Abstract: A polymeric hollow nanoshell or nanosphere for release of an agent is described, wherein the hollow nanosphere comprises at least one biodegradable polymer, characterized in that the polymer is cross-linked. The biodegradable mono-disperse nanospheres described are suitable for use as carriers of biomolecules, therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents.

Abstract: A knee airbag (100) which is deployed between the vehicle occupants and a vehicle structure (2) and a gas generator (4) for filling the knee airbag (100) with inflating gas, wherein the knee airbag (100) has a base chamber (10) which is filled first with inflating gas, and at least one further upper chamber (20, 30) which receives the inflating gas conducted through the base chamber (10). A flow obstacle (12, 23) for the inflating gas is arranged between the base chamber (10) and the one or more upper chambers (20, 30). The one or more upper chambers (20, 30) is rolled up or collapsed and is secured in the rolled-up or collapsed state, the securing (21, 22) being designed in such a manner that it fails when a predetermined degree of filling of the base chamber (10) is reached.

Abstract: A cylindrical filter for a gas generator includes, a plurality of layers made of a porous metal plate in which a compressive strength (S1) of a predetermined region in at least one end in the height direction is set smaller than a compressive strength (S2) of a portion other than the S1 region, the porous metal plate being selected from the group consisting of expanded metal, metal lath, and perforated metal, and the S1 region corresponding to a region of 5 to 20% in length from both ends with respect to the overall height.

Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle having a structure that supports a handle is provided. A handle cover includes first and second covers and a pulley cover. The first cover covers a front or rear part of a handle. The second cover covers the other side of the front or rear part of the handle. The pulley cover is provided in a space surrounded by the first and second covers. The first cover is provided with a pulley providing groove that covers a part of a pulley. The pulley is provided in the pulley providing groove. The pulley cover is provided on a side where the second cover is provided to the first cover. The pulley cover is attached to the first cover and covers the pulley together with the pulley providing groove.

Abstract: An airbag module for use in a vehicle to provide restraint to an occupant of the vehicle. The module includes a cushion pack having an inflatable airbag cushion configured to inflate to restrain the occupant of the vehicle. An inflator is provided to supply inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion. The module also includes an annular retaining member engaged with the cushion pack to thereby retain a portion of the cushion pack in the airbag module during deployment of the airbag cushion. An annular locking member is connected to the retaining member and to the inflator and is configured to prohibit substantial displacement of the inflator relative to the locking member during deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: It is an object to effectively enhance rigidity of a subframe installed to couple a pair of right and left wheel suspension members, with a simple structure, and allow a stabilizer to be adequately installed. A subframe (3) installed to couple a pair of right and left wheel suspension members (2) together comprises a cross member (31) provided with a lateral-link support portion (14, 18) supporting an end of the lateral link (5, 6), a pair of right and left side members (33) each extending from a respective one of opposite vehicle-widthwise outer ends of the cross member (31), in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a pair of right and left reinforcing members (35) each reinforcing a coupling section between the lateral-link support portion (14, 18) of the cross member (31) or a vicinity thereof, and a respective one of the side members (33).

Abstract: A side curtain air bag module includes an inflatable cushion and an inflator. The inflatable cushion includes a first panel coupled to a second panel. The inflator is configured to inflate the inflatable cushion. The first panel and the second panel are joined generally continuously at a peripheral edge to form a first inflatable chamber. The first panel and the second panel are joined at a central location to form a second inflatable chamber that is in fluidic communication with the first inflatable chamber. In a stored configuration, the first inflatable chamber is rolled in an outboard direction, and the second inflatable chamber is rolled in an inboard direction generally around the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variable gear ratio type rack bar, and a steering apparatus having the same. According to the present invention, it is not required to fabricate a separate mold for processing rack-formed parts with different inter-tooth spaces, the rack-formed parts can be formed by using various processing methods, and it is possible to obtain precise tooth shapes through one step processing, whereby the number of steps for manufacturing a variable gear ratio type rack bar and its manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The vehicle seat has a backrest that extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the backrest having at least one lateral region and an upper region from which a headrest extends. Arranged on the backrest is a side airbag device with at least one inflator and a side airbag. The side airbag has a thorax section (22). The head section (26) emerges from the upper region of the backrest (12) beside the headrest (14) when the inflator is actuated, and the inner wall (26a) of the head section (26) is toward the interior of the vehicle relative to the inner wall (22a) of the thorax section (22). The inner wall (22a) of the thorax section (22) and the outer wall (26b) of the head section (26) are connected via overflow openings (31, 34).

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a first joint disposed on a control rod that extends rotatably through a head tube, two second joints disposed respectively on two suspension units, and two connecting bars each connected between the first joint and a respective one of the second joints. The first joint includes a seat disposed fixedly on the control rod, at least one first rotating member having a central axis and rotatable on the seat about the central axis of the first rotating member, and at least one second rotating member having a central axis and rotatable on the first rotating member about the central axis of the second rotating member. The axes of the first and second rotating members of the first joint are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: In an expansion actuator employing a screw feed mechanism, when a screw feed mechanism (60) formed from a male thread member (58) and a female thread member (59) that are screwed one into the other is driven by a motor (33) via a reduction gear (44), relative displacement between the male thread member (58) and the female thread member (59) in the direction of an axis (L) can be outputted as expansion and contraction due to relative movement of first and second housings (31, 32). Since the screw feed mechanism (60) is disposed so as to surround outer peripheries of the motor (33) and the reduction gear (44), which are disposed on the axis (L), compared with a case in which the motor (33), the reduction gear (44), and the screw feed mechanism (60) are disposed in series on the axis (L), it is possible to make the dimension of the expansion actuator (14) in the axis (L) direction smaller.

Abstract: A steerable element angular sensor system may include a sensor having a sensing axis positioned along an axis of rotation of a knuckle, a connector connecting a yoke and a knuckle of a steering system. The sensor may detect rotation of at least one of the knuckle and the connector. Also, the sensor system may include protection from rotation detection interference from linear and angular movements of at least one of the connector and the knuckle. The sensor system may be included within a steerable element assembly and provided within a vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag of the head-protecting airbag device according to the present invention pushes and opens a door portion in a lower edge of an airbag cover, when fed with inflation gas, and protrudes for covering side windows. An assist grip is located in an arrangement area of the airbag cover. The assist grip is secured to vehicle body together with the airbag cover at its fixing portions located in both ends of its grip portion. The airbag cover is provided around each of portions fixed to the vehicle body together with the fixing portions with a breakable portion. When pushed by the inflating airbag, the breakable portion is broken to shift a portion of the airbag cover located toward the door portion inward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gas bag protection device comprises a gas bag which has an outer wall made of a first material. The outer wall has at least one outflow opening. A membrane made of an extensible, second material is provided which is fastened to the outer wall and covers the outflow opening in the not fully inflated state of the gas bag. The gas bag protection device further comprises a device provided outside the gas bag and serving for destroying the membrane. The gas bag and the device are arranged spaced so far apart from each other that the membrane meets the device only when a predetermined internal pressure of the gas bag has been reached.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system for a transportation vehicle. The restraint system includes an inflatable curtain having a gas inlet, an upper edge, a lower edge and a perimeter. A gas emitting inflator is in fluid communication with the gas inlet. The inflatable curtain includes an inflatable flow channel in fluid communication with the gas inlet. The inflatable flow channel extends at least partially around the inflatable curtain in a path such that at least a potion of the inflation gas is communicated through the inflatable flow channel and along the lower edge.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a first and second hydraulic damper is provided. Each hydraulic damper is provided with a cylinder and a piston connected to one end of a hollow piston rod, such that the pistons freely slide in the cylinder. The system also includes a pressure regulator, which has a first and second oil chamber connected to the first and second hydraulic dampers, respectively. The system additionally comprises a sub-piston and another piston connected to the sub-piston, which slidably engage in the hollow piston rod, forming an oil chamber.

Abstract: In a vehicle suspension system including a hydraulic actuator between a sprung mass consisting substantially of a vehicle body and an unsprung mass consisting substantially of a wheel, a force proportional to but opposite in phase to an inertia force acting on the unsprung mass is applied by the actuator to the unsprung mass so that the ability of the tire to maintain contact with the road surface may be improved. This produces very little effect on the behavior of the sprung mass, but the vehicle handling is significantly improved. Better contact with the road surface not only improves the vehicle handling but also reduces the consumption of energy by the hydraulic actuator. A particularly favorable result can be obtained when the hydraulic actuator further applies a damping force proportional to the absolute velocity of the sprung mass to the sprung mass.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable seat belt apparatus in which, under ordinary conditions, a bag-shaped belt, (2b) is maintained in a belt-shaped form. When a tongue (5) is engaged with a buckle device (4) in order to fasten the belt, a gas-flow hole (4a) and a gas-flow hole (5a) are registered with each other to form a single gas-flow passageway. Under normal conditions, however, the gas-flow holes (4a), (5a) are shut by caps (11), (12). At, this time a gas generator (9) does not operate and therefore the seat belt apparatus (1) performs a passenger restraining function similar to that of the conventional seat belt apparatus. In the event of an emergency, the gas generator (9) generates a gas which breaks the caps (11), (12) and flows into the bag-shaped belt (2b). As a result, the bag-shaped belt, (2b) expands substantially instantaneously and in a reliable manner. This makes it possible for the passenger to be reliably restrained by the bag-shaped belt (2b) inflated in this manner.

Abstract: A system for chassis control, specifically of passenger cars and trucks, where the control parameters of the controlled loop are varied for control of the chassis properties in contingence on the state of travel of the vehicle as determined by sensors. Specifically determined for recognition of the state of travel are parameters representing the vertical-dynamic state of movement of the vehicle and/or the individual driving style of the operator. This procedure is based upon the relative movements between the vehicle body and at least one wheel, captured by sensors.

Abstract: A lightweight structure for a flatbed trailer having a cellular stiffening structure formed from a plurality of vertically arranged partitions which form a multiplicity of polygonal cells is disclosed. The cellular structure has the advantage of providing a strong lightweight structure which efficiently transmits load forces from the floor structure to the base upon which the wheels, suspension system, kingpin and landing gear are mounted. The resulting trailer has about a 4000 pound weight advantage over conventional steel frame trailers and about a 2500 pound weight advantage over conventional aluminum frame trailers, which translates directly into increased payload capacity as the trailer of the invention is capable of carrying loads up to the maximum legal weight limits in most states.