Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power steering apparatus, in which a gate circuit is provided that allows the actuation of a motor and a clutch only when a signal indicating normal operation is obtained from both of two controllers of dual configuration and that immediately disables steering assisting action when either one or both of the two controllers have gone out of control, and in which a power supply for supplying power to the controllers is connected in common to the two controllers, to prevent a latch-up of either controller.

Abstract: A wheel spindle assembly for a steerable vehicle chassis includes a vertically extending sleeve mounted at the end of a chassis rail of the vehicle for receiving a cylindrical wheel spindle for journaled rotation therein. A cup-shaped cap with downturned edges overlies the top of the sleeve and wheel spindle, and the cap is fixed to the spindle for rotation with it. The cap forms a sealing closure against the ingress of water and other contaminants through the top of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device and method for the equiaxial connection of multiple-part linkages includes a bush whose inside contour has a serration and whose outside contour is constructed as a dihedral profile. A flange of a coupling is slipped over the bush which has been fitted onto an end of a rod, this rod end being provided with a surface toothing. The inside contour of the flange has a dihedral profile corresponding to the bush. The device allows automated connection of steering linkages in vehicle assembly.

Abstract: In a module cover attaching structure of an air bag device for a passenger, a module cover is attached to a casing accommodating an air bag in a folded form, and an attachment piece provided at a rear surface of the module cover is attached to the casing. The attachment piece provided at a front edge, in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, of the casing has at least one bendable portion.

Abstract: Deployment apparatus for use in deploying an articulating structure. The deployment apparatus includes two pivotally connected hinge members and a spring that biases the hinge members in their open or deployed positions. An attenuator is also connected to one of the hinge members that prevents oscillatory movement between the hinge members as they are assuming their deployed positions and a cam member and a lobe on one of the hinge members lock the hinge members in position together as the hinge members are being extended to their deployed positions. The attenuator is adjustable and can be used to precisely fix the position of the deployed hinge members. The deployment apparatus is particularly suited for a wide variety of spacecraft applications where it can be used to extend spacecraft structures such as solar panels.

Abstract: Two embodiments of an air bag module and method of assembly are disclosed. One air bag module includes a flat support plate and a cover confining an air bag. The cover confines the air bag and has a plurality of resilient latch hooks spaced about its periphery which snap over the edges of the support plate and engage adjacent latch surfaces. A locking plate has a locking tab located adjacent each latch hook when assembled to the support plate to prevent deflection of the latch hooks and maintain the latch hooks in engagement with the latch surfaces. The inflator is later secured to the support plate by rivets which also secure the air bag and locking plate to the support plate. Another air bag module includes an air bag, an inflator, an open rectangular retainer mounting the air bag, and an open top and bottom container receiving the retainer and mounting the inflator, and a cover.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement includes an air-bag module disposed in a recess of an instrument panel, and a lid member for covering an opening of the recess. The lid member is secured to the instrument panel. The lid member is openable in response to inflation of an air bag of the air-bag module to accommodate expansion of the air bag into the passenger space. A first bracket member is secured to the lid member. A second bracket member is secured to the instrument panel and arranged to be brought into engagement with the first bracket member in a manner wherein distortion of either of the first and second bracket members is absent and to allow the first bracket member to be detached from the second bracket member in a snap action manner upon inflation of the air bag.

Abstract: The mobile carrier for an augmentative communication device of the present invention encompasses an apparatus enabling the carried augmentative communication device and carrier to be pushed or pulled to accommodate users preference for walking and their disability. The handle of the carrier is adjustable, to accommodate different people of different heights, as well as to adapt to individual needs of users depending upon the severity of their handicap, and the carrier is foldable to a cane configuration for instances where there is insufficient space to allow the carrier to be used in its rolling configuration.

Abstract: An airbag assembly (12/112) is incorporated into a vehicle (10) that includes a steering assembly (16/116) and a firewall (18). The firewall (18) at least partially defines an occupant compartment (20) and separates the occupant compartment (20) from an external environment (22). In one embodiment, the steering assembly (16) includes a steering column (50) defining an inlet passageway (71) and a separate exhaust passageway (73). The passageways (71) and (73) communicate separately with an airbag (30) through a mouth portion (32) of the airbag. The inlet passageway (71) communicates with an inflator (40), and the exhaust passageway (73) communicates with the external environment (22). Inflation fluid travels through the inlet passageway (71) into the airbag (30), and inflation fluid is vented through the outlet passageway (73) to the external environment (22).

Abstract: An air bag module comprises an inflatable air bag, an inflator and a container for housing the inflator and the air bag. The container comprises an elongated reaction canister having a closed housing formed of a U-shaped body with end walls defining a rectangular top gas discharge opening. An air bag deployment chute comprises a rectangular body having a bottom gas transfer opening mating with the canister opening and a top air bag deployment opening. Cooperating flanges on the top side of the canister and on the bottom side of the chute are interengageable upon endwise sliding to assemble the chute to the canister. Surfaces on the chute and canister engage to locate the chute bottom opening in registry with the canister opening. Cooperating tabs on the canister are received in slots formed in the chute upon assembly and are deformed to lock the chute to the canister.

Abstract: An inflator comprising: a pressure vessel (10) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure vessel comprising a first burst disk (46) and a seal disk (310) both for selectively sealing same. The inflator (10) including a gas release mechanism (52, 300) for permitting the controlled, staged release of the inflation gas at determinable inflation rates. The gas release mechanism includes: a first pyrotechnic device, positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the first burst disk (46), including a piston (72) moved into a disk piercing position to rupture the first burst disk (46) in response to the buildup of pressure caused burning of a first quantity of propellant material (218).

Abstract: The invention suggests an unmanned radio-control automotive working machine for safely mowing grass and lawns on dangerous slopes, which includes a carriage on which a power source such as a gasoline engine, a traveling apparatus and a working apparatus of a grass cutter, a lawn mowing blade or the like and, more particularly, the structure of a traveling transmission mechanism of a traveling control apparatus in which a traveling brake functions without fail when a traveling clutch is neutral, and a differential-gear lock and the brake function to effect the braking operation quickly even if the working machine is on a steep slope, and the structure of a brake apparatus installed in a gear case of the traveling transmission. Thus, the invention achieves safety in radio-control operation, and size and weight reduction of the working machine.

Abstract: Two parallel main steel beams extend from front to rear of a trailer which beams terminate at their upper web edges with aligned aluminum-extruded H-shaped beams having a depending leg which is bolted to a steel beam web. A plurality of aluminum-extruded upper floor sections including a floor member and depending beams are interlocked and welded to one another at their edges to form a floor assembly. Side rails extend from front to rear of the trailer and have an upper leg interlocked with and welded to the upper floor assembly. A lower side rail leg is glued to a bottom aluminum sheet skin member. A rigid polyurethane foam layer is within each of the volumes formed by the bottom skin layers, the side rails, the H-beams and the upper floor assembly to form a composite platform structure which resists bending and shear loads. Braces further support the steel beams and platform assembly.

Abstract: A trolley with two telescopic handles each including a first tube received in a second tube received in a third tube. The first tube has first and second holes formed therethrough. The second tube has first, second and third holes formed therethrough. The third tube has a hole formed therethrough. A first locking device is mounted on the second tube so that a latch thereof is insertable through the first hole formed through the second tube. The latch of the first locking device is further insertable through the first and second holes formed through the first tube to lock the first tube in different positions in the second tube. A second locking device is mounted on the third tube so that a latch thereof is insertable through the hole formed through the third tube. The latch of the second locking device is further insertable through the second and third holes to lock the second tube in different positions in the third tube.

Abstract: An air suspension system for a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, wherein an air spring is mounted directly on the leaf spring of the vehicle and the air spring and leaf spring support the weight of the vehicle frame and load, effectively in series. The combination of the air spring and leaf spring provides a reduction in ride vibration whereby the vehicle rides as smoothly when it is unloaded as when it is carrying a load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable golf cart for accommodating one or more golf club bags. The adjustable golf cart includes a plurality of movable generally C-shaped clamps and bases for holding either one or more than one golf club bags.

Abstract: A height adjustment apparatus for a baby walker includes a first controlling member and a second controlling member which are associated with each other. The height of the baby walker can be adjusted only when rotation of first controlling member and movement of the second controlling member are effected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bicycle tow-bar which is adapted to be attached between a bicycle and a wheelchair with the attachment to the wheelchair being versatile enough to capture the front swivel wheels of most wheelchairs and easily attached and un-attached to a bicycle by a ball-hitch attached to the seat post. A mud-guard is also disclosed which is easily attached to the tow-bar to repel mud or small rocks, etc.

Abstract: A steerable axle assembly incorporates an improved kingpin securement system for accommodating wear during the useful life of the kingpin. The assembly defines a steering axle boss having a vertically oriented bore. A pivotal steering knuckle is secured to the boss. A cylindrical kingpin is supported within the bore and extends through apertures in the knuckle to retain the knuckle on the boss. The boss includes a cross aperture which extends transversely to and partially intersects the bore. A drawkey, supported within the cross aperture, includes an elongated head having a tapered flat surface adapted to engage the kingpin. The drawkey includes a threaded shaft portion which has an end extending externally of the cross aperture, and a nut threaded on the shaft portion for securement of drawkey the against the kingpin. A disc spring washer is secured about the threaded shaft portion of the drawkey, between the nut and an exterior surface of the boss for preloading the drawkey against the kingpin.

Abstract: In a linear drive for belt pretensioner in vehicle restraining systems a piston/cylinder unit (10) is used, the piston of which is subjected to pressure by the gases generated by a pyrotechnical gas generator (26). A pulling cable (12) is connected to the piston (24), said connection not being direct but with interposition of a damping means (32) which in the phase of the pressure rise of the gases limits the force exerted on the pulling cable (12) and allows said force to increase smoothly and is effective during a substantial fraction of the initial phase of the piston movement in which the gas pressure (D) generated by the generator (26) rises.