(19)

(11)

EP 1 242 725 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/39 (21) Application number: 00988337.2 (22) Date of filing: 22.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F01P 7/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0035/215 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/6570 (28.06.2001 Gazette 2001/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 23.12.1999 US 173011 P (71) Applicant: Textron Automotive Company Inc. Troy, MI 48083 (US)	(72) Inventor: HERY, Guy, J. Troy, MI 48098 (US) (74) Representative: Kierdorf, Theodor, Dipl.-Ing.  PatentanwälteLippert, Stachow, Schmidt & PartnerFrankenforster Strasse 135-137 51427 Bergisch Gladbach 51427 Bergisch Gladbach (DE)