Abstract: An inflator includes a housing formed by two cups. An initiator is snap fit into an opening of a cup before the cup is connected to the other of the two cups. Flexible fingers on the outer surface of the initiator are biased inwardly as the initiator is inserted into the opening and then snap radially outward into an annular groove disposed on the inside surface of the opening to hold the initiator in the opening. An O-ring is then placed around the initiator between a shoulder of the initiator and a wall of the cup to bias the initiator away from the cup to ensure that the initiator remains in position and to seal the inside of the cup from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a steering wheel central pad having a skeleton (1) provided with an open dish (2), for receiving an inflatable bag in a folded state, and with a soft covering (5). At least the inflatable bag (3) in the folded state is placed in the dish. The opening of the dish (2) is closed off using a sealing material (4) which can tear when the bag inflates. The skeleton, together with its dish (2) provided with the bag (3) and with the sealing material (4), is placed in a mold for manufacturing the soft covering by injection of plastic. Then, plastic is injected into the mold in order to form the soft covering (5).

Abstract: Braking apparatus for use on wheelchairs are provided by the present invention. The braking apparatus may be used on a wheelchair having a pair of rotatable wheels and a frame member. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly connected to the frame member wherein the mounting assembly comprises first and second clamp sections for securing the mounting assembly to the frame member; a quick release assembly for compressing the first and second clamp sections around the frame member; and frictional braking means for slowing the rotation of at least one of said wheels.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a motor vehicle has an opening for deployment of an air bag and a discrete air bag door that is attached to the interior trim panel covering the opening. The door includes a relatively rigid retainer that hinges the door to the trim panel so that it opens responsive to deployment of the air bag. An unhinged end of the door is held down by two tether tear straps that break away when the air bag is deployed.

Abstract: Spaced frame rails mount a U-shaped frame therebetween, wherein the U-shaped frame is pivotally mounted relative to a first axle mounting a first wheel at a first end of the side rails, with a second axle mounted at the second end of the side rails supporting a second wheel. The side rails include extension legs extending from the side rails mounting a spool axle, with the spool axle mounting a first spool wheel that is mechanically coupled to the U-shaped support frame by means of a first string, with a second string directed from a second spool wheel on the spool axle to a third spool wheel mounted to the second axle, that in turn includes a ratchet and pawl structure, whereupon pivoting of the U-shaped frame rotates the first and second spool wheels as well as the third spool wheel to effect rotation of the ratchet and second axle effecting propulsion of the roller skate structure.

Abstract: A control device is provided for folding and extending a baggage cart which includes a substantially U-shaped support member having a horizontal first bight and two parallel vertical legs, a substantially U-shaped handle portion having a horizontal second bight and two parallel elongated stands each respectively pivotally engaged with a corresponding one of the vertical legs, a base member pivotally engaged with the support member, the control device including a movable sleeve member which is movably mounted on the pair of elongated stands and has a top plate, a pair of lug portions each laterally formed on the movable sleeve member and each having a vertical passage longitudinally defined therein for receiving a corresponding one of the elongated stands, the sleeve member having an opening facing downwardly for receiving the pair of vertical legs therein with the first bight of the support member abutting against the top plate of the sleeve member.

Abstract: An air bag module 10 includes an inflator (18) clamped between a first portion (14) and a second portion (16) of a housing (12). An air bag (20) is connected with a retaining ring (22). A series of fasteners (148, 150) on the retaining ring (22) extend through fastener openings (162, 164) in the air bag (20) and through fastener openings (96, 98) in the first portion (14) of the housing (12) and through fastener openings (126, 128) in the second portion (16) of the housing (12). The fasteners (148, 150) connect the air bag (20) with the retaining ring (22) and with the first and second portions (14, 16) of the housing (12).

Abstract: A vehicle steering control system and apparatus for controlling steering radius to prevent vehicle and surface damage and to provide improved low speed vehicle maneuverability. The steering control system and apparatus provides a first controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a first condition and a second controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a second condition. Examples of the first and second conditions include speed related conditions, such as, the actual speed of the vehicle, a selected gear of the vehicle, and manual selection of the turning radius. The system and apparatus includes a dual stroke hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder body housing a hydraulically controllable primary piston. A shaft is attached to and extends from the primary piston, projects through the cylinder body, and connects to the steering linkage of the vehicle. Hydraulic operation of the primary piston transfers forces along the shaft to the linkage.

Abstract: A tie rod assembly for a steering wheel structure for an agricultural vehicle such as a row crop applicator uses hydraulic cylinders to set the track width of the vehicle. The track width may be modulated between a minimum and a maximum track setting and modified until a desired track width is achieved while the vehicle is in motion and negotiating a turn without affecting toe-in settings. Toe-in settings are maintained by a closed loop series hydraulic system which further has the capability to reinitialize any toe-in setting to a preset condition in the event any hydraulic cylinder experiences cylinder drift.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system is disclosed incorporating a cushion structure or air bag having an impermeable external wall and a permeable internal wall with gas passageways therebetween. The air bag is mounted on a pair of gas manifolds having manifold gas ports communicating with the gas passageways in the air bag. Gas generator units are secured to the manifolds and are actuatable through impact signals to create high pressure gas directed through generator nozzles into the manifolds and subsequently into the gas passageways of the air bag. A valve plate supports a plurality of inlet reed valves operating in conjunction with a corresponding plurality of inlet ports to admit ambient air from within the vehicle into the expanding air bag; a pair of bi-level exhaust valves permit the escape of high pressure gas and air from within the air bag into the vehicle interior upon completion of the deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: The portable collection bag carrier has two tubular support posts removably mounted on a base board. A T-shaped bracket is mounted on each post. A vertical slot is formed at each end of the horizontal bar member of the T-shaped bracket. A slider member is slidably mounted on the vertical leg member of the T-shaped bracket, and a loop-shaped cable is mounted on the slider member. A collection bag may be removably mounted on the carrier by folding the top rim of the bag to wrap over the horizontal bar member of the T-shaped brackets, and placing the loop-shaped cable over the folded top rim of the bag to engage with the vertical slots. The cable is then tightened by sliding the slider member downwards to secure the bag in place. The base is also provided with a set of wheels and a tow rope to facilitate the carrier from being moved with ease around the work area for filling the bag.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an inflatable air bag (12), an air bag canister (24) having walls defining an interior chamber (25) in which the air bag is stored, and a source of inflation fluid (20) for inflating the air bag. The source of inflation fluid includes (i) an inflator body (21) having opposite ends and (ii) a nozzle opening (23) disposed at one end of the inflator body. A deflector panel (50) is attached to the air bag. The deflector panel defines an opening (45) through which inflation fluid flows to inflate the air bag. The deflector panel has surfaces (71, 72) that deflect inflation fluid flow from the nozzle opening (23) and through the opening (45).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a housing (12), an air bag (14), and an inflator (16). A pair of wave springs (20, 22) are mounted on opposite end walls (40, 42) of the housing (12). The springs (20, 22) engage opposite end portions (132, 134) of the inflator (16) to secure the inflator to the housing (12). The inflator (16) extends through a cardboard plenum tube (18) in the housing (12). The plenum tube (18) keeps open a passage in the air bag (14) for insertion of the inflator (16) during assembly of the module (10).

Abstract: An air bag inflator (20) includes gas stored at or above a predetermined pressure in a chamber (24) in a container (22). An initiator (10) connected with the container (22) is exposed to the pressure of the gas stored in the chamber (24). A closure can (120) of the initiator (10) includes an electrically conductive sensor portion (140) which is spaced apart from an electrically conductive contact can (200) when the pressure in the chamber (24) is at or above the predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber (24) drops below the predetermined pressure, the sensor portion (140) moves into electrical contact with the contact can (200). The engagement of the sensor portion (140) with the contact can (200) completes an electrical circuit to provide an indication of low pressure in the inflator (20).

Abstract: The invention concerns an automotive vehicle. This vehicle comprises a dashboard (26), steering control handles (28) distanced from the dashboard (26), the dashboard comprising a compartment (32) closed by a flap (34) and in which is arranged a protective bag (36) of supple material at least partially gas-tight, the vehicle further includes a gas source (38), the bag (36) being coupled to the gas source (38) and one or more accelerometers for automatically releasing the gas source (38) in response to abnormal behaviour of the vehicle, in that the bag (36) may assume a folded first state in which it is entirely housed within the compartment (32) and an inflated second state in which it extends out of the compartment (32) and in that the bag comprises a central portion (46) which is arranged so as to spread out, in the inflated state, over substantially the entire area of the dashboard (26).

Abstract: An air bag module (18) includes an inflator (14) and a reaction canister (16). The inflator (14) has an elongated container wall (108) with first and second longitudinally opposite end portions. The inflator (14) also has a nozzle (102) located adjacent to the first end portion of the container wall (108). An outer portion (24) of the reaction canister (16) defines an outer compartment (42) containing an air bag (12). The outer portion (24) of the reaction canister (16) has first and second side walls (34, 36) defining respective opposite ends of the outer compartment (42). An inner portion (26) of the reaction canister (16) contains the nozzle (102) and the first end portion of the container wall (108). A side wall (64) of the inner portion (26) of the reaction canister (16) has an opening (86) which is located intermediate the side walls (34, 36) of the outer portion (24).

Abstract: An assembly capable of accommodating casters having a different attaching-bolt pitches to a load carrying wheeler is disclosed, which includes two segmented halves of a pair of sleeves each composed of a mouth to receive therein ends of horizontally spaced tubular crossbeams and segmented halves of a caster-attaching block interposed between each sleeve pair. The blocks have a plurality of elongated bolt holes in the direction perpendicular with the axis of the sleeves, laid out end-to-end, so as to accommodate a range of caster-bolt pitches, and at least a pair of elongated bolt holes in the direction parallel with the sleeves' axis, also provided to accommodate a range of bolt pitches for a caster being attached to the base of the wheeler's rectangular framework. The segmented sleeves are made to slide closer or farther away from each other, so that the spacing of bolt holes across the segments can be adjusted to meet a wide range of caster-bolt pitches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) provide a deployment signal for deploying a vehicle occupant restraint device (20) during a side impact to a vehicle. The method includes the step of sensing a non-door side impact at a non-door location, and the step of providing a non-door side impact signal. The method further includes the step of sensing an on-door side impact at a vehicle door, and the step of providing an on-door side impact signal. The non-door side impact signal is evaluated to determine if it indicates a non-door deployment crash condition. The on-door side impact signal is evaluated to determine if it indicates an on-door deployment crash condition. A deployment signal is provided for deploying the vehicle occupant restraint device (20) when either of the side impact signals indicates a deployment crash condition.

Abstract: A backrest adjusting device for a stroller includes a slidable seat slidably mounted to each of two limbs of a backrest frame member of the stroller. Each slidable seat includes a receptacle, a spring mounted in the receptacle, a first pin mounted above the spring and transversely passing through an associated limb of the backrest frame member, a stop piece mounted in the receptacle and located above the first pin thereby defining a lowermost position of the slidable seat, and a second pin projecting outward from an outer periphery thereof. A pull bar is mounted between the slidable seats. The second pins engage with sockets defined in a frame of the stroller when the backrest frame member is in a substantially upright position. The backrest frame member is pivotable to a substantially horizontal position when the second pins disengage with the sockets upon actuation of the pull bar which causes upward movement of the slidable seats.

Abstract: A height-adjustable guide fitting for a seat belt of a motor vehicle has a rail member with a guide groove connected to the motor vehicle. The rail member has catch openings spaced at a distance from one another. A longitudinally slidable slide is positioned within the guide groove. A locking member is connected to the slide and in pivotable between a locked position and a release position. The locking member has a spring for biasing the locking member into the locked position and has a locking projection for engaging in the locked position a catch opening to thereby block the locking member relative to the rail member. A device for releasing the locking member is provided. The locking member has a lock lever pivotable between a position within the contour of the locking member and an outwardly pivoted engaging position for engaging one of the catch openings.