Abstract: Tonneau cover for placement on a pick-up truck bed, said tonneau cover being made of an energy recoverable foam capable of withstanding the torsional and rotational torque subjected to the truck bed during strenuous off-road conditions without the cover popping off or coming undone at any corner. Further in order to achieve this withstanding of torque and other forces, the cover is attached to the front of the truck bed by at least one hinge which is holding the cover onto the truck by its own independent suspension. This causes a “floating” effect of the cover on top of the truck bed while the truck is; being put to the test on off-road conditions, and allowing the cover to twist and turn during off-road operation. The top surface of the tonneau cover may have a smooth surface, while the underside may be textured like a snakeskin for crumbling upon a rear end collision. Use of the tonneau cover of the present invention results in a significant gas mileage increase.

Abstract: An improved safety belt retractor assembly is provided wherein the support shaft for the retractor spool having a belt wound thereon is directly mounted on a pair of integral raised flanges on a vehicle structural support member. The ends of the shaft engage the flange by a J-shaped anchor and the load caused by the restraining force of the belt is thus transmitted directly to the structural support member. In addition, the lock dog is directly supported in a V-shaped cutout for direct transmission of the force to the structural support. A plastic cover having openings in the sides locate the ends of the shaft and the lock dog during pre-assembly. A crosspiece for the pendulum actuator is also pre-located in the cover.

Abstract: An emergency release for a seat belt retractor, especially for use in passive seat belt systems, which includes a handle rotatable from a first position to a second position so as to move a contact surface into engagement with a ratchet tooth of a ratchet wheel when the vehicle is in an other than normal orientation. Rotation of the handle from its second to a third position rotates the ratchet wheel out of its engagement position. A contact member moves the pawl to its disengagement position and in one embodiment the pawl prevents the contact member from returning until the vehicle is in its normal orientation. In such embodiment, once the vehicle resumes its normal orientation, the contact member is automatically reset.

Abstract: An all-pyrotechnic inflator, for generating an inflating gas, includes: an elongated enclosure means, a linear ignitor, and a pyrotechnic material. The elongated enclosure means has a longitudinal axis and an outlet means for passage of the gas. The linear ignitor is arranged within the enclosure means and extends along at least part of the longitudinal axis of the enclosure means. The pyrotechnic material is disposed within the enclosure means and extends along at least part of the longitudinal extent of the enclosure means for combustion and generation of gas upon ignition by the linear ignitor. The enclosure means further includes an inner wall, an outer wall, a nozzle means, and a means for maintaining substantially constant pressure during generation of the gas. The pyrotechnic material is the sole source of the inflating gas.