Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ronald Lee Beckmann

Jian Gang Lu

Del C Schroeder

Willard W Gregg

Patricia Ann Glime

A connector assembly includes a female member having a bore extending therethrough and a male member for insertion into the bore of the female member. The male member has a shoulder portion thereon. A resilient member is disposed on the female member and extends partially into the bore. The resilient member engages the shoulder portion of the male member to lock the male member in position within the female member. In addition, a retainer is provided for coaxial connection to the female member. The retainer has an internal retainer groove axially aligned for receiving the resilient member therein when the retainer is coaxially connected to the female member. Thus, the resilient member is captured in the retainer groove between the retainer and the female member when the retainer is coaxially connected to the female member.

Connector assembly with retainer

A fastener device is provided for connecting a first component having a first aperture therein to a second component having a second aperture therein. The fastener device includes an axially extending first shaft portion for connection within the first aperture of the first component and an axially extending second shaft portion for connection within the second aperture of the second component. A connector portion extends between and interconnects the first and second shaft portions to each other. The shaft portions are each made of a first material and the connector portion is made of a different second material. The second material forming the connector portion is sufficiently flexible to permit axial and transverse movement of the first and second shaft portions relative each to allow for coaxial misalignment of the first and second apertures and to provide noise and vibration isolation between the first and second components in the assembled condition.

Snap-fit fastener device with first and second materials

A cable mechanism has an adjustment portion which allows the cable length to be adjusted at assembly. A first movable lock member is provided to prevent inadvertent early adjustment of the cable length by stabilizing a lock member on the cable in an unadjusted position prior to removal of the first lock member. A second movable lock member is provided to maintain the cable lock portion in the adjusted position and to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the cable adjusting mechanism.

Cable core adjuster with lock members

An aerodynamic drag reducing device for a tractor trailer vehicle includes a rigid deflector panel having its leading edge pivotally mounted on the cab roof and having a length greater than the cab roof so that the trailing edge of the deflector panel overhangs the rear wall of the cab. A pair of rigid cab extender panels are mounted on the rear wall of the cab in alignment with the cab side walls. The deflector panel and extender panels terminate at a distance from the trailer which permits unrestricted turning movement of the tractor relative to the trailer. A pair of air deflecting side members extend generally vertically between each side edge of the rigid deflector panel and the cab roof and the extender panels. The side members are molded urethane and comprise a plurality of foldably interconnected triangular segments which fold relative one another to accommodate pivotal movement of the rigid deflector panel relative to the cab roof and the extender panels. The top edge of the side member is attached to the side edge of the deflector panel. The bottom edge of the side member is attached to the cab roof and to the extender panel. The deflector panel, the extender panels and the side members cooperate to aerodynamically extend the cab toward the trailer to substantially reduce the drag inducing gap therebetween without requiring any connection to or modification of the trailer.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MI, United States of America

Ronald Lee Beckmann