Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. A first tensioning device (70) is actuatable to move a piston (124) from a first position towards a second position in a cylinder (122). A first flexible elongated member (72) has a first (74) end connected to the vehicle side structure (16), an opposite second end (80) connected to the piston (124), and an intermediate portion (82) that extends through the inflatable device (14). When the first tensioning device (70) is actuated, the piston (124) moves the second end (80) in a first direction, which tensions the first member (72) and helps to move the inflatable device (14) towards the deployed position. The inflatable device (14) resists movement of the piston (124) in the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for detecting a window open condition comprises a first photoelectric cell (60) mountable to the window (20) for providing a reference output signal (61) independent of the window open condition. The apparatus (10) also comprises a second photoelectric cell (62) mountable to the window and providing a signal (63) having a first characteristic if the window (20) is open and a second characteristic if the window is not open. The apparatus (10) further comprises comparison means (82) for comparing the reference output signal (61) with the signal from the second photoelectric cell (63). The comparison is indicative of the open condition of the window. The apparatus (10) comprises means (88) responsive to the comparison means (82) for indicating if the vehicle window (20) is in the open condition.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover event detector (10) includes an accelerometer (80) that senses vehicle acceleration in a direction offset from a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle (12) and provides an acceleration signal (101) indicative thereof. A rollover sensor (14) senses vehicle roll and provides a roll signal (32) indicative of vehicle roll about the front-to-rear axis of the vehicle. A controller (26) compares the roll signal (32) against a first rollover threshold (42) when the acceleration signal (101) is less than an acceleration threshold (113) and compares the roll signal (32) against a second rollover threshold (116) when the acceleration signal (101) is equal to or greater than the acceleration threshold (113) and for indicating a vehicle rollover condition when the roll signal is greater than the threshold (42, 116) it is compared against.

Abstract: A gas bag protection device with a gas bag to which two opposing plies of fabric are assigned. The plies of fabric consist of warp and weft threads and are sectionwise connected to each other by integral interweaving so as to form at least one inflatable chamber. The plies of fabric are integrally interwoven in a portion by at least one of the warp and weft threads in such a manner that the at least one thread forms a sacrificial thread which bursts in a restraint situation.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises first and second gas impermeable panels (40 and 42). Stitching (44) extends into the first and second panels (40 and 42) and secures portions of the panels together. A first gas impermeable piece (70) is secured to the first panel (44) in a position overlying the stitching (44) in the first panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in positioning an anchor includes a tubular outer member and an inner or pusher member. During use of the apparatus, a slot facilitates visualization of the position of the anchor relative to body. An anchor retainer may be provided at one end of the tubular outer member to grip the anchor and hold the anchor in place during assembly. The anchor retainer also holds the anchor during movement of the apparatus from an assembly location to an operating room or other location where the apparatus is to be used. Indicia may be provided on the inner member to indicate the position of the anchor relative to body tissue. The tubular outer member may be utilized to guide a drill during formation of an opening in body tissue and may be subsequently utilized to guide movement of an anchor into the opening in the body tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable protection device (14) that inflates away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) comprises inflatable front and rear portions (64 and 66) partially separated by a slit (80). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A slider assembly (90) is connected to the side structure (16). A flexible elongated member (100) has a first end (102) connected to the front portion (64) at a first location (104) and an opposite second end (106) connected to the slider assembly (90). The slit (80) is positioned between the first location (104) and the slider assembly (90) when the protection device (14) is inflated. The flexible elongated member (100) extends across the slit (80) when the protection device (14) is inflated.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) comprises flexible material defining an inflation fluid volume (42) for receiving inflation fluid. The material includes a first panel portion (30) on which is located a set of first points (A-D) and a second panel portion (40) on which is located a set of second points (A′-D′). A rupturable stitching section (50) holds the set of first points (A-D) closely adjacent the set of second points (A′-D′)when the device (10) is in the deflated condition and when the device is in a partially inflated condition. The rupturable stitching section (50) is rupturable in response to the application of a force greater than a predetermined force in response to inflation of the protection device (10). Rupturing of the stitching section (50) enables movement of the first panel portion (30) away from the second panel portion (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable protection device (32). The apparatus (10) also comprises an actuatable inflator (30) remote from the protection device (32) for providing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating the protection device. The apparatus (10) further comprises a conduit (48) connected in fluid communication between the inflator (30) and at least a portion of the protection device (32) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator to the protection device. The conduit (48) includes at least one quick disconnect coupling (50) through which inflation fluid flows from the inflator (30) upon actuation of the inflator.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having a chamber (18). A portion of the chamber (18) is a relief pocket (22). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the chamber (18) of the housing (12). A rack bar (38) is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (38) is at least partially disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) and has teeth (44) in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (26). A spring (60) is disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (38) relative to the pinion gear (26). The spring (60) extends across an opening to the relief pocket (22). The spring (60) extends into the relief pocket (22) as a load applied to the spring (60) from the rack bar (38) increases.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle seat (10) having a tubular seat frame (60) defining a fluid manifold (66). The apparatus also includes at least two deployable vehicle occupant protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) for helping to protect a vehicle seat occupant from injury in the event of a vehicle collision. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are spaced apart from each other. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66) and are deployable by fluid directed into the protection devices from the fluid manifold. A single actuatable device (150) provides pressurized fluid for deploying one or more of the protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142). The actuatable device (150) is in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66).

Abstract: In a belt retractor the absolute angle of rotation of the belt reel is sensed by an incremental counter. The incremental counter is calibrated by sensing the angle of rotation of a control disc coupled to the belt reel by a reduction gear unit. The count of the incremental counter represents the absolute angle of rotation of the belt reel with high accuracy. Various components of a restraint system are controlled as a function of the thus measured absolute angle of rotation of the belt reel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraint system for vehicle occupants which comprises a gas bag having a maximum unfolding distance and a vehicle seat associated with the system. The gas bag restraint system further comprises a gas bag delimiting device which delimits the maximum unfolding distance of the gas bag towards the occupant as a function of a position of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A force limiter for a seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame and a drum which may be coupled with the belt reel for joint rotation. The force limiter further comprises a plastically deformable metal band that may be wound on the drum with dissipation of energy. The metal band runs through a plurality of deflection elements arranged on the frame to be deformed thereby. At least one of the deflection elements is supported on a supporting structure fixed to the frame and is arranged on the frame so as to be movable transversely to the metal band. The deflection element is provided with a stepped contact surface area for a correspondingly stepped abutment surface area on the supporting structure, whereby, when the supporting structure engages a step of the contact surface area, a retraction movement of the deflection element relative to the metal band is permitted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, with a switch movably mounted on the steering wheel. The steering wheel comprises a bearing for the switch, the bearing having a guide piece and a bearing piece that encloses the guide piece. The guide piece has a free end with a cone widening outwards towards the free end and transversely to a direction of movement of the switch. The free end forms an end stop in a non-actuated switch position and rests against the bearing piece.

Abstract: A method for transferring a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system into a mounting provided for the gas bag comprises the following steps: First, the gas bag is folded. Then, the gas bag is heated. Subsequently, the folded gas bag is pressed and simultaneously cooled. Finally, the gas bag is fastened in the mounting.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a steering assist system (10) of the type having an electric assist motor (28) steerably connected to steerable wheels (24, 26) of a vehicle. The apparatus (10) includes a torque sensor (20) for providing a torque signal indicative of applied steering torque. A steering selector (61) is used to select a desirable amount of steering assist. A vehicle speed sensor (56) is provided for sensing vehicle speed. A main controller (40) controls the steering assist motor (28) in response to the applied steering torque, the sensed vehicle speed, and the steering selector by adding an indexed speed value (60) to the vehicle speed signal in response the selection of the steering selector (61). The main controller (40) includes dynamically varying, vehicle speed dependant tunable parameters. An overseer controller (44) monitors operation of the main controller.

Abstract: To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a circular cross sectional configuration and be moved into the joint by rotating the wedge member about an axis which extends between a thin leading edge portion and a thick trailing edge portion of the wedge member. Alternatively, the wedge member may have a cam-shaped configuration and be rotated through less than a revolution to apply force against the bones. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones.

Abstract: A sign (1) for mounting on an underlayer (P) and for consecutive, repeated presentation of a series of images. The sign (1) comprises at least two elongated display members (4). Each display member (4) has a plurality of sides for displaying images. The sign also comprises a respective drive member (6) for rotating each display member (4) and a frame portion for supporting the display members (4). The frame portion comprises at least one first element (7) for mounting to the underlayer (P) and at least two second elements (8) that are connectable to the first element (7). A display member (4) is rotatably supported on a first side of each second element (8). The drive member (6) for each display member (4) is mounted on a second side of each second element (8). The second side of each second element (8) is opposite the first side of each second element (8).

Abstract: A ball joint (10) includes a socket (40) with a housing (42) and a stem portion (44). The housing (42) defines a chamber (60). A ball stud (80) has a ball portion (82) in the chamber (60) and a stud portion (84) extending from the ball portion. The ball portion (82) has a center (90) and the stud portion (84) has an axis (86) intersecting the center. The ball portion (82) has an equator (92) extending perpendicular to the axis (86) and dividing the ball portion into first and second hemispheres (94, 96). First and second bearings (110, 120) are located in the chamber (60) and engage the first and second hemispheres (94, 96), respectively, of the ball portion (82). First and second dampers (130, 132) act between the socket (40) and the respective first and second bearings (110, 120) and bias the first and second bearings toward the equator (92) and provide first and second clearances (131, 133), respectively, between the socket (40) and the first and second bearings.