Abstract: A hydraulic fluid container (10,110) is specially adapted to mate with a vehicle hydraulic fluid reservoir (40,160) for the purpose of transferring fluid from the container to the reservoir. In one embodiment a spout (24) has a particular cross section which matches the opening (46) in the reservoir. In another embodiment a valve (148,150,216, 218,316,318,416,418) in the container or reservoir is opened by a probe (164,232,332) in the other of the container and reservoir when the container and reservoir are mated together. The invention prevents fluid from a container not specially adapted to the reservoir being added to reservoir.

Abstract: A cam profile checking apparatus comprises a motor for rotating the cam and a transducer for measuring the lift of the cam as it continuously rotates with respect to a reference point. Signals from the transducer are processed in a programmed computer and plots of the cam profile, cam lift, velocity and acceleration produced by a plotter connected to the computer. By using existing data a cam error plot can also be produced. This provides relatively simple and economic apparatus and method.

Abstract: An automobile hydraulic braking circuit comprises two reservoirs in addition to the main hydraulic fluid reservoir. One additional reservoir can replenish the other which in turn can replenish the main hydraulic reservoir. A peristaltic pump controls fluid flow to the main reservoir from the adjacent additional reservoir. Probes in the additional reservoirs operate in conjunction with control circuitry to inhibit operation of the pump to prevent contaminated fluid from being supplied to the main reservoir.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism for a vehicle windscreen wiper arrangement comprises an eccentric driven by an electric motor. A transmission member can be locked either to the eccentric to rotate with it or to a further transmission member which is in turn connected to the linkage of the wiper arrangement. In the second case the wiper arrangement performs a normal on screen wiping motion and in the first case, with the direction of the motor reversed, the wiper arrangement is driven from an on screen to an off screen park position. During this part of its travel the wiper speed is reduced as compared with the normal wiping speed. The mechanism is adaptable to existing wiper arrangements.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for the head restraint of a vehicle seat comprises latches 22 pivotally connected to the bases of projections 5 and 6 of a frame forming a part of the restraint. These projections 5 and 6 fit into complementary tubes 7 and 8 in the top of the corresponding seat. Respective balls 26 normally maintain the latches 22 in an inoperative position so that the projections 5 and 6 can be withdrawn from the tubes. In the event of a collision tending to force the restraint upwards away from the seat the balls are thrown upwards releasing the latches and allowing them to swing outwards so that they hook the bottoms of the tubes 7 and 8 as the restraint moves upwards to prevent further upward movement. Each latch may be double hooked if desired.

Abstract: A multi-ratio motor car automatic transmission comprising two planetary gear trains and a coupling between input and output. Each train comprises a sunwheel, planet pinions, planet pinion carrier and internally toothed annulus. Two clutches and two or three friction reaction brakes hold stationary and/or prevent or allow various parts of the gear trains to rotate to select one of the ratios. The manner of selection is such as to reduce reliance of the transmission on the coupling so as to reduce losses in the coupling and thereby improve fuel consumption. Arrangements are described suitable for rear engined and transverse front engined vehicles as well as for the more conventional front engine layout.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a vehicle comprises a center section adapted to lie along the width of the vehicle and two side sections connected to respective ends of the center section and adapted to lie along respective sides of the vehicle. Each section has a supporting metal beam and a superposed polyurethane moulding. The center section additionally has a superposed decorative steel finisher connected to the beam in a relatively displaceable manner. The side sections are connected at their ends remote from the center section by spring pivotal radius arms to the vehicle body. In the event of an impact, the side sections pivot away from the vehicle body on their radius arms against the action of the associated springs and the metal beam moves relative to the finisher against the action of a further spring. On removal of the impact force the parts of the assemby return to their original positions under the action of the various springs.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a vehicle comprises a center section adapted to lie along the width of the vehicle and two side sections connected to respective ends of the center section and adapted to lie along respective sides of the vehicle. Each section has a supporting metal beam and a superposed polyurethane moulding. The center section additionally has a superposed decorative steel finisher connected to the beam in a relatively displaceable manner. The side sections are connected at their ends remote from the center section by spring pivotal radius arms to the vehicle body. In the event of an impact, the side sections pivot away from the vehicle body on their radius arms against the action of the associated springs and the metal beam moves relative to the finisher against the action of a further spring. On removal of the impact force the parts of the assembly return to their original positions under the action of the various springs.

Abstract: The big end bearing cap of an internal combustion engine connecting rod is connected to the remainder of the connecting rod by bolts which locate the big end bearing shells both angularly and axially of the bearing. The machining of the bearing surface is carried out with the cap bolted to the remainder by either the bolts which are to form part of the completed connecting rod or by slave bolts which may be repeatedly used. In the former case, parts of the bolts are cut away as the envelope of the bearing cylinder and those of the bolt holes overlap and in the final assembly of the bearing these bolts are turned through 180.degree. so that their cut-away portions face away from the bearing surface.

Abstract: A glass cleaning formulation comprises a mixture of the sodium salts of sulphated alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols which are anionic in classification, citric acid and a fluorinated hydrocarbon surface active agent blended in an alcoholic base.

Abstract: A vehicle mascot is mounted on a support to project through an aperture in the vehicle radiator shell. The support is pivotally mounted on the shell and a spiral spring acts to bias the support into a retracted position in which the mascot is almost wholly retracted into the radiator shell. The support and mascot are maintained in a non-retracted position by a detent which acts to prevent movement of the support under the action of the spiral spring. The mascot is connected to an actuator which, on deflection of the mascot more than, say, 25% from its normal upright position, against the biasing action of a compression spring constrained to act between the support and the actuator, releases the detent to allow the spiral spring to retract the support and mascot.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper transmission mechanism comprises a driving wheel with a shaft eccentrically positioned on the wheel. A connecting link for connecting the mechanism to a member for driving a corresponding wiper blade, an eccentric bearing and a rotor are mounted on the shaft. A roller, complementary apertures in the eccentric bearing and rotor and a complementary recess in the link enable the eccentric bearing and link to be connected positively together so that the link can be positively driven from a position corresponding to a park position to a position corresponding to a wipe position of the wiper blade and the rotor and eccentric bearing to be positively connected together to allow repeated oscillation of the link in the wipe position.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing and wiping both windscreens and headlamps of automobiles comprises windscreen washer and wiper motors, headlamp washer and wiper motors and control means. The control means includes a transistorized switching circuit whose switched state is governed by the charged state of a capacitor. This switching circuit controls, through a relay, the operation of the headlamp washer and wiper motors such that when the headlamps are switched on they are washed and wiped for a predetermined length of time and so that when the windscreen wiper and washer motors are operated, if the headlamps are on the headlamp washer and wiper motors are automatically operated too.

Abstract: A rotary piston compression-ignition internal combustion engine comprises a primary ignition chamber communicating with the main rotor chamber via a tubular insert of highly refractory material fixed in a bore formed in the rotor housing. The tube is screwed in the bore and shoulders on the insert and bore provide a positive location. The insert stops short of the end of the bore leading obliquely into the main rotor chamber and a fuel injector is disposed with its injection axis projecting obliquely and near-tangentially into that part of the primary ignition chamber remote from the main chamber.

Abstract: The rotor housing of a rotary piston internal combustion engine has inner, intermediate and outer walls. The inner and intermediate walls are joined by radial webs and define coolant channels and the intermediate and outer walls are joined by non-radial webs between which through bolts extend to join the rotor housing end plates to the housing. The arrangement better absorbs the stresses set up in the housing during engine operation and leads to simpler through bolt installation.

Abstract: The rotor housing of a rotary piston internal combustion engine comprises inner and outer walls between which coolant channels are defined. The channels are separated by webs and at least some of these webs, normally in the combustion areas, extend at an angle of 281/2.degree. to the radial direction to achieve a stress distribution which minimizes the risk of web root failure.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system comprises an intake, refrigerant evaporator, heater, heat by-pass conduit temperature and air flow regulating means and ducting leading to the vehicle interior. Control means operate to maintain the air conditioning system de-energised engine start up until the vehicle engine oil pressure reaches a certain value and the engine starter motor is de-energised.