Abstract: A method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door comprises the steps of molding an instrument panel with a first plastics material to a desired shape and with an integral air bag deployment door whose opening is defined by a tear seam formed by a groove molded in one side of the panel and with an integral mounting/hinge flange that extends from an inner side of the door, and forming a bonded layer of second plastics material on one side of the flange and the inner side of a potentially frangible portion of the door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interferometrically monitoring a target to determine, in accordance with predetermined criteria, an occurrence of a period of time that is optimum for obtaining a data point. In response to detecting such a period an impulse source, such as an impulse laser (14), is triggered to launch an elastic wave within the target so that a data point can be obtained.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling a D-C motor which is constructed to propel a golf car. The motor is controlled to provide performance according to a predetermined field current map which calls for a particular performance response to specified performance events. The performance events are detected by sensing actual speed and armature current and the performance response is triggered by adjustment of the field current. A performance map correlating actual speed to various events and specifying the field current response is designed for the motor used. In addition an armature current performance map is similarly constructed correlating armature current to particular performance events.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an interferometric-based materials analysis system (10) that employs a novel combination of laser beam shaping and pointing techniques, the use of a low cost, rugged, and compact diode laser (22) as a detection laser, and the use of signal processing techniques that compensate for inherent instabilities and short-term drift in the diode laser. A matched filter processing technique is disclosed for processing interferometrically-obtained data points from a target being analyzed. The matched filter technique is shown to be especially useful for detecting and analyzing Lamb modes within thin targets, such as a silicon wafer undergoing a rapid thermal processing cycle. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for interferometrically monitoring a target to determine, in accordance with predetermined criteria, an occurrence of a period of time that is optimum for obtaining a data point.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for mounting an inflatable module on a vehicle includes a support structure arranged for securing the inflatable module to a vehicle component, for example, a steering wheel hub or the like, and a first coupling member carried by the support structure and being flexible to accommodate any misalignment for ease of assembly; a second coupling component is adapted to be carried by the vehicle component and one of the first and second coupling components includes an aperture to receive a tongue member on the other coupling component to cooperate in snap-fit locking engagement which secures fastening of the module to the vehicle component.

Abstract: A novel diffusor cup forms part of an inflator device which is used to inflate an airbag. The novel structure of the diffusor cup substantially reduces the deflection thereof during deployment of the airbag. This improves the consistency and reliability of inflating the airbag with a proper volume of gas. The diffusor cup is attached to a bottle which houses a pressurized gas and the bottle and diffusor cup are mounted within a housing module. The diffusor cup is formed from a first wall which bears against an end plate of the housing module, a second wall which depends from the first wall and joins with the bottle, and a third wall which depends from the opposite end of the first wall. The second wall is formed from a truncated cone such that it tapers from the first wall to the bottle. A stud is mounted within the diffusor cup walls and is mechanically secured thereto by a plurality of graduated steps formed on the stud and by a back shear.

Abstract: An automotive instrument panel includes a molded plastic retainer formed with an integral airbag deployment door surrounded by a channel defining a tear seam enabling the door to separate and hinge outwardly upon deployment of the airbag. A foam-backed cover of flexible plastic material is applied over the outer surface of the panel and is severed along the length of the channel to eliminate any influence that the cover may have on resisting the opening of the door. The severed cover portion can either be removed to expose the door or else be left in tact and bonded to the door.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus of the type in which an elongated mandrel, having an enlarged head at one end and loaded with a plurality of the tubular rivets forming a column of rivets on the mandrel, is gripped by gripping mechanism at or near the end remote from the head, and reciprocated relative to an abutment (32), by relative reciprocation between the gripping means (43) and the abutment, the rivets in the column being fed forwardly along the mandrel so that the leading rivet nearest the mandrel head is positioned between the mandrel head and the abutment (32) and can then be set by moving the mandrel rearwardly relative to the abutment (32) so as to draw the head of the mandrel through the bore of the rivet while the rivet is supported by the abutment (32), includes pneumatically operated rivet-feeding mechanism for feeding rivets forwardly along the mandrel, a valve mechanism for shutting off the supply of air to the rivet feeding mechanism thereby to disable it, and the valve mechanism is responsive to the pres

Abstract: A non-handed headlamp position indicator device is used to denote the proper aiming or "zero position" of a movable reflector component mounted in a stationary component of a headlamp arrangement so that a vehicle mechanic can easily return the headlamp in the moveable reflector component to the zero position. The non-handed indicator device of the present invention utilizes one component that can be used for right-hand and left-hand applications. The indicator device includes a bracket mounted on the reflector beneath an opening in the stationary housing which includes a U-shaped track portion. An arrow member is mounted on the U-shaped track portion and is slidable around the track portion. A scale, which includes a zero indicia, is provided on the stationary housing proximate to the opening.

Abstract: A novel adjustment assembly for use with a hydraulic control apparatus. The hydraulic control apparatus is attached to a hydraulically operated tool to provide a desired hydraulically powered function. The present invention allows the hydraulic control apparatus to be used with either a constant volume (open-center) hydraulic system or constant pressure (closed-center) hydraulic power system. The novel adjustment assembly of the present invention provides a structure which can be configured to force open shuttle spool valves in the control apparatus in a neutral condition for use with a constant volume power supply. The adjustment assembly can also be configured to be disengaged from the shuttle spool valves in a neutral condition for use with a constant pressure hydraulic power system. Operation of the adjustment assembly is made using standard tools and without disassembly of the control apparatus.

Abstract: The striking surface of a golf club is constructed of a fiber reinforced composite insert. The insert is formed of a metal striking surface having at least one layer of backing comprising a ply of fibers in a metal matrix laminated to the back of the striking surface. The insert is secured to the face of the golf club for engagement with the ball.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an interferometric-based materials analysis system (10) that employs a novel combination of laser beam shaping and pointing techniques, the use of a low cost, rugged, and compact diode laser (22) as a detection laser, and the use of signal processing techniques that compensate for inherent instabilities and short-term drift in the diode laser. A matched filter processing technique is disclosed for processing interferometrically-obtained data points from a target being analyzed. The matched filter technique is shown to be especially useful for detecting and analyzing Lamb modes within thin targets, such as a silicon wafer undergoing a rapid thermal processing cycle.

Abstract: A method of molding a shaped article includes the steps of providing a molding tool having an exposed surface for receiving a plastic powder resin to be melted thereagainst and an insulated surface; providing an insulating panel with insulated laminated alternating layers of fiberglass and silicone rubber and an inner core filled with silicone rubber and a plurality of hollow glass beads to prevent melting of plastic powder resin on the insulated surface; applying a plastic powder resin on the exposed mold surface and melting it thereon while exposing the insulating panel to the plastic powder resin remaining in powder form thereon for reclaiming and thereafter setting said melted plastic into a plastic article by cooling the plastic article and removing it from the molding tool.

Abstract: A venting structure is provided on a headlamp adjustor for venting the inside of a sealed stationary component which houses a movable headlamp component in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp adjustor is mounted to the sealed stationary component and is used to effect pivotal motion of the headlamp component. The headlamp adjustor includes a housing member and an adjusting screw member which is operatively engaged with an axial bore through the housing member. A vent passageway is formed through the housing member or through the screw member. The venting structure is formed of a vent which is connected to headlamp adjustor and is in communication with the vent passageway through the housing member. The vent allows pressure and moisture laden air to pass outwardly from the inside of the sealed stationary component to the atmosphere while only allowing air and a limited amount of moisture to pass from the atmosphere to the inside of the sealed stationary component.

Abstract: A die structure for use in a tool which crimps or cuts a workpiece between relatively moveable jaws of the tool on which the die structure is securable is particularly structured for durability when used to severe high tensile strength cable such as guy wire and other multi-strand cable. A pair of die structures in accordance with the invention each has a cutting edge formed on a die body, and in a preferred embodiment, the cutting edges have aligned engagement surfaces which are flat and elongate to provide a pinching action which fractures or severs the workpiece usually before the cutting surfaces meet. The flat cutting surfaces provide improved durability over sharp cutting edges, and are preferably heat treated to promote further durability in severe cutting surface.

Abstract: A gear pump for conveying fluid media, particularly viscous media, has tube or collar-type sections on the suction side and/or delivery side for connecting the pump in a weldable manner with additional system components.

Abstract: An automotive trim panel is made by using an apparatus and method that bond together two trim coverstock segments having different colors, gauges or textures and two rigid substrate components into a single trim panel with the two coverstock segments meeting along a finished joint line. The method includes joining the coverstock segments together to form a rough seam, supporting the substrate components on two spaced-apart movable mold components with each substrate component having a mating flange that extends into the space between the mold components, applying an adhesive layer to the substrate upper surfaces, heating the joined coverstock segments and vacuum or positive air pressure-forming them across the substrate upper surfaces with the rough seam lying midway between the spaced-apart mold components.

Abstract: A self-drilling/self-tapping fastener which is suitable for attaching a sprinkler system to a metal supporting structure has a driving head and an integral shank with a threaded portion. Process-hardening and threading of the shank harden the shank to a degree of hardness that retains sufficient ductility for resisting vibration loads. The drill tip at the end of the shank and the lead threads adjacent the drill tip are locally hardened to a relatively high degree of hardness for drilling and tapping the metal support members. A graduated transition zone separates the high-hardness zone from the lower-hardness zone, which allows for a single fastener to exhibit two distinctly different material properties in one fastener. The fastener through this dual process also exhibits two distinct load-carrying capabilities.

Abstract: A novel system and method are presented for slide-fitting an air bag module with a steering wheel hub by a snap-fit connection to quickly and easily assemble the components together. One of the components has fastener members releasably attached thereto and the other has holding members, which may be formed of U-shaped clip members or extensions, on opposite sides thereof, which fastener members and holding members are joined together to secure the air bag module to the steering wheel hub. Each holding member has a resilient portion which can be deflected and a double-radiused aperture therein for respectively engaging a pilot end on the fastener members when the air bag module is engaged with the steering wheel hub. Resilient mounting members are provided on one of the components.

Abstract: A headlamp position indicator device is used to visually indicate the "zero position" of a headlamp in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp arrangement generally includes a movable reflector mounted in a stationary component. The device includes a metal spring clip having a bubble level assembly mounted thereon. The clip is attached to a pocket formed on the reflector at an attachment point. An adjusting screw is provided on the device, and when engaged against a surface of the reflector, causes flexure of the clip proximate to the attachment point to adjust the position of the device relative thereto. Specifically, flexure of the clip occurs between the attachment point and the point where the bubble level assembly is affixed to the clip.