Abstract: An air bag guide (44) for a vehicle seat component (14) includes flexible inner and outer panels (46, 48) having outer extremities (50, 54) located adjacent a release seam (32) of a trim cover (30), with the outer extremity (50) of the flexible inner panel secured to the trim cover, and with the outer extremity (54) of the flexible outer panel (48) unconnected to the trim cover and curved to provide a guide flap (62).

Abstract: A three wheel motorcycle with one leading front wheel and two driven rear wheels is capable of supporting increased dynamic loads of a V-8 automotive engine and transmission in addition to carrying up to three people and cargo. The body of the trike is integrated with the frame to ease manufacturing costs and improve the experience of the riders. Increased, versatile storage space is provided compared to prior art trikes, and the exhaust system is largely hidden beneath the body of the trike for improved appearance and safety.

Abstract: An active roll control system includes a stabilizer bar, a stabilizer link having a screw gear formed therein, a rack movably connected to the outside of the stabilizer link, and an electric motor connected to the stabilizer link. The rack has a mating screw gear formed in the inner surface thereof to correspond to a screw gear of the stabilizer link.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or near-rollover event that may precede a rollover of a vehicle. The system comprises controller connected to at least one right and at least one left vehicle tire pressure sensor, performing the assessment of pressure signals on the basis of pressure characteristics corresponding to rollover or near-rollover events, and generating an output activation signal that determines the vehicle rollover or near-rollover event if said assessment is positive. The controller is preferably connected to at least one additional sensor and performs the additional assessment of this sensor signal on the basis of this signal characteristics corresponding to rollover or near-rollover events. The protection devices are activated sequentially, starting with the resetable protection devices, in dependence of estimated rollover confidence.

Abstract: A single wheel unit adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body (11) comprising: a wheel frame supporting a suspension mechanism (15) and a wheel assembly mounted on the suspension mechanism (15), and steering means mounted between the wheel frame and vehicle body (11) for pivoting the wheel frame relative to the vehicle body (11) so as to steer a vehicle, wherein the steering means includes two steering components (30) pivotally attached (32, 33) one at each of the leading and trailing portions of the wheel frame and capable of being actuated to independently displace the leading and trailing portions laterally of the vehicle body (11).

Abstract: According to the present invention, a rolling element 7 for rotating upon relative movement of both shafts 1 and 2 in the axial direction is disposed between three pairs of axial grooves 3 and 5 which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male shaft 1 and on the inner peripheral surface of the female shaft 2, respectively, a raceway surface element 9 which is in contact with the rolling element 7 and an elastic member 10 for pressurizing the rolling element 7 against the male shaft 1 and the female shaft 2 through the raceway surface element 9 are interposed between the axial groove 3 on the male shaft side 1 and the rolling element 7, and a sliding member 8 for slidably moving upon relative movement of the both shafts 1 and 2 in the axial direction is disposed between another three pairs of axial grooves 4 and 6 which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male shaft 1 and on the inner peripheral surface of the female shaft 2, respectively.

Abstract: A support structure for a pedal of a vehicle pivotablly supports a pedal assembly (34) to a pedal bracket (38) mounted on a vehicle dash panel (6).

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly that includes first and second main beams each having a first end operably coupled to a vehicle frame, and a second end having a cavity formed therein, and first and second extension members each having an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the first and second extensions are interference-fit within and extend outwardly from the cavity of the first and second main beams, respectively. The assembly further including a torsion member having apertured first and second ends that receive the first and second extension members therein, and threaded mechanical fasteners extending through the apertures of the first and second extension members and engage nuts that are frictionally engaged by the first and second main beams.

Abstract: A device and method for tensioning a vehicle seatbelt are disclosed. The device has a motor, a pulley, a first cable, and a seatbelt buckle. The motor has a motor output for transferring rotational energy developed in the motor. The pulley is in communication with the motor output for receiving the rotational energy developed in the motor. The first cable has first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the pulley. The seatbelt buckle is coupled to the second end of the cable. The rotation of the pulley causes movement of the seatbelt buckle.

Abstract: A side frame assembly for a wheelchair suspension includes a mainframe, and a front caster frame connected pivotally to both a front end of the mainframe and a front caster. A return spring is disposed between the front caster frame and the mainframe so as to bias the front caster to a predetermined position. A drive wheel assembly includes a drive wheel frame, a drive wheel disposed pivotally on the drive wheel frame, and a driving unit operable to rotate the drive wheel. A linkage is connected pivotally to the mainframe, the front caster frame and the drive wheel frame. A rear caster assembly includes a rear caster frame attached to a rear end of the mainframe, and a rear caster disposed pivotally on the rear caster frame.

Abstract: To provide rider restraint means capable of allowing a rider to freely leave a vehicle without a manual release operation when there is no need to restrain the rider to the vehicle. The rider restraint means includes a belt restraining a rider, buckles making the belt detachable, a guide rail making the buckles slidable, a retractor unit controlling the slide of the buckles, and coupling release means releasing coupling between the belt and the buckles in conjunction with the slide of the buckles. The coupling release means includes an inner wire, a wire stopper, and a wire end. The coupling release means releases the coupling between the belt and the buckles when the retractor unit loosens the winding after collision and the buckles slide by a predetermined distance or more or when the rider continues to pull the belt in a state other than collision and the buckles slide by a predetermined distance or more.

Abstract: An airbag restraint for an automotive vehicle includes generally circular front and rear panels, and an inflator attached to the rear panel and acting through an inflator aperture formed in the rear panel. At least one internally tethered section extends laterally along a chord of the front panel at a position at or near the projected location of the inflator. The internally tethered section is defined and shaped by more than one laterally extending tether extending between the front and rear panels of the airbag.

Abstract: A front frame portion of an underframe which constitutes a lower portion of a vehicle body frame is formed in a triangular shape, and, at the same time, the front frame portion of the underframe is formed in a peaked shape in a plan view. The underframe is integrally formed by casting. An upper arm and a lower arm which support left and right front wheels are respectively mounted on the left and right sides of the front frame portion.

Abstract: A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash including: a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster; a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states; a means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state causing the outer bolster to translate away from the inner bolster; and a tether operably connecting one end of the honeycomb celled material to the means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas generator for an airbag having an igniter includes the steps of: providing, in the igniter, an integrated circuit including a memory unit for activating the igniter upon receipt of an external signal; attaching the igniter to a gas generator housing of the gas generator; and storing, in the memory unit, information indicative of an identity of the gas generator after said attaching step.

Abstract: A structure for fastening a column side member to a vehicle-body side, so as to fix a steering column relative to a vehicle body such that the column is movable in event of application of an excessively large load to the column. One of the column side member and vehicle-body side member provides a first clamped member having a slot elongated in parallel with a direction in which the column is movable, while the other of the column side member and vehicle-body side member provides a second clamped member.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag to be deployed and inflated in a passenger protection area between a vehicle passenger and a vehicle side wall portion in case of vehicle accident. The airbag has a head chamber for protecting a head of a vehicle passenger and a chest chamber for protecting a chest portion of the passenger. A gas supply device is provided for simultaneously supplying gas to the head chamber and the chest chamber. A pressure adjusting device adjusts an internal pressure of the head chamber to a level higher than an internal pressure of the chest chamber at the time of deployment and inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An independent suspension for a vehicle, including upper and lower arms pivotally moveable in a vertical direction of the vehicle, an axle with a wheel center which is connected with the upper and lower arms, and a tie rod connected with the axle at a connection point rearward of the wheel center in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The lower arm is connected to the vehicle body at front and rear connection points spaced from each other in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through front and rear pivot shafts with bushings. The central axis of the front pivot shaft is inclined relative to the central axis of the rear pivot shaft in a toe-in direction of the wheel.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed. The airbag assembly includes an inflatable cushion having a recess in its lower portion. The recess may form split sections in the lower portion of the cushion. The recess may be configured to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. The airbag assembly may further include a tethering system to control deployment of the split sections of the cushion.

Abstract: This automobile anti-theft device comprises a removable stick gear shifter, release mechanism, and possibly a second level safety release mechanism, steel ball bearing, an exclusive shaft key lock component, and electrical connections depending on the type of transmission in use. These components are designed to function in unison to allow a car operator to remove a gear shifter to prevent automobile theft.