Abstract: An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle is provided that includes an inflatable restraint cushion stored along a roof rail of a vehicle window in an undeployed state. A flexible loop is provided that is integral with the cushion, and an elongate cord member with a first end and a second end, the cord passing through the loop. The flexible loop slidably engages the cord during deployment of the inflatable restraint cushion, and supplies a tensioning force to the cushion.
Abstract: A sun visor for a motor vehicle is provided, and includes first and second visor body shells. The shells define a retaining channel for a slider on a visor pivot rod, and may be engaged and closed about the slider, capturing the pivot rod and slider in a single assembly step. In another aspect, a sun visor is provided having a combination slider and detent slidably supported in channels molded into first and second visor shells. A support arm is provided and is laterally offset from the combination slider and detent and is slidably relative thereto.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 15, 2003
Date of Patent:
November 8, 2005
Assignee:
Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph P. Wieczorek, Leslie R. Hinds, Richard T. Bogdanski
Abstract: An occupant sensor incorporates a 3-D imaging system that acquires a 3-D image of an object. The image is segmented to remove unwanted portions and to identify a region-of-interest, and the content thereof is classified responsive to a plurality of 3-D features. In one embodiment, the 3-D image is transformed to a second 3-D image from a second viewing perspective. A two-dimensional projection of the second 3-D image is classified, and a presence, size and position of occupant can be identified from features thereof. A safety restraint system is controlled responsive to the detected scenario, including the presence, position and size of an occupant.
Abstract: The present invention provides a widely variable and yet precisely controlled system for metering the flow of fuel to an engine component. The present invention utilizes a plurality of solenoid activated injector valves to meter fuel into an output plenum where the fuel is accumulated to avoid pressure pulses and pressurized if necessary for introduction to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. This system is particularly well suited to high pressure engine systems such as helicopter jet or turbo shaft engines.
Abstract: A process for joining adjacent edges of vehicle upholstery panels, particularly in applications wherein at least one of the edges is curved. The process includes the step of forming a plurality of U-shaped notches along a curved edge of a first upholstery panel, which are substantially evenly spaced along a portion of the curved length of the upholstery panel edge. At least a portion of an edge of a second upholstery panel is substantial aligned with a portion of the curved edge of the first upholstery panel. The first and second panels are stitched along a stitch line substantially parallel to edges of the first and second panels, wherein the stitch line is offset from aligned edges of the first and second panels by a distance greater than the depth of the notches and wherein successive portions of the edges are brought into alignment as stitching progresses.
Abstract: A locking clamp that includes a base member. The locking clamp further includes a bar pivotally connected to the base member on one end thereof. A handle is pivotally connected to a base member on an end opposite of the bar. The clamp further includes a link connected to the handle and the bar. The link has a stopper extending from a side thereof. The clamp also includes a locking lever for use in locking the clamp in its fully closed/fully engaged position.
Abstract: A restraint apparatus for protecting a vehicle occupant in a side impact or rollover event. The restraint apparatus includes a deployment guide that includes a housing having a channel with a substantially smoothed interior and longitudinal slot. A guide member is slidably retained in the channel and has an extension protruding from the slotted side of the channel. The extension is attachable to a restraint device deployable laterally of a vehicle occupant. An actuator is provided and is operable to drive the guide member from a first end of the channel toward a second end. A driving of the guide member facilitates deployment of the restraint device and supplies at least a longitudinal tensioning force to the restraint device to provide lateral support thereto.
Abstract: An integrated robot end effector for use in a robotic manufacturing environment. The integrated robot end effector generally includes a circular body having a generally circular rim on an edge thereof. The integrated robot end effector also includes a plurality of orifices through a surface of the body. A plurality of ports extend through a predetermined section of the rim or body of the integrated robot end effector. A plurality of grooves in a surface of the body connects the orifices to the ports within the robot end effector. A cover is secured to the rim of the robot end effector by a retainer. The robot end effector internalizes and integrates all external lines servicing associated vacuum cups or grippers located on the outer surface of the robot end effector.
Abstract: A plurality of gas generators provide for controllably inflating a plurality of inflatable confinements responsive to a prediction by a predictive collision sensor of both a size of an expected collision object and an expected location of the collision. The inflatable confinements are associated with different zones across a door of a vehicle, each zone having an associated structural stiffness and level of proximity to the occupant. For a pole-like object expected to impact a relatively less-stiff zone of the vehicle, the inflatable confinements are controlled so as to deflect the point of impact towards a stiffer zone away from the occupant. For a barrier-like object, inflatable confinements associated with relatively stiff zones are inflated relatively higher than those associated with relatively less stiff zones so as to transfer impact energy to the relatively stiff zones.