Abstract:
A friction stir rivet having a body, a mandrel, and a mechanical interface therebetween, is disclosed. The body has an elongated cylindrical shank, a cap at a first end, and an axial hole therethrough. The mandrel has an elongated shaft defining an axis and a head at one end thereof, the head having an effective outside diameter greater than the effective outside diameter of the shaft, the shaft being disposed within the axial hole of the body, the mandrel head being disposed at an opposite end of the body to that of the cap, and the end of the mandrel head having a flat surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. The mechanical interface between the body and the mandrel is such that the body rotates in response to rotation of the mandrel.
Abstract:
A rivet and method for riveting metal members, and particularly, metal sheets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rivet assembly for driving a piercing rivet into stacked metal sheets and a die for assisting in supporting the sheets during driving of the rivet and for assisting in securing the rivets to the sheets. The rivet of the invention includes an adhesive that is forced through passages in the rivet for assisting in fastening the rivet to the sheets and for assisting in fastening the sheets to each other with greater strength.
Abstract:
A beverage container holder for a vehicle is disclosed. The holder includes an air vent portion, and a beverage container support portion movably but not removably disposed at the vent portion. The support portion has a first position arranged to permit air passage through the vent portion and the support portion in the absence of a beverage container, and a second position arranged to permit air passage through the vent portion and to hold a beverage container.
Abstract:
A first metal member is contacted with a second metal member. A metal fastener is provided including a top radially enlarged portion, a bottom radially enlarged portion and a shank portion intermediate the thicker portions for forming a circumferential groove about the axis and fastener. The fastener is driven through the first member and into the second member, inducing friction between the fastener, the first member and the second member for at least locally melting portions of the first member and the second member to form a flowable material that flows into the circumferential groove of the fastener and solidifies.
Abstract:
A cover and extender unit for the bed of a motor vehicle bounded by a forward wall, opposing side walls and a pivoted rear tailgate comprising a pivoting frame having opposing and laterally spaced sides that in a stowed position lie along the opposing interior surfaces of the side walls of the vehicle bed. Additionally, the frame has a transversely extending closure panel operatively interconnected between the sides at predetermined points adjacent to the forward ends thereof so that it may be used as a swingable tailgate when the unit is in an extended position. The frame has a flexible, sheet—like top cover that rolls up on a cylindrical spring powered roller operatively mounted in cover housing. The cover unrolls on frame deployment to shelter the truck bed. The frame is mounted by side pivot construction for limited pivotal movement relative to the side walls of the bed near the aft ends thereof allowing it to be turned 180 degrees rearward as a unit from the stowed to an extended bed cover position terminating at a point proximate to the extremity of the lowered tailgate. The frame and its cover can be readily returned to the stored position by turning the unit forward 180 degrees.
Abstract:
A side-mount bracket system for locking the sensor position with respect to a side-mount bracket once the air gap is first established by the gauging layer method, wherein the sensor may be removed and then reinstalled without use of any position setting procedure, yet the air gap is automatically precisely reset to its original value. The side-mount bracket system according to the present invention includes a washer and a side-mount bracket having an elongated slot, wherein as the washer is brought into the slot, facial interaction therebetween, eg., teeth inscribing a smooth surface, causes the washer to be positionally fixed with respect to the bracket. Alternatively, the washer may be slidably trapped onto the bracket at the slot, and a tapered bolt having a varying cross-section which causes expansion of the washer as it is threaded home, thereby affixing the washer positionally with respect to the bracket.
Abstract:
A two-component bracket and drive washer combination which provides secure holding of a magnetic sensor while automatically setting an optimal air gap, wherein operation is very quick, easy and reliable and wherein the air gap setting is precisely repeated each time a magnetic sensor is replaced or re-installed. A main bracket component has an aperture and a drive wall at one end of the aperture. A sensor body is connected to the main bracket component and is allowed to touch a reluctor. A reaction bracket has a reaction wall in the aperture opposite the drive wall and is restrained from moving. A drive washer is provided with teeth having a pitch whereby as the washer is pressed between the drive and reaction walls along a transverse axis, the main bracket component is forced to move along a longitudinal axis, thereby moving the sensor body in relation to the reluctor an amount precisely equal to a desired air gap.
Abstract:
A horizontal-mount bracket system for holding a sensor position with respect to a horizontal-mount bracket once the air gap is first established by the gauging layer method; and, in a second embodiment thereof, for locking the sensor position with respect to the horizontal-mount bracket, wherein the sensor may be removed and then reinstalled without use of any position setting procedure, yet the air gap is automatically precisely reset to its original value. First and second bracket members lay juxtaposed, wherein the first bracket member has a first sensor opening and the second bracket member has a second sensor opening. The first and second sensor openings allow free placement of the sensor body therein, and when laterally displaced, cause the sensor body to be pinched holdably to the multi-component bracket, which is attached to a flat horizontal surface of an engine.
Abstract:
A sensor bracket configured to provide a vertical displacement in response to a horizontal displacement. The bracket has a general U-shape including an upper bracket section, a lower bracket section and a middle bracket section therebetween. The upper and lower bracket sections are provided with upper and lower sensor apertures, wherein the upper sensor aperture is provided with serrations which are spaced in close proximity to the sensor body, yet allow easy passage of the sensor body therepast. Remote from the middle bracket section, the lower bracket section is restrained by a bolt and the upper bracket section has a toothed slot, wherein the teeth have a predetermined pitch angle. A washer carried by the bolt is inscribed by the teeth as it is pressed into the slot by the bolt, which, in turn, causes the upper bracket section to be horizontally displaced so as to result in its bending. A pair of tabs cause squeezing of the upper bracket section at the upper sensor aperture when the upper bracket section bends to thereby grab the sensor body and vertically displace it as bending continues. Accordingly, by placing the sensor body firstly against a reluctor, the horizontal displacement results in vertical displacement of the sensor body equal to a predetermined air gap with respect to the reluctor.
Abstract:
A method is provided for improving the formability of low carbon steel sheet by heating it to a temperature above about 250.degree. C. such that the interstitial element content of the steel's ferrite matrix is in the range of from about 5 to 50 parts by weight per million parts iron; quenching the steel to retain at least 5 weight parts per million parts iron of the interstitial elements in the ferrite; and cooling the steel to a temperature below about 0.degree. C. for forming.