Abstract: A novel, self-sealing a headlamp adjustor mechanism is used to effect pivotal movement of a movable headlamp component in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp adjustor mechanism includes a bushing having an initially unthreaded bore therethrough and an adjusting screw member having a shank. The shank of the adjusting screw member has a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion. When the adjusting screw member is rotated through the bore, female threads are cold-formed within the bore as the threaded portion contacts the bore and the cold-formed, female threads are deformed and collapsed against the unthreaded portion to seal the bushing against the unthreaded portion as the unthreaded portion contacts the cold-formed threads in the bore.

Abstract: A fastener which releasably retains a first member in relation to a second member. The fastener is frangible for fracture upon the application of a tensioning force thereto permitting the first and second members to which the fastener is engaged to be displaced relative to one another. The fastener, once fractured, is retained in the corresponding first and second members to which it was originally attached to prevent the generation of loose pieces. An installation tool is also provided for installing the fastener into the first and second members. The fastener includes a shank which fractures into a first and a second segment. A frangible portion of the fastener is spaced along the shank between the first and second segments and defines such segments for providing a predetermined fracture point. Non-planar engaging portions on the first and second segments retain the fastener in the corresponding first and second members once engaged therewith even after fracture of the fastener.

Abstract: An air bag mountng system for assembling an air bag having a mounting flange with an air bag inflator and for thereafter assembling the assembled air bag and inflator with a preselected surface of an automotive vehicle comprises a module housing, and a retaining ring. The mounting flange is disposed between the retaining ring, and the module housing. The module housing has apertures therein capable of accepting projecting pins disposed about the retaining ring. The projecting pins are forced into the apertures forming a frictioned interference fit capable of holding the air bag subassembly together during manufacture of the subassembly and installation in a vehicle. Preferably, the projecting pins are hexlobular in nature.

Abstract: An improved joint structure and tooling apparatus are provided for assembling a self-clinching fastener to sheet material, particularly sheet metal. The fastener includes head and shank portions with an intermediate locking groove formed in the shank. The fastener shank projects through the aperture and the head is at least partially embedded within the peripheral material surrounding the sheet metal aperture. A portion of the peripheral sheet metal is disposed within the groove to form a mechanical interlock for securement of the joint assembly. The shank has an outwardly flared end portion which is staked so that it has an exposed surface coplanar or flush with the exposed, opposite surface of the sheet material relative to the embedded fastener head, which provides a smooth continuous undersurface of the joint.

Abstract: An improved fastening nut is disclosed which is secured to an unthreaded stud which is inserted through a central bore in the nut. The bore includes a guide and retaining splines which provides alignment guidance during sliding insertion of the stud into the bore. The guide splines preferably has an annular configuration with an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the stud so that the initial insertion of the stud does not produce significant frictional resistance. The bore of the nut further includes a plurality of helical threads, preferably twin leads having equal pitch, which are disposed in the bore axially distinct from the guide and retaining splines and terminate within the bore adjacent the guide and retaining splines. The internal helical threads have a crest diameter smaller than the stud diameter and also projects radially inwardly into the bore further than the guide and retaining splines.