Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a console gearshift and preventing theft of a radio in a motor vehicle is provided and consists of a housing disposed over the console gearshift so that button on the console gearshift cannot be depressed to release the console gearshift out of a parked position, thus preventing an unauthorized person from driving the motor vehicle away. A C-shaped bracket is mounted to the housing for blocking the radio so as to prevent an unauthorized removal of the radio from the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A fire truck characterized by its reduced operating noise level and improved drive train includes a frame having front and rear regions. An occupant cab is mounted upon the frame front region, and the engine is located at the rear region having a transmission associated therewith. A gear box mounted upon the frame intermediate the front and rear regions includes a close coupled fire pump attached thereto and the gear box includes an input shaft directly connected to the engine transmission. An output shaft of the gear box is directly connected to the differential associated with the vehicle rear wheels, and shifting means within the gear box selectively connects the engine and transmission to the differential or the fire pump. The fire pump gear box eliminates an intermediary transfer case and provides significant cost and weight advantages as well as eliminating the need for special power transmitting components.

Abstract: An anti theft vehicle system for motor vehicles and the like is provided which uses a magnetically or optically encoded card inserted into a card reader mounted in the vehicle to limit operation of the vehicle. The vehicle ID number is stored in a control computer along with continuously updated date and time. If the vehicle ID of the card and computer match, and the data and time are within the authorized operation date and time encoded on the card, the vehicle will operate. The remaining time of authorized use is displayed. If there is no match the vehicle ignition and fuel line are blocked and hood is locked thereby foiling any attempt to circumvent this security system by bypassing it. Should the operator inadvertently leave the card in the reader while attempting to leave the vehicle the vehicle ignition will continue to operate until the card is removed thereby reminding the operator to remove the card. Additional data may be encoded upon the card for purposes of accounting or inventory control.

Abstract: A system for measuring ride height and relative vertical velocity of a motor vehicle suspension includes a sensor for detecting vertical motion of a wheel and tire assembly which is relatively movable with respect to the chassis of the motor vehicle and a processor operatively connected with the sensor for calculating the relative velocity of the suspension with respect to the chassis. The processor includes a mechanism for comparing the magnitude of the calculated velocity of the road wheel with a set of threshold velocity values and output circuits for producing a control signal in the event that the calculated velocity lies between two of the threshold values. The system also includes an adjustment mechanism operatively connected with the processor and responsive to control signals therefrom for adjusting an adjustable suspension unit.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a steering axle wherein a fabricated axle seat is welded to a fabricated torque rod bracket, and torque rods arranged in a parallelogram are pivotally connected to the torque rod bracket. The end of a sway bar is also connected to the torque rod bracket to provide lateral stability. A single air spring is mounted directly over the axle. The torque rods are also pivotally supported by a hanger and hangers on opposite sides of the vehicle are connected together by a cross channel brace.

Abstract: An upper support for a suspension of a vehicle includes load bearing rubber members which are all used in a compression direction. The support includes an elastic member including first, second and third portions which are used in a compression direction. The upper support is improved in durability, ease in obtaining desired load-deformation characteristics in design, and ease in obtaining soft dynamic vibrational characteristics against bound and rebound loads.

Abstract: A steering column fastening arrangement for motor vehicles with an energy-absorbing deformation element which is arranged between a steering bracket retained fixed at the body and a tubular protective steering member. The deformation element consists of a metallic plate rigidly connected with a U-shaped member of the tubular protective steering member while the plate includes slot-like deformation sections that are arranged corresponding with elongated apertures of the U-shaped member. The tubular protective steering member is retained displaceable in case of a crash with respect to the steering bracket by way of the displacement bolts extending through the deformation sections and guided in the elongated apertures and, on the other hand, the tubular protective steering member is fixedly connected with the steering bracket.

Abstract: Construction of an axle driving apparatus disposing therein left and right driving axles and differential gears of a traveling vehicle. The driving case of the axle driving apparatus is formed of aluminum die casting to enable assembly by reducing machined portions as much as possible, and divided into a first driving case and a second driving case by a parting line P passing through the center of the axle, so that the built-in surface along the parting line P is used to put, between the split portions, the differential gear or other part, thereby enabling the assembly and saving the manhours for the assembly work.

Abstract: The steering arrangement utilizes an actuator (5) supported between two steering arm bearings (16) on the corresponding wheel hub drive housing (17) or wheel hub with its piston rods capable of moving outwards on both sides in a longitudinally stiff mode. The actuator (5) is thereby connected to one side of the axle housing (2) approximately where the tapering of the axle housing (2) has occurred, by means of a connecting linkage (4) which affords angular mobility limited on all sides.Upon changes of the piston rods (15), the actuator rotates about the boss (8) placed on axle housing (2), as well as about a pivot point (10) laterally offset and standing at right angles thereto, so that under strictly rotary motion there results an approach of the acutator (5) to the axle housing (2) which is small at extreme steering angle excursions.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling steer angle of rear wheels of a 4-wheel steering vehicle in accordance with the operation of a steering wheel for generating steer angle of front wheels. The apparatus comprises a first member which moves in response to the operation of the steering wheel; a second member which moves in response to the operation of the steering wheel in a direction counter to that of the first member; an output shaft for controlling the steer of the rear wheels; a resilient member disposed between the first member and the output shaft and a controller disposed between the second member and the output shaft for controlling the direction of movement of the output shaft in accordance with the speed of operation of the steering wheel.