Abstract: An airbag safety assembly adapted for independent use in vehicles which includes a jacket which in turn houses an inflatable airbag and means for inflating the airbag by relative elongation of an elastic connector disposed between the jacket and portions of a seat belt which are in turn adapted for connection to spaced mounting points in the vehicle such that the assembly can be utilized in vehicles with or without integral restraint systems.

Abstract: A steering wheel having an air bag device which includes a ring portion, a boss portion, a bracket, a spoke and an air bag device. The boss portion has a boss and a boss plate extending laterally from the boss periphery. A bracket made of plastically deformable metal has a supporting portion inclined outwardly in opposite directions toward the ring portion. The air bag device is held at a predetermined distance from the boss plate by the bracket and includes a bag holder made of plastically deformable metal and having connecting portions inclined at the same angle as the supporting portions of the bracket. By providing supporting portions inclined in opposite directions, the steering wheel of the present invention can absorb impact energy not only by inflation of the air bag device but also by deformation of the supporting portions due to rotation of the air bag device during impact.

Abstract: A structure and a method for installing a vehicle air bag module in a vehicle includes a coupling member, preferably an expansible retainer ring, having a form which can be mechanically changed (e.g. expanded). The air bag module has a coupling device adapted to engage a portion of the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle steering column) and to locate and align the module relative to the portion of the vehicle. The coupling member is then manipulated to engage both the coupling device of the module and the portion of the vehicle to couple the module with the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-wheeled transport vehicle which is capable of crossing uneven terrain without torquing the load, including modular wheel units permitting a low profile and means to equalize the load between the individual wheel units.

Abstract: A turning center line is provided at a front edge side of a lid mounted on an upper surface of an instrument panel for permitting spreading of an air bag, and the lid is provided at a rear edge side thereof with a free end which is adapted to abut against a front windshield when the lid is opened.

Abstract: A dual door arrangement is insert molded in a decorative automotive instrument panel to create an opening for air bag deployment. The arrangement comprises two self hinging sheet metal doors that are attached to a thermoplastic frame by integral clips. One door has an outwardly projecting lip embedded in the instrument panel that initiate a central slit in the instrument panel for propagating the air bag opening. The other door has a depressed shelf that underlies the lip and adjacent margin of the first door to provide several advantages including helping the lip to initiate the central slit.

Abstract: A powered vehicle of the type which rides on front and rear primary road wheels that are in tandem relationship and located midway between the sides of the vehicle has a body with sides that are convergent in the downward direction enabling a high degree of leaning of the vehicle during turns. At least one auxiliary road wheel is carried at each side of the vehicle by sidewardly extending pivot arms which enable lowering of the auxiliary wheels during low speed travel and when the vehicle is stationary. At the raised position, the auxiliary road wheels extend from the sides of the vehicle in position to ride on the roadbed when the vehicle is tilted sidewardly to an inclination that is more horizontal than vertical. In the preferred form, the vehicle body has an inverted teardrop configuration in cross section and tapering front and back end regions and has an aircraft empennage at the back end.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easily stored, compact apparatus useful by a truck driver to release either a trailer hitch latch or a rear wheel carriage latch both of which are often difficult to unlatch. The first component of the apparatus comprises an elongate bar with a hook on one end. A second component comprises a lever which is pivotally and adjustably attached to the bar. When the lever is pressed and pivoted against the side of the trailer and with the hook engaging a respective trailer hitch or rear wheel carriage latch, the apparatus acts to release the latch.

Abstract: A trailer tongue locking device includes a hitch bar coupled to the towing vehicle which supports an upwardly extending ball member and a downwardly extending lock nut terminating in a downwardly tapered chamfered surface. An upper and lower plate are securable to the tongue portion of the trailer locking device in an anti-theft locking attachment. The lower plate defines an elongated slot which is aligned beneath the socket portion of the trailer tongue and which receives the chamfered surface of the lock nut. The cooperation of the lock nut, the chamfered surface and the socket together with the ball member provides a secure safe attachment between the towing vehicle and trailer while the degree of movement of the chamfered surface of the lock nut within the slot permits the necessary relative motion within the trailer tongue locking device to accommodate normal towing circumstances.

Abstract: The invention related to a process for quickly inflating a gas cushion in a safety system of the air bag type in which at least two pressurized filling gases are stored being shielded from each other. Instead of the filling gases, initially only the starting material(s) of one or both filling gases can be stored. In case of need, for instance upon a crash-characteristic signal, the filling gases are released from their reservoirs; if necessary, the starting material(s) of one or more filling gases is/are first ignited due to the crash-characteristic signal and then produce(s) the filling gas. The released filling gases are then concentrated and finally inflate the gas cushion or air bag.

Abstract: An enclosure, adapted to hold an auto ignition material in a gas generator that employs solid fuel gas generant material to effect inflation of a protective bag to cushion a passenger from impact with the structure of a vehicle in the event of a crash, is provided.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column arrangement for a vehicle comprises a U-shaped deformable member connected to a fixed support for the steering column and a deforming member connected to the steering column itself. Under impact conditions caused by an accident the members move relative to one another thus allowing the steering column to collapse. This relative movement of the members enables the deforming member to contact the base of the `U` to deform the U-shaped deformable member to reduce its overall length thus absorbing the energy of the impact and allowing the column to collapse in a controlled manner. The members can be shaped and dimensioned to give the desired energy absorption characteristics.

Abstract: An air bag device for a passenger's seat includes a module cover mounted to a case containing an air bag in a folded state protrusive strips for holding the folded air bag are provided on the rear of said module cover.

Abstract: A ski defines a compound curve undersurface having a concave camber portion and a reverse camber convex portion. The ski includes an upwardly curved tail portion and an upwardly curved front shovel portion. The transition between the concave camber portion and the reverse camber frontal portion defines a front contact point while the transition between the concave camber portion and the upwardly curved tail portion forms a rear contact point. A ski boot is secured to the upper surface of the ski in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and is positioned overlying the concave camber portion.

Abstract: A pneumatically damped vehicle suspension system. The suspension system provides damping which is load-dependent, i.e., the amount of damping varies in approximate proportion to the load supported by the suspension system, thereby maintaining a nearly constant fraction of critical damping over the normal range of operating loads. The damping provided by the system is also frequency-dependent, a characteristic not achievable with hydraulic dampers. Two independent damping circuits provide maximum damping at the suspension's two resonant frequencies, or modes of vibration--the bounce mode and the axlehop mode. Relatively little damping is provided at other frequencies, resulting in improved isolation of road inputs.

Abstract: A bicycle stand includes a flexible supporting arm adapted to be retracted into coiled condition within an associated housing. When extended from the housing, the arm is angularly oriented by guide means on the housing. A brake keeps the supporting arm extended.

Abstract: The invention is a device for providing an upper body workout while riding a bicycle. The device comprises a base member which is secured to the bicycle. A lever is pivotally attached to the base member and drives a sprocket. The sprocket, in turn, drives a chain which drives a conventional bicycle crank shaft, thus aiding in propulsion of the bicycle. The rider uses one hand on the lever and the other hand grips the handlebars in a conventional manner. The lever has a handle which can be pivoted to either a left or a right side so as to provide a work out for the rider's left or right arm.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for turning a steerable wheel of a vehicle in response to steering operation by a driver. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic pump for pumping a fluid from a reservoir so as to supply pressurized fluid to a power cylinder formed in a gear housing through a direction control valve which is operable in response to rotation of the steering wheel for selectively delivering the pressurized fluid to pair of pressure chambers of the power cylinder. The apparatus further comprises an electric motor for rotating the hydraulic pump, an accumulator for accumulating the pressurized fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump, a detector for detecting the pressure of the pressurized fluid and for outputting a signal corresponding to the detected pressure, and a controller responsible to the signal from the detector for activating the electric motor only when the detected pressure is below a predetermined level. The hydraulic pump and the electric motor are mounted on the gear housing.

Abstract: A steerable front wheel suspension for a vehicle includes a steering knuckle, a lower control arm for connecting the steering knuckle to a vehicle body, an upper control arm, a center control arm, and a connecting arm. The arms are disposed such that an intersecting point of an imaginary line extending from the lower control arm and an imaginary line connecting an intersecting point of a line extending from the upper control arm and a line extending from the center control arm to an instantaneous center of the wheel with respect to the connecting arm becomes an instantaneous center of the wheel with respect to the car body.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide assembly includes a plate disposed adjacent one side of vehicle structure and having an aperture through which belt webbing extends. The seat belt webbing guide assembly also includes a fastener securing the plate to the vehicle structure. The plate includes a structure cooperating with the vehicle structure to orientate and secure the plate about the fastener relative to the vehicle structure.