Abstract: A device for the grinding of coffee, for instance in (semi)automatic machines for the preparation and the dispensing of drinks, comprising a housing (11), inside which are positioned at least two milling heads (19, 25) of which at least one (19) is revolving, means (2) of driving said at least one revolving milling head (19), an inlet (32) for feeding the coffee between the milling heads (19, 25) and an exit (35) for the ground coffee. Advantageously, the housing (11) and the milling heads (19, 25) internal to it are coupled to the means of driving (2) through an insert-and-lock joint (12, 13, 18, 218, 20, 120) that allows their rapid removal and reassembly without the aid of tools. Preferably the device includes means of regulating the relative distance between the milling heads and at least one sensor (S) for the measurement of such distance and/or a sensor (S1) of the speed of rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new process for the preparation of naphthoquinones, in particular an improved process for the preparation of 2,3-disubstituted 1,4-naphthoquinones, in the trans configuration.

Abstract: A device for tightening a seat belt has a piston (2) drivable linearly in a piston guide (1) by the gas pressure of a propellant gas. A gearing (3) is also caused to move by the piston (2), the gearing serving the transmission of the piston movement to a pinion (4). The pinion (4) is connected to, or configured to be connected to, a belt spool of a seat belt retractor (13) in a manner whereby rotation of the pinion causes rotation of the belt spool. The gearing (3) on associated with the piston (2) is mounted displaceable transversely to the piston's direction of movement and meshes with the pinion (4) as a result of gas pressure in an expandable bladder (24).

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor has a spool. An energy absorption mechanism absorbs energy from the spool during seatbelt protraction. The energy absorption mechanism has at least a first portion for a relatively high rate of energy absorption and preferably a second portion for a relatively low rate of energy absorption. The seatbelt retractor has an outer sheath cast, molded, coated or otherwise bonded to and encircling a portion of the external surface of the first portion or the second portion which upon a sufficient exposure to rotational energy breaks the bond between the first portion or the second portion and the outer sheath.

Abstract: A seat belt system for adults and children has a strap (55) that extends vertically along the front surface of a seat back or a structural pillar at the side of a vehicle. Seat belt webbing (19) is configured to provide a three-point seat belt system. The seat belt webbing passes through a stationary seat belt webbing guide (50) located higher than the shoulder of an adult seat occupant and attached to the same component of the vehicle as the vertically extending strap (55). A movable seat belt webbing guide (65) is movable along the strap (55). The stationary seat belt webbing guide (50) has a stationary seat belt webbing passageway (53) through which the seat belt webbing (19) passes and the movable seat belt webbing guide (65) has a seat belt webbing passageway (67) through which the seat belt webbing (19) passes.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor that employs a single magnet mounted on a rotating turret that rotates on a housing that is fixedly mounted about a fixed ball stud. The turret is arranged to rotate around the ball stud in a first plane. A magnetic field orientation sensor is mounted to the housing, such that the magnet rotates along an arc tangent to the Hall effect sensor. The ball of the ball stud forms one half of a universal joint, the other half being formed by a shaft termination that is mounted to rotate with the turret, and also mounted for rotation in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane of the turret.

Abstract: A reed switch has a contact surface composed of three layers of metal applied to the contacts of the reed switch. The three layers comprise first a layer of titanium of approximately 15 to 150 micro inches, second a layer of molybdenum of 15 to 150 micro inches, and finally a contact layer of 5 to 20 micro inches of ruthenium, or other platinum group metal or alloy. The layers may be applied by any suitable methods, for example by sputtering.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for seat belt webbing is located in the vicinity of a belt anchor end of a three-point vehicle safety restraint seat belt. The pretensioning apparatus has a fixed member in the form of a tubular member that may be anchored to a vehicle seat at the belt anchor side of the vehicle. A movable member in the form of a piston is connected to the webbing in the region of the belt anchor end. A means is provided for moving the movable member relative to the fixed member in a generally horizontal direction, to move the seat belt webbing in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. A webbing guide is fixed to the seat to provide an effective anchorage point spaced from the belt anchor end of the webbing under pretensioning conditions.

Abstract: A linear sensor uses four spaced apart magnets arranged in a rectangular array and has an axis of symmetry. Each magnet has a staircase shape of at least two steps ascending towards a centerline. Each magnet of the array has a single N-S with magnets arranged as mirror images about the axis of symmetry having opposed poles, and magnets located on diagonals defined by the rectangular array having the same pole facing the axis of symmetry. The linear sensor employs a magnetic field sensor such as a programmable Hall effect sensor that is mounted for movement relative to the magnetic array along the axis of symmetry. The height of the steps defining the staircase shape of the magnets is selected to produce a magnetic field of selected linearity along a selected portion of the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement provides location and fixing points on the vehicle seat that will take crash loads and can be used to position a webbing path adapter to serve as a guide for placing a standard seat belt in a suitable position for when a child is occupying the seat. A vehicle seat arrangement includes a seat backrest having an upholstered part overlying a load-bearing plate. A first plurality of holes pass through the upholstered part and a second, aligned, plurality of holes pass through the load-bearing plate. A webbing path adapter has a passageway for receiving seat belt webbing. A pin connects the webbing path adapter in a removable manner to any one of a plurality of holes on the load-bearing plate through the corresponding holes in the upholstered part of the seat backrest.

Abstract: An intermediate article of manufacture forming an outer wrap subassembly having a leather, simulated leather or leather equivalent pliable component and one or more decorative components adhered to or otherwise attached to said leather, simulated leather or leather equivalent pliable component and one or more securing components is disclosed. The one or more securing components adheres or attaches the one or more decorative components to form the subassembly. The subassembly creates a unique attachment capability such that the crevice formed between the leather and the decorative component is maintained at a minimal gap and the radius of curvature of the leather component when assembled to the underlying article to form the final assembly has a radius of curvature of less than 2 mm, preferably 1.5 mm or less.

Abstract: At least one function of a seat belt retractor by is controlled by an electric motor. Torque of which is transmitted from the electric motor via a coupling to at least one component of the seat belt retractor. After the application of the seat belt with the transmitted torque, the seat belt retractor is adjusted to a starting position for adjustable functions in normal driving conditions and in dangerous driving conditions.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly (10) has a seatbelt retractor (14) and an actuator (26) for locking and unlocking the seatbelt retractor (1). An inertial sensor mass (30, 32, 33) detects changes in vehicle speed. The mass (30, 32, 33) has a guide surface (34, 35, 36) for interacting with the actuator (26). The guide surface (34, 35, 36) moves between an unlocking position in which the actuator (26) unlocks the seatbelt retractor (14) and a locking position in which the actuator (26) locks the seatbelt retractor (14). The guide surface (30) has an inner profile portion (62) and at least an outer profile portion (64). The actuator (26) is in contact with the inner profile portion (62) in the unlocking position while moving into contact with the outer profile portion (64) as the actuator (26) moves towards the locking position. The inner profile portion (62) causes a different acceleration of the actuator (26) than the outer profile portion (64).

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly (10) has a seatbelt retractor (14) and an actuator (26) for locking and unlocking the seatbelt retractor (1). An inertial sensor mass (30, 32, 33) detects changes in vehicle speed. The mass (30, 32, 33) has a guide surface (34, 35, 36) for interacting with the actuator (26). The guide surface (34, 35, 36) moves between an unlocking position in which the actuator (26) unlocks the seatbelt retractor (14) and a locking position in which the actuator (26) locks the seatbelt retractor (14). The guide surface (30) has an inner profile portion (62) and at least an outer profile portion (64). The actuator (26) is in contact with the inner profile portion (62) in the unlocking position while moving into contact with the outer profile portion (64) as the actuator (26) moves towards the locking position. The inner profile portion (62) causes a different acceleration of the actuator (26) than the outer profile portion (64).

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly (10) has a seatbelt retractor (14) and an actuator (26) for locking and unlocking the seatbelt retractor (1). An inertial sensor mass (30) detects changes in vehicle speed. The mass (30) has a guide surface (34) for interacting with the actuator (26). The guide surface (34) moves between an unlocking position (38) in which the actuator (26) unlocks the seatbelt retractor (14) and a locking position (42) in which the actuator (26) locks the seatbelt retractor (14). The actuator (26) has an actuator arm (25) with a surface contacting portion (54) in contact with the guide surface (34) and an open slot (57) above the surface contacting portion (54). The surface contacting portion (54) is connected to the actuator arm (25) by a beam structure (56) having a spring rate Kbeam sufficient to maintain the open slot (57) open during normal vehicle operation.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for seat belt webbing is located in the vicinity of a belt anchor end of a three-point vehicle safety restraint seat belt. The pretensioning apparatus has a fixed member in the form of a tubular member that may be anchored to a vehicle seat at the belt anchor side of the vehicle. A movable member in the form of a piston is connected to the webbing in the region of the belt anchor end. A means is provided for moving the movable member relative to the fixed member in a generally horizontal direction, to move the seat belt webbing in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. A webbing guide is fixed to the seat to provide an effective anchorage point spaced from the belt anchor end of the webbing under pretensioning conditions.

Abstract: An airbag module has an airbag with an inflation chamber. The inflation chamber has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the inflation chamber is deployed generally along a first axis and the second portion of the inflation chamber is generally deployed along a second axis. The first axis is transverse to the second axis. The first portion of the inflation chamber is defined by a front panel and a back panel. The second portion of the inflation chamber is attached to the back panel. An inflator is in communication with the airbag. A tether is provided in the first portion of the inflation chamber. The tether has three portions. The first portion of the tether extends across the first inflation chamber and is secured to the airbag at a first panel location and a first back panel location.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) has an actuator (14) for unlocking and locking the seat belt retractor (10) An inertial sensor (18) detects changes in vehicle acceleration and interacts with the actuator (14) to lock and unlock the seat belt retractor (10). The inertial sensor (18) has one inertial sensor mass, each mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a wide portion (70) and a narrow portion (72). Preferably each inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a high density body (31) embedded in the wide portion (70) of the elastomeric material (34). The inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 36, 32, 33) has a greater density than the elastomeric material (34) Moreover, the elastomeric material (34) at least partially surrounds an exterior circumferential surface (38) of the inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33).