Abstract: A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. The driver side cross tube has a greater average wall thickness than the passenger side cross tube. The driver side cross tube is hydroformed so that a middle portion has larger bending and torsion resistance than the end portions.

Abstract: A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. A knee bolster is connected by two metal crush tubes to the driver side cross tube. Two metal crush tubes connect a glove box door frame to the passenger side cross tube. The instrument panel reinforcement structure offers about a 40% weight saving compared with similar systems made with steel components.

Abstract: A new golf club face design is disclosed in which different regions of grooves are provided in the vertical direction of the club face to impose different roll/bite characteristics on a golf ball depending on where the golf ball contacts the club face. In one embodiment, the golf club face has three characteristic regions of different types of grooves in the vertical direction of the club face. Different irons within the golf club set can also have different characteristic grooves in the three defined regions of the club face.

Abstract: A multi-speed power shift transmission providing a total of six speeds including forward and reverse gears with a minimum of friction elements. The transmission uses one compound planetary assembly of the Ravigneaux type coupled to a simple planetary assembly. The planetary assemblies are joined by two simple interconnections which transfer power between the planetary sections. The transmission uses three brakes and two clutches to provide the total of six (6) speed changes. Connection of the planetary carrier of the compound planetary assembly to the ring gear of the simple planetary assembly and a primary sun gear of the compound planetary assembly to the sun gear of the simple planetary assembly provides four forward speeds and two reverse speeds. This interconnection arrangement between the two planetary assemblies also provides favorable power splitting across the planetary sections which will permit a reduction in the size of gear elements and other transmission components.

Abstract: An improved full range hydromechanical transmission is disclosed which is designed to be connected to a driven input member, such as a drive shaft of an engine. The transmission combines a hydrostatic drive unit with mechanical gearing in the form of a compound planetary gear set to obtain a full range, infinitely variable hydromechanical transmission. This hydromechanical transmission is especially applicable for use in agricultural and industrial type tractors.

Abstract: An improved self-energized synchronizer for bringing two rotatable members which are aligned about a common axis into synchronization. The synchronizer includes a body member carried on the first rotatable member which in turn engages with an annular shifter collar. Positioned adjacent to the shifter collar is an axially movable annular blocking ring having a frictional surface. Situated on the other side of the blocking ring, opposite the body member, is a drive collar which is rotatably fixed to the second rotatable member. The improvement to the synchronizer includes a frictional disk and a self-energized mechanism for transferring frictional torque between the first and second rotatable members. The self-energized mechanism is positioned for engagement with the blocking ring, while the frictional disk is positioned between the drive collar and the self-energized mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floating manifold capable of transferring hydraulic fluid between a stationary member and a rotatable member. The floating manifold is comprised of a collar axially aligned onto a portion of the rotatable member, a passage means extending radially into the collar for the passage of a hydraulic fluid, and attachment means mounted on the outer periphery of said collar for permitting limited axial and rotational movement of the collar relative to the stationary member.