Abstract: Apparatus for discharging gas from a bottle of compressed gas include a compressed gas release having on that bottle a compressed gas outlet having a closed position and an alternative open position. A shuttle has a first position spaced from that compressed gas outlet before and after opening of such compressed gas outlet and has a second position at such compressed gas outlet. The shuttle includes a temporary compressed gas flow restriction at the compressed gas outlet in the alternative open position of such compressed gas outlet. A system for discharging gas from a bottle of compressed gas closes such bottle with a burst diaphragm, subsequently penetrates such burst diaphragm, momentarily reduces flow of compressed gas from the bottle at the penetrated burst diaphragm, and thereafter removes the reduction of flow of compressed gas from the bottle at the penetrated burst diaphragm.

Abstract: A non-railbound vehicle with an electric motor in which the maximum output of the internal combustion engine will be available in its entirety for driving the vehicle without prejudice to convenience with respect to electrical actuation of accessory functions. The vehicle includes a drive control that provides a portion of the output generated by a generator for supplying power to the low-voltage vehicle power supply. The electronic drive control is programmed to provide a temporary interruption of the current supplied by the generator to the low-voltage vehicle power supply during operating phases in which the full output of the internal combustion engine is required for driving the vehicle. During these phases current is supplied to accessory electrical consumers via the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A seat-mounted side impact airbag module deployment door and a vehicle seat having such a deployment door are provided by a deployment door having a fabric outer panel, a fabric inner panel and an intermediate panel of rigid, resilient material, and in which the inner panel has spaced, parallel engagement elements held by retaining elements on the outer surface of sidewalls of a canister housing of an airbag module assembly placed in a seat recess and attached to an internal structural member of the seat. The fabric outer panel of the deployment door matches the adjacent fabric trim cover portion of the seat into which the deployment door is mounted.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly has an airbag deployment door and a preformed seal member that seals against foam leakage at a retainer member and a rear edge of the door overlaps the retainer and sandwiches the preformed seal member in place to prevent leakage of foamed in place material between the retainer and the door; a connector member holds the seal member in place while providing for clean separation of the door from the retainer to enable the door to separate and swing outwardly from the main body portion of the retainer in response to deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: This invention is primarily related to a side impact self contained airbag system for a vehicle including a sensor, an inflator, an airbag and, when appropriate, a diagnostic and energy reserve module all within one package. In some implementations, a non-sodium azide propellant is used and the gas in exhausted from the airbag into the door during the accident rather than into the passenger compartment. The preferred implementation uses an all mechanical system but electro-mechanical and electronic sensors can also be used. Several of the improvements disclosed are also applicable for frontal impact airbag systems. A combination of crush sensing and velocity sensing is also disclosed for the all mechanical system.

Abstract: A gas bag restraining module having a housing (10), an inflation device (12) located in the latter, said inflation device providing a volume of pressurized gas after activation, and having a folded gas bag (50), which has an attachment section fixed to the housing (10) and surrounding an inflation aperture, should be adapted to the use of an inflation device, which is known in the form of a "heated gas inflator". For this purpose, the invention provides that the inflation device has a cylindrical pressurized gas container (12), the housing (10) is formed with a trough-shaped base to accommodate the pressurized gas container (12) and a box-shaped upper section, the attachment section of the gas bag (50) is provided with an attachment frame (40) and the attachment frame (40) is inserted in the upper section of the housing (10).

Abstract: A cart for injured persons, designed as an alternative to crutches for individuals with an injured leg. A padded leg support surface provides a comfortable location upon which the injured leg (or cast) may be rested. The cart is propelled by the individual using the uninjured leg. The front of the cart includes two wheels mounted on forks each having a handle bar that extends upwardly. A front pad is attached to the handle bars to provide a comfortable surface for the user to lean against. Hand brakes are also included for gripping opposing sides of the front wheels to brake the cart when brake levers on the handle bars are activated. The upper ends of both handle bars also include an elastomeric hand grip. The padded leg support surface is supported by a leg support assembly that is configured to be attached to either side of the cart. This allows a user to accommodate a left or a right injured leg.

Abstract: A shim and method for using the same for adjusting camber and/or toe of a wheel assembly wherein first and second tapered annular shims are coupled together to permit relative rotation therebetween and each of the first and second tapered annular shims have visible indicia thereon. A chart is consulted to obtain an indicium on the first tapered annular shim that is to be aligned with an indicium on the second tapered annular shim so that the first and second tapered annular shims may be rotated to align the indicium on each shim so that the aligned indicia may be placed in the wheel assembly at a reference point on the wheel assembly to make the required camber and/or toe adjustments.

Abstract: A one piece laminated air bag has an inner layer of sheet material, a middle layer of load carrying fibers and an outer layer of sheet material. The load carrying fibers are laid in a pre-specified pattern such that a majority of loads in the air bag are carried by the fibers. The method of manufacturing the air bag includes an inflatable mold which is inflated to the required configuration, covered with the various layers and deflated after the laminating of sheets to form the one piece laminated air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10, 10a) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold. The apparatus (10, 10a) includes a reaction canister (14, 14a), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) located in the reaction canister, and an inflator (18, 18a) for supplying inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device. The reaction canister (14, 14a) has a main body portion (20), a first end wall (24) and a second end wall (26, 26a) opposing the first end wall. The first and second end walls (24, 26, and 26a) are fixed to the main body portion (20) and define a chamber (40). The first end wall (24) has an inner surface (46) and an outer surface (48). A first opening (52) having a first diameter is formed in the first end wall. The inflator (18, 18a) has a cylindrical body portion (82, 82a) having a first end (86) and a second end (90, 90a) opposite the first end.

Abstract: An air bag assembly mountable in an automobile vehicle, which assembly includes an air bag, a pad, and a bag holder. The air bag is expandable between a folded state and a deployed state. The pad has a ceiling wall structure and a side wall structure. The ceiling wall structure is configured to cover the air bag when in the folded state and constructed and arranged to rupture when the air bag expands from the folded state to the deployed state to create a passageway which permits the air bag to deploy into an interior compartment of the vehicle. The side wall structure of the pad extends from the ceiling wall structure to define a substantially annular cross section and includes a plurality of spaced lock holes formed therein. The bag holder, which holds the air bag and the pad, includes first and second plates which are substantially horizontally and vertically oriented, respectively, when the air bag assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint assembly has an airbag having a gas retaining portion with first and second openings and an inflator having first and second ends positioned within the airbag. The first end of the inflator is extended through the first opening and a first hole in the first outer flap of the airbag. Similarly, the second end of the inflator is extended through the second opening and a second hole in a second outer flap. To construct a vehicle occupant restraint assembly, first and second openings are sewn into the gas retaining portion of an airbag. An inflator is placed into the airbag through the second opening. The first end of the airbag is extended through the first opening.

Abstract: An air bag and air bag inflator assembly for the steering column of an automotive vehicle. At the upper end of the steering column is a steering wheel shaft and a steering wheel. An air bag is enclosed within a housing mounted centrally on the steering wheel. An air bag inflator includes a canister which contains a gas-generating chemical and is mounted on the steering column. Gas generated in the canister is transmitted to the air bag through a flexible tube and a passage in the steering wheel shaft.

Abstract: A gas generating inflator assembly for a vehicle safety restraint system including an inflator housing having two walls, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner and outer walls form a combustion chamber therebetween. A filter pack is disposed within the combustion chamber along an inner diameter of the outer wall. Gas generant is also disposed within the combustion chamber. An internal structure is disposed within the combustion chamber for diffusing the ignitor blast and retaining slag produced by the ignited gas generant. The internal structure is spaced from the filter pack and the inner wall such that a portion of the gas generant is located between the internal structure and the inner wall and another portion of the gas generant is located between the internal structure and the filtration pack.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling actuation of a first actuatable restraint (18) and a second actuatable restraint (20) includes a first crash accelerometer (22) for providing a discriminating crash acceleration signal when a crash event is sensed in a first direction and a safing crash acceleration signal when a crash event is sensed in a second direction. A second crash accelerometer (34) provides a safing crash acceleration signal when a crash event is sensed in the first direction and a discriminating crash acceleration signal when a crash event is sensed in the second direction. A third crash accelerometer (90) provides another safing crash signal when a crash event is sensed in either the first or second directions. The first actuatable restraint (18) is actuated when the first accelerometer (22) provides the discriminating crash acceleration signal and either the second or third accelerometers provide a safing crash signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system for motor vehicles with an airbag and at least one associated gas generator for inflating the airbag in the event of an accident involving the vehicle. According to the invention, the airbag system is fixed on the vehicle where it can be moved at least in part away from the vehicle occupant. To this end, the airbag system is attached to the vehicle so that it can be translated, rotated, or tilted. Preferably it can be moved by the gases emerging from the gas generator after ignition thereof and is fixed on at least one plastically deformable element or spring element. The system according to the invention reduces the risk of injury to the occupant where at the time of inflation of the airbag the vehicle occupant is bending forward in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A toe adjustment assembly including a frame and a pair of lateral links pivotally mounted to the frame. A bore is formed in at least one of the links. A shaft is extended through the bore. A cam is rotatably mounted between the shaft and the bore. The bore includes an engagement surface extending radially between the shaft and the link, limiting rotation of the cam around the shaft by engaging the shaft with the engagement surface and by wedging the cam between the shaft and the bore.

Abstract: A Truck Bed Safety Seatbelt is described. The revealed system may be configurable for a variety of different truck beds and seating arrangements, including provisions for 1, 2, 3 or more passengers, and seating within mini-pickups, full-sized pickups and flat bed trucks, among others. As revealed, the present invention will provide passenger restraints in the truck bed, while preserving the cargo-carrying purpose of the bed. Further revealed is a system that will allow for the installation of a pickup truck bed toolbox, while still providing seating restraints for passengers. A optional cushion is revealed to provide increased seating comfort to the passengers.

Abstract: An anti-abrasion and rockering system for an in-line skate. The skate includes a skate boot mounted on a chassis. The chassis includes two sidewalls which are parallel and opposite to each other. Each sidewall has a row of holes formed therein, such that the holes on the first sidewall align with and are opposite to the row of holes on the opposing sidewall. Two of the opposing sets of holes are oblong. A plurality of axles are disposed in the holes on the chassis so that the wheels are rotatably mounted on the axles and between the sidewalls of the chassis. The anti-abrasion and rockering system for the skate includes bushings disposed in the holes in the chassis. The bushings disposed in the oblong holes slide up and down in the holes. An anti-abrasion and rockering plate is disposed on the exterior of each sidewall. Each plate has a first and second row of holes for accommodating the axles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle or machinery (1) having a chassis (2) provided with ground engaging members (3) mounted on at least one transverse chassis member (4) and laterally spaced apart longitudinal chassis members (5). Each of the longitudinal chassis members (5) includes a plurality of modular elements (6) fastened together end-to-end (13, 14), which modular elements (6) are substantially hollow for housing therein moving parts (8) of the vehicle or machinery. The modular elements have access openings (18) for accessing the moving parts (8) in the interior (16) of the hollow modular elements (6), and closure panels (19) provided therefor. The present invention also extends to a modular chassis member (5) and a modular chassis element (6).