Abstract: Mounting arrangement for the mirror member of an outside rear view mirror assembly characterized in that a mounting plate is provided that includes a support surface to which the mirror member is fixedly connected and also includes a bracket which adjustably connects the mirror member to a tubular support.

Abstract: A method of making a restraint cushion which when inflated forms a generally horizontally orientated lower compartment connected to a vertically orientated upper compartment comprising the steps of providing upper and lower sheets of woven material joined together along a rear edge and the side edges, forming a pleated section in the upper sheet, connecting the parts of the pleated section together, joining the pleated section to the lower sheet to form a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment, and forming at least one opening between the compartments to allow fluid to flow from the lower compartment to the upper compartment.

Abstract: An L-shaped inflatable restraint cushion that is compartmentalized into a lower horizontally orientated compartment and an upper vertically orientated compartment that are interconnected and in constant communication with each other through at least one orifice. The upper compartment is formed by front and rear walls which are interconnected through cords or the like to control the extent the rear wall moves relative to the front wall to minimize any enveloping engagement with an occupant.

Abstract: A method of folding an inflatable restraint cushion for storage in a support housing which is mountable to the lower portion of the instrument panel of a vehicle. The method involves forming pleats in the cushion in a manner that, during initial deployment, the cushion mass acting on an occupant located in the proximity of the instrument panel is reduced.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device located in the stepwell that includes foldable hinged members normally positioned through a linkage to form upper and lower steps with a riser therebetween, and rotatable outwardly relative to the stepwell during which time the steps are aligned along a horizontal plane to form a platform for supporting a wheelchair and the riser is tucked under the upper step.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion for a vehicle having a bench seat which accommodates three seated occupants. The cushion is stored opposite the right-hand seat occupant and incorporates a baffle for causing the gas flow to be directed towards the side portions of the cushion so as to quickly position the cushion in front of the center seat occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing permanent pipe sections in a foam-backed material that utilizes two rotating members which cooperate to form alternate ridges and valleys in the material after which the valley portions are bonded to a backing sheet so as to maintain the pipe sections in the material.

Abstract: A multi-axis load cell including a housing having a circular opening, a hub member having three radially extending arms is supported within the housing by a plurality of spring members and has a cylindrical portion located in the circular opening. A ring member forms a part of the housing and is provided with three circumferentially spaced posts each of which supports a screw connected to a spring member. The screw in each post is adapted to apply a radial force to the associated spring so as to achieve concentric positioning of the cylindrical portion relative to the circular opening. The housing also carries an adjustable force applier that engages the ring member for rotating the latter for achieving mechanical zero adjustment of arms formed on the hub member.

Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly that has a mirror pivotally supported adjacent the apex of a V-shaped linkage with one link of the linkage pivotally connected to the vehicle body at a point located forwardly of the door hinge and the other link pivotally connected to the door at a point located rearwardly of the door hinge so that opening of the door causes the included angle of the V-shaped linkage to decrease with the result that the mirror continues to present a view towards the rear of the vehicle to the seated driver.

Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus for air cushions that includes a carriage having four circular tables that are sequentially movable to a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations for receiving a pair of circular sheets of fabric and for sewing the peripheral portion thereof. Each table is combined with a circular cover that pivots into engagement with the sheets of fabric located on the associated table so as to maintain the sheets in position while the peripheral portion is being sewn.

Abstract: A blade positioning mechanism for a motor grader that permits the blade ends to be raised or lowered independently of each other or together through a pair of hydraulic cylinders universally gimballed in independent locking bell cranks. The mechanism also allows the blade to be shifted to either side of the vehicle and into a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A pivot construction for connecting a pair of relatively movable members that include a stepped diameter pin one end of which is fastened to one of the members and the other end of which is received in an end cap member that serves to preload a tapered roller bearing assembly mounted on the other of the members.

Abstract: An angle dozer assembly including a C-frame supported by a tractor. A pair of thrust members extend rearwardly from a moldboard and each terminates with a carriage which is slidable along the C-frame and adapted to be maintained in different positions by a locking fork arrangement.

Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus for air cushions that includes a carriage having four circular tables that are sequentially movable to a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations for receiving a pair of circular sheets of fabric and for sewing the peripheral portion thereof. Each table is combined with a circular cover that pivots into engagement with the sheets of fabric located on the associated table so as to maintain the sheets in position while the peripheral portion is being sewn.

Abstract: A spray device having a body member including a nozzle at one end thereof formed with an orifice and a pressure chamber formed in the other end thereof. The body member is provided with a first passage which serves to deliver sprayable liquid to the orifice under the control of an axially movable needle valve which is adapted to open and close the orifice. A second passage is formed in the body member for simultaneously directing pressurized air to the pressure chamber and to the nozzle for atomizing the sprayable liquid as it flows through the orifice.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly that includes a steering shaft having an insulator sleeve mounted thereon. A pair of conductor rings are supported by the insulator sleeve and are adapted to be electrically connected to an occupant restraint cushion and to rotate with the steering shaft. Each of the conductor rings is formed with an annular track in the periphery thereof and both conductor rings cooperate with a pair of contact members fixed to the steering column member so as to provide current to the conductor rings upon operation of a sensor for actuating an occupant restraint cushion.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair. In addition, a ramp is carried by one of the sections for movement from a stored position to an aligned position with the hinged sections for facilitating movement to and from the platform and to a restraining position for preventing the wheelchair from rolling off the platform.

Abstract: A chock device that is releasably connected to a railway freight car floor supported apertured bar which forms a part of a transporter and includes a lock head that is insertable into a complimentary hole in the bar and can be rotated to a locked position after which the lock head is raised upwardly through a camming arrangement so as to maintain the chock device in firm engagement with the bar.

Abstract: A guide device for the supply lines that lead to the work tool at the work end of a multi-axis manipulator's boom. The guide device includes a slidable block positioned to the rear of the wrist assembly of the boom and connected by a flexible cable to the work tool for controlling bending of the supply lines so as to minimize twisting thereof as the work tool is moved about a pair of intersecting axes.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly that includes a steering shaft having an insulator member mounted thereon. A pair of conductor rings are supported by the insulator member and are adapted to be electrically connected to an occupant restraint cushion and to rotate with the steering shaft. The conductor rings cooperate with a pair of contact members fixed with the steering column member so as to provide current to the conductor rings upon operation of a sensor for actuating an occupant restraint cushion.