Abstract: A personal safety device (10) adapted for longitudinal movement relative to an elongate support element (50) comprises a body (11) having a bore (12) for receiving the element (50), a slipper (20) mounted on the body (11) the slipper (20) having a surface (21) oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bore (12), and connector (30) connected to the slipper (20) and being adapted at its other end (31) for connection to a personal safety harness. Slipper (20) is movable between first and second positions in response to sudden loading of the connector (30). In the first position, surface (21) allows free passage element (50) through the bore (12). When slipper (20) is in the second position, surface (21) clamps element (50) firmly to body (11).

Abstract: A two part fastener (10) for clamping together first and second members (20, 22) that have an opening (40). The fastener (10) comprises a base (12) having a plurality of legs (80, 90) resiliently biased outwardly away from each other and insertable through the opening (40). A knob (14) connected with the base (12) is manually rotatable relative to the base to control the position of the legs (80, 90). The knob (14) has a first position of rotation relative to the base (12) in which blocking portions (80, 90) of the legs are in a blocking position to block removal of the legs through the opening (40). In a second position of rotation the knob (14) blocks inward movement of the blocking portions (88, 98) of the legs (80, 90) from the blocking position, thereby blocking removal of the fastener 10. In a third position of rotation the knob (14) holds the blocking portions (88, 98) of the legs (80, 90) inward from the blocking position, thereby enabling removal of the fastener (10).

Abstract: A headrest in a vehicle seat includes an inflatable protective cushion in which the contact surface area is increased and caused to approach the head without needing to provide burst seams in the upholstery or in the cover or to make use of an elastic covering material. The protective cushion is arranged between the headrest frame member and the upholstery. The cover or the upholstery is joined at its outer circumference by jointing means to the headrest frame member. The jointing means maintain the cover, or the upholstery, tensioned in the non-activated condition of the protective cushion and permit a limited displacement of the outer circumference of the cover, or upholstery, from the headrest frame member in the activated condition of the protective cushion. The upholstery may thus be brought by the protective cushion nearer to the head and the contact surface area may be enlarged without destroying the cover or upholstery.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided to secure a suture relative to body tissue. When a predetermined minimum force is being transmitted between a suture retainer and the body tissue, the suture is gripped with the suture retainer by plastically deforming material of the suture retainer. One or more bends may be formed in suture by the suture retainer to increase the holding action between the suture retainer and the suture. The bends in the suture may be formed by wrapping the suture around a portion of the suture retainer. During movement of the suture retainer toward the body tissue, the bends may be moved along the suture. One or more bends may be formed in the suture by bending a tubular member through which the suture extends. The tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by a C-shaped holder member. Alternatively, the tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by members which are latched together.

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) that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14), when inflated, has a perimeter (44) and front and rear portions (58 and 60) spaced apart horizontally along the protection device. The protection device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that define an inflatable volume and at least one connection (80) within the perimeter (44) at which the overlying panels are interconnected. The at least one connection (80) defines inflatable chambers (100) of the protection device (14) that extend between the front and rear portions (58 and 60) in a generally horizontal direction when the protection device is inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for attaching an electric coil (12) to a printed circuit board includes a spool (14) having a shaft (20) with axially opposite first and second ends (22 and 24). The electric coil (12) is supported on the shaft (20) between the first and second ends (22 and 24). The apparatus (10) further includes at least one compliant pin (16 and 18) having a stem portion (46) and a compliant portion (48). Part of the stem portion (46) extends into the first end (22) of the shaft (20) of the spool (14) and at least partially along the shaft (20) of the spool (14). The compliant portion (48) is located on an end of the compliant pin (16 and 18) and extends outwardly from the first end (22) of the shaft (20) of the spool (14) for attaching to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A transmission system (14) broadcasts a signal. Within the system (14), a power amplifier (20) causes non-linear distortion. A pre-amp component, such as a band-pass filter (32), causes linear distortion. A high power filter (38) is located downstream of the power amplifier (20) and causes linear distortion. A linear equalizer (42) compensates for the distortion caused by the high power filter (38). A non-linear corrector (44) compensates for the distortion caused by the power amplifier (20), and is located downstream of the linear equalizer (42). A linear equalizer (46) compensates for the distortion caused by the pre-amp components (e.g., 32). The compensating components (42-46) are located upstream of the distorting, pre-amp component (e.g., 32). A interpolation component (22) is located between the three compensating components (42-46) and the distortion causing components (20, 32, and 38) to increase a rate of the signal, such that the compensation occurs at a lower rate of the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus (14) and an associated method determine signal strength of a received electromagnetic signal (18) that is comprised of a plurality of pulses that convey a remote convenience function request, and which causes performance of the requested function. A comparator (82) has a first input for receiving an electrical signal (78) with a voltage that varies to convey the remote convenience function request. A second input of the comparator (82) receives a threshold voltage value reference signal (86). An output of the comparator (82) provides an output signal (46) that indicates the occurrence of the voltage of the electrical signal (78) exceeding the threshold value of the reference signal (86). A microprocessor (100) and a threshold change trigger (122) of a controller portion (48) adjust the threshold voltage value of the reference signal (86).

Abstract: Humectants are applied to cathodic protection systems which utilize thermally-sprayed zinc or zinc alloy anodes applied to the surface of reinforced concrete structures. The humectants are deliquescent or hygroscopic organic or inorganic salts, hydrophilic polymers or colloids, or organic liquid desiccants. The humectants are positioned at or near the interface between the anodes and the concrete and increase the moisture content at the interface. This increases the ability of the anode to deliver cathodic protection current to steel embedded in the concrete. The humectants may be applied to the concrete surface prior to application of the anode, or may be applied subsequent to installation of the anode.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises a vehicle seat belt system (14) including a buckle (20), a tongue assembly (90), and an inflatable seat belt portion (12) connected with the tongue assembly. An inflation mechanism (10) connected with the buckle (20) includes an actuatable inflator (60) and a first conduit (70) in fluid communication with the inflator. A second conduit (110) is in fluid communication with the inflatable seat belt portion (12). The first conduit (70) has a rupturable portion (82) blocking fluid flow out of the first conduit toward the second conduit (110). The first conduit (70), upon actuation of the inflator (60), moves from a first position in which the first conduit is not in fluid communication with the second conduit (110) to a second position in which the first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit.

Abstract: A fluid power assisted rack and pinion steering apparatus (10) for a vehicle includes a rack (40) connectable with steerable wheels of the vehicle, a housing (20) partially enclosing the rack (40) and defining a fluid chamber (39), a bushing (90) encircling the rack (40), a sleeve (110) supporting the rack (40) for sliding movement relative to the bushing (90), and a fluid tight seal member (70) for sealing the fluid chamber (39). The bushing (90) has opposite axial ends and is secured in the housing (20) by an interference fit between an outer surface (94) of the bushing (90) and an inner surface (26) of the housing (20). The sleeve (110) is press fit against a first recessed surface (92) in the bushing (90) of a first diameter. The sleeve (110) thereby extends between the bushing (90) and the rack (40) and engages the rack (40). The seal member (70) is located adjacent a. second recessed surface (103) in one axial end of the bushing (90).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly (10) for a vehicle comprises a housing (12) having a rack chamber (24) and a bearing chamber (35). The housing (12) has opposed slots (40, 42) opening into the bearing chamber (35). A rack (14) is movable in the rack chamber (24) in the housing (12) to effect steering movement of steerable wheels of the vehicle. A rotatable pinion (20) is in meshing engagement with the rack (14). An axle (70) located in the bearing chamber (35) in the housing (12) has opposite end portions (74, 76) located in the opposed slots (40, 42) in the housing. A bearing (60) is in engagement with the rack (14) and is supported on the axle (70) for rotation in the bearing chamber (35). A cover (90) supported on the housing (12) engages the axle (70) to hold the bearing (60) in engagement with the rack (14) and to hold the rack in engagement with the pinion (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a base (20) and a plurality of electrically conductive frets (14) connected to the base. The frets (14) have exposed portions (82) on a first surface (40) of the base (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a cover (22) and a pad (80) that is connected with a second surface (62) of the cover (22). The cover (22) is connected with the base (20) such that the second surface (62) of the cover overlies the first surface (40) of the base and the pad (80) overlies the exposed portions (82) of the frets (14). The pad (80) is compressed between the frets (14) and the cover (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14), and an actuator (10) for the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The actuator (10) includes a gas generating material (18) or both a gas generating material (18) and an autoignition material (66). The gas generating material (18), the autoignition material (66), or both the gas generating material (18) and the autoignition material (66) comprise a plasticized cyclodextrin nitrate ester. The plasticized cyclodextrin nitrate ester has an autoignition temperature in the range of about 150° C. to about 180° C. and is resistant to thermal decomposition at a temperature less than 150° C.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a gas bag having at least a first fabric layer which is made of interwoven weft threads and warp threads and which forms a wall of the gas bag. The gas bag module also includes a gas lance with openings for an inflow of a gas into the gas bag. A second fabric layer is disposed in the area of the openings and is formed by part of the weft threads of the first fabric layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a torque sensing apparatus (10) for sensing torque applied to an elongated shaft (12) having a longitudinal axis (14). An elongated magnetoelastic element (16) is connected about a portion of the shaft (12). The magnetoelastic element (16) provides a magnetic field in response to a torque (T) applied to the shaft (12). A magnetic member (28) is positioned adjacent the magnetoelastic element (16). An alternating power source (34) drives the magnetic member (28) into magnetic saturation. The magnetic member (28) has a saturation condition responsive to the magnetic field of the magnetoelastic element (16). A detector circuit (36) detects the saturation condition of the magnetic member. The detector circuit (36) provides a signal indicative of the applied torque in response to the saturation condition of the magnetic member (28).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for implantation into an adjacent pair of vertebral bodies (12 and 14) having first and second surfaces (17 and 19) that oppose each other. The apparatus (10), when implanted, is attached to the adjacent pair of vertebral bodies and stabilizes the vertebral bodies (12 and 14) while the vertebral bodies fuse together. The apparatus (10) comprises a platform (24) having a third surface (38) extending transverse to the first and second surfaces (17 and 19). The apparatus (10) further comprises at least one helical spike (50, 52) for embedding into each of the adjacent pair of vertebral bodies (12 and 14) upon rotation of the platform (24) to attach the helical spike to each of the vertebral bodies and thus fasten the vertebral bodies together. The helical spike (50, 52) projects from the platform (24) and extends around a longitudinal axis (22).

Abstract: Improved method is provided to secure a suture relative to body tissue. A suture retainer is moved along first and second sections of a suture toward the body tissue. When a predetermined minimum force is being transmitted between the suture retainer and the body tissue, the first and second sections of the suture are gripped with the suture retainer by plastically deforming material of the suture retainer. The material of the suture retainer cold flows under the influence of force applied against the surface areas on the suture retainer. One or more bends are formed in each of the sections of the suture to increase the holding action between the suture retainer and the sections of the suture. The bends may be formed by wrapping a turn of the suture around a portion of the suture retainer. During movement of the suture retainer toward the body tissue, the bends are moved along the first and second sections of the suture.

Abstract: Percutaneous tissue removal apparatus comprises a flexible drill shaft, a cutting tip mounted on the shaft for placement adjacent a tissue mass for cutting the tissue, means for transmitting motion to the shaft to move the cutting tip against the tissue to cut tissue fragments from the tissue, and means for removing the tissue fragments along the shaft by suction to a location outside the tissue mass while cutting. The apparatus may include means for collecting one or more selected components of the harvested tissue fragments for implantation of the fragments preferably into the body of the patient from whom they were removed. Where the tissue to be cut is bone, a cutting tip is preferably made of a polymeric material which is softer than the cortical portion of the bone, although the cutting tip may be made of a ceramic or a composite material. A second flexible shaft may be provided either within or about the flexible drill shaft.

Abstract: An alkaline zinc-nickel electroplating bath comprises zinc ions, nickel ions, a primary brightener which is an N-methylpyridinium compound substituted at the 3-position of the pyridine ring with a carboxylate group or a group hydrolyzable to a carboxylate group and a secondary brightener which is an aliphatic amine. An example of a preferred brightener is N-methylpyridinium-3-carboxylate or a salt thereof. A preferred polyamine is a polyethyleimine. By the present invention, a mirror bright zinc-nickel deposit can be obtained having more than 4% by weight nickel, without blistering or decomposition of the primary brightener.