Abstract: A pedal arm and switch assembly (40) for use in a vehicle (10) wherein a switch housing (62) is integral with the plastic pedal arm (50) and supports the switch (60). The switch (60) is normally spaced apart from an adjacent surface (66) when the pedal (50) is in a normally biased position (P). The surface (66) may either be a pedal assembly bracket portion (47) or a firewall (14). The switch (60) has a pin (64) that extends from the housing (62) and is actuated when the pin (64) contacts the surface (66). The switch (60) produces an electronic signal upon actuation in response to the pedal arm (50) reaching one of a first (P1) and second (P2) predetermined positions. The electronic signal may control a cruise control system (34), brake lights (42), or a transmission gear shifter (20).

Abstract: A transmission selector mechanism (16) in a vehicle (10) having a transmission (20), a braking system (14), and a gear selector mechanism (22) is used to prevent the transmission selector mechanism (16) from moving out of a Park position (24) unless a brake pedal (18) has been depressed. A brake pedal (18) remotely controls the braking system (14) and is moveable between a rest position and an applied position. The gear selector mechanism (22) is moveable between a Park position (24) and a plurality of drive positions (26) for remotely controlling the transmission (20). The gear selector mechanism (22) includes an axially movable rod (42) having a bottom end (60) and a detent (62) extending laterally from the rod (42) for disposition in any one of the Park (24) and drive (26) positions. An interlock system (70) initially restrains the detent (62) in the Park position (24) until the brake pedal (18) is moved to the applied position.

Abstract: A pedal assembly (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a bracket (16), a pedal arm (20) and a support mechanism (26). The bracket (16) is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure (18) such as firewall or vehicle dashboard assembly. The pedal arm (20) extends downwardly from the bracket (16) to a distal end (22) for supporting a pedal pad (24). The support mechanism (26) interconnects the pedal arm (20) and the bracket (16) for allowing pivotal movement of the pedal arm (20) in an operating plane (28) relative to the bracket (16) during normal operation and for guiding the pedal arm (20) out of the operating plane (28) in response to a predetermined force between the pedal arm (20) and the bracket (16).

Abstract: A shifter for a vehicle transmission wherein a connector cap (14) consisting of an organic polymeric material is molded about the top end of a shifter lever (12) having a top end and a bottom end to define a first snap-on bead (16) for receiving and mechanically retaining a shifter knob (18). A fulcrum support (26) is molded on the lever (12) simultaneously with and spaced from the connector cap (14) closer to the bottom end of the lever (12) and of the same organic polymeric material as the connector cap (14). The shifter knob (18) comprises a retainer sleeve (34) consisting of organic polymeric material and a bulbous bulb (36) molded about the sleeve (34). The sleeve (34) has an inner cylindrical surface and an open sleeve bottom and a closed sleeve top (40) for disposition over the connector cap (14). A complementary tongue (24) extends downwardly from the interior of the sleeve top (40) for mechanically engaging a groove (24) in the connector cap (14).

Abstract: A first conduit section (12) has a first end fitting (16) at an inner end thereof and a second conduit section (14) has a second end fitting (18) at an inner end thereof. A first end fitting (20) is movably supported by the first conduit section (12) and has a first terminal (28) adjacent the first end fitting (16). Likewise, a second core element (24) is movably supported by the second conduit section (14) and has a second terminal (30) adjacent the second end fitting (18). The terminals (28 and 30) include male and female portions for snapping the terminals (28 and 30) into mechanical interlocking engagement with one another and a coupling mechanism (36) couples the end fittings (16 and 18) together. The assembly is characterized by a connection mechanism for forcing the terminals (28 and 30) into the mechanical interlocking engagement with one another and thereafter releasing the terminals (28 and 30) for rectilinear movement in response to coupling the end fittings (16 and 18) together.

Abstract: A modular single lever control which shares common components consisting of plastic can be heat fused and or snapped together. A common base component (12) has opening (22) which receive male projections (20) from side components (14 and 16). In addition, cantilevered male projections (24) extend laterally from side components (14 and 16) and into overlapping portions with the snap-together connections (26) disposed in the overlapping portions for holding the side components (14 and 16) together. The detent side component (14) includes detents (44) to coact with a detent roller (58). Alternatively (144) are presented in a flange extending from the centrally disposed lever subassembly (18) to coact with a roller (158) supported from the second side component (16). A pair of opposing stub shafts (28) extend in a cantilevered fashion from lower bridge (36) of the side components for rotatably supporting the single lever subassembly (18).

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus (10) for shifting a vehicle transmission assembly (12) includes a mounting structure (20) adapted to be mounted to a transmission housing (22), an electric motor (24) supported by the mounting structure (20), and a drive assembly (26) operably driven by the electric motor (24). The apparatus (10) further includes a core element (28) movably supported by the mounting structure (20) and a guide (30) for guiding the core element (28). A terminal (32) is slidably disposed in the guide (30) and connected to the core element (28). A shift lever (34) is movable between a plurality of shift positions and connected to the terminal (32) for shifting a transmission. The apparatus (10) is characterized by the core element (28) comprising a helical cable (36) which is driven by the drive assembly (26) for linear actuation of the shift lever (34). The helical cable (36) is comprised of a filamentous member (38) and a core member (40) that defines a longitudinal axis (42).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of and an implementing assembly for shifting the transmission 12 of a vehicle having a battery 24 between park and various shift positions with a reversible motor 10 by supplying electrical energy from the battery 24 to the motor 10 to shift the transmission 12 in response to a shift selection 14 and characterized by storing electrical energy in a super capacitor 20 and transmitting that electrical energy stored in the capacitor 20 to the motor 10 for actuating the motor 10. The capacitor is placed in parallel with the battery 24 for charging the capacitor and in series with the battery 24 and the motor 10 to transmit the stored energy of the capacitor to the motor 10. The capacitor 20 stores sufficient electrical energy to actuate the motor 10 independently of the battery 24.

Abstract: A remote control assembly for rotating a throttle-valve shaft (18) rotatably mounted in a carburetor (14) including a control housing (22) having threaded fasteners for attaching the control housing (22) to a carburetor (14). A throttle conduit (28) is connected to the control housing (22) and a throttle core element (30) is movably supported in the throttle conduit (28) for movement in response to accelerator pedal inputs. A cruise control conduit (34) is connected to the control housing (22) and a cruise control core element (38) is movably supported in the cruise control conduit (34) for movement in response to cruise control inputs. A throttle pulley (40) is rotatably mounted in the control housing (22) and the throttle core element (30) is connected to the throttle pulley (40) for rotating the throttle pulley (40) in response to the movement of the throttle core element (30).

Abstract: An electronic adjustable control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle including a carrier, a guide rod adapted to be secured to the dash panel of the vehicle and mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement along the guide rod, a power drive operative to move the carrier along the guide rod, and a pedal structure including a pedal arm pivotally mounted on the carrier and a potentiometer mounted on the carrier and operative to generate an output electrical signal proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement of the pedal arm.

Abstract: An improved percutaneous introducer device is provided that provides a splittable sheath having a flared lead in for the facile introduction of ancillary medical implements, such as small diameter catheters, guide wires and the like, and a hub member being shaped to matingly underlie the flared lead in. When the hub is separated, such as by wings being pulled apart radially to the sheath, the sheath is longitudinally split, allowing it to be easily removed from an in situ catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus (50, 100, 150) for sensing a surface level (20) of fluid (12) includes a generally cylindrical central conductor (16, 102, 152) for connection to a pulse signal source (26) with a reduced diameter end (28, 104, 154) and an opposite end (24, 124, 168); a generally tubular outer conductor (14) concentric with the central conductor for connection to the pulse signal source and having one open end (32) adjacent the central conductor reduced diameter end and an opposite open end (18) adjacent the central conductor opposite end, the central conductor and the outer conductor forming a transmission line for pulse signals generated by the pulse signal source and a cavity (C) between an interior wall surface of the outer conductor and an exterior surface of the central conductor; a non-metallic seal (54) mounted at the outer conductor open end for sealing the cavity, the central conductor reduced diameter end extending through a central aperture (52) formed in the seal; a circuit board (58) for mounting th

Abstract: The locking terminal (18, 40, and 64) includes a plurality of cantilevered arms (56) defining a pocket (58). The arms (56), normally disposed in a retaining position for retaining a controlled member (62) in the pocket (58), are moveable to a receiving position for receiving the controlled member (62) into the pocket (58). The terminal (18, 40, and 64) further includes a locking means (65) for locking the arms (56) in the retaining position to lock the controlled member (62) in the pocket (58). The locking means (65) is movably supported by the terminal (18, 40, and 64) for movement between a locking position to lock the arms (56) in the retaining position and a release position allowing the arms (56) to move to the receiving position.

Abstract: A quick connect hose coupling assembly (10) for connecting a hose to an external device is disclosed. The assembly (10) includes a female coupling assembly (12) having an inner female tubular member (16). A housing member (14) is mounted thereon. The female member (16) includes a body portion (17) and a stem (20) adapted to be inserted into the inner channel (37) of a hose (38). The stem (20) includes an axial bore (21) adapted to convey a fluid therethrough. The stem (20) further includes a plurality of circumferential barbs (22). The stem (20) can also include an additional barb having a rotation resisting structure provided thereon to resist relative rotational movement between the stem (20) and a hose (38) into which the stem (20) is disposed.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) including a length adjuster (18) having a first set of teeth (22) disposed along its top surface and a second set of teeth (26) disposed along its bottom surface, an interlock (64) having complementary teeth (76, 80) to interconnect with the first (22) and second (26) set of teeth, and a slider (40) having a head (42) and a shelf (44). The interlock (64) further includes a pair of legs (68, 70) to lock the slider (40) with respect to the length adjuster (18) with a first leg (68), having at least one tooth (76) to engage the first set of teeth (22), sandwiched between the head (42) and the length adjuster (18) and a second leg (70), having at least one tooth (80) to engage the second set of teeth (26), sandwiched between the length adjuster (18) and the shelf (44).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a remote control assembly having a conduit (12) movably supporting a core element (14) with an end fitting (16) disposed on the conduit (12) for mechanical engagement with a ferrule (18) and a slug (20) disposed on the core element (14). The method comprises the steps of selecting a ferrule (18) for supporting the conduit (12) on a support structure (22) from a plurality of ferrule (18) configurations and snapping the ferrule (18) into mechanical connection with the end fitting (16) while inserting the core element (14) through the conduit (12) and ferrule (18). A terminal member (38, 138, 238), having a slug pocket (40) therein and a connector for connection to a control member, is selected from a plurality of terminal member (38, 138, 238) configurations and it is placed on the core element (14) with the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40).

Abstract: A device utilizes micropower, impulse radar and time domain reflectometry to determine the dielectric constant of a fluid. An electrically conductive probe preferably in the form of a transmission line, is inserted at least partially into the fluid. The device includes a signal generator that generates an impulse signal that is propagated along the probe. The time that it takes for the signal to reach the end of the probe is determined. The time of travel of the signal along the probe is then used to determine the dielectric constant of the fluid.

Abstract: A motion transmitting assembly (10) for transmitting motion in a curved path by a core element (12) is movably supported in a conduit (14) which is, in turn, supported by a ferrule (16). A slotted swivel tube (24) is supported by the ferrule (16) and a terminal (24) is slidably disposed in the swivel tube (24). The assembly is characterized by the terminal (28) having a cross pin bore (30) and a cross pin (32) disposed in the cross pin bore (30), the cross pin (32) having a hole (34) extending transversely or diametrically therethrough with the core element (12) extending through the hole (34) to retain the cross pin (32) in the bore (30). The cross pin (32) extends through the cross pin bore (30) and out of each of the slots (26). A crimped section (36) of the terminal (28) is deformed into gripping engagement with the core element (12) to retain the terminal (28) to the core element (12).

Abstract: A cable (52) operated ignition safety interlock assembly (50) for an automobile having an ignition switch (16) and an automatic transmission having a gear selector lever (14). The gear selector lever (14) includes a detent (20) manually moveable between a Home position, associated with the Park position of the gear selector lever (14), and a plurality of displaced positions associated with each of the drive positions of the gear selector lever (14). An interlock (50) restrains the ignition switch (16) in its Run position until the gear selector lever (14) is moved to its Park position to remind the driver that the transmission is not safety engaged in the Park condition. The interlock (50) includes a cable (52) having a first end (56) operatively connected to the detent (20) of the gear selector lever (14) and a second end (58) operatively engagable with the ignition switch (16) to restrain the ignition switch (16) in the Run position, and thus to prevent removal of the key from the ignition switch (16).

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) transmits motion in a curved path by a flexible core element (12). A flexible tubular conduit (14) slidably supports the core element (12) and includes an inner end fitting (26) comprising an annular flange (28) disposed at one end (18) thereof. An elastomeric vibration dampening isolator (34) includes a right half section (36) and a left half section (38) disposed on opposite sides of the flange (28). A casing (44) also includes right (46) and left (48) half sections which engage the exterior of the respective right (36) and left (38) half sections of the isolator (34). The right (46) and left (48) half sections of the casing (44) include coacting force-fit snap locks (50) for retaining the right (36) and left (38) half sections of the isolator (34) in operative engagement with the flange (28).