Abstract: To provide a seat belt component having a molded resin surface in which the burr formed by the resin is less conspicuous or eliminated. The seat belt component could be a shoulder anchor and have the added benefit of allowing the seat belt to slide smoothly therethrough. An externally formed structural element is formed on the metal surface to prevent further flow of the synthetic resin.

Abstract: A gas bag for an airbag module having an outer contour and a plurality of sections, at least one of which is cut free of the remaining section of the gas bag and is able to move independently of it. The cut-free section is situated at least partly within the outer contour of the gas bag, and is of such a size and shape that the adjacent gas bag section constitutes a frame of the cut free section.

Abstract: A torsionally-damped ski having a durable, low friction ski base and non-rusting durable ski edges that have exceptional edge-retaining qualities, including an elongated snow-contacting base surface made of a Nitinol sheet having two opposed longitudinal edges on opposite sides of an elongated medial portion. A Nitinol ski edge structure extends longitudinally along both of the edges of the sheet, having a greater thickness than the medial portion of the sheet. The edge structures form an integral part of the Nitinol base sheet by welding the sheet along opposite edges thereof to the edge structures. Preferably, the ski edge structure is Type 60 Nitinol. The base sheet can be superelastic Nitinol or Martensitic Nitinol having shape memory characteristics. A torsional vibration structure is built into the ski, including Nitinol structures extending along one or more axes lying oblique to the longitudinal axis of the ski.

Abstract: A device for fixing a boot onto a sporting apparatus. The device includes a base, front and rear boot retaining assemblies having abutment surfaces, front and rear guides, and mechanisms for releasing the boot, as well as a structural arrangement to attach the device onto the sporting apparatus. The device also includes the boot with its sole capable of being supported on the base, the boot having front and rear catching members. The front and rear catching members are applied respectively to the front abutment surfaces and the rear guides when the boot is first put on, then the rear catching members follow a trajectory that modifies the distance which separates them from the front catching members to come to rest on the rear abutment surfaces when the boot is completely on.

Abstract: A cutting element for use on a rotary-type earth boring drill bit for drilling subterranean formations including a segment and a support member. The support member is preferably fabricated from a tough and ductile material, such as iron, an iron-based alloy, nickel, a nickel-based alloy, copper, a copper-based alloy, titanium, a titanium-based alloy, zirconium, a zirconium-based alloy, silver, or a silver-based alloy. A bit attachment portion of the support member is securable to a bit body. A segment-receiving portion of the support member is disposable within a recess formed in the segment to secure the segment to the bit body and support the segment during use of the drill bit. Preferably, the segment is fabricated from a hard continuous phase material that is impregnated with a particulate abrasive material, such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, or cubic boron nitride.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a deployment valve used with an underbalanced drilling system to enhance the advantages of underbalanced drilling. The underbalanced drilling system may typically comprise elements such as a rotating blow out preventer and drilling recovery system. The deployment valve is positioned in a tubular string, such as casing, at a well bore depth at or preferably substantially below the string light point of the drilling string. When the drilling string is above the string light point then the upwardly acting forces on the drilling string become greater than downwardly acting forces such that the drilling string begins to accelerate upwardly. The deployment valve has a bore sufficiently large to allow passage of the drill bit therethrough in the open position. The deployment valve may be closed when the drill string is pulled within the casing as may be necessary to service the drill string after drilling into a reservoir having a reservoir pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fixing a gas bag in its folded position. The device comprises a one-piece hollow body, which has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, a first and a second side wall, a connecting web and a flap section formed on the first side wall. A clip connection is provided by means of which the flap section can be connected with the second side wall having a bracket. Two longitudinal slits are incorporated in the flap section and an elastically flexible closure hook is provided which is separated from the flap section by the two longitudinal slits. The closure hook has a thickened free end which when the body is closed engages behind the bracket formed on the second side wall. Further, the invention relates to a side gas bag module.

Abstract: A novel nozzle and retainer assembly are used in an earth boring rock bit. A tapered interface between the nozzle and retainer protects the nozzle from impact and breakage downhole. A bushing may also be used in conjunction with an alternative nozzle and retainer assembly.

Abstract: A soil sampling measuring device for collecting and measuring samples of soil for testing the volatile organic compounds in the soil. The soil sampling device includes a tactile indication of the volume of soil collected in the sampling device so that a person using the soil sampling device can determine when a desired volume of soil is collected in the soil sampling device without the need to refer to a visual scale. The soil sampling device includes a barrel and a plunger in the barrel, with at least one of the plunger and the barrel adapted to provide a change of resistance between the plunger and the barrel when the plunger is extended or retracted through the barrel which provides a tactile indication to the user of the soil sampling device that the plunger has reached a desired volume within the barrel. For example, the barrel of the device may include a rib or groove which respectively increases or decreases the friction between the plunger and the inner surface of the barrel.

Abstract: An electrically-driven wheelchair is provided with a frame, drive wheels, an operator control panel and a support lever. The operator control panel controls action of the drive wheels. The lower side of the operator control panel is supported to the upper side of the support lever. The support lever is connected to the frame, and supports the operator control panel. The lower side of the support lever is connected to the frame so that the support lever can be rotated in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction and can be adjustable. The upper side of the support lever is connected to the operator control panel so that the operator control panel can be rocked forward and rearward and leftward and rightward and can be movable. In the support structure of the operator control panel of the invention, not only the arrangement position of the operator control panel at the front and rear sides and the left and right sides but also the height of the operator control panel can be adjusted.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel is provided with an airbag. The steering wheel has a central part for connection to a steering wheel attachment, having a cavity for housing a module comprising an airbag, an outer ring and a plurality of substantially radial spokes connecting the outer ring to the central part of the steering wheel. The module is provided with a peripheral metal part overlapping spokes so as to give the steering wheel a sporting appearance.

Abstract: A retractable drill bit system for a ground drill includes drill bit assembly, a bit assembly sleeve, and a transport member. The drill bit assembly is engagable with a drive sub attached to the bottom of the ground drill with the drill bit assembly being selectively expandable and collapsible between a transport position in which the drill bit assembly is transported through the ground drill by the sleeve and transport member and a cutting position in which the drill bit assembly locks into the drive sub and cuts the hole. The drill bit assembly in the cutting position is able to cut a hole substantially greater than the diameter of the ground drill itself. The drill bit assembly includes a circular bit attached at a lower most end of the sleeve and bit segments retained in slots formed in the sleeve. Each segment is provided with a lever that extends radially inwardly of the sleeve and engages the transport member.

Abstract: The wiper device comprises an elongated conveyor arm which can pivot in a horizontal plane and freely move forward and backward through a limited travel (which movement capabilities are collectively termed "floating" capability). The arm carries a wiper pad assembly on its outer end. The wiper pad assembly can therefore float with the arm to accommodate lateral and to and fro sway of the drill string within the confines of the rig rotary table bushing, when the wiper pads are engaged with the drill string. The arm can be advanced and withdrawn to convey the wiper pad assembly between the operative stripping position over the bushing and a retracted position off to one side of the bushing.

Abstract: The present invention is a low differential pressure relief valve made up of a valve body and an elastic membrane for downhole tools, especially rolling cutter drill bits. An aperture is formed in the membrane and a valve body with protruding end stops is mounted in the aperture. The thickness and shape of the valve body are such that the aperture is stretched when assembled. The amount the membrane is stretched and the geometry of the protruding end stop, control the differential relief pressure. The valve body and each end stop can be designed so that the pressure relief setting will be different, depending upon which side of the membrane has the higher pressure. The relief device may be adapted to be integral with existing elastic membrane type lubricant pressure compensation devices for downhole tools.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for resisting sliding of a drilling machine in first and second directions during drilling operations is provided. The gripping apparatus is pivotably mounted on the anchoring assembly of the drilling machine. The drilling machine includes a reciprocating drill mounted on the boom thereof. During operation of the drilling machine, the reciprocating drill generates thrust and pullback forces which tend to move the drilling machine in the first and second directions, respectively. The gripping apparatus for resisting sliding of the drilling machine in first and second directions during drilling operations includes first and second gripping mechanisms which are moveable between a first disengaged storage position and a second support surface engaging, work position.

Abstract: An improved bit body for a tri-cone drill bit has a bit body affixed to a terminal end of drilling string. The drilling string has at least one fluid passageway formed in its wall. The drilling string is dual passage drilling string formed of an inner drilling string and an outer drilling string. The terminal end of the inner drilling string has an area of reduced outer diameter. A cylindrical shroud is affixed to the drilling string and surrounds the area of reduced diameter and an upper portion of bit body, forming a shroud chamber. The shroud chamber communicates the fluid passageway of the drilling string with the fluid ports of the bit body. The lower edge of the shroud is closely spaced to an outer diameter portion of the drill bit body adjacent the recesses. Therefore, the shroud and recesses form fluid ports through which fluid may be directed to cool and remove debris from the roller cutters.