Abstract: An actuator for an openable vehicle roof of the kind comprising a panel, one edge of which can be swung outwardly, comprises a mounting member (6) for mounting the actuator to a fixed part of the vehicle roof, a body portion (5) hinged about a shaft (11) to the mounting member, a pair of arms (4) fixed on a cross shaft (17) to extend in a common plane, the shaft (17) being carried rotatably by the body portion and pivotally connected to the roof panel, a worm (1) in the body portion and turnable by a hand wheel (3), and a worm follower wheel (2) fixed on shaft (7) between the arms (4), such that rotation of the worm produces angular displacement of the arm member with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A method of making an assembly of a metal tube and a flange body having an opening therein through which the tube is passed during assembly, comprising, deforming the flange resiliently to enlarge the opening to allow passage of the tube, inserting and passing the tube through the opening to the desired position, and allowing the flange to resiliently recover toward its condition prior to deformation thereby being urged into engagement with the tube at the opening. In another form of the method, the tube opening is large enough to permit passage of the tube and the flange is subsequently deformed inwardly onto the tube. The flange is finally secured to the tube by laser or electron beam welding.

Abstract: An assembly of a metal tube and a flange body having an opening therein through which the tube is passed during assembly and a method of making it, comprising, deforming the flange resiliently to enlarge the opening to allow passage of the tube, inserting and passing the tube through the opening to the desired position, allowing the flange to resiliently recover toward its condition prior to deformation thereby being urged into engagement with the tube at the opening. In another form of the method, the tube opening is large enough to permit passage of the tube and the flange is subsequently deformed inwardly onto the tube. The flange is finally secured to the tube by laser or electron beam welding.

Abstract: An hydraulic pressure master cylinder has a cylinder usually of metal, and a separately made plastics reservoir. The reservoir is retained on the cylinder by means of a pair of resilient arms, the internal faces of which are recessed to conform the external surface of the cylinder. The reservoir is fitted to the cylinder by deforming the arms outwardly to enable them to shap-engage around the cylinder so that the latter seats within the recesses. If desired, the free end portions of the arms may be joined by a fixing device such as a rivet.

Abstract: An arrangement for varying a pre-load on a control valve of a vehicle braking system in dependence upon vehicle loading includes a low frequency vibration sensor or an accelerometer for sensing the oscillation frequency of a sprung part of the vehicle and providing an output signal, preferably an electrical signal, indicative of the frequency, a signal processing circuit for processing the signal, the circuit including a filter which filters components of the signal which are not indicative of a frequency within the normal oscillation frequency range, and an arrangement for altering the pre-load in dependence upon the processed signal.

Abstract: A pendulum responsive to excessive deceleration operates a valve which creates a pressure differential across a pressure responsive member to close an inlet valve to the brake chamber and expand an outlet chamber to thereby reduce the rear brake pressure. The invention provides retaining mechanism for preventing the pendulum from swinging during non-braking periods and for returning the pendulum to its inoperative position upon a reduction of inlet pressure. A piston responsive to pressure at the inlet moves the retaining mechanism to a position wherein the inertia member is free to swing during normal brake applications.