Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle seat is provided. In one embodiment, the seat belt system includes a shoulder strap, a retractor for tensioning the shoulder strap at one end thereof, a seat belt buckle for securing the shoulder strap at the opposite end thereof, and an adjustable guide assembly for directing the shoulder strap across an occupant of the seat. The guide assembly includes a guide body having a webbing opening through which the shoulder strap extends and a push-button mechanism capable of positioning the guide body in any one of a plurality of rotational positions relative to the seat.

Abstract: A bobbin assembly for a vehicle instrument gauge is provided. The bobbin assembly includes an upper and a lower bobbin, which together define a chamber therebetween and an axis of rotation therethrough. The bobbin assembly also includes a permanent magnet rotatably disposed within the chamber. A shaft rotatably supports the magnet within the chamber for rotative movement about the axis of rotation, and a viscous damping fluid, carried in the chamber, damps the rotational movement of the magnet. The upper bobbin includes a nose portion defining a bore therethrough which extends along the axis of rotation. The bore is open to the chamber and receives the shaft therethrough. The nose portion also defines an inner dam portion disposed within the chamber. The upper bobbin further includes a trough which is in fluid communication with the chamber and extends radially outwardly from the inner dam portion.

Abstract: A gauge assembly for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The gauge assembly includes a plate member and a pointer assembly that is rotatable relative to the plate member about a first axis. The pointer assembly includes a pointer cap having an internal surface and a pointer arm fixed relative to the cap. A driven surface is provided on at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap. The gauge assembly further includes a motor having a drive shaft. A driver is coupled to the drive shaft for drivingly engaging the driven surface of the pointer cap and rotating the pointer assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a body structure having a laterally extending beam and an instrument panel carried with the body structure. The occupant restraint system includes an air bag module, an aperture formed in the instrument panel which receives the air bag module, and a trim portion of the instrument panel fixedly secured to the air bag module in overlying relationship thereto for closing the aperture. The occupant restraint system further includes a latch assembly having a portion thereof directly connected to the laterally extending beam and another portion thereof directly connected to the air bag module. The latch assembly releasably secures the air bag module to the beam.

Abstract: A gauge assembly for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The gauge assembly includes a pointer assembly and a plastic housing having a pair of housing elements. One of the housing elements includes a receptacle which defines a side wall having a first circumferentially extending mating surface, while the other housing element includes a plug which defines a side wall having a second circumferentially extending mating surface. Upon assembly of the housing, the plug and receptacle together define a chamber therebetween. The pointer assembly includes a magnet rotatably disposed within the chamber, a pointer body positioned outside of the housing, and a shaft rotatably extending along an axis of rotation defined through one of the housing elements. The shaft couples the pointer body to the magnet for rotative movement about the axis of rotation. The gauge assembly further includes a viscous damping fluid carried in the chamber for damping the rotational movement of the magnet.