Abstract: A pneumatic lumbar adjustment system for a vehicle seat includes an inflatable bladder, a pump and a solenoid valve, all of which are mounted on a backing plate which is secured to the back frame of the seat in the lumbar region. The pump and solenoid valve are connected to the vehicle electrical system through a three way switch accessible to the seat occupant through a two terminal lead. One switch position is the "off" position in which power to both the pump and the solenoid valve are turned off, and the other two positions are actuated positions, but in which one actuated position reverses the polarity of the terminals. In one of the actuated positions, power is supplied to the pump and the solenoid, causing the bladder to inflate. In the other actuated position in which the polarity of the terminals are reversed, power is supplied only to the solenoid valve and not to the pump, causing the solenoid valve to exhaust air from the bladder.

Abstract: The sound-of-steam producing system is completely mounted on the tender intended to be pulled by a toy electric locomotive. The system includes a switch mechanism included in the circuit of a module which energizes a speaker to simulate the puffing sound of a real locomotive. The switch mechanism is opened and closed by a roller mechanism comprising a pair of rollers having their diameters ratioed in accordance with the relative diameters of the locomotive's drive wheels and the tender's wheels, whereby the puffing sound is precisely synchronized with the rotation of drive wheels of the locomotive.

Abstract: A level sensor for an air-spring shock absorber is sensitive to the axle-to-body distance of the vehicle on which the shock absorber is mounted. The level sensor comprises a thin support plate formed of resilient material that may be deformed to fit within the shock absorber in conformity with the shape of the inner surface of the tubular member defining the air spring. The support plate has an LED mounted on one end, and first and second photoresistors mounted at the other end in spaced relation to one another; the first and second photoresistors representing the upper and lower limits of permissible axle-to-body distance, respectively. Light communication between the LED and photoresistors is established or interrupted by the absence or interposition of a fluid reserve tube therebetween. A connector head is integrally formed with the support plate and is insertable through a hole in the tubular body defining the air chamber to secure the sensor in position.

Abstract: An interlock circuit override relay for providing a single energization bypass of an interlock circuit for each manual actuation of the relay, the relay being especially useful for bypassing the ignition seat belt interlock circuit employed in late model automobiles. The relay is so designed that closing of its interlock system bypass contacts requires a depression and subsequent release of a manually operated push button in a manner such that the bypass contacts cannot be held closed by taping down the push button. The contacts are held closed by a solenoid controlled latch whose solenoid is energized during energization of the bypass circuit. Deenergization of the bypass circuit restores the contacts to their normal open position. An improved mechanical coupling between the latch and solenoid armature compensates for minor mechanical misalignment and improves the magnetic field configuration.