KAMM BACK
Body styling similar to station wagon where only
the rear window opens, and there is no tailgate door.
KC
(Key Control Characteristics) A process parameter
for which variation must be controlled
around a target value. (GM derived)
KCDS
(Key Characteristics Designation System) is the GM
document that defines a common system
for the identification and documentation of Key Product Characteristics and
their related Key Control Characteristics. System purpose is to aid in the
economical manufacture of quality products.
KEELEY
A small tank containing water which is hung on the
side of a car and attached by a hose to the journal box when there is a hotbox.
KELLER SET-UP
A hard plaster taken off the wood model tipped in
die position and used to guide the tracer of a Keller machine.
KERF
A cut or notch
relief.
KICK
To uncouple a car or cars while in motion, allowing
them to roll to a stop.
KICKER
Triple valve in defective order which throws
airbrakes into emergency when service application is intended.
KICK-PAD
The area along
the bottom of a door interior, which is likely to be scuffed when
getting in and out of a car.
KINEMATICS
Kinematics is that branch of engineering or physics
which studies the geometry of motion, or how things move, with little or no
reference to the forces that cause the motion
KINETIC ENERGY
(ke):
Defined as the ability of a body to do work due to position or
motion. The amount of energy
represented by a moving mass. Energy
and work are essentially the same thing, so one foot pound-force is the amount
of work done to raise a mass of one pound one foot. Thus a 2000 lb. car moving at 30 M.P.H. has a kinetic energy of
about 60,124 foot pounds.
KINETIC ENERGY OF ROTATION
(ker): Given by the relation ker = (I*w^2)/2 where I is the moment of
inertia of a mass about an axis
when the mass is rotating about that axis with angular
velocity w. Ke is reported in ft*lb.
KINETICS
The study of all aspects of motion including both
kinematics and dynamics.
KING SEAT AND QUEEN SEAT
A non stock seat on which the operator sits in a
lower position that the passenger.
KINGPIN INCLINATION
The angle in front elevation between the steering
axis and the vertical.
KINGPIN OFFSET
Kingpin offset at the ground is the horizontal
distance in front elevation between the point where the steering axis
intersects the ground and the center of tire contact. The kingpin offset at the wheel center is the horizontal distance
in front elevation from the wheel center to the steering axis.
KINGPINS
The bolt-like device on the underside of the front
of a semi-trailer that fits into the tractor's fifth wheel to couple the
tractor and the trailer together.
Kingpin weight of the trailer at
the kingpin or the trailer weight applied to the fifth wheel.
KNEE BRACE
A stiffening piece used to reinforce two members of
a structure that meet at right angles.
KNEE CUSHION
See inner cushion.
KNOCKED DOWN
A freight classification term denoting that an article
is partially or entirely taken apart (not set up). Abbreviated KD.
KNOCKOFFS
(Knockoff hubs) Large wing-nut used to retain a
wheel for rapid attachment or removal of racing wheels. Sometimes ornamental
only.
KNOWN DAMAGE
Damage discovered before or at the time of delivery
of a shipment.
KNOWN LOSS
Loss discovered before or at the time of delivery
of a shipment. laden weight The weight
of a vehicle and its cargo. See gross
weight.
KNUCKLE
The pivoting hook-like casting that fits into the
head of a coupler and rotates about a vertical pin to either the open position
(to engage a mating coupler) or to the closed position (when fully engaged).
KNUCKLE PIN
The pin holding the knuckle in the jaws of the
coupler. Sometimes called the pivot
pin.
KNUCKLE THROWER
A device which throws the knuckle of a car open
when the uncoupling lever is operated.
KPC
(Key Product Character) is a product characteristic for which reasonably anticipated variation could significantly affect the product's safety, compliance to government standards, or cause customer dissatisfaction. (GM derived)