Automotive Products, Inc.

Other

David J Compton

Keith V Leigh-Monstevens

Richard A Nix

Charles A Frank

David J Kyte

An integral screen magnifier for the display of a portable electronic device. The magnifier either is the display of a faceplate of the device or is integrally connected to the faceplate. The screen magnifier is arranged to provide effective magnification of text and graphics visible on the device without detractions from the overall shape or appearance of the device. The screen magnifier being integrated with the faceplate of the portable electronic device. Either the screen magnifier and the faceplate are one inseparable unit or the screen magnifier is separable from the faceplate.

Integral screen magnifier

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately filled with hydraulic fluid, and the filled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling. Alternatively, the two connector members may be disconnected by a special tool to enable disconnecting the members without loss of hydraulic fluid, for the purpose of repair or replacement of components.

Modular hydraulic control apparatus

Modular prefilled hydraulic control apparatus

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but simultaneously, filled with hydraulic fluid after simultaneous evacuation of atmospheric air from the apparatus modular units and test of the integrity of the modular units, and the pre-tested and prefilled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling.

Method of providing modular prefilled hydraulic control apparatus

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but simultaneously, filled with hydraulic fluid after simultaneous evacuation of atmospheric air from the apparatus modular units and test of the integrity of the modular units, and the pre-tested and prefilled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling. The locking arrangement is removed to allow connection of a fitting and vacuum and fluid sources for prefilling the modular units.

Prefilling apparatus for modular prefilled hydraulic control apparatus

Method of prefilling modular hydraulic control apparatus

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. A leakproof quick-connect connector is placed between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, preferably at the end of the conduit where it connects to the master cylinder or the slave cylinder, one member of the connector forming part of the master cylinder or slave cylinder. The apparatus, after assembly, is filled with hydraulic fluid, the two members of the connector being held momentarily engaged. After filling, the connector is broken, and the filled components are shipped to a user. After installation of the apparatus for operation of a mechanism such as a clutch release mechanism, the two connector members are reconnected, and the connector members having been provided with a one-way locking member can no longer be separated such as to preserve the integrity of the system.

Prefilled hydraulic control apparatus for motor vehicle

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately filled with hydraulic fluid, and the filled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utiization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling. Alternatively, the two connector members may be disconnected by a special tool to enable disconnecting the members without loss of hydraulic fluid, for the purpose of repair or replacement of components.

A disposable shipping and installation clip holding in an extended position the input member of a linear actuator, such as the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder operating a remotely located slave cylinder connected to the master cylinder through a conduit, the apparatus being filled with hydraulic fluid prior to shipment and installation on a utilization mechanism. The clip has a generally U-shaped channel body having sidewall portions elastically spreadable apart from each other such as to permit clipping the channel body over the input member. The clip body is preferably provided with outwardly extending projecting portions, finger-graspable, to facilitate removal. In the alternative, the clip is in the form of a U-shaped flat washer disposed in a groove in the input member periphery.

Shipping and installation restraining clip for master cylinder input

A hydraulic cylinder, such as more particularly the master cylinder of motor vehicle hydraulic brake system or of a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic control system, provided with a relatively thin plated coating, autocatalytically or electrolessly deposited, of nickel phosphorous matrix containing sub-micron particles of a polyfluorocarbon resin, preferably polyfluoroethylene. The plated coating provides a good wearing surface having self-lubricating properties provided by the exposed polyfluorocarbon resin particles smearing the surface of the coating, and reducing considerably squeaking noise during operation of the master cylinder. Alternatively, or additionally, the surface of the pistons may be provided with a plated coating.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

David J Compton