Abstract: A child's car seat insert is for preventing slouching of a child adapted to be placed on the insert in a car seat in a travel position. The insert includes a bed portion having a top surface for receiving the child and for engaging at least the back of the child. The insert also includes a support for supporting the child on the top surface and for minimizing slouching of the child in the car seat. The insert also includes a pocket located in the bed portion for releasably receiving the support.

Abstract: A vehicular restraint system comprises an inflatable gas bag defining an internal volume and a gas generator with a pyrotechnic propellant charge for generating gas upon inflation of the gas bag. The propellant charge is made up of a mass of a pyrotechnic material. The mass of the pyrotechnic material may include a binding agent conglomerating the mass into a rigid shaped body, such body having a surface exposed to the internal volume of the gas bag, or the mass is filled into a flexible envelope, which envelope has a surface exposed to the internal volume of the gas bag. Preferably, the mass has a ductile texture, enabling it to be kneaded.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14), when inflated, has an upper edge (50) positioned adjacent the roof (18) and a lower edge (52) spaced from the roof. The protection device (14) also includes a guide (72, 74) and a flexible elongated member (70, 80) that extends through the guide and is slidable through the guide when the protection device is inflated. The member (70, 80) has two leg portions (110, 112) extending from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) to the protection device (14) when the protection device is inflated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical connector for detachably connecting a circuit board to a backplane. The inventive connector comprises at least one plug (10A) and at least one socket (10B) for receiving the plug (10A), whereby the socket (10B) comprises an outer housing (12) and an inner housing (13). Said inner housing (13) is mounted in the outer housing (12) such that it can be displaced in the direction of plug insertion, and a locking means (25,26) prevents the inner housing from being displaced inside the outer housing (12). In addition, unlocking means (20) are assigned to the plug (10A) which unlock the first locking means (25,26) when the plug (10A) is completely inserted into the socket (10B). Second locking means (20,21,23,24) are assigned to the plug (10A) which interlock said plug (10A) and socket (10B) when the plug (10A) is completely inserted. The aim of the invention is to obtain a compact construction and to increase the versatility of the plug system.

Abstract: An impact protection device for arrangement in a steering wheel of a truck vehicle is provided. The steering wheel has a rim that is located in a plane inclined at an angle of less than 45° to a horizontal plane. The device has an inflatable gas bag mounted in a folded condition and an inflator activatable as a function of vehicle deceleration. The gas bag, in an inflated condition, has the shape of a mushroom with an annular outer edge portion engaging about and behind said steering wheel rim.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (10) comprises an inflatable device (40) having a stored deflated position in which the inflatable device is located adjacent an instrument panel (14) in the vehicle. An inflator (70) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (40). The inflatable device (40), when inflated, engages a lower extremity (18) of the occupant. An actuator (80) moves the inflatable device (40) rearwardly in the vehicle (10) to move a foot (20) associated with the lower extremity (18) of the occupant rearwardly in the vehicle.

Abstract: A receiver/controller unit (14) of a remote convenience system (10) receives an electromagnetic signal (18). The signal (18) is comprised of a plurality of pulses that convey a remote convenience function request. In response to the receipt of the signal (18), the receiver/controller unit (14) causes performance of the requested function. The receiver/controller unit (14) has a comparator (82). A first input of the comparator (82) is connected to receive an electrical signal (78) with an electrical characteristic that varies to convey the remote convenience function request. A second input of the comparator (82) is connected to receive a signal 86 that has a threshold electrical characteristic value. Preferably, the electrical characteristic is voltage amplitude. An output of the comparator (82) provides a signal indicative of the occurrence of the electrical characteristic of the electrical signal (78) exceeding the threshold value, and that conveys the remote convenience function request.

Abstract: A gas bag cover for a vehicle occupant restraint system has an inner side facing a gas bag to be covered and a wall thickness. The gas bag cover comprises at least one burst line being grooved into the cover from the inner side up to a predefined remaining wall thickness. The burst line comprises an initial point at which the remaining wall thickness has its minimum. The gas bag cover further comprises reinforcement ribs formed on the inner side of the cover, extending along a line which is tangent to the initial point of the burst line.

Abstract: Surgical devices such as implants or suture fastenings are assembled from a plurality of discrete components, one of which components includes a heat bondable plastic material for bonding the components together. At least two components are bonded to each other by the applying heat to the heat bondable plastic material of one component. The heat bondable plastic material is preferably a polymeric or composite material suitable for surgical applications and implantation in humans, and may be a biodegradable material. A laser may be used as the heat source. The present invention is advantageously embodied in heat bonded fastenings for sutures or K-wires, in which a variety of different suture anchors are usable, including expandable distal suture anchors.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for inserting into and covering an opening (22) of an instrument panel (12) comprises an air bag module (14). The air bag module (14) has an air bag (50), which is inflatable through the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12) for protecting a vehicle occupant during a crash condition. The apparatus (10) further comprises a door (16) for covering the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12). The door (16) is attached to the air bag module (14) and is movable relative to the air bag module (14) to locate the door (16) relative to the instrument panel (12). The door (16) and the instrument panel (12) have respective interlocking portions (34 and 90), which snap together to attach the door (16) to the instrument panel (12). The interlocking portions (34 and 90) snap together when the air bag module (14) is inserted into the opening (22) in the instrument panel (22) and the door (16) is moved relative to the air bag module (14) into a position to cover the opening (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method for detecting an intrusion into an area (e.g., 14) are provided. The apparatus (10) has a transmitter (30) for transmitting a signal within the area. The apparatus (10) also has a receiver (32) for receiving reflected return signals of the transmitted signal and for generating an output signal indicative of the reflected return signals received. The apparatus (10) also includes a controller (36) for analyzing the output signal. The controller includes a processor (43) for running an algorithm that simulates performance of a capacitor, which charges and discharges in response to an output signal, by increasing a virtual capacitor value when the output signal is greater than a threshold and by decreasing the virtual capacitor value when the output signal is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A system comprises a digitizer which includes a position indicator and a coordinate detecting device in the form of a tablet and has a selection/indication area within its coordinate detecting surface to select/indicate data processing functions, a display device, and a computer which controls the digitizer and the display device, wherein the data processing functions are selected/indicated by using the position indicator to perform an image processing. In the system, the coordinate detecting device comprises an indication part which is located within the selection/indication area of the coordinate detecting surface of the coordinate detecting device and makes it possible the status of selections/indications of the data processing functions to be visually observed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for opening and closing containers having flexible walls and containing a liquid or semi-liquid product, preferably foodstuff such as e.g. ketchup, mustard, dressing, mayonnaise or similar. The container (1) comprises an inner coupling member (4) which is located on the inner side of a sealed or closed portion of the flexible walls (2). A tube member (12) includes a hole-making and coupling member (13) which is pressed through the closed portion of the flexible walls (2) and connected to the inner coupling member (4). The tube member (12) further includes a sealable member (14) which is adapted to be sealed or closed by means of a sealing or closing means (16) such that a container (1) opened by the tube member (12) can be closed again. The sealing or closing means (16) is connected with the tube member (12) or with a member (17) associated therewith.

Abstract: A pipe insulation jacket comprises two jacket members that can be joined to form a hollow cylinder. Both jacket members are made of a dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material. Both jacket members are provided with an elastic coating layer extending over the inner surface and over one of the radially extending end faces of the jacket members. The outer surfaces of the two jacket members are covered by a common tape linking the jacket members at one side in such a way that they can be spread apart at the other to such an extent that the insulation jacket can be radially moved onto the pipe to be insulated. The tape extends over the jacket member at the side where the two jacket members are spread apart, and its inner side is provided with an adhesive layer to interconnect the two jacket members once the pipe is enclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a headrest assembly for supporting the head of a child comprising a cradle mounted in a support base. The cradle may be pivotally mounted within the support base with spring loaded joints. The cradle has a first contoured section for receiving the neck of the child, and a second curved section with curved sidewalls extending therefrom and for receiving the head of the child. The assembly may also comprise a shoulder and upper back support assembly which is comprised of a soft compressible material which is contoured and shaped to provide comfort and upper back support to a child.

Abstract: A device for simulating a flame comprises: a housing 12; an elongate flame-shaped piece of collapsible material 14; a lamp 16 for illuminating the piece of material 14; a fan 18 for circulating air in the housing along a predetermined cyclic path in the housing; and an inner housing 20 for mounting a first end portion 22 of the piece of material 14 in said housing such that, in use, the piece of material 14 is supported by said circulating air along the path and a second end portion 24 of the piece of material is free to move in the circulating air.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for use in a vehicle suspension (10) comprises an anti-roll bar (28) having opposite first and second end portions (30 and 32). An intermediate portion (34) is interposed between the first and second end portions (30 and 32) and is subjected to torsional forces when the first and second end portions (30 and 32) move relative to one another. The apparatus (12) further comprises an actuator (48) for attaching at least one of the first and second end portions (30 and 32) to a part of the vehicle suspension (10). The actuator (48) comprises a cylinder (52) for retaining fluid (54) and a piston assembly (56) for dividing the cylinder into two chambers (81 and 83). The piston assembly (56) is movable axially within the cylinder (52). The piston assembly (56) includes structure forming orifices (144) for interconnecting the two chambers (81 and 83) of the cylinder (52).

Abstract: A side impact protection system for vehicles comprises an inflatable gas bag (10) which has a wall made of a material being impermeable to gas, and a gas source (3) for inflating the gas bag. For reducing peak loads upon diving of the occupant into the inflated gas bag there are provided several burst chambers (12, 14, 16) separated in their contour shape from the inflatable volume of the gas bag (10) by retaining means (18). The retaining means (18) of the burst chambers (12, 14, 16) are dimensioned as regards their strength such that the burst chambers (12, 14, 16) is opened towards the inflatable volume of the gas bag (10) once a predetermined value of the gas bag internal pressure, which is lower than the filling pressure of the filling gases provided by the gas source (3), has been attained.