Abstract: A gas generator for vehicle occupant restraint systems comprises an elongated housing having gas outlet openings, a sealed, rupturable gas generant cartridge positioned within the housing, and pyrotechnic gas generant contained in the cartridge. An igniter capsule mounted at one end of the housing has an exit opening juxtaposed the sealed gas generant cartridge. The igniter capsule contains ignitor material, and an initiator and initiator charge. The initiator ignites the ignitor material which expels a fireball of hot combustion products from the opening, capsules exit rupturing the sealed cartridge and igniting the gas generant charge to produce gas for inflating an air bag. A rupturable seal is provided over the exit opening of the ignitor capsule and a nozzle directs hot combustion products to the gas generant cartridge. The initiator charge is auto ignitor material for operating the gas generator if it is exposed to fire.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing a control circuit comprising a squib that activates an air bag or the like, a first and a second switching element for activating the squib, and a collision judging circuit that turns on the first and the second switching elements upon detecting an impact in excess of a predetermined level. A microcomputer included in the apparatus generates a signal that turns on either of the two switching elements. The voltage between the activated switching element and the squib is then detected and compared by the microcomputer with the voltage in normal operation for fault diagnosis.

Abstract: An under body structure of an automotive vehicle including a transfer unit for transferring an engine output to vehicle wheels. A canister device for taking in fuel vapor is supported at a vehicle body frame member. The canister device is disposed in back of the transfer unit. The frame design and cross member arrangement allow displacement of the canister device when the vehicle is involved in a collision. This arrangement prevents the canister device from being contacted by rearward movement of the transfer unit.

Abstract: A deep drawn reaction canister encloses a hybrid inflator. In order to evenly inflate an airbag, a diffuser sheet is positioned over the inflator to distribute the gases which exit one end of the inflator. The diffuser sheet serves a second function of securing the inflator in the canister. It does so by means of screws which extend through the canister and into threaded engagement with the diffuser sheet, placing it in tension when the screws are tightened.

Abstract: A suspension system for the drive wheel or wheels of a human powered vehicle provides a direct and rigid connection between the mounting of a driving pulley and the mounting of a driven pulley for rotating the drive wheel or wheels. A single and simple pivot junction allows the swing necessary for suspension of a rigid rear triangle carrying both of these mountings. A pressurized gas bag or a spring system is used to provide a biasing force between the rear triangle and a front triangle. This allows the maximum efficient use of human effort and avoids compromising the ideal operator position on the vehicle, as well as providing adjustable shock absorbing capabilities.

Abstract: A latch member for a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus has an anchor portion, a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion. The anchor portion connects the latch member to a lap belt. The first tongue portion of the latch member is movable into a passage in a seat belt buckle, and has a first opening for receiving a locking element in the seat belt buckle to lock the first tongue portion in the buckle. The second tongue portion of the latch member is movable into a passage in another seat belt buckle, and has a second opening for receiving a locking element in the other seat belt buckle to lock the second tongue portion in the other buckle.

Abstract: The linear drive for a belt pretensioner in a vehicle safety belt system excels by its elongated slim configuration and is thus suitable for incorporating in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The gas generator (20) is provided with an impact fuse which interacts with a spring-loaded striker (32). The striker (32) is maintained in its rest position by locking means (48). By means of a slidable sensor inertial body (26) in a housing (12) the lock can be cancelled to release the striker (32). The housing which also accommodates the gas generator (20) is located in the elongation of the cylinder (10) to which it is rigidly connected. Sensor inertial body (26) and striker (32) are movable in parallel to the axis of the cylinder, thus achieving the slim configuration.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an improved inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint (12) such as an air bag. The inflator has an igniter (40). The igniter (40) comprises a container (130) which contains an ignitable particulate output charge (152). The particulate output charge (152) is retained within the container and occupies only a portion of the container. The container (130) thus has a free volume (154) equal to about 25% to about 75% of the volume of the container. The output charge (152) has a burn time in the range of 5-100 milliseconds. The container has at least one orifice means (136) closed by a rupturable disk (138). The orifice means (136) has an orifice area which is sized to contain the output charge (152) within the container (130) until at least a substantial portion of the output charge ignites. This provides a low brisance ignition.

Abstract: A straddle bearing incorporates a U-shaped frame receiving bearings which support an output shaft of a PTO assembly. The bearings flank or straddle a sheave or other drive member which is fixed to the output shaft. Radial loads imposed on the drive member are transmitted to the U-frame as opposed to the clutch and flywheel. The sheave and U-frame are dimensioned to permit replacement of belts or other torque transfer elements without disassembling the U-frame. In addition to being supported on the clutch housing, the U-frame can be supported on a beam and/or a bracket connected to the prime mover frame or a frame of the driven device. The configuration of the U-frame permits adjustment of the orientation of the U-frame with respect to the clutch housing, and also permits the mounting of an auxiliary drive member on the output shaft.

Abstract: A lightweight, two piece wheelchair wherein both pieces are separable and optionally foldable. The wheelchair is driven manually by rotating a pair of opposed handwheels, one of which is contacted by each of the occupant's hands. When a seat positioning crank is rotated by the wheelchair occupant, a seat raising mechanism is activated which moves the seat from a horizontal sitting position to an inclined but substantially vertical position toward the front of the wheelchair. As the seat is raised, the contour of the seat is altered to provide added comfort for the occupant in the standing position.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a shock absorber disposed between a sprung portion and an unsprung portion of a vehicle for each of the vehicle wheels, a damping force changing device for changing a damping characteristic of the shock absorber, a detecting device for detecting a difference in a damping force among the shock absorbers for respective wheels, and a control device for controlling the damping characteristic of the shock absorber so as to restrict the difference in the damping force among the wheels when the vehicle is in a specific running condition. Through the use of such a vehicle suspension device, diagonal vibration can be suppressed, improved running stability can be obtained and riding comfort can be improved.

Abstract: An end stop arrangement for a cabin of a vehicle supported on a frame of the vehicle and movable between upper and lower end positions, wherein the frame has at least a lower abutment surface. The end stop arrangement includes a link arm having an upper abutment surface as well as first and second ends. The link arm is pivotally connected at the first end to the cabin and at the second end to the frame. A stop arm is connected to the cabin and extends in the direction of the frame. Damping elements are connected to the stop arm. The damping elements engage the lower abutment surface when the cabin is in the lower end position and the damping elements engage the upper abutment surface when the cabin is in the upper end position.

Abstract: A steering wheel having a pressure-sensitive horn activator integrated with an airbag assembly. The horn activator is configured for quick activation, while avoiding accidental activation due to changes in ambient temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A front suspension for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a knuckle joined to a wheel; a pair of upper and lower control arms connecting the knuckle to a car body; an absorbing member formed by unifying an impact absorber and a spring, and longitudinally arranged at a rear portion of a front bumper; an extension bar connected to a rear end portion of a damper rod of the impact absorber; a rotatable arm formed with a horizontal portion having a slider therein, a vertical portion being connected to a rear end portion of the extension bar and a connection portion of the vertical portion and the horizontal portion fixed on the car body at a rear upper portion of the wheel by a pivot member.

Abstract: A chassis attachable to a fifth wheel of a tractor for hauling a freight container has a variable height gooseneck assembly for accommodating either a standard or a reduced tunnel depth freight container seatable on the chassis. The variable height gooseneck assembly includes a longitudinally extending gooseneck beam and a plate movable to a first position above the longitudinally extending gooseneck beam to support a standard tunnel depth freight container. A plate support element is movably connected to the plate and the longitudinally extending gooseneck beam, the plate support element being configured to move the plate to a second position that allows supported positioning on the gooseneck assembly of a reduced tunnel depth container.

Abstract: A bicycle, in particular an all-terrain bicycle, with a front wheel which can be pivoted by means of a handlebar, a rear wheel, and a rear wheel drive assembly comprising a pedal unit, a transmission (19), and a gear element. The front wheel is driven by way a transmission interconnecting the rear wheel a cardan joint and another transmission interconnecting the cardan joint and the front wheel.

Abstract: A convertible trailer assembly having a first orientation wherein a center trailer hitch is connected to a lead vehicle and a second orientation wherein two outside trailer hitches are connected to a lead vehicle. The convertible trailer assembly comprises a trailer frame having two longitudinally extending hollow side channels. A wheel assembly includes a fixed upper plate and a rotatably connected lower plate. The lower plate includes a depending skirt including a centrally located aperture, a coil overshock coupled with the lower plate, a vertical arm extending downwardly from the lower plate, horizontally extending arms connecting the lower ends of the coil overshock with the vertical arm. A wheel is rotatably mounted between the coil overshock and the horizontally extending arm with the wheel assembly being coupled to the lower surface and rearward end of the trailer frame.

Abstract: A vehicular work table apparatus comprising a vehicular work table apparatus coupleable to a hitch chassis of a vehicle comprising of a pedestal formed of a rod, the rod including a base end, a support end, and a intermediate location defined between the base end and the support end, the rod further including a support segment and a base segment, the support segment extending upwards from the intermediate location to the support end, the base segment extending from the intermediate location to the base end, the base end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle's hitch chassis to place the pedestal in an upright configuration. A plate coupled to the support end of the pedestal to define a table top, with the pedestal and table top defining a table. A means for coupling the table to a vehicle to place the table in a stowed configuration.

Abstract: A variable shock absorber assembly of the adaptive or semi-active type or an active actuator wherein the actuator, sensors, electronic controller and valving are integral to and integrated into one assembly and comprise one compact integral unit. Feedback control provides a signal proportional to and indicative of the actuator position and velocity. The compact system is temperature compensated by incorporating temperature sensors into the integrated assembly. The integrated system also provides diagnostics integral to the assembly and an LED mounted on the assembly for providing a visual indication of system condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-line roller skate including an elongate base plate having a top side to which a boot is secured, and an underside that mounts four wheel assemblies, the front wheel assembly having a fixed orientation and the remaining assemblies each having a caster-like construction. Springs bias each of the caster-like assemblies in a straight-ahead orientation, and first and second near-vertically extending fixed brake surfaces are spaced on opposite sides of the rearwardmost wheel such that the wheel frictionally engages a brake surface whenever the wheel is substantiallly turned to one direction or the opposite direction.