Abstract: A plate- or shell-like plastic trim panel is provided with a convex structure configured such that, in the event of a horizontal compressive load running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the trim panel undergoes a controlled elastic and/or plastic deformation in the direction of the adjoining free space. This arrangement avoids risking injury to legs of a vehicle occupant resulting from uncontrolled bending or breaking of flat trim panels without such convex structure.

Abstract: An attachment device for securing a gas bag module to a vehicle part is provided. The gas bag module has a housing with at least one receiving opening in the housing. The attached device includes at least one nut which is received in the receiving opening. The nut is fixed to the housing so as to be non-rotatable but substantially linearly displaceable with respect to the housing so that a guide for the housing is formed. The gas bag module further includes at least one bolt screwed into the nut for attaching the gas bag module to the vehicle part. The bolt, in cooperation with the nut and the opening, serves for connecting the gas bag module to the vehicle part.

Abstract: A pressure vessel (10) containing fluid (18) under pressure has a first part (38) which is formed of aluminum. An igniter housing (110) comprises a tubular part (112) with a reputable end wall (122) subjected to the pressure of the fluid (18). The tubular part (112) contains an igniter (40) which, when actuated, ruptures the end wall (122). The igniter housing (110) is formed of steel, and is fixed to the first part (38) of the pressure vessel (10) by a friction weld (150). The friction weld (150) blocks the fluid (18) from leaking outward from between the igniter housing (110) and the first part (38) of the pressure vessel (10).

Abstract: A front suspension and steering mount cradle is disclosed for front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive motor vehicles which provides improved component packaging, noise isolation, and heat shielding. The cradle includes laterally spaced apart supporting end arches integrally joined by a transversely extending inverted U-section saddle, wherein each arch is defined by an upper section terminating in downwardly diverging front and rear legs. Each front leg ends in a pivot pin fitting for connection to a suspension arm front pivot bushing while each rear leg terminates in a footpad housing connection for a rear bushing fitted on a rearward extending stem of each arm. Each cradle forward leg provides a pedestal bracket for supporting a frame front isolator assembly while each rear footpad supports a frame rear isolator assembly. A pair of upstanding engine mounting flanges on the saddle bight wall insure exact powertrain orientation.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a seat belt includes a piston/cylinder unit. The tube of the unit has a wall which is flattened in the region of its fastening end to form a fastening flange. The fastening end is engagable by a fastener for attaching said belt tensioner to the vehicle or the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A side impact air bag module assembly for restraining a side impact air bag to a vehicle seat frame which provides a visible cover on the outside of the seat and allows the seat cavity to be only as large as the module's reaction housing. The housing encloses an inflator with a retainer configured to fasten the air bag, inflator, and housing to the seat back frame.

Abstract: By this invention is provided an apparatus and method of improving the ride and handling characteristics of the tractor unit of a tractor trailer rig which is used to haul loads over highways. The apparatus provides an air bellows located above the springs behind the axle of the wheels and in front of the rear shackle of the springs and is designed to apply an adjustable, governed force above the springs in the plane defined by the center line of the tractor frame and the longitudinal axis of the spring.

Abstract: A gas bag lateral impact protective device for vehicle occupants is provided. The gas bag lateral impact protective device is integrated in a vehicle door and includes a compressed gas source and a head protecting gas bag which is to be inflated by the compressed gas source and which deploys on inflation in a space to the side of the vehicle door. The head protecting gas bag is connected with the vehicle door by a peripheral portion of an inflation opening and in addition by an attachment part which, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is spaced from the inflation opening.

Abstract: An aluminum axle journal or wheel mount comprises an aluminum body to which a bearing unit is secured. A steel pivot is inserted into the aluminum body which supports the wheel bearing unit and which is braced against the aluminum body. The aluminum body can be either cast or forged and after it has been produced is designed with a dimensionally accurate opening that serves to receive the steel pivot. After pressing in the steel pivot, a wheel bearing unit is fitted onto the steel pivot and secured against axial shifting using a suitable attachment, preferably a necked-down bolt.

Abstract: A cart designed to carry small to intermediate volumes of products, to be easier to maneuver than existing, full-scale shopping carts, to consume less space, both during use and when in a storage configuration, and, due to convenience and ease of use, to encourage use by customers who would otherwise avoid using any shopping cart at all. The cart provides upper and lower baskets which, as coordinated through linkage rods, move in concert between a lowered, useable configuration and a raised, storage configuration.

Abstract: An articulated two-section snowboard has a first and second section joined together for twisting and oscillation. Each section has an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer portion and an inner portion. A flexible connector joins the inner portions of the first and second sections and a pair of bindings for securing the feet of a user to the upper surface of the first and second sections.

Abstract: A protective D-ring cover for a seat belt anchor for use in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle, the seat belt anchor including an anchor bolt secured to an upper portion of a structural pillar on a lateral side of the passenger compartment and a D-ring seat belt support carried by the anchor bolt as part of a three-point attachment to the body structure of the vehicle passenger compartment, the cover including a housing, first and second concentric structural circular ribs within the housing, a first pair of radial ribs between the circular ribs and a second pair of radial ribs between the outermost circular rib and the housing, the ribs being strategically located to absorb high energy impact forces that are offset relative to the anchor bolt.

Abstract: An improved vehicle chassis for motor homes and busses is provided. According to the invention, the chassis has a front frame chassis subcomponent, a rear chassis subcomponent and a center floor rail system. Each subcomponent has contained within it the appropriate subcomponents associated with the chassis; the front subcomponent, for example, has a suspension unit and steering apparatus while the rear subcomponent has transmission, motor and suspension.The front and rear frame chassis subcomponents have longitudinally extending frame rails which connect to one another via a plurality of longitudinally extending floor rails and perpendicular steel plates found in the center floor rail system.The inventive device integrates the chassis and superstructure. Incorporating the superstructure into the chassis lowers vehicle height, and therefore, the center of gravity. This results in better handling and ride characteristics for the finished vehicle.

Abstract: A cradle assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a pair of spaced side frame members, a front cross frame member and a rear cross frame member. The front cross frame member is connected with front ends of the side frame members. The rear cross frame member extends between rear ends of the side frame members. The frame members are formed from tubular metal blanks by a hydroforming process in which each blank has fluid pressure provided internally thereto and thereby radially expanded so that the frame members have a peripheral configuration modified with respect to an original peripheral configuration of the associated blanks.

Abstract: A portable air bag device that can be connected to a vehicle, for example to an existing restraint belt system of the vehicle. The portable air bag device includes an enclosure containing a gas pressure container, controllable release valve and control/sensor for activating the device during rapid deceleration.

Abstract: A seat structure having a side impact air bag apparatus, constructed such that the air bag apparatus, which is integrated into a side portion of a seat back which side portion opposes a vehicle door, is activated at the time of a side impact such that a sewn portion of a seat surface layer, which is formed by sewing a front seat surface layer for covering the front of the seat back to a side seat surface layer for covering the side of the seat back, breaks and an air bag body inflates between a side portion of a vehicle body and the side of a vehicle occupant, comprising a sheet member provided inside the side seat surface layer integrally with the side seat surface layer, the sheet member being harder to stretch than the side seat surface layer, and one end of the sheet member being sewn to the sewn portion; and a fixing member provided inside the seat back, the fixing member being engaged with another end of the sheet member which is provided on the opposite side of the one end of the sheet member.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a deflection fitting of a vehicle safety belt system includes a rail provided with catch openings, and a slider mounted displaceably in the rail. The slider is adapted for connection to the deflection fitting and is provided with a detent mechanism for cooperation with the catch openings. The slider is further provided with a locking element which is functionally independent of the detent mechanism. The locking element is mounted at the slider pivotally between a neutral position in which it does not engage the rail, and a locking position in which it engages the rail and locks the slider in place.

Abstract: An air bag module and membrane horn switch assembly includes an air bag cover, a membrane horn switch, a backing plate fixedly mounted on the cover in spaced relation to the cover, and a switch containment portion disposed on the backing plate. The switch containment portion releasably captures the membrane horn switch within the switch containment portion such that the membrane horn switch is normally positioned in spaced relation to the cover and such that the membrane horn switch is activated by downward movement of the cover towards the membrane horn switch. In addition, the switch containment portion also permits release and removal of the membrane horn switch from the switch containment portion while the backing plate remains fixed to the cover. Advantageously, the membrane horn switch can be removed and replaced while the cover and the backing plate remain stationary and undamaged.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a motor vehicle and method of manufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of: forming a rearward frame module, forming a forward frame module, and forming a central frame module including a pair of longitudinal central frame siderails.

Abstract: Apparatus for restraining the movement of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat includes a restraint member which includes a horizontally extending safety bar supported by side arms extending from opposed ends of the safety bar to distal ends pivotally mounted to associated pivots which permit the restraint member to rotate about a pivot axis between open and closed positions. Pivotal movement is retarded by a fluid resistance. In another aspect, male and female latch portions of a latch such as a conventional seat belt buckle are attached in fixed positions, one to a side arm of a restraint member as described above, the other to an arm rest of a passenger seat. The positions are arranged such that the latch portions will register and latch with one another as the restraint member is pivoted from an open position to a closed position.