Abstract: A new bone anchoring system comprises a bone screw and a mechanical insert received in a central bore of the bone screw. The bone screw defines a self-tapping, self-boring tip for easy bone insertion as well as through-holes or other openings for receipt of new bone growth. The insert can be replaceably mounted in the bone screw, and a variety of different attachment structures can be defined in the proximal end of the insert for securing to suture thread, tissue or other prosthetic device.

Abstract: A steering shaft (20) is supported in a steering column member (40). A bearing (50) supports the steering shaft (20) for rotation relative to the steering column member (40). An adhesive (70, 72, 74) fixes the bearing (50) in position between the steering shaft (20) and the steering column member (40). The adhesive (70, 72, 74) is cured in a non-elastic state.

Abstract: An assembly (20) for use in a vehicle suspension system for connection with a wheel (14) of a vehicle includes first and second hollow hydroformed sections (42 and 44). In one embodiment of the assembly (20), upper and lower pivot mountings (110 and 68) are connected with the hollow hydroformed sections (42, 44). A wheel mounting section (24) is pivotally connected with the upper and lower pivot mountings (110 and 68). The pivot mountings (110, 68) allow the steerable vehicle wheel (14) to be turned to effect steering of a vehicle (10). The assembly (20) may be utilized in association with a vehicle wheel (16) which is not steerable. When the assembly is utilized in the vehicle wheel (16) which is not steerable, the pivotal wheel mounting section (24) may be eliminated.

Abstract: A power amplifier system is presented for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising N sub-power amplifiers are connected together in parallel with each receiving and amplifying a portion of the RF input signal. A combiner combines the amplified portions of the RF input signal to provide a combined output signal. Each sub-amplifier includes at least one transistor having an input port that receives a DC bias voltage and an output port, such that when the RF input signal is not present a quiescent current flows through the output port. A controller is operative when the RF signal is not present to check and adjust the magnitude of the quiescent current flowing in each of the sub-amplifier output ports in the sequence of 1 . . . N.

Abstract: An aural carrier signal is corrected in a common amplifier system wherein the correction serves to reduce cross-modulation distortion of the aural carrier signal caused by non-linearities of the common amplifier system. An aural corrector receives a modulated visual carrier signal comprised of a visual carrier signal modulated by a video baseband signal and a phase corrected aural carrier signal and provides therefrom a combined corrected aural carrier signal. The visual carrier signal is combined with the combined corrected aural carrier signal to provide a corrected output carrier signal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ball joint (2) consisting of a ball-ended spindle (21) and a socket (29), having no bearing shell and being already assembled during the manufacture includes, placing the ball-ended spindle (21), which comprises a ball (23) without a flattened pole surface, into an injection molding tool (1). The ball-ended spindle (21) is retained by a core puller (13) that seals a hollow space of the injection molding tool (1) relative to the ball (23) and simultaneously forms a clearance (4) for realizing a maximum pivoting angle of the ball-ended spindle (21) relative to the socket (29), whereafter the ball (23) is directly coated with plastic by means of injection molding so as to form the socket (29).

Abstract: The valve assembly for venting die casting molds includes a venting channel, a venting valve communicating with the venting channel, as well as an actuating device for closing the venting valve. The actuating device includes a power pick-up member that is axially movable under the influence of the liquid casting material entering the venting channel. The venting valve includes a closure member biased against a stop member and operatively connected to an actuating element. The stop member is pivotable by the power pick-up member such that the closure member of the venting valve is displaced from its open position to its closed position under the influence of the actuating element. Thereby, a reliable closing of the venting valve is ensured, even under unfavorable operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a gas generating material (18). The gas generating material (18), when ignited, produces a combustion gas that actuates the vehicle occupant protection device (14). At least about 45% by weight of the gas generating material (18) is a mono-propellant selected from the group consisting of 3-nitramino-4-nitrofurazan and hydroxylammonium 3-nitroamino-4-nitrofurazan. 0 to about 48% by weight of the gas generating material (18) is an oxidizer. 0 to about 15% by weight of the gas generating material (18) is a binder.

Abstract: A park brake system for vehicles is provided that has an actuator with an electric drive motor and an electronic control unit provided with an interface. A reduction gear has an input connected to the output of the electric motor and an output member for connection to mechanical brakes of the vehicle. A command unit has a transducer connected to the electronic control unit. The transducer converts position indication signals into appropriate digital signals to enable the control unit to generate corresponding brake control commands. With appropriate control signals from the electronic control unit, the mechanical brake system can thus reflect positional brake commands from the command unit within an operating range from OFF to ON, including partial activation conditions of the park brake.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (16) has a seat back portion (24) for engaging an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). A length of seat belt webbing (18) extends around a portion of the occupant (12). A seat belt retractor (44) biases the length of seat belt webbing (18) in a belt retraction direction. The seat belt retractor (44) allows the length of seat belt webbing (18) to move in a belt withdrawal direction, opposite the belt retraction direction, when a predetermined force is applied to the length of seat belt webbing (18). A blocking mechanism (70) blocks movement of the length of seat belt webbing (18) in the withdrawal direction. The blocking mechanism (70) is actuated upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. A portion of the length of seat belt webbing (18) restrains movement of the seat back portion (24) relative to the vehicle during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A steering wheel for vehicles is provided which comprises a hub for attachment on a steering column and a clamping screw. The hub has a central, substantially cylindrical passage for accommodation of an end section of the steering column and at least one slit extending parallel to the passage. Two hub sections are defined on opposite sides of the slit. The hub sections have aligned bores that extend substantially tangentially to the passage. A first one of these bores has an internal thread, and the clamping screw is adapted to extend through a second one of these bores and to be screwed into the first one of the bores, thereby clamping the hub on the steering column end section. A screw holder is attached to the hub for limited movement in an axial direction of the clamping screw against spring force. The screw holder has a recess for passage of the screw and simultaneous engagement into the thread of the screw. The screw holder is formed by a bracket of spring steel.

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4). An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant and a weight sensing mechanism (40) for sensing the load. The weight sensing mechanism (40) includes a parallelogram linkage (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The parallelogram linkage (50) includes a first beam (52) and a second beam (62) parallel to the first beam (52). The beams (52, 62) have adjacent interconnected first ends (54, 64) that receive the load of the vehicle occupant and adjacent interconnected second ends (56, 66) that transmit the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The beams (52, 62) bend in response to the load of the vehicle occupant. The sensor lever (70) is interposed between the beams (52, 62) and deflects upon bending of the beams (52, 62).

Abstract: A device (10) is presented for controlling remote convenience function at a vehicle (32) and for interpersonal communication between two operators. The device (10) has components located in a common housing (24). The components include structure (e.g., 14-22) for communicating input from an operator of the device, structure for generating radio frequency signals responsive to the input from the operator of the device, structure for receiving other radio frequency signals from another device responsive to communication input from a operator of another device, and structure for converting the other signals from the operator of the other device into output perceptible by the operator of the device. The output corresponds to the input communicated from the operator of the other device.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus (10) includes a housing (22) defining a chamber (25) for holding power steering fluid. The housing (22) has an opening (62, 153, 213) defined by a projection (64, 152, 212) integrally formed on the housing. A conduit (50) extends into the opening (62, 153, 213). A connector assembly (60, 150, 210) connects the conduit (50) with the projection (64, 152, 212) on the housing (22). The connector assembly (60, 150, 210) includes a member (68, 160, 218) engaging the conduit (50) and the projection (64, 152, 212) to connect the conduit with the projection.

Abstract: A gas bag restraint device for restraining an occupant comprises a gas bag module, which has a gas generator and a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall facing the occupant, which front wall has a center section with a depression, in relation to an inflated state of the gas bag, so that an annular gas bag chamber surrounding the depression is formed. The device further comprises a module covering which on inflation of the gas bag opens an outlet opening, and a fastening device for the center section, with which the center section is prevented from a movement out of the gas bag module even in the inflated state of the gas bag, so that the depression is formed. The fastening device includes a reinforcement insert integrated into the module covering and fastened to the gas bag module.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensor (10) includes a rotor (12) having a central rotor axis (14) and which is mountable within a vehicle (18). The rotor (12) is inertially balanced and freely rotatable about the rotor axis (14). The sensor (10) also includes a detector (32) for detecting rotation of the rotor (12) relative to the rotor axis (14). The detector (32) is operative to provide a detector signal (43) indicative of the detected relative rotation. The detector signal (43) is used to determine the occurrence of a vehicle rollover condition.

Abstract: The same orthosis can be used to sequentially move joints of different fingers of a hand. A hand cuff of the orthosis is mounted on the hand. Mechanisms operable to move the joints are connected to the hand cuff at locations aligned with the fingers. The mechanisms are connected with the fingers. The joints of the fingers are moved by operating the mechanisms. The joints and first and second portions of the fingers define on one side of the joints outer sectors which decrease in angle as the joints are extended. Force is applied to the first and second portions of the fingers to move the joints by providing relative rotation between internally and externally threaded members disposed in the outer sectors. Actuator members connected with the internally or externally threaded members are moved along paths that extend through the joints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone screw, a method for producing the threads of the bone screw and a drill for drilling holes therefor. The bone screw is adapted for implants for fixation of bone fragments at fractures and it comprises a threaded or tapped part (16) which is adapted to be screwed into a bone fragment at the fracture. The threaded part (16) extends backwards from a front end portion (17) of the bone screw (6) to an untapped part (18) thereof and has threads (19) with the same outer diameter (YD). The threads (19) have the same pitch of thread (P) and extend from a core (21). At least front parts of the core (21) closest to the front end portion (17) of the bone screw (6) are conical and have their least diameter (MD) situated at the front end portion (17). The threads (19) have truncated crests (23) and the width (b1-b7) of the crests (23) of the threads (19) increases in backwards direction from the front end portion (17).

Abstract: A fluid power steering gear (10) comprises a housing (16). A power steering fluid (34) is disposed within the housing (16). A seal (50) contains the power steering fluid (34) within said housing (16). A member (20) extends through the housing (16) and the seal (50). The member (20) is movable relative to the housing (16) and the seal (50) in response to a change in the fluid pressure in the housing (16). The power steering fluid (34) comprises a base oil and a metal-free lubricant additive. The metal-free lubricant additive is soluble in the base oil and modifies the interfacial surface tension between the base oil and the member (20) and the base oil and the seal (50). The weight percent of the metal-free lubricant additive is about 0.1% to about 5.0%, by weight of the power steering fluid (34).