Abstract: A link rod flexibly connecting an exterior door handle of a motor vehicle and a door latching mechanism to prevent actuation of the door latching mechanism as the result of a lateral collision, the link rod comprising: a first section connected to the vehicle door handle; a second section operatively connected to the door latching mechanism; and a lateral connector operatively connecting the first section to the second section. The lateral connector may be a laterally flexible spring, laterally flexible synthetic material, or a hinge point.

Abstract: A link rod flexibly connecting an exterior door handle of a motor vehicle and a door latching mechanism to prevent actuation of the door latching mechanism as the result of a lateral collision, the link rod comprising: a first section connected to the vehicle door handle; a second section operatively connected to the door latching mechanism; and a lateral connector operatively connecting the first section to the second section. The lateral connector may be a laterally flexible spring, laterally flexible synthetic material, or a hinge point.

Abstract: A method for mounting a door to a vehicle body without the aid of a door-to-body mounting fixture. The method utilizes statistical process control data from previously assembled doors to determine the locations of holes that are pierced in hinges just prior to hinge installation. A pair of hinges are provided with the pierced holes to ensure self-alignment of the door.

Abstract: A method for real-time signature verification uses a transducer pad in which the pressure of a stylus causes contact to be made between two resistive films. Such a transducer is energized by current pulses to sample pairs of X and Y coordinates every 5 milliseconds. The analogue voltage outputs are converted to digital form and processed under the control of a microprocessor to determine numerical parameters each representing a significant feature of the signature pattern. A set of specimen signatures is collected and from these the mean values and standard deviations of several relevant parameters are calculated and committed to memory. The parameters for a working signature are compared with the respective stored mean values for the individual concerned. Each deviation from a stored mean value is compared with the corresponding stored standard deviation in a non-linear scoring circuit.