Abstract: An articulating between two linking parts, said articulation comprising a hinge yoke provided with two non-parallel shafts each defining an axis of rotation and carried by each of the two linking parts respectively, with elastic hinge rings inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the axis of rotation of the associated shaft. The invention is characterized in that the hinge yoke is provided with at least one bore for passage of a first shaft with at least an elastic hinge ring inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the first shaft axis of rotation (the “first axis of rotation”), such that the relative allowable angular displacement between the linking parts about the first axis of rotation results from the sum of the allowable angular displacement of the linking part relative to the first shaft and the allowable angular displacement of the first shaft relative to the hinge yoke.

Abstract: In a head-protecting airbag apparatus where an airbag body inflated in a curtain configuration is mounted in a folded state along a roof side rail across at least a center pillar, the airbag body includes an upper portion folded in a bellows, and a lower portion subjected to one of turning-back performed toward an occupant compartment inner side and rolling-up performed towards the occupant compartment inner side. Accordingly, even when there is a vehicle occupant compartment inner side protrusion such as a slip joint in a vehicle, the airbag body is inflated and expanded so as to cover the vehicle occupant compartment inner side protrusion from the above or ride on the same. As a result, the lower portion of the airbag body is hard to be caught up by the vehicle occupant compartment inner side protrusion, thereby improving a expanding performance of the airbag body.

Abstract: A bracket for preventing deflection of a wheel under a side sill of a motor vehicle during an offset collision. The bracket includes a substantially vertical plate attached to a forward portion of the side sill of the motor vehicle. The vertical plate extends below a bottom edge of the side sill. A brace is connected between the side sill and the plate.

Abstract: An air bag (22) having: an inflatable cushion portion (30) and a neck portion (32) in communication therewith, the neck portion defines a receiving opening to receive inflation gas, received from an inflator, to inflate the cushion portion (30). The air bag is made from flexible material and a retainer member(s) (70a,b; 100) and is preferably sewn to at least a part of the neck portion to reinforce the neck portion and to reduce the flexibility of the neck portion. The invention further includes an air bag module that utilizes the above air bag. The module includes a housing and an inflator. The housing has grooves (50a,b) for receiving a first edge of a retainer member and further includes a holding member (41a,b) formed as part of a wall of the housing (24) and which is bent or crimped over to hold a second edge of the retainer member.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (16) of a vehicle (14) comprises a first steering column part (70) and a second steering column part (80). The first steering column part (70) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for telescopic movement along an axis (28) between a plurality of different positions relative to the second steering column part (80). A locking mechanism (10) is interposed between the first steering column part (70) and the second steering column part (80) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of positions. The locking mechanism (10) comprises a fluid (100) having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The locking mechanism (10) also includes means (108) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (100) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (70) relative to the second steering column part (80).

Abstract: An automotive trim panel is disclosed having an airbag door and at least one duct. The trim panel comprises a first retainer, having an aperture for deployment of an airbag, and a second retainer having an airbag door. When the first retainer and the second retainer are assembled, the airbag door of the second retainer is received in the aperture of the first retainer. Furthermore, at least one duct is formed when the first retainer and the second retainer are assembled.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for steering angular deflections carried out on a vehicle's/carriage's pivoted steering travelling wheels (10a, 12a; 10b, 12b) positioned in a row at each side of the carriage (16). During turning, the mechanism allots to each of the pivoted, steerable travelling wheels (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) a correct deflection differing from that of each of the other steerable wheels (parallelism may occur between pivoted, steerable wheels (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) upon 90° turns). Each steerable wheel is assigned an upright shaft for turning around the axis thereof, the shaft carrying at least one non-circular motion-transferring disc (22a, 22b, 24a′, 24b′) which, according to the invention, have elliptical circumferential shape and have the form of chain wheels/belt pulleys, identical in pairs. The elliptical chain wheels/belt pulleys (22a, 22b, 24a′, 24b′) are motion-transferringly interconnected by endless drivable chains/belts (26, 28, 30).

Abstract: A steering wheel is proposed which includes a steering wheel skeleton consisting of a hub, spokes and a steering wheel rim, and an airbag module housed therein, which for actuation of the horn is displaceable against a return force parallel to the steering wheel axis. The steering wheel has at least two upwardly open fork-like support sites (2) having locating holes (3) extending approximately perpendicularly to the steering wheel axis. The fork-like support sites (2) are embodied in the steering wheel skeleton (1). Downwardly angled mounting shackles (7) have elongated holes (8) extending in the direction of the steering wheel axis are embodied on or attached to a generator support (5) of the airbag module (6) in a way corresponding with the support sites (2). The airbag module (6) is joined to the steering wheel skeleton (1) by retaining pins (4) inserted in the locating holes (3) and through the elongated holes (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing the danger of injury to the foot and leg areas of a person sitting on a seat arranged inside a vehicle in the case of an accident related deformation of the footwell. The footwell is lined with a floor covering (19) which is made of an acoustic dampening layer (22) and a carpet (23) which is laid thereon. The device compromises a foot cushion (24) assigned to the footwell. At least one gas generator (20) assigned to the foot cushion suddenly feeds gas into said cushion upon a triggering signal, whereby the foot cushion (24) momentarily fills out the relevant footwell with given dimensions before the front wall intrudes into the vehicle passenger compartment. According to the invention, the foot cushion (24) is constructed between the acoustic dampening layer (22) and the carpet (23) of the floor covering (19), whereby the gas is guided from the gas generator (10) and into the space between the acoustic dampening layer (22) and the carpet (23).

Abstract: A lock mechanism (32) is constituted by a slide plate (36) with a slot (37) and a notched groove (39), and a lock pin (41) which is provided on the side of a console (24). Through the slot (37), the slide plate (36) is slidably supported on a couple of support projections (34) which are provided on the side of an operator's seat (7). By engaging the notched groove (39) with the lock pin (41), the console (24) is locked in an operating position. When an entrance gating lever (29) is manipulated by an operator, the slide plate (36) is pulled by a push-pull cable (43) to slide in a rearward direction against the action of a tension spring (42). Whereupon, the notched groove (39) is disengaged from the lock pin (41), and the console (24) is swung back into an upturned position by the action of a gas spring (28).

Abstract: A gas bag side impact protection device for vehicle occupants comprises a compressed gas source and an inflatable gas bag. The gas bag has a first chamber inflatable at the side of the thorax of an occupant and a second inflatable chamber. The second chamber is inflatable at the side of the pelvis of the occupant and the chambers are able to be filled by the compressed gas source in such a way that they have different internal pressures in the filled state.

Abstract: A harness to interconnect an operator with a baby stroller for hands-free propulsion and control of the stroller provides two similar spaced connecting arms each having vehicle connectors at first ends to releasably attach to a stroller and rod caps at second ends to releasably attach to belt connectors carried by a belt releasably positionable about the operator's waist. The vehicle connectors are releasably fastenable in spaced positions about either horizontal or vertical structural elements of the baby stroller. The belt connectors are fixedly attached in spaced relationship to the belt. The joinder of the connecting arms to the vehicle connectors at the first ends may be articulating for motion primarily in a vertical plane to accommodate operator motion while maintaining steerage control for the stroller and the belt connectors may accommodate operator motion by resilient deformation or loose positioning of the belt about the operator.

Abstract: A right hand drive steering column assembly is provided for implementation in vehicles which have been primarily designed for left hand side steering markets. As such, the engine or other vehicle components may not allow clearance for a standard steering column assembly. Therefore, the steering column assembly of the present invention provides a first steering shaft which is rotatably movable by a vehicle operator. A second steering shaft is provided which is adapted to transfer rotational motion to further steering components, thus providing steering for the vehicle. The first and second steering shafts are connected by a coupling device which transfers rotational motion of the first steering shaft to the second steering shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle hood apparatus includes a hood holding mechanism which, when a vehicle collides with an obstacle, lifts up by a predetermined amount the rear end portion of a hood and holds the position of the lifted-up rear end portion. The hood holding mechanism includes a bendable link which bends or stretches according to the up or down movement of the hood, and an auxiliary link which prevents the bendable link from moving toward the rear of the vehicle. The auxiliary link mechanism restricts the movement of the bendable link toward the rear of the vehicle, thereby preventing the hood from being deformed and moving toward the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A shock absorbing steering apparatus comprises a steering upper shaft fitted with a steering wheel, provided with a collapsible mechanism, a steering column for rotatably supporting the steering upper shaft therein, a first column bracket formed on the side of a front side end of the steering column and used for fixing a front portion of the steering column to a car body structural member, a second column bracket, formed on the side of a rear side end of the steering column and used for fixing a rear portion of the steering column to the car body structural member. A collapsible mechanism is provided, between the first and second column brackets, in the steering column and operating with the collapsing motion of the steering upper shaft.

Abstract: A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure and a movable piston disposed in the housing. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a gas generator operatively connected to the housing for expelling a gas to move the piston. The piston includes a passageway extending therethrough to control a rate of stroke of the piston when the gas is generated to apply a force for pulling-down belt webbing of the seat restraint system.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) is inflatable away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14) comprises overlying panels (40 and 42) that define an inflatable volume, and first and second connections (60 and 62) that interconnect the overlying panels. The first connection (60) has a first midpoint (70) and first and second portions (72 and 74) that extend from the first midpoint toward a first end portion (76) of the protection device (14). An angle (A) is formed between the first and second portions (72 and 74).

Abstract: A beyond 2000 frame design that corrects faults in road bicycles by creating a lightweight bicycle with rigid cranks and a resilient saddle. An improbable mix brought about by attaching the seat stays to the upper slope of the down tube thus enclosing the bottom bracket in a rigid triangulated box that eliminates stays to the top of the frame in a direct line of shock to the base of the spine. Resulting in this rigid yet resilient, (no hands accurate) safe bicycle that climbs effortlessly and descends as if on rails.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle steering wheel (12) having a hub portion (54) that includes an axially extending inner sleeve (80) having a circumferentially spaced plurality of openings (86). A vehicle steering shaft (14) has an end portion (120) that includes a circumferentially extending arcuate groove (124). A plurality of bearing elements (110) are at least partially disposed in the openings (86) in the inner sleeve (80). The bearing elements (110) are movable in a radial direction within the openings (86) between a disconnected condition and a connected condition. The disconnected condition permits relative axial movement between the steering wheel (12) and the steering shaft (14). The connected condition blocks relative axial movement between the steering wheel (12) and the steering shaft (14). An axially movable collar (130) is engageable with the bearing elements (110) to move the bearing elements in the radial direction from the disconnected condition to the connected condition.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for use with a vehicle, where the hitch assembly incorporates a tow loop adapted to be easily coupled to a claw, hook or other like implement of a towing chain or alternatively to a towing strap or rope. The hitch assembly comprises a receiver and a hitch member. The hitch member includes a base portion which slides into the receiver such that only a tow loop of the hitch member is exposed. When not needed, the hitch member can be easily removed from the receiver and a different hitch implement attached to the receiver.