Abstract: A brake rotor including a rotor body made of a first material. The rotor body includes a central hub portion and a substantially annular disc portion extending from the central hub portion. The disc portion includes an inner disc surface and an outer disc surface. The brake rotor also includes an inner braking ring and an outer braking ring made of a second material. The inner and outer braking rings are fastened to the rotor body in an orientation substantially parallel with the disc portion and spaced from the respective inner and outer disc surfaces. The brake rotor includes projections extending from at least one of the inner and outer disc surfaces to support thereon the respective one of the inner braking ring and the outer braking ring. The projections are generally configured in elongated diamond-like shapes oriented along an axis extending radially outwardly from the central hub portion.

Abstract: A baffle for use in a lubricant pan of an engine that uses a lubricant having a viscosity. The baffle includes a first sheet and a second sheet substantially aligned with the first sheet, the sheets are sized and shaped to reduce turbulence of the lubricant in the lubricant pan. The baffle also includes a tube having a first end and a second end, whereby at least part of the tube is sandwiched between the first and second sheets. A first tube connector is connected to the first end of the tube. A second tube connector is connected to the second end of the tube. A plurality of draining apertures are formed in the first and second sheets, whereby the size of the draining apertures are based on the viscosity of the lubricant.

Abstract: A brake rotor having a rotor body made of a first material. The rotor body includes a disc portion with an inner disc surface and outer disc surface. An inner braking ring made of a second material is positioned on the inner disc surface. The inner braking ring includes at least one projection engaging the rotor body to help prevent the inner braking ring from separating from the inner disc surface. The brake rotor also includes an outer braking ring made of the second material that is positioned on the outer disc surface. The outer braking ring includes at least one projection engaging the rotor body to help prevent the outer braking ring from separating from the outer disc surface.

Abstract: A retainer for pre-attaching fasteners within the bore of a structural member, part, or similar item. The retainer includes a cylindrical body having a main axis, an opening into which a fastener may be inserted, and a plurality of solid walls positioned co-axially around the main axis. In one embodiment, the retainer may be made of plastic such as a thermal plastic which is relatively flexible and soft enough not to scratch or damage metal surfaces or protective coatings. Each wall has a top portion and a bottom portion and is separated from at least one of the other plurality of walls by a gap. The retainer also has a first beveled ring located near the top portion of each of the walls, and a second beveled ring located near the bottom portion of each of the walls.

Abstract: A shock absorber cartridge for use in a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber cartridge includes a cartridge containment member having an inner cavity, an opening, and a lip about the opening. The shock absorber cartridge also includes an inner shock assembly disposed substantially in the inner cavity of the cartridge containment member. The inner shock assembly includes an inner shock cylinder. The lip of the cartridge containment member engages-the outer surface of the inner shock assembly, preferably at the outer surface of the inner shock cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicular suspension strut or shock absorber of the type which is connected to a wheel spindle by means of a mounting bracket and which operates in conjunction with a helical coil spring is disclosed. The suspension strut includes a strut body that has upper and lower increased diameter portions or dimples which form lands for receiving the spring seat assembly and the lower mounting bracket, respectively. The spring seat assembly is adapted to be mounted on and held in place by the upper increased diameter portion or dimples, and the lower mounting bracket is adapted to be mounted on the lower increased diameter portion or dimples, which advantageously avoids having to separately weld the spring seat assembly and mounting bracket to the strut body.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a female receptacle and a male spade which cooperate to provide an assembler with sensory indication that electrical connection has been established. The male spade has a body portion which provides a pair of opposed notched recesses. The female receptacle has a metal insert which is integrally molded into a plastic housing and receives the male spade. The plastic housing has a pair of opposed side walls which each provide a deformable arm. The arms have a lower end which includes an inwardly projecting portion that snaps into the notched recess in the spade when the spade is fully inserted into the receptacle. As the spade is inserted into the insert, the inwardly projecting portions slidably engage the spade and cause the arms to be outwardly deflected relative to the housing side wall, thereby providing the assembler with visual and tactile indication that the spade and receptacle are not properly connected.