Abstract: An apparatus for use in inflating an air bag comprises a container (15) containing a supply of inflation fluid. The container has a first outer surface (19) and an inner surface (26) which is threaded and defines a threaded opening extending into the container from the first outer surface. A plug (40) has an outer periphery (45) which is threaded. The plug is screwed into the threaded opening in the container. The outer periphery of the plug includes a second outer surface (51) adjacent the first outer surface of the container. The outer periphery of the plug and the inner surface of the container that defines the threaded opening comprise an interface (11) between the plug and the container. The interface extends to the periphery of the container between the first and second outer surfaces. A ring (30) overlies both the interface and portions of the first and second outer surfaces.

Abstract: An airbag restraint unit for protecting a vehicle passenger from application of impact in the event of a serious vehicle collision. The airbag restraint unit having a gas generator storage container, as a sealed container in which a generally cylindrical gas generator is disposed. An airbag is sealingly and securely attached to the storage container in such a manner that high pressure gas from the gas generator is introduced into the airbag in the event of the vehicle collision. The storage container is provided at its inside with support sections for the gas generator, projecting inside the storage container. During assembly of the unit, the gas generator is inserted into the storage container through a hole formed in a side end wall of the storage container and slidingly moved toward an opposite side end wall upon contacting with the support sections.

Abstract: A folding device for a stroller includes a positioning device securely mounted to an upper end of a front member and a retainer device mounted to an associated end of a handle of the stroller. The positioning device includes a groove therein, a sliding hook member slidably mounted in the groove and having a hook, a button having a first end pivotally mounted to the positioning device and a second resting on an upper end of the sliding hook member to actuate the sliding hook member, and a spring for biasing the sliding hook member upwardly. The retainer device includes a first end securely mounted to the associated end of the handle, a second end pivotally mounted to the positioning means, and a retainer member projecting transversely from a longitudinal direction thereof for releasably engaging with the hook of the sliding hook member.

Abstract: A height adjustable universal creeper comprises a moveable base, interchangeable posts, extension members, a cushioned platform mounted upon a frame which is mounted upon the extension members, and rungs attached to a long post and spaced apart along the length of the long post. A tray is slidably mounted beneath the platform near a terminal end of the frame and has a compartment to conveniently store tools, accessories, and the like. The height adjustable creeper is very versatile and can be easily adjusted not only above hard-to-reach work areas such as engine compartments of vehicles but also beneath the work areas such as beneath the vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a collision sensor (52) and an inflator assembly (20). The collision sensor (52) provides a collision signal indicating the occurrence of a vehicle collision. The inflator assembly (20) includes a first source (22) of inflation fluid which, when actuated, provides a first volume of inflation fluid. The inflator assembly (20) further includes a second source (24) of inflation fluid which, when actuated, provides a second volume of inflation fluid which differs from the first volume. A position sensor (70) provides a position signal indicating a position of an occupant of the vehicle. A controller (50) actuates the first and second sources (22, 24) of inflation fluid in any one of a plurality of differing modes of operation in response to the collision signal and the position signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the force of a collision and actuating a vehicle occupant restraint system in response thereto. An actuator piston is slidably mounted within a restraint system module and is disposed intermediate a source of pressurized gas and an inflatable occupant restraint. The actuator piston is maintained in position by a frangible sensor shaft intermediate the source of pressurized gas and the inflatable occupant restraint system. A sensor weight is annularly disposed about the frangible sensor shaft. The sensor weight comprises a non-uniform mass which, when subject to the inertial force of a collision, will transmit a shearing force to the surface of the sensor shaft which is sufficient to fracture or otherwise disrupt the structural integrity of the sensor shaft.

Abstract: A starting device (21, 121, 41) for actuating a gas generator (8) by striking a detonator (10) in response to an acceleration of a predetermined level or more. The starting device includes a firing pin (22), an inertial mass (23), an annular permanent magnet (24) and an erroneous-actuation preventing mechanism (9, 109, 42). The firing pin (22) is capable of igniting the detonator (10) by moving toward and colliding against the detonator (10). The inertial mass (23) is made of a cylindrical permanent magnet for supplying kinetic energy to the firing pin (22). The annular permanent magnet (24) has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the inertial mass (23). The erroneous-actuation preventing mechanism (9,109, 42) prevents the erroneous actuation of the starting device (21, 121, 41). The erroneous-actuation preventing mechanism (9,109, 42) includes a restricting member for selectively setting the inertial mass (23) in a nonmovable state and in a movable state.

Abstract: An air bag inflator for generating gas to rapidly inflate an air bag includes a housing having spaced-apart opposite end walls with aligned outer peripheral edges, an outer side wall extending between the end walls around the peripheral edges defining an outer chamber for containing gas-generating material and a filter element. The housing also includes an inner side wall extending between the end walls in concentric, centered relation for containing an ignition squib and ignition-enhancing material and provided with ignition ports in communication with the other combustion chamber. The outer side wall is provided with a plurality of ports directing hot products of combustion outwardly to inflate an associated air bag. At least one pair of concentric crimp-formed joints are provided to interconnect the side walls and at least one of the end walls, top or bottom.

Abstract: A pair of toe thrusting blades for attachment to goalkeeper ice skates which are attachable to the underside of the toe of the boot and extend sideways and forwards at the toe of the boot which are normally clear of the ice but which will engage the ice when the goalkeeper rolls his foot at an extreme angle.

Abstract: A track supporting roller apparatus supports the articulated track chain of an undercarriage assembly of a track-type work machine. Vibrations and shock loads are generated to a track-type work machine when load bearing track rollers contact the articulated joints of the track chain and the born load is not picked up by an adjacent track roller. The subject roller apparatus has track rollers spaced to support the track chain and prevent the introduction of vibrations and shock loads.

Abstract: An air bag received in a safety belt, includes an air bag having an inlet defined therein which is connected to an out-put device, a safety belt having a reception portion defined therein for receiving the air bag in flat form therein, the safety belt coilably received in a box and a connecting device connecting to the box and operated by an action of the box when the safety belt is pulled to operate the out-put device to inflate the air bag.

Abstract: A new and improved anti-jackknife apparatus for tractor to trailer connections includes a fifth wheel assembly connected to a tractor and a pair of locking pin assemblies connected to the fifth wheel assembly. Each of the locking pin assemblies includes an extensible and retractable lock pin. A control assembly is connected to the pair of locking pin assemblies. The control assembly is capable of being controlled by a first control signal in response to actuation of tractor brakes and is capable of being controlled by a second control signal in response to manual actuation of a bypass switch assembly by a tractor driver. A plate is connected to a trailer such that the trailer plate encircles a kingpin extending downward from the trailer. The trailer plate includes a pair of partially-ring-shaped slots adapted to receive the lock pins of the locking pin assemblies when the lock pins are in an extended position.

Abstract: A rear wheel suspension for a vehicle includes an axle beam for rotatably supporting wheels disposed on both sides of the axle beam, a strut assembly disposed on an upper portion of both ends of the axle beam, and a lateral rod having first connecting portions connected to a first end of the axle beam and second connecting portions connected to a car body on the opposite end of the lateral rod to be horizontally disposed in the direction of an axle. The lateral rod has an upper and a lower rod spaced apart by a first width at the first end and spaced apart by a second width at the second end, wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the axle beam by inserting a separate connecting member therebetween and the second connecting portion is connected directly to the car body.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system is housed within an interior trim product with a hidden door that is opened when an air bag is inflated for deployment into the passenger car or a vehicle. The door is formed in a reinforced segment of a layer of low density rigid foam material that forms the load bearing support for the interior trim product and a backing for an outer skin or decorative surface that forms the outer cover of the interior trim product. The hidden door is formed by cast in place segments in the reinforced segment of the layer of low density rigid foam material a door hinge segment and a weakened tear seam segment which separates when the air bag impacts thereagainst to tear the outer skin for forming an opening therethrough for deployment of the air bag into the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator includes a chamber for storing inert gas under high pressure, a chamber for storing pyrotechnic material used to heat the stored gas, a diffuser which contains gas orifices for dispensing gas uniformly into an air bag assembly, a thin metal diaphragm to provide a pressure seal between the storage chamber and the diffuser, and a metal disk that is scored with a circular groove to seal the pyrotechnic material from the stored gas. Upon receiving an electrical signal an initiator fires and ignites the pyrotechnic charge. As pressure in the combustion chamber rises and exceeds the pressure in the storage chamber the metal disk that is scored with a circular groove ruptures and allows hot gas and burning pyrotechnic material to heat the gas and cause a rapid pressure rise in the gas storage chamber.

Abstract: An air bag module (10) comprising: an extruded housing (12) having first and second side walls (24, 26) and ends (72, 74), and a bottom (23) linking the side walls, an integral hollow manifold (14) formed as an extending part of the first side wall (24), the manifold including a plurality of openings (18) therethrough, a first slot (32) formed as an integral part of the first side wall (24) proximate its top, a first notch (34) formed on an outside surface of the side wall (24) and a first rotatable flange (50) on the first side wall (24) movable toward the first notch (34), a first groove (52) formed between the first flange (50) and the outside surface of the first side wall, the second side wall (26) including a boss (60) at its top and a second slot(33) integrally formed therewith proximate the bottom (23), a wall portion (62) spaced from the second side wall (26) forms a second groove (66) therebetween, end plates (80a, 80b), each having an opening aligned with a hollowed portion (90) of the manifold for

Abstract: A rear axle auto-tracking system automatically ensures that the rear axle follows the front axle on an agricultural vehicle having adjustable front and rear track assemblies. With the auto-tracking system energized, the vehicle operator simply adjusts the front track while driving and the rear axle automatically adjusts to stay in line with the front track within about .+-.1/2 inch per side. The system can be turned off to allow independent rear track adjustment. If the system is re-energized while driving, the rear track will quickly adjust to follow the front axle setting. As when adjusting the front track, the vehicle must be moving when adjusting the rear axle track.

Abstract: Adaptive cruise control speed limiting consistent with sensor and system limitations ensures an adaptive cruise control source vehicle operates in adaptively controllable speed ranges including speed ranges corresponding to following distances within the sensor range and excluding speed ranges at which preceding targets are not reliably distinguishable by the sensing system.

Abstract: A body safety restraint apparatus used in a prisoner transportation vehicle for restraining and bracing prisoners against impact and movement within the transportation vehicle. The restraint apparatus includes a pivotal restraint frame and a locking mechanism. The restraint frame pivots between an entry position for allowing prisoners to enter the vehicle and a restraint position overlying the prisoners while in a seated position. The restraint frame includes a horizontal bar extending across the prisoners' upper bodies and a horizontal restraint extending across the prisoners' laps.

Abstract: An inflator assembly (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a pressure vessel (14) with a storage chamber (18) containing a combustible mixture of gases. An ignitable material (122), when burning, increases the pressure of the mixture of gases by igniting the mixture of gases. The mixture of gases is released to exit the storage chamber (18) at a first flow rate and subsequently at a second, greater flow rate. A first gas outlet opening (172) is provided in the pressure vessel (14) when the inflator assembly (10) is actuated, and a second gas outlet opening (186) is subsequently provided in the pressure vessel (14) at a predetermined time. A diffuser (176) directs gas from the gas outlet openings (172) and (186) into the inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12).