Abstract: A safety apparatus for removing the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle from a zone of potential impact with the head of a driver, in case of collision, including a substantially unstretchable connecting member between the steering wheel and a part of the vehicle likely to move forwardly relative to the chassis in case of collision and transferring such movement to the steering wheel to withdraw it towards the dashboard. The steering wheel may be mounted on an axially collapsible column.

Abstract: For traction control, the wheel slip is determined by comparing the rotational velocity of the driven wheels with the rotational velocity of the non-driven wheels or with a reference quantity. In a wheel tending to spin up, the driving slip is reduced by a braking action. By logically combining the signals reflecting the rotational velocity of the wheel and taking into account the control process already initiated, the desired accelerator value or the deviation therefrom is determined and signaled to the vehicle operator. By observing the indicating instrument (26, 31), the vehicle operator is in a position to actuate the accelerator pedal in such a manner that a mere braking action will produce an optimum driving and starting slip and thus an optimum traction of the vehicle, without the risk of a brake overload condition occurring.

Abstract: A positively controlled automotive suspension system provides both of driving stability and riding comfort by adjusting damping characteristics of the suspension system according to the driving condition. The suspension system is soften in response to bounding and rebounding shock for effectively absorbing road shock. On the other hand, in response to relative displacement of the vehicle body and road wheel assembly, the suspension system serves for regulating the relative distance and whereby provides sufficient driving stability.

Abstract: In this device for adjusting the position of a strap return element of in particular a safety belt for a motor vehicle, the strap return element is mounted to be movable between two end positions by driving means comprising an electric motor (5) supplied with current by means of a control element (2) controlling the position of the strap return element at any point of the travel of the strap return element defined by the two end positions. The strap return element is disposed on an anchoring pin (4) mounted on the electric motor (5). This motor is mounted to be movable axially between the two end positions.

Abstract: The device for adjusting the position of a strap return relement (1) of a safety belt, in particular for a motor vehicle, in which the strap return element is mounted to be movable between two end positions in a guide rail (3), comprises actuating means (4) for driving in both directions of rotation a drum (6), around which there is wound a connecting element (7) whose two ends are connected to the vehicle, through coupling means (8) around which there is disposed the strap return element (1) so as to shift the latter to any point of an adjustment travel defined by said two end positions, and the coupling means comprising means (13) for preventing the rotation of the drum when a force is exerted on the strap return element.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system using sensors and a computing means to vary suspension and road-handling parameters such as wheel camber, suspension spring rates, suspension damping coefficients, vehicle leveling and clearance to provide a vehicle with optimum suspension characteristics. This system is useful particularly, but not necessarily, for racing vehicles.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling an ignitive reaction to the inflator of a steering wheel mounted air bag safety system utilizes a through bulkhead initiator of the inflator through a slip joint or ring on the steering shaft which holds stationary a pyrotechnic transfer/booster from a collision responsive sensor and allows the inflator to turn with the steering wheel.

Abstract: A seat belt device provided with a reach arm having a fore end to which a free end of a seat belt is tied, which reach arm is at a rearward withdrawn position when the seat belt is not in use whereas it is swung, when the seat belt is in use, to be projected forwardly to enable wearing of the seat belt. The reach arm assumes a compact form with an intermediate portion thereof folded in a non-used position whereas it assumes a straight state in use. A belt connecting hole provided at the fore end of the reach arm is shaped so as to hold the seat belt on a longitudinal extension of the reach arm when the reach arm is at an operative position. The reach arm is further designed foldable in a direction substantially perpendicular to its swinging direction when applied with a great shock at the operative position thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle attachment has a pivoting frame connected to the rear driven axle of a vehicle, drivable wheels mounted on opposite ends of a drivable axle, an adjustable tension element that is capable of providing varying degrees of downward force on the drivable wheels. A sprocket is connected to the vehicle rear axle and another sprocket is connected to the drivable axle, the two sprockets being interconnected by a chain such that rotation of the vehicle rear axle causes rotation of equal velocity of the drivable axle.

Abstract: In a front and rear wheel steering device contive for vehicle in which the steering angle ratio of the rear wheels relative to the front wheels is variable according to the vehicle speed, provision of a manual selection means for fixing the steering angle ratio to certain fixed values which may be either positive or negative can greatly improve the maneuverability of the vehicle in both high speed and low speed ranges. However, inadvertent manual selection of the steering angle ratio is not desirable since it may cause a sudden change in the steering angle of the rear wheels. Therefore, this invention provides means for preventing the manual selection of the steering angle ratio when it is not proper. This means may be an active prohibition control of manual steering angle ratio selection means, an alarm to warn the driver or a vehicle speed control which limits the vehicle speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydropneumatic suspension system for a tracked-vehicle chassis component, having a circular-arc suspension member fitted within a housing. This circular-arc suspension member is located between a support fixed on the housing and a rotating abutment. The housing is hinged on pivot points by means of a suspension arm fixed on the housing and the abutment by means of a hinging lever. Very little space is provided for the suspension of chassis components in such vehicles. Moreover, the suspension system must also be maintenance-free and easy to assemble.

Abstract: A cushion is mounted on a vehicle shoulder belt for softening the pressure of the belt on the user, and includes a foam pad encased in a fabric cover with hook and loop fastener means along opposite side edges of the cover so that it may be removed from the shoulder belt. Stitching connects opposite ends of the over along a central fold line to assist the user in folding the cushion over the shoulder belt while permitting the midsection of the cushion to comfortably contact the user.

Abstract: A support of an automobile gauge cluster on a steering column for permitting a steering wheel to tilt up and down. The gauge cluster is provided for tilting motion in response to the tilting of the steering wheel and there is employed a bracket structure for the support of the steering column having a steering shaft rotatably extending therein. The bracket structure is rigidly connected with a portion of an automobile body structure and has a guide provided therein for guiding the tilting motion of the gauge cluster.

Abstract: A new rear suspension controller is invented for improving a ride comfort or for improving controllability and stability when a vehicle passes a sporadic bump or dip of otherwise smooth road surface. It includes: a front vehicle height detector which measures a distance between the vehicle body and a front wheel; a first judgment means which detects a sporadic bump or dip by comparing the signal from the front vehicle height detector with a preset standard value; a rear vehicle height detector which measures a distance between the vehicle body and a rear wheel; a second judgment means which detects the bump or dip that the front wheel has passed; and a rear suspension characteristic alteration means which alters, for example, a spring constant of air suspensions, a dumping force of shock absorbers, stabilizer compliance, etc. when the first judgment means detected the bump or dip and returns the characteristic after the second judgment means judges that the rear wheel has passed it.

Abstract: A control system for steering either or both of front wheel pair and a rear wheel pair of a controlled vehicle has a processing unit such as a microcomputer for determining a desired vehicle behavior, and an actuator unit for steering either or both of the front and rear wheel pairs under command of the processing unit. The processing unit first determines a desired value of a dynamical variable such as a yaw acceleration corresponding to sensed steering input and sensed vehicle speed by solving equations of motion of a desired vehicle obtained by setting vehicle parameters appearing in the equations to desired values determined by the desired vehicle. The processing unit further determines a desired value of a steering angle of at least one of the front and rear wheel pairs which is required to achieve the desired value of the dynamical variable by solving equations of motion obtained by setting the vehicle parameters equal to actual values determined by the controlled vehicle.

Abstract: Automotive anti-theft device which includes an electrically operable valve disposed in the engine exhaust system in association with electrically operable valve actuating means responsive to a predetermined sequence of remotely generated electrical signals.

Abstract: A safety device attachable to a motor vehicle for preventing the motor vehicle from running over an object, the device including a plate assembly, a safety bar assembly slidably connected to the plate assembly, a first mechanism for raising and lowering the safety bar assembly with respect to the plate assembly, at least one switch assembly and a second mechanism for turning off the motor vehicle. The plate assembly includes first and second plate members which are spaced apart in parallel. The second plate member is pivotably connected to the first plate member. The second plate member pivots around a horizontal axis. The first mechanism is attached to the second plate member. The safety bar assembly is attached to the second plate such that it can only slide relative to the second plate in a direction towards and away from the second plate. The switch assembly is attached to the first plate and extends to contact the second plate. The switch assembly is connected to the second mechanism.

Abstract: A ski binding adapted to releasably hold the front of a ski boot on a ski. The front of the boot includes front-end zone spaced from the lateral edges of the boot. The binding includes a jaw, a support, and a support zone on the jaw. The jaw is adapted to hold the front of the boot and adapted to laterally pivot in response to pivoting of the boot. The support, which is positioned on the ski, includes two upwardly converging lines of support. The jaw is adapted to laterally pivot around either one of these upwardly converging jaw lines of support. The support zone which is positioned on the jaw supports the front-end zone of the boot when the boot is held by the jaw. As a result, when the boot experiences a torsional force and a frontward force on the boot, the boot laterally pivots and the front of the boot is pressed downward against the ski and against the support zone means.

Abstract: In a front and rear wheel steering device for vehicle for variably controlling the steering angle ratio of rear wheels relative to the steering angle of front wheels according to a certain mathematical function of vehicle speed in such a manner that the rear wheels are steered in opposite phase relationship in a low speed range and in same phase relationship in a high speed range, by providing a selection means for manually selecting a special mathematical function for an extremely low speed range which will cause a same phase relationship at an extremely low speed and a smooth transition to the certain mathematical function, parking the car along a curbstone and changing the lateral position of the vehicle in a limited space are simplified since the rear part of the vehicle will not swing laterally.

Abstract: A pair of A-frames and a pair of torque tubes are used in a body support structure of an off highway vehicle to carry all of the load of the vehicle. The vehicle load in the rear is carried directly on the torque tubes and the front load is cantilevered from the torque tubes.