to raised position. The lifting force is augmented over a limited arc of the lid's travel, by lateral deflection or distortion of the spring, to urge the lid into its partially-raised position when it is unlatched.

Abstract: An improved closure for sealing the paint drain holes of a vehicle body, and a tool and method of use therefor, are disclosed. The closure takes the form of a one-piece sheet metal plug of inverted hat-shaped configuration having a peripheral flange with a thermoplastic sealant ring located beneath the flange to form a hermetic seal about the opening of the vehicle body. In use, the closure is supported, preferably magneticlly, by the head of an insertion tool and is directed by that tool into a floor pan opening or other panel opening of a vehicle body. Depending on the shape of the panel opening, the plug is then temporarily secured in place, with the sealant ring clamped between the flange of the plug and the body panel, either by a partial turn of the plug or by a tool with cam-driven dimpling elements that are forced outwardly within the cavity of the plug to produce a plurality of external enlargments or nubs.

Abstract: A nut for adjusting the tension of a coil spring is formed from a flat strip of material. The strip is notched to form a disc having a generally circular rim with at least one notch in the rim, and the rim is formed to provide a portion of one turn of a helical screw thread which extends around the periphery of the disc from one side of the notch to the other side of the notch. The center of the disc can be extruded and tapped. The nut is screwed ino a coil spring by inserting the helical rim of the nut between the first and second coils of the coil spring and rotating the nut with respect to the spring.

Abstract: A nut for adjusting the tension of a coil spring is formed from a flat strip of material. The strip is notched to form a disc having a generally circular rim with at least one notch in the rim, and the rim is formed to provide a portion of one turn of a helical screw thread which extends around the periphery of the disc from one side of the notch to the other side of the notch. The center of the disc can be extruded and tapped. The nut is screwed into a coil spring by inserting the helical rim of the nut between the first and second coils of the coil spring and rotating the nut with respect to the spring.