Abstract: The invention comprises a bearing structure for the bodywork of a passenger car wherein front suspension strut mounts are arranged above front longitudinal bearers running down both sides of the vehicle body and are supported by vertical connecting members thereon. A hollow section bearer, acting as a suspension strut bearer, connects the suspension strut mount to a joining element (node) at the middle region of the forward doorpost. According to the invention, the suspension strut bearer is curved such that it will buckle due to a reduction in the radius of curvature in the event of a head-on collision. The buckling action of the suspension strut bearer reduces the force acting on the doorpost, thereby counteracting any possible stressing of the vehicle door. In a further embodiment of the invention, slots and/or notched grooves are provided in the side walls of hollow section bearer to promote the buckling process.

Abstract: A seat adjustment latch, selectable at two different force levels, is attached to a slide adjustable seat in a motor vehicle equipped with a seat belt assembly, an inflatable air bag, and a knee restraint. The seat adjustment latch is interlocked with the seat belt assembly of the seat such that when the seat belt is unfastened, the seat adjustment latch is set to release the vehicle seat in the event of a rapid deceleration or impact to the vehicle above a predetermined level of severity. When the seat belt is fastened, the seat latch is set in its firmest possible retention setting and operates such that the inertia and kinetic energy forces of the seat and the occupant seated thereon will not move the seat forward in response to a severe frontal collision. In a preferred embodiment, the seat adjustment latch includes a shearing element configured as a tubular bolt for retaining the slide adjustable vehicle seat to the seat rails.

Abstract: A multi-stage, batch or continuous, manual or automated process and apparatus for safely depressurizing, de-capping (decrimping plus pulling caps), and recycling aerosol cans, propellants, solvents, chemicals, dip tubes, and can tops. The apparatus includes a synchronized sorting and loading unit for guiding the cans onto an advancing line. The cans are first depressurized by a vacuum head unit comprising a vacuum seal and a reciprocable hollow needle which punctures the can recessed top cap and removes the propellants by suction for later reuse or disposal. The cans are advanced to a decapping unit where the cap member is removed by decrimping to crack the seal followed by being vertically pulled off without damage to the can's rolled lip.

Abstract: A universal modular vehicle organizer assembly particularly useful for car trunks and van backs to retain in an organized fashion sales literature, catalogs, samples and parts for use by sales and repair people. The system comprises at least one trough-like angular shelf member supported on at least a pair of upstanding end walls and having sheet dividers with tabs that interlock in slots provided in the trough walls. The end walls have hand holds for ease in removing the unit from the vehicle trunk. Lips provided along the leading edge and back edge of the trough, and at the upper edge of the side walls engagingly retain special auxiliary boxes which are generally rectangular in shape with a higher rear wall that has the same vertical dimension as from the bottom of the trough organizer to the underside of the lip. The auxiliary boxes may have hand holds in their short end walls and one in the back wall which is aligned with the hand hold in the side support wall of the trough member.