Abstract: A vehicle steering column can be frictionally locked in selected positions of adjustment by a cam-operated friction disk clamping mechanism. The cam operator includes a rotary shaft having an anti-friction thrust bearing on one end and an anti-friction cam mechanism on the other end. Anti-friction elements in the bearing and cam mechanism enable the shaft to be easily operated, while permitting the friction disks to have a strong clamping action.

Abstract: Actuator having at least three coupling elements connected with stabilizers (3, 5) and coupling splines (4, 16, 17), wherein one axially movable coupling element (10) is prestressed by a spring (11) while the other coupling elements are firmly connected with said stabilizers, and a pressure chamber (12) whose internal pressure regulates the disengagement operation.

Abstract: A three-dimensional airbag for a vehicle having a main panel having a generally elongated shape. The main panel includes a pair of generally symmetric first portions extending from opposite sides of a fold line and a pair of second portions. A subpanel is secured to the main panel to form a hollow body. The first portions of the main panel are joined to each other along their edges. The edges of the second portions are secured to the edge of the subpanel to close the open front end of the hollow body to form an air bag. The air bag may further include at least one of a baffle for controlling the flow of air within the bag during inflation and a tether assembly for controlling the opening of the air bag.

Abstract: An in-line skate with a main skate frame, a skate boot, a carriage frame pivotally coupled to the main skate frame, a plurality of wheels forming a pivoting wheel group, and at least one wheel forming a fixed wheel group. A pivot axis of the carriage frame can be horizontally located anterior to a reference point that is three-tenths of the length of the open inner volume of the skate boot from the anterior end of the open inner volume, and the pivot axis could be aligned with or anterior to the anterior end of the skate boot. The pivot axis can be vertically located immediately adjacent to the skate boot sole or coincident with or distal to the sole. A pivoting mechanism can enable the carriage frame to pivot above an effective pivot axis that is physically displaced from the pivoting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a housing (12) and an inflation fluid source (34) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator (38) is connected with the housing (12) for actuating the inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry (37) for actuating the initiator (38) to actuate the inflation fluid source (34) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device (36) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) (52) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source (34). An autoignition mechanism (40) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source.

Abstract: A steering column restraining device for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a steering column mounted to a steering column support bracket. The steering column restraining device comprises a first bracket mounted to the steering column support bracket and a second bracket mounted to a floorboard of the vehicle. The first bracket and the second bracket are interconnected using a strap extending therebetween. The device thereby minimizes upward translation of the steering column during impact, which maximizes the effectiveness of the airbag and further minimizes potential injury to the driver.

Abstract: A passenger seat air bag module for supporting and deploying an air bag at a location relative to the instrument panel of a vehicle is provided, which includes a housing, an air bag sack, a gas generator for generating gas for inflating the air bag sack, and a cover element for covering a deployment opening through which the air bag sack is moved when it is deployed. To withdraw the cover element, a drive mechanism applies a pulling force to the cover element via a pulling force transmitting element. The drive mechanism includes a drive block having a plurality of paired cylinder bores and associated drive pistons and a push bar driven outwardly by the drive pistons. The outward movement of the push bar effects withdrawal of the cover element from its deployment opening covering position to its withdrawn position by the pulling force transmitting element.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus is obtained in which a pad cover can be securely supported onto a base member and the manufacturing work is also facilitated. Hook-shaped engagement protrusions or tongue shaped insertion portions are formed interchangeably on a side wall portion of a bag holder which fixes an inflator and a bag. Correspondingly, engagement openings or support walls are formed interchangeably on the mounting portion of the pad cover which unfolds when the vehicle decelerates rapidly. When both parts are fit together, the engagement protrusions are engaged with the engagement openings and the insertion portions are inserted between the support walls and the mounting portions. As a result, when the pad cover unfolds, the pad cover does not come off from the bag holder and the manufacturing work is facilitated because the support walls and the mounting portions which hold the insertion portions are formed of a resin.

Abstract: The vehicle steering column has a rake adjustment and a telescope adjustment. The adjustment mechanism includes a compression bracket with a telescope slot, a rake bracket with a rake slot and a rake bolt that passes through the telescope slot and the rake slot. A wedge lock is mounted on the rake bolt and positioned in the rake slot and the telescope slot. Rake and telescope teeth on the wedge lock are held out of engagement with a rake tooth rack and a telescope tooth rack during rake and telescope adjustment. The rake bolt is tightened to hold a selected adjustment position and the telescope teeth on the wedge lock engage the telescope tooth rack. During a collision the rake teeth on the wedge lock are moved into engagement with the rake tooth rack to fix the rake and telescope adjustments.

Abstract: An HST used for vehicle with a vehicle body, which includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor fluidly connected with the hydraulic pump, a housing accommodating the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, a hydraulic pump block supporting the hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor block separately arranged from the hydraulic pump block and supporting the hydraulic motor. The housing constitutes at least a part of the vehicle body. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are disposed along the vehicle longitudinal axis via the hydraulic pump block and the hydraulic motor block. The present invention also provides a power transmission arrangement with the HST for vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag comprising at least one inflatable portion; a connecting portion located above the inflatable portion; a mounting rod connected to the connecting portion, the mounting rod adapted to be connected to a cooperating part of a vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention, the air bag includes a plurality of inflatable portions and a center uninflatable portion. The various inflatable portions are interconnected by a manifold or central passage.

Abstract: An air belt that is smoothly passed through an anchor and is retracted directly by a retractor is provided. A belt of an air belt includes a single layer portion having a relatively small width, which is formed by a belt, a flat tubular multiple layer portion, and an intermediate portion. The width of the belt is gradually reduced from the multiple layer portion to the single layer portion. A bag is provided only in the multiple layer portion. A distal end of the bag is connected to a tongue, together with a distal end of the belt. The single layer portion is passed through a through anchor and is connected to a retractor. The retractor retracts and extends the belt. The belt is an integral body extending continuously from the single layer portion to a hardly expanding portion of the intermediate portion and the multiple layer portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the ride of a load carrying vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor, a controller, and an adjustable accumulator assembly. The sensor measures a load on a load holding hydraulic circuit. The controller is operatively connected to the adjustable accumulator assembly. The controller is capable of adjusting the precharge pressure in the accumulator in response to the load measured by the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is an after-market vehicle-lowering steering knuckle (drop spindle) designed for use with a large-bore “live” wheel hub to lower a vehicle chassis. This is accomplished through the inversion and modification of the upper and lower ball joints as compared to a factory steering knuckle, and a modification of the bolt assembly for attaching the wheel hub assembly to the spindle. The present invention allows the factory-supplied upper and lower control arms to be used, providing a considerable cost savings to the end user. The drop spindle design described herein may also be used to lower four-wheel drive trucks.

Abstract: A steering arrangement for a motor vehicle has a steering column tube which is arranged in a steering-wheel-side area in a height-adjustable manner relative to a vehicle-fixed console by way of an adjusting device. In a steering-gear-side area, the steering column tube is swivellably disposed on the vehicle-fixed console by way of a compensating bearing. The steering column tube is additionally held longitudinally adjustably by the adjusting device, and the compensating bearing is formed by a single suspension point which is eccentrically applied to the steering column tube and which defines the swivelling axis for the height adjustment of the steering column tube, and which, in the longitudinal direction of the steering column tube, has degrees of freedom for a displaceability of the steering column tube.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint assembly for a vehicle having a side impact air bag with an interwoven self-tensioning tether/lace. A side air bag is secured to the vehicle roof rail between the front and rear pillars. A tether/lace extends between and is secured to the front and rear pillars. The tether/lace is secured to the air bag and traverses a plurality of spaced-apart guides formed at discrete points along the air bag. When the side impact air bag is inflated the distance between the guides increases thereby taking up slack in the tether/lace thereby inducing tension therein. The air bag is thus held firmly in place when inflated and allows the tether/lace to be stored up through the pillars and along the roof rail in a non-deployed stored state.

Abstract: In order to limit rolling movements of the vehicle, spring arms are formed on those ends of the leaf spring, arranged transversely to the vehicle, on which the wheel carriers are articulated, said spring arms being connected in a force-transmitting manner to the transverse leaf spring. The spring arms point toward the longitudinal mid-plane of the vehicle and run at an acute angle to the transverse leaf spring. Since the spring designed in this way is a universally available structural part (the spring arms running at an angle may also be produced separately and then be connected non-positively to the transverse leaf spring), the two wheels are connected to one another directly and the triangular shape formed by the spring arms running at an angle gives rise to a function similar to that of a transverse link.

Abstract: A front sub-frame 1 structure that supports an engine E and to which suspensions are attached includes a front sub-frame main body 1a having a U-shaped configuration, when viewed from top, which has an opening directed rearward. Engine mounts 2, 2 are attached to rear portions of side parts of the front sub-frame main body 1a for supporting the engine E. A cross member 1b for connecting the side parts of the front sub-frame main body 1a at rear portions thereof is removably attached thereto from below the front sub-frame main body 1a.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning the steerable wheels (17) of a vehicle in response to the turning of the steering wheel (12). The apparatus (10) includes a drive mechanism (16), a first motor (24), a second motor (74), a sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative, and a torque sensor (80). In response to the turning of the steering wheel (12), the drive mechanism (16), is actuated, resulting in a turning the steerable wheels (17). The first motor (24), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is hydraulically powered. The second motor (74), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is electrically powered. The sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative produces an enabling signal and communicates the enabling signal to the second motor (74) to enable the operation of the second motor (74). The torque sensor (80) responds to the turning of the steering wheel (12) and controls the second motor (74) when the second motor (74) is enabled.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag, in which conduction of heat generated by combustion of a gas generating agent is restricted to effectively reduce or inhibit a temperature increase of a diffuser side on an outer shell container, is provided and thus, reduces the maximum surface temperature of the diffuser. The gas generator includes a housing which has a diffuser shell with at least one gas discharge port and a closure shell for forming an accommodating space together with the diffuser shell and the gas generating agent, installed in the housing, ignited and burnt by an igniting unit to generate a combustion gas, wherein the gas generator further includes a heat transfer restricting member for making a conduction of heat generated by a combustion of the gas generating agent to the diffuser shell side smaller than that to the closure shell side.