Abstract: A ball joint (10) for interconnection between relatively movable parts (12, 14/16) includes a ball stud (70) having a central ball portion (24) and a pair of stud portions (40, 42) extending in diametrically opposite directions from the central ball portion. The stud portions (40, 42) and the central ball portion (24) have a central passage (54) extending axially through the stud portions and the central ball portion. A fastener (260) extends through the central passage (54) for attaching the ball stud (20) to the movable parts (12, 14/16). A housing (60) encloses the central ball portion (24) and has opposite openings (74, 88) through which the respective stud portions (40, 42) extend. First and second bearings (100 and 130) for the central ball portion (24) support the central ball portion in the housing (60) for movement relative to the housing. First and second seals (170 and 200) close the opposite openings (74, 88) in the housing (60).

Abstract: A restraining system for vehicle occupants, the vehicle occupant moving forwardly in case of a head-on impact and, subsequently, rebounds and moves backwardly, comprises a vehicle seat with a seat area and a squab, each of the seat area and the squab being slanted at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The restraining system further includes a restraining belt, a belt buckle anchored to the vehicle seat by which the restraining belt is coupled with the vehicle seat so that tension load exerted by the forward movement of the occupant to the restraining belt is transferred to the vehicle seat via the belt buckle in a restraining situation, and a setting device. The setting device is adapted to convert the tension load into a displacing movement of at least a portion of at least one of the seat area and the squab to amend its angle of slant.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10, 10a) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold. The apparatus (10, 10a) includes a reaction canister (14, 14a), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) located in the reaction canister, and an inflator (18, 18a) for supplying inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device. The reaction canister (14, 14a) has a main body portion (20), a first end wall (24) and a second end wall (26, 26a) opposing the first end wall. The first and second end walls (24, 26, and 26a) are fixed to the main body portion (20) and define a chamber (40). The first end wall (24) has an inner surface (46) and an outer surface (48). A first opening (52) having a first diameter is formed in the first end wall. The inflator (18, 18a) has a cylindrical body portion (82, 82a) having a first end (86) and a second end (90, 90a) opposite the first end.

Abstract: A suture anchor inserter assembly includes a manually engageable handle and a shaft which extends axially outward from the handle. The shaft includes an inner member which is fixedly connected with the handle and an outer member which is retractable into the handle. An anchor is received in a chamber formed at the outer end of the shaft. A suture extends through a passage in the shaft, a passage in the handle and along an outer side of the shaft. The suture is tensioned to press the anchor into the chamber in the handle. A retainer assembly is manually operable to release the outer member for axial movement relative to the inner member. The handle advantageously has a triangular cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A seal assembly (10) includes a relatively rigid seal holder (12) and a relatively soft O-ring seal member (14). The seal member (14) is disposed in an annular groove (16) in the seal holder (12). A plurality of ribs (70) are disposed between the seal member (14) and the bottom (76) of the annular groove (16) in the seal holder (14) to retard rotation of the seal member (14) relative to the seal holder (12). In one embodiment of the invention, the ribs (70) are integrally formed as one piece with the seal holder (12) and engage an outer side surface (72) of the seal member (14). In another embodiment of the invention, the ribs (70) are integrally formed as one piece with the seal member (14a) and engage a smooth arcuate bottom of an annular groove in a seal holder. In another embodiment of the invention, both the seal holder (12) and the seal member (14a) are provided with ribs (70 and 70a).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes an inflatable device or air bag (30) and a diverter flap (100) for controlling inflation of the air bag. The air bag (30) has a first section (50) which is engageable with a vehicle windshield (18) and a second section (80) for engagement by the vehicle occupant. When the air bag (30) is in the folded condition, the flap (100) extends across a passage (92) into the second section (80) of the air bag. The flap (100) initially blocks flow of inflation fluid into the passage (92) and diverts the inflation fluid into the folded first section (50) of the air bag (30). Inflation of the second section (80) of the air bag (30) is delayed until the first section (50) of the air bag is at least partially inflated.