Abstract: A combination golf pull cart and golf bag in which the cart wheel-supporting legs vertically suspend, when not in an open tripod bag-supporting use, from a semi-circular bracket in encircling relation about the rear of the golf bag, which is a position forward and almost entirely within the width of the golf bag, and contributes to an optimum compact storage condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing inflation gas for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint are provided wherein a filter housed within a chamber of the apparatus effects gas redirection and particulate removal from at least a portion of the hot gas released from a gas generating material-containing first chamber of the apparatus, forming a hot gas having a significantly reduced particulate content. The apparatus includes a diffuser having one or more controlling orifices and exit ports to provide for the passage of inflation gas therethrough into the vehicle occupant restraint. There is at least an approximately 180.degree. cumulative change in gas direction between contacting the filter and the passage of the inflation gas into the diffuser.

Abstract: Featured for use in the reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a continuous circumference diffuser tube. The diffuser tube may be a one-piece, two-piece or clamshell type all of which functionally are the same although the clamshell type is more versatile. The diffuser tube provides for the attachment of brackets for installation of the reaction canister in the instrument panel of a vehicle, provides a secure reliable attachment for the inflatable bag or protective cushion, and a secure installation of the inflator. The diffuser tube completely encloses the inflator and allows a last operation of assembly thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system includes components for engaging the brakes of the vehicle through the vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. In its preferred embodiment the system includes an auxiliary vacuum booster, an air plunger and cylinder assembly, a compressor for producing compressed air for moving the plunger, an arm connecting the plunger with the vacuum booster, an auxiliary brake master cylinder, and hydraulic fluid lines between the auxiliary brake master cylinder and the conventional fluid lines of the vehicle. Once parked, the compressor automatically engages and pressurizes the plunger and cylinder. The plunger presses against the vacuum booster utilizing the remaining vacuum available from the existing system. The vacuum booster acts against the auxiliary master cylinder to apply pressure on the fluid lines between the auxiliary master cylinder and the vehicle's existing hydraulic lines, thereby locking the vehicle brakes.

Abstract: A safety mechanism is provided for a mechanical trigger device of a gas generator. The mechanical trigger device has an inertia body, which is displaceable upon application of a deceleration of at least a predetermined value, and a mechanical trigger for actuating the gas generator in response to a displacement of the inertia body. The safety mechanism comprises a device for selectively setting the trigger in a first state where the trigger is operative or in a second state where the trigger is prevented from operation. This setting device has a member displaceable between a first position where the trigger is set in the first state and a second position where the trigger is set in the second state. The safety mechanism also comprises a cover member for being mounted to cover the setting device. This cover member has mount-preventing member for interfering with the displaceable member located in the second position so that mounting of the cover member is prevented.

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus includes first and second telescopingly arranged members. A non-deformable ring is mounted on one end of one of the members and engages a plurality of projections extending from the side wall of the other member. The projections extend longitudinally along the other member and are provided in various lengths, widths, heights and numbers to provide selective force versus displacement characteristics during the telescoping collapse of the first and second members with respect to each other. Preferably, the first and second members form a steering column housing for a vehicle steering apparatus.

Abstract: A suspension system for the main frame of a large dump truck has laterally spaced frame members each associated with a wheel mounting hub. For each hub, a hollow forward attachment arm is supported by a bearing block having a longitudinal journal and a transverse journal. The longitudinal journal receives the attachment arm and the transverse journal receives the ends of a shaft rigidly secured to the frame members and extends therebetween to define a cross member. A vertically compliant suspension strut includes a cylinder rigidly attached to a support secured to the frame member and receives a piston attached to a rear extension from the hub via a bearing which allows each hub to rotate about longitudinal and transverse axes relative to the respective frame member. Also disclosed is a dump truck body having side walls, a floor and an end wall. The floor is reinforced by longitudinal reinforcing beams and by only one transverse beam.

Abstract: A safety belt adjusting device adapted to be secured to a three point safety belt. The safety belt adjustment device includes a pair of parallel and spaced apart rods having a threaded portion at one end, and an enlarged head opposite the threaded portion. A nut engages the threaded portion of each of the rods. Each of the rods extends through an aperture formed through a first rod retaining plate such that the plate is adjacent the enlarged heads of the rods. Similarly, the rods extend through respective apertures formed through a second rod retaining plate such that the rod retaining plate is adjacent the nuts. A sleeve extends over each rod intermediate the first and second rod retaining plate to form a belt slot having a length substantially equal to the sleeves, and a width substantially equal to the distance between the respective rods.

Abstract: An undercarriage structure of a motor vehicle has a pair of front frames, a pair of floor frames integrally connected with rear ends of the front frames, a floor panel attached to the floor frames, and side sills extending in a front/rear direction and being connected with the sides of the floor frames. The floor frames, the side sills and the floor panel together form closed sections extending in the front/rear direction.

Abstract: An inflatable air-belt comprises an air tube and a sheath surrounding the air tube. While the sheath has a flat strip shape when the air-belt is used as an usual flat belt, the air tube is inflated when a predetermined impact is applied to a sensor for the air-belt. The air tube may be folded toward its center along its both sides. The sheath may be formed with cut perforated lines along its both sides. The sheath may comprise two flat strips which are attached to each other by means of hook-loop fastener attached to longitudinal edges of the flat strips. The air-belt is provided at its middle portion with a locking buckle assembly for securing the middle portion of the air-belt to the vehicle body. The locking buckle assembly has a locking buckle fixed to the vehicle body and a buckle tongue connected to the air-belt.

Abstract: The sidewalls of a reaction canister for a passenger-side airbag module define a pair of opposed, parallel channels on their inner surfaces. A protective cover in the form of a thin rectangular plastic body has two opposite edges thickened to form lobes. These lobes are inserted into the channels before the second end plate is attached to the canister.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) for redirecting a shoulder strap (2) of a vehicle's seat belt from a standard path, the standard path extending between a lower buckle clasp (12) to an upper vehicle sidewall mounting (11) across a torso of an average height adult passenger of the vehicle, to a lowered path extending across a torso of a reduced height passenger of the vehicle, may comprise: an upper shoulder strap feeder fastener (5) for holding and guiding the shoulder strap (2) from the upper sidewall mounting (11) at a point substantially along the standard path at a side of the reduced height passenger adjacent the mounting (11); a middle shoulder strap locating fastener (6) for holding and guiding the shoulder strap (2) from the upper shoulder strap feeder fastener (5) to the lower buckle clasp (12); a lower belt fastener (7) attachable to a lap strap (3) of the seat belt; and a body member (4) interconnecting the upper shoulder strap feeder fastener (5), the middle shoulder strap locating fastener (6) and the lower bel

Abstract: An air bag system is provided with a gain variable amplifier which corrects an output from an acceleration sensor by amplifying it with a set gain and a microcomputer which controls a gain of the gain variable amplifier so that a desired output is obtained when a predetermined input is supplied to the sensor and stops the gain control under a mounted condition after the gain has been set. For the gain control by the microcomputer, a shift register is used.

Abstract: A break-away fastening system for securing an air bag deployment door in position closing a panel opening used for air bag deployment includes a fastener extending from the door toward a facing edge flange of the panel around the panel opening. The fastener includes a head at an end portion directed toward the edge flange and adapted to be inserted through an aperture provided therein as the door is moved into place covering the panel opening. After full insertion, fingers of the head snap outwardly away from each other on an opposite side of the edge flange to lock the head and thus secure the door firmly in place. The fastener has at least one frangible section of reduced cross-section between the door and the edge flange which section is fractured or broken upon deployment of the air bag against the door as it moves through the panel opening.

Abstract: An air bag module (50) comprising an inflator (40) for generating inflation gas; an air bag (12) disposed about the inflator to receive the inflation gas exiting the inflator; a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator. The inflator comprises: a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16). The exit ports are arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure. A plug (60) or plugs is provided for closing a designated set of exit ports to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. Each plug is received in each of the designated exit ports and is preferably received though a portion of the structure such that if the inflator is removed from the structure each plug must also be removed, thereby opening all of previously closed exit ports and rendering the inflator in its thrust neutral condition once again.

Abstract: A safety steering system for a motor vehicle which includes a steering shaft received in a steering column, with the steering column including axially extending elongate slots having each opposite end limiting edges and spaced substantially linear limiting edges extending between the opposite end limiting edges and with the end limiting edge remote from a steering wheel side of the steering column having a circular shape defining a circular opening having a diameter, which is greater than a distance between the spaced substantially linear limiting edges, corresponding to the diameter of said circular opening, and the steering column being secured to a vehicle body with circular connecting elements extending through spacer sleeves located in the circular openings and surrounded by bushes made of an easily deformable material.

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 inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope shaped elastic inflatable member inflated and deployed in a rough spindle shape by introducing gas generated by a first gas generating device. The gas generating device operates in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold. A webbing includes the inflatable portion and extends over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant. A tongue is fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and includes a gas path extending from the gas generating device. A buckle is detachably engaged with the tongue. The envelope shaped inflatable member is inflated in a predetermined shape by introducing gas for a leak testing from a second gas generating device when the tongue is engaged with the buckle, and is inspected whether or not the gas leaks by a gas leak detecting device disposed in the gas path. A state of the damage is inspected.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope part inflated and deployed in a spindle shape by introducing gas generated by a gas generating device, the gas generating device acting in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold, a webbing having the inflatable portion extending over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant, a tongue fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and having a gas path from the gas generating device and a buckle to which the tongue is detachably engaged. The inflatable portion has an elastic inflatable unit inserted into the envelope part and is inflated and deployed by introducing the gas generated by the gas generating device into the elastic inflatable unit via a filter.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope part inflated and deployed in a spindle shape by introducing a gas generated by a gas generating device, the gas generating device acting in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold, a webbing having the inflatable portion extending over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant, a tongue fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and having a gas inlet from the gas generating device inside thereof and a buckle which detachably engages the tongue. The envelope part is made of a knitted fabric expanded in the weft direction in a range of contacting the chest of the occupant when the envelope part is inflated. The inflatable seat belt apparatus includes an inflation restricting device for restricting the expansion in the weft direction besides the range.