Abstract: The apparatus comprises a chuck member to be mounted within the operating area of the machine tool and a work piece carrier that can be put onto the chuck member and clamped thereto. First positioning members provided on the chuck member and second positioning members provided on the work piece carrier cooperate to define the position of the work piece carrier along three coordinate axes each running perpendicular to each other as well as with regard to the angular orientation. A clamping mechanism fixes the work piece carrier member to the chuck member in the afore mentioned defined position. In order to ensure an increased resistance against tilting momenta and torque occurring during the machining of a work piece, the first positioning members are constituted by conical centering pins and the second positioning members are constituted by recesses in the shape of a two-stage groove having two shoulders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manually shifting an electrically controlled transmission (14) to a desired gear setting in the event of a failure includes unlocking a manual shift mechanism (90) from a non-actuatable condition. The manual shift mechanism (90) is linearly moved from the non-actuated condition toward an engageable position with a link arm (70) to linearly move the link arm in response to further linear movement of the manual shift mechanism after engagement therewith. A transmission gear (16) is rotated to manually shift the transmission (14) to the desired gear setting through linear motion of the link arm (70).

Abstract: An inflatable protective cushion (10) for the protection of vehicle occupants against side impact, in particular in the head and shoulder region, comprises a gas inlet pipe (18). The gas inlet pipe extends over a substantial portion of the extent of the protective cushion (10). A branch line (24) is directed from the gas inlet pipe (18) inside the protective cushion (10) to a region of the protective cushion (10) a distance away from the gas inlet pipe (18), whereby selected portions of the cushion can be inflated more rapidly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power assisted steering system (10). The power assisted steering system (10) comprises a rotatable member (34) capable of rotating about an axis. The system further comprises a ballnut (66) that is coaxial with the rotatable member (34). The ballnut (66) has a threaded cylindrical inner surface (76) and a plurality of drive balls (78). The system (10) further comprises a steering member (24). The steering member (24) is coaxial with the rotatable member (34) and the ballnut (66). The steering member (24) has a threaded portion (32). The steering member (24) extends through the inner surface (72) of the ballnut (66) such that the drive balls (78) of the ballnut (66) engage the threaded portion (32) of the steering member (24). The ballnut (66) is rotatably driven by the rotatable member (34) about the axis and is pivotal relative to the rotatable member (34) in a direction transverse to the axis.

Abstract: A gas bag restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle comprises a tube-shaped gas bag which in a free state extends in a straight line when inflated. The system further comprises at least one tensioning fabric or tensioning net having a large surface area and being adapted to be fastened to a vehicle. The gas bag is held on the tensioning fabric or tensioning net in a curved shape so that it, in an inflated state, endeavors to extend in a straight line whereby the tensioning fabric or tensioning net connected to the gas bag is tensioned and forms an additional restraining surface.

Abstract: A side gas bag restraint system for a vehicle having a roof frame and vehicle columns extending upwardly to the roof frame and having side windows, the roof frame and the vehicle columns being covered by at least one lining, is described. The system comprises a curtain-like gas bag covering at least one side window of the vehicle to at least a major extend in an unfolded state of the gas bag and being attached to the vehicle at fastening points, and comprises an elongated guide device to which the gas bag is displaceable fastened and along which the gas bag moves itself on unfolding of the gas bag. The guide device is arranged behind a lining and extends downwardly along a vehicle column in the unfolded and in the folded state of the gas bag. The guide device has two stationary fastening ends at which the guide device is fixed to the vehicle and is constructed so as to be so flexible that the gas bag draws the guide device out from the lining on unfolding of the gas bag.

Abstract: A detent assembly (30) includes a rotatable index member (34) having a series (44) of minor index positions (46) disposed in a circular array and a series (52) of major index positions (54) disposed in a circular array which is axially offset from the circular array of minor index positions. A plurality of first spring sections (124) are integrally formed as one piece with a housing (32) which encloses the index member (34). The first spring sections (124) are disposed in a circular array which extends around the index member (34). Each of the first spring sections (124) is disposed in engagement with the series (44) of minor index positions (46). A second spring section (66) is integrally formed as one piece with the housing and is disposed in engagement with the series (52) of major index positions (54). A stem (40) extends axially from one end of the index member (34) and is engageable by a handle.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a rotatable disc which is movable along its axis of rotation. Brake pads on caliper arms are engageable with opposite sides of the disc. An actuator assembly is operable to move the caliper arms to press the brake pads against opposite sides of the disc. To accommodate movement of the disc along its axis of rotation, the actuator assembly is movable along the axis of rotation of the disc under the influence of force transmitted through the caliper arms to the actuator assembly. The caliper arms have arcuate end surfaces which engage arcuate surfaces on the brake pads.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (11) in the event of a side impact to the vehicle comprises a vehicle door (30) for location adjacent to and outboard of a vehicle seat (38). An air bag module (12) mounted in the door (30) includes an air bag (14) and an actuatable inflator (16) for inflating the air bag from a deflated condition stowed in the door to an inflated condition extending inboard from the door. The vehicle door (30) comprises a structural door panel (32), at least one exterior skin panel (36) supported on the structural panel, and at least one interior trim panel (34) supported on the structural door panel. The structural door panel (32) is formed as one piece and has module portions (50) disposed between the interior trim panel (34) and the exterior skin panel (36). The module portions (50) define a recess (52) in the structural door panel (32) for receiving and supporting the module (12).

Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an inflation opening and a fabric piece arranged in the interior of the gas bag opposite the inflation opening and defining a volume for compressed gas introduced into the gas bag through the inflation opening. The fabric piece forms at least one outflow opening for the compressed gas. The outflow opening defines a gas exit area affected by the compressed gas flowing through the outflow opening, and comprising at least one limiting strap arranged in the interior of the gas bag but outside of the gas exit area.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (20) and a refrigerant under pressure in the container (20) in a liquid state. The container (20) is openable to enable the refrigerant to flow out of the container into the inflatable device (14). At least a portion of the refrigerant that flows from the container (20) vaporizes to a gaseous state to help inflate the inflatable device (14). The apparatus (10) includes an aspiration passage (42) enabling aspiration of ambient air into the inflatable device (14) with the refrigerant to help inflate the inflatable device. At least a portion of the refrigerant that flows from the container (20) is located in the inflatable device (14) in a liquid state. That portion of the refrigerant thereafter changes from the liquid state to the gaseous state while in the inflatable device to help maintain the inflatable device in the inflated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for inflating an air bag (4) including a container (12) and a combustible material (20) disposed in the container. The combustible material (20) comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propionate. The binder has a melting point in the range of about 230° C. to about 260° C. An igniter (32) ignites the combustible material (20) to generate combustion products. A conduit directs the combustion products towards the air bag (4).

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more passages through which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: A system (10) for detecting the state of a switch device (60) includes a driver circuit (40) having an output (42) operative to provide a driver output signal. An indicator (44) is electrically connected between the driver circuit (40) and the switch device (60). The indicator (44) is activated in response to the driver output signal and upon the switch device (60) being in a first state. A monitoring circuit (70), which is responsive to the switch device (60) through the indicator (44), is electrically connected to a node (64) between the indicator (44) and the driver circuit (40). The monitoring circuit (70) is operative to provide a first signal in response to the switch device (60) being in the first state and a second signal in response to the switch device (60) being in a second state. The monitoring circuit (70) controls energization of a controller (28) so as to power the controller (28) when the switch device (60) is in the first state.

Abstract: The apparatus for clamping a work piece in a well defined position within the operating area of a machine tool comprises a chuck member to be mounted within the operating area of the machine tool and a work piece carrier that can be put onto the chuck member and clamped thereto. First positioning members provided on the chuck member and second positioning members provided on the work piece carrier cooperate to define the position of the work piece carrier along three coordinate axes each running perpendicular to each other as well as with regard to the angular orientation. A clamping mechanism fixes the work piece carrier member to the chuck member in the afore mentioned defined position. In order to ensure an increased resistance against tilting momenta and torque occurring during the machining of a work piece, the clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping devices.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicled. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) having a retainer portion (22). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) inflates in a primary direction toward a vehicle occupant. A reaction can (12) has an opening (13) through which the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) inflates. The reaction can (12) further has at least one channel portion (60). The channel portion (60) secures the retainer portion (22) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) against movement in the primary direction. A cover (14) closes the opening (13). The cover (14) has at least one projection (90). The projection (90) defines a chamber (99) that receives the retainer portion (22) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The projection (90) of the cover (14) and the retainer portion (22) are located in the channel portion (60) of the reaction can (12).

Abstract: A heatable steering wheel with electric heating wires on a wheel rim is provided. The heating, wires are covered by a casing. The casing consists of a support layer that has good thermal conductivity and of an externally applied layer of veneer wood.

Abstract: In an electric power assisted steering system, the output signal from a motor position sensor (9) comprising a number of Hall effect devices (A,B,C) or the like is combined with an index signal from a sensor (108) connected to the steering column shaft (1) or the rack (6) or a yaw sensor or other angular position dependent device to produce an accurate measure of steering angle relative to the straight ahead position. In a preferred arrangement, transitions in the Hall effect sensor output are used to drive a counter (106) which is reset whenever the index signal is produced to ensure it does not drift out over a period of time. Most conveniently, the index signal corresponds to the steering gear straight ahead position.

Abstract: Photo illumination of sites along a nerve supplying a painful region is conducted one at a time until a thermal image of that region or one related to it shows a significant change in temperature, at which time the treatment is terminated. If it is an extremity (hand or foot) that is has pain symptoms, one extremity is treated by exposing its nerve sites to photo illumination while the other extremity is observed by a thermograph instrument. Use of the thermal image as a feedback technique allows the treatment to be terminated as soon as the favorable temperature change takes place.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining first and second combustion chambers (100, 120). A first inflation fluid source (140) in the first combustion chamber (100) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A first initiator (112) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the first inflation fluid source (140). A second inflation fluid source (150) in the second combustion chamber (120) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A second initiator (124) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the second inflation fluid source (150). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of one or both of the inflation fluid sources (140, 150). The housing (20), after deforming, has a fluid passage (90) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The flow area of the fluid passage (90) varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing (20).