Abstract: A fuel filter assembly (10) comprising an electrically non-conductive housing (12) with a layer (28) of electrically conductive material extending from the distal end (22) of an inlet connector (20) to the distal end (26) of an outlet connector (24) for conducting electrical charges completely through the housing (12) from distal end (22) to distal end (26). The housing (12) is fabricated by first forming an inlet half of the housing (12) with an opening and forming an outlet half of the housing (12) with an opening. The conductive layer (28) is disposed separately over the interior of the respective housing halves. Thereafter, the respective openings of the housing halves are fused together with the housing material fused together and the conductive layers (28) of the respective halves in electrical contact.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hose assembly with an inner fluoropolymer layer having a smooth inner surface and an outer polyamide layer having an undulated surface.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hose assembly with an inner fluoropolymer layer having a smooth inner surface and an outer polyamide layer having an undulated surface.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold (10) of the present invention comprises a liner (12) that includes inner surface (14) defining manifold passages and an outer surface (16). The exhaust manifold (10) includes a shell (18) of a homogeneous and continuous material disposed over the outer surface (16) of the liner (12). The shell (18) and liner (12) of the exhaust manifold (10) include first (60) and second (72) composition formed from ferrous and non-ferrous metal powders (62), ceramic powder (64), and a binder (74) added thereto to form the manifold (10). The invention discloses a method of making the exhaust manifold (80). Accordingly, the exhaust manifold (10) of the subject invention has a reduced weight and dissipates heat energy contained in the exhaust thereby increasing the efficiency of the catalytic converter (42).

Abstract: A method of vehicle assembly (10) comprises the step (A) of fabricating a vehicle body (12) having a floor (14) and door (16) openings and roof pillars (18) defining window openings (20), and a roof (17) supported on the pillars (18) and defining a roof opening (22). The following step (B) includes placing the body (12) on a vehicle chassis (24) followed by the step (E) through (I) of inserting interior components (26) through the opening (22) in the roof (17) and securing the components (26) to the interior of the vehicle body (12). The final step (G) of the assembly includes placing a roof panel (38) on the roof (17) to close the opening (22) therein after the interior components (26) are inserted through the opening (22). The method (10) of vehicle assembly of the present invention will provide new, efficient, and economical method for assembling automotive vehicles that will reduce assembly time and will not be labor intensive.

Abstract: A method (10) includes the steps of placing an insert (12) into a mold cavity (20), molding an insulating layer (30) of a homogeneous and continuous composition (28) over the insert (12). The next step includes placing the insert (12) with the insulating layer (30) into a second mold cavity (36) followed by the step of molding the part (46) of a homogeneous part composition (44) over the insert (12). The insulating layer (30) is disposed between the insert (12) and the part (46) and bonded thereto. The method (10) includes painting the part (46) wherein a paint (48) is injected into the second mold cavity (32) over the part composition (44). Flexible properties of the insulating layer (30) adapt to the differences between coefficient of thermal expansion of the part (46) and the insert (12) thereby eliminating problems of potential cracks, sink-marks, and the like.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hose assembly with an inner fluoropolymer layer having a somewhat smooth inner surface and an outer polyamide layer having an undulated surface.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hose assembly with an inner fluoropolymer layer having a smooth inner surface and an outer polyamide layer having an undulated surface.

Abstract: A roof and rack assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (12) received from polymeric organic material that has a top surface (14) and edges (16), (18) extending between a first or front (20) and a second or rear (22) ends of the roof panel (12). The roof panel (12) includes retaining elements (30) that are integrally formed and extend upwardly from the top surface (14) of the roof panel (12). The roof and rack assembly (10) further includes a track (24) for receiving a roof rack (26) and slidably adjusting the position of the roof rack (26) along the track (24), and a mounting member (28) for securing the track (24) to the retaining elements (30). The roof and rack assembly (10) provides an effective and a quick way of fastening the roof rack (26) to the roof panel (12) and is efficient, not time consuming and easy way to install the roof rack (26).

Abstract: A plastic thermostat housing having a vent passage including a valve portion (46), a cap portion (48), and an outlet portion (54), with the cap portion (48) being larger in cross sectional area than the cap, portion (48). A check valve (52) is inserted into the valve portion (46) and a cap (50) with a vent hole (56) is inserted into the cap portion (48) for retaining the check valve (52) in the vent passage. The assembly is characterized by the plastic material of the housing (12) being deformed into engagement with the cap (50) for retaining the cap (50) in the valve portion (48) of the vent passage. The cap (50) may comprise a plastic material to be fused to the housing (12).

Abstract: A roof and rack assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (12) received from polymeric organic material that has a top surface (14) and edges (16), (18) extending between a first or front (20) and a second or rear (22) ends of the roof panel (12). The roof panel (12) includes retaining elements (30) that are integrally formed and extend upwardly from the top surface (14) of the roof panel (12). The roof and rack assembly (10) further includes a track (24) for receiving a roof rack (26) and slidably adjusting the position of the roof rack (26) along the track (24), and a mounting member (28) for securing the track (24) to the retaining elements (30). The roof and rack assembly (10) provides an effective and a quick way of fastening the roof rack (26) to the roof panel (12) and is efficient, not time consuming and easy way to install the roof rack (26).

Abstract: A method of vehicle assembly (10) comprises the step (A) of fabricating a vehicle body (12) having a floor (14) and door (16) openings and roof pillars (18) defining window openings (20), and a roof (17) supported on the pillars (18) and defining a roof opening (22). The following step (B) includes placing the body (12) on a vehicle chassis (24) followed by the step (E) through (I) of inserting interior components (26) through the opening (22) in the roof (17) and securing the components (26) to the interior of the vehicle body (12). The final step (G) of the assembly includes placing a roof panel (38) on the roof (17) to close the opening (22) therein after the interior components (26) are inserted through the opening (22). The method (10) of vehicle assembly of the present invention will provide new, efficient, and economical method for assembling automotive vehicles that will reduce assembly time and will not be labor intensive.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hose assembly with an inner fluoropolymer layer having a smooth inner surface and an outer polyamide layer having an undulated surface.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly (10) comprising an electrically non-conductive housing (12) with a layer (28) of electrically conductive material extending from the distal end (22) of an inlet connector (20) to the distal end (26) of an outlet connector (24) for conducting electrical charges completely through the housing (12) from distal end (22) to distal end (26). The housing (12) is fabricated by first forming an inlet half of the housing (12) with an opening and forming an outlet half of the housing (12) with an opening. The conductive layer (28) is disposed separately over the interior of the respective housing halves. Thereafter, the respective openings of the housing halves are fused together with the housing material fused together and the conductive layers (28) of the respective halves in electrical contact.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly (10) includes a roof (12) defining an opening having a periphery. The roof (12) has a roof panel (18) having a peripheral edge (20). The vehicle body assembly (10) comprises a clamping mechanism (22) for clamping the edges (20) of the roof panel (18) to the periphery of the opening in sandwiched relationship to one another. The present invention provides several advantages over the prior art patents including an effective and a quick way of fastening a roof panel onto a body of a vehicle. Therefore, the present invention provides another vehicle body assembly that is efficient and easy to use.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly (10) comprising an electrically non-conductive housing (12) with a layer (28) of electrically conductive material extending from the distal end (22) of an inlet connector (20) to the distal end (26) of an outlet connector (24) for conducting electrical charges completely through the housing (12) from distal end (22) to distal end (26). The housing (12) is fabricated by first forming an inlet half of the housing (12) with an opening and forming an outlet half of the housing (12) with an opening. The conductive layer (28) is disposed separately over the interior of the respective housing halves. Thereafter, the respective openings of the housing halves are fused together with the housing material fused together and the conductive layers (28) of the respective halves in electrical contact.

Abstract: A thermostat housing assembly (10) presents a mounting face (22) including n outer seal (26) disposed in an outer seal groove (24) and an inner seal (32) disposed in an inner seal groove (30). The outer seal (26) includes a lip (38) extending radially inwardly to a distal end cantilevered over the annular wall for retaining the flow control valve (14) in the recess (28). A channel (42) extends radially between the seal grooves (24) and (30) for receiving each of a plurality of spokes (40). A shoulder (46) on each of the spokes (40) snaps over an undercut (44) in each of the channels (42).

Abstract: An exhaust manifold (10) of the present invention comprises a liner (12) that includes inner surface (14) defining manifold passages and an outlet surface (16). The exhaust manifold (10) includes a shell (18) of a homogeneous and continuous material disposed over the outer surface (16) of the liner (12). The shell (18) and liner (12) of the exhaust manifold (10) include first (60) and second (72) composition formed from ferrous and non-ferrous metal powders (62), ceramic powder (64), and a binder (74) added thereto to form the manifold (10). The invention discloses a method of making the exhaust manifold (80) that comprises the steps of forming the liner (12) and molding the shell (18) of a homogeneous and continuous material completely encapsulating the outer surface (16) of the liner (12). Accordingly, the exhaust manifold (10) of the subject invention has a reduced weight and dissipates heat energy contained in the exhaust thereby increasing the efficiency of the catalytic converter (42).

Abstract: There is provided a hose assembly having a tubular first layer made up of a polymeric material resistant to chemical and heat degradation, a jacket disposed about the first layer, and at least one Aramid-like braided layer disposed between the first layer and the jacket. A method of making a hose assembly by forming a tubular first layer, disposing an Aramid-like braid about the first layer and extruding a jacket over the braid is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a lightweight hose assembly (10) of the type adapted for carrying fuels and other corrosive fluids. The method includes the steps of extruding an inner tubular liner (12) of a fluorocarbon material. Glass fibers are then braided about the exterior of the liner (12) to form a braided layer (13). The inner tubular liner (12) and braided layer (13) are then passed through a reservoir containing a dispersion including a fluorocarbon polymer material, carrying agent, and surfactant therein. The surfactant distributes the fluorocarbon material throughout the braided layer (13) and about the inner liner (12). Subsequently, the assembly (10) is heated to remove the carrying agent and surfactant therefrom. The assembly (10) is then sintered to cure the fluorocarbon polymer material into a coating (14) dispersed throughout the braided layer (13) and about the inner liner (12).