Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a spring and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second ends. The spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is connected to one of the first end and second ends of the flexible support member. The cable assembly includes a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end connected to the second end of the spring. The cable has a first end connected an other of the first and second ends of the flexible support member.

Abstract: Turf aerator having a crank and crank arms which present a parallelogram for supporting the aerator assembly, including the aerating tines.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly comprises a flexible plastic air bag door closing an air bag deployment opening in a hard plastic retainer. A door outer edge abuts and is mechanically locked to an inner edge of the opening. The interlock comprises a protrusion in the door outer edge, which mates with a complementary recess in the inner edge of the opening. The interlock blocks outward and inward air bag door movement. The door and retainer are made of plastics, which generally do not adhere easily to one another. Silicone may be sprayed on the door outer edge to further reduce adhesion or where plastics, which generally adhere to one another, are used. Preferably, the exterior and interior surfaces of the door and retainer lie flush with one another. The door includes a flexible hinge flange that extends from an interior door surface and attaches the door to the vehicle structure. The hinge flange allows the door to swing outward upon air bag deployment while retaining the door to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim member comprises trim panel configured to mount on a vehicle interior frame structure. The two ends of a hollow U-shaped handle integrally extend from an outer surface of the trim panel. A tubular interior cavity is disposed within and extends along the length of the handle. Cavity end walls are disposed across respective cavity ends adjacent the handle ends to Strengthen the handle. The handle and trim panel are integrally formed together as a single piece unitary member in a single operation from a single molten material. The cavity end walls may be configured to close off and seal the cavity. A panel aperture may be disposed in the trim panel between the handle ends and a panel plug disposed across the panel aperture, connected to a back surface of the panel by well known means. The cavity is formed in the handle by injecting a fluid such as nitrogen through gas injection nozzles into the molten handle material.

Abstract: A battery warmer for warming the battery set of an electrically powered vehicle is disclosed. A resistive heating battery warmer is provided that increases the temperature around the batteries during down time and during charging. The batteries maintain the warmth generated by the warmer in an insulated battery compartment even during operation at cooler temperatures. Also, during operation, warmth is restored to the battery compartment by ducting from the electric motors or by using a generator to drive a small engine to power heating coils to maintain the battery temperature.

Abstract: A lawn mower roller brush mounting and drive for a reel type lawn mower. The brush extends along the length of the roller and is rotatable and in contact with the roller for removing grass and like debris from the roller. A belt drive of automatic adjustment arrangement extends between the reel and the brush for rotating the brush. A cover completely encloses the pulleys and belt.

Abstract: A body side sill molding attachment for a motor vehicle includes a main body portion, first flange and a second flange. The first flange upwardly extends and includes a plurality of ribs adapted to frictionally engage an inboard side of a downwardly extending flange of a motor vehicle sill. The second flange longitudinally extends along an upper edge of the main body portion and includes a plurality of apertures adapted to align with a corresponding plurality of slots provided in the motor vehicle sill. Each of the apertures and associated slots are adapted to align and receive a mechanical fastener for securing an upper edge of the body side sill molding attachment to the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener which includes a sleeve having an outwardly extending flange at a first end. A bolt extends in the sleeve and is axially moveable therein. A collar has a retaining portion which is engaged with a second end of the sleeve and the collar provides an outwardly extending flange adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The retaining portion of the collar prevents removal of the bolt from the sleeve when the bolt is at least partially axially withdrawn from the sleeve toward the collar. The retaining portion thereby retains the bolt in an axially displaceable, captive relation to the sleeve.

Abstract: 1. A fuel tank (1) having a filler neck (3) closable by a filling flap (2), the volatile fuel components (5) located in free space (4) of the fuel tank (1) being able to be fed into a storage chamber (7) filled with an absorption element (6), including a vent line (8) that connects the free space (4) to the storage chamber (7) and is closable by a valve (9). The filler neck (3), on the side facing away from the fuel tank (1), has a plug fitting (10) with a valve support (11). The valve (9) includes a sealing flap (12), the sealing flap (12) and the filling flap (2) forming components of the valve support (11), each being able to pivot about a shaft (13,14), and, being acted upon by spring tension, each being able to be placed against a valve seat (15,16) in the valve support (11).

Abstract: A fluid reservoir--fuel tank arrangement comprises a fluid reservoir module (1) and a fuel tank module (3) connected to the fluid reservoir module (1) via connecting elements (25, 27, and 29) provided for connecting the two modules (1 and 3) together in juxtaposed relationship.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a motor vehicle has an opening for deployment of an air bag and a discrete air bag door that is attached to the interior trim panel for closing the opening and for being opened by an air bag when it is deployed. The door includes a retainer that hinges the door to the trim panel and a covering that includes a frangible flap at an end of the retainer that holds down an end of the door and breaks away when the air bag is deployed. An alternate interior trim panel has another discrete air bag door that includes a bracket attached to the retainer for establishing the location of the hinge line. Another alternate interior trim panel arrangement has an integrated or invisible air bag door that includes a bracket attached to the retainer for establishing the location of the hinge line in an invisible door arrangement. Another alternate interior trim panel also includes a bracket having a V-shaped channel that establishes the location of the door hinge line.

Abstract: A magnetic particle damper apparatus is provided for damping motion between two relatively movable members. The damper apparatus comprises first and second conductor members each attachable to one of the relatively movable members. The conductor members are disposed with confronting surfaces having a gap therebetween filled with a quantity of magnetic particles. A magnetic element is attached to one of the conductor members, producing magnetic flux which is substantially confined to a magnetic flux path defined by relatively magnetically permeable regions and relatively magnetically non-permeable regions of the conductor members to flow across the gap and through the magnetic particles. The magnetic field causes the magnetic particles along the flux path to adhere to one another and to the confronting surfaces of the conductor members producing a force opposing relative motion between said movable members and dissipating energy when the conductor members move relative to one another.

Abstract: A vibration-isolatator utilizes a relatively small-diameter tuning port or passage and associated reduction in component size. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, a passive isolator is provided which includes a tuning passage or port which has a diameter which is approximately one-half the diameter of the prior-art isolators. The reduced radial dimension of the tuning passage of the isolator results in a remarkable decrease in its size and weight, thus increasing the efficiency of operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: A flail-type vegetation cutter having a drum and members attached and extending longitudinally of the drum. Rods extend along the members which have openings, and shackles are pivotally mounted on the rods and extend through the openings and are confined in the openings. Flail blades are pivotally connected to the shackles and are spaced along and around the circumference of the drum.

Abstract: A direct drive servo valve including a motor having a shaft terminating in an engagement member. The engagement member is received within an opening defined by an engineering plastic material which is coupled to a valve member. The valve member is caused to reciprocate by rotation of the shaft of the motor to control the flow of fluid underpressure from a source thereof to output ports which are in turned coupled to a load.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007" and 0.040" are formed from melt extruded thermoplastic material formed of blended and melt extruded thermoplastic and pigment.

Abstract: A cover assembly for concealing an automotive vehicle air bag restraint assembly with an air bag, an air bag housing and a gas generator located in the housing for supplying gas to the air bag in response to vehicle impact. The cover assembly includes an inner retainer panel secured between the air bag and a vehicle passenger compartment. An air bag door is mounted within an opening in the retainer panel. A hinge connects the door to the retainer panel and allows the door to swing open under the force of an inflating air bag. A foam layer is sandwiched between an outer skin and the retainer panel and extends across both the retainer panel and the air bag door. A weakened tear-seam is formed in an outer surface of the outer skin and runs parallel to and adjacent an edge of the door opposite the hinge. A rigid applique is supported in a layered disposition over the outer skin to conceal the weakened tear-seam from passenger compartment occupants.

Abstract: An air bag occupant restraint system (10) for a vehicle comprises an inflatable cushion (14) adapted to inflate in the event of a vehicle collision. A gas generating device (16) in communication with the cushion (14) inflates the cushion. The cushion (14) includes a transparent portion (18) disposed on at least a portion of the interior of the windshield (12) when in the collapsed state. With this arrangement, the transparent portion (18) can inflate to inhibit the occupant from colliding with the windshield (12) and other objects adjacent to the windshield in the event of a collision. Similarly, the inventive method for cushioning a vehicle occupant in the event of collision comprises the following steps. First, dispose an inflatable cushion (14) over the windshield (12) of the vehicle when the cushion is in an uninflated state. Next, communicate the cushion (14) with a gas generating device (16) adapted to inflate the cushion in the event of a collision. Then, sense when a collision occurs.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the operating status of one or more pumps, particularly gear pumps, whereby system parameters are determined by a corresponding measuring device. The system parameters are subsequently processed in a local evaluation unit into characteristic numbers. Finally at least some of the characteristic numbers determined in the local evaluation unit are transmitted from the pump and/or the local evaluation unit to the central evaluation unit. Based on the characteristic numbers, the operating status of the pump is determined and if necessary, an appropriate action is triggered.