Abstract: A rear suspension (1) for motor vehicles comprises a suspension support frame (2) fixed to the body of the motor vehicle and carrying the members (3) for supporting and guiding the rear wheels (4) of the motor vehicle.A suspension support frame (2) is connected to the body of the vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis (A), contained substantially in the longitudinal median plane of the motor vehicle, by a plurality of attachment members (5). Each attachment member (5) comprises a first element fixed to the body and a second element fixed to the suspension support frame (2). The second element is mounted for sliding on the first element in a direction which is tangential to a circumference whose center lies on the vertical axis (A).

Abstract: A gas generator for inflating an inflatable article such as a safety bag or raft, has a reaction chamber (1) surrounded by a ring-shaped filter chamber (2). First gas exit openings (10 to 15) permit generated gas to flow from the reaction chamber into the filter chamber. Second gas exit openings (22) lead from the filter chamber into the inflatable article. A temperature responsive flow control is provided to make sure that the inflation efficiency or the inflation pressure inside the inflated article is substantially constant and substantially independent of the temperature of the gas generator at which the ignition of a gas generating fuel begins.

Abstract: A pair of upper and lower radius rods are connected at their rear ends to upper and lower portions of a swingable link system which includes a knuckle and upper and lower control arms, and have their front ends interconnected and pivotally connected to a vehicle body through an elastic support member for vertical swinging movement, and an included angle between two straight lines connecting the pivoted point and respective rear end of the radius rods is set to be an acute angle. This enables application of a force to the elastic support member between the radius rods and the vehicle body to be distinguished from (a) when a braking force has been applied to the wheel and (b) when the longitudinal load has been applied to a central portion of the wheel.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a body-side mounting for suspension strut (1, 2, 3) or spring shock absorber of a motor vehicle, with a rubber mount (8) effective between the body and suspension strut, predominantly loaded in shear, which is placed between a mount receptacle (7) formed into the body or parts thereof and a spacer (6) joined to the suspension strut, with the mount receptacle and spacer being adjusted to the dimensions of the rubber mount and receiving the latter in the inward spring deflection direction and radially thereto.The object of the present invention is to create a body-side mounting of the aforesaid type in which the rubber mount itself, when radial forces are introduced, for example, as a result of full steering lock, guarantees a largely constant spring rate and therefore stable steering response.

Abstract: A housing for a gas generator for inflating a safety bag in a passenger vehicle is constructed of modular units preferably having a tubular or cylindrical tubular configuration. At least one combustion chamber and one filter casing are joined to each other so that the longitudinal axes of the units align with each other longitudinally. An axially facing gas exit from the combustion chamber into the filter casing provides an initially axial gas flow which is then diverted radially outwardly from the filter casing into the safety bag.

Abstract: A gas generator has a gas generating combustion chamber with an igniter or fuse for igniting an ignitable charge needed for the gas generation. At least one filter housing is attached to the gas generating chamber. The generated pressurized gases enter into the filter housing in one direction, for example an axial direction, and pass out of the filter in another direction, for example in a radial direction, under the influence of a gas flow distribution member which makes sure that the filter volume is efficiently used by uniformly distributing the gas volume throughout the filter volume. The gas exiting from the filter housing inflates a safety bag for the protection of persons in a vehicle.

Abstract: A passive mechanical damping system, particularly for the suspension of a cab from a truck frame, provides a minimal level of damping force to impede the free movement of a truck cab about its nominal height and also provides higher levels, progressively or in discrete steps, of damping as the movement of the cab exceeds preset limits of displacement defined by a lost motion connection to provide maximum vibration isolation while providing additional damping to control cab movement when the preset displacement limits are exceeded. The system provides a low rate viscous damper continuously connected between the cab and the truck frame and a high rate viscous damper connected therebetween through a lost motion connection.

Abstract: An improved air spring suspension system which includes an air spring on each front spring of a vehicle. The air spring is secured juxtaposed the rear end suspension of each front leaf spring and includes slide pads on each surface of the rear support links. The slide pads and rear end of the springs are secured by a bolt having a self-locking nut and the support links have edges within which the slide pads slide in order to prevent side-to-side movement.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for motor vehicles has a wheel guiding member and a spring strut, the spring element of which has at least two spring parts which are spaced away from one another in a direction of a spring axis. These spring parts form a clearance between one another and are connected with one another by an intermediate element. The spring parts are respectively arranged above and below a ring section of the tire. By means of an intermediate element which is directly adjacent to the section and extends approximately in vertical direction, they are, arranged in series, connected with one another.

Abstract: A wrist rest is disclosed for use with a large construction or farm vehicle having a rotatable operator's seat. The rest is associated with joystick-like control mechanisms and assures that the operator's arm remains positioned stationary relative to the joystick control mechanism. That is, even if the operator were to rotate about the cab in his seat the rest will ensure that the operator's arm remains operably positioned stationary with respect to the joystick control mechanisms. The rest is releasably fixed to a control console and may be released and rotated or moved vertically to any desired position. In addition, the rest is configured to have a slanting portion that will overlie a corresponding slanting portion on the control console and allow the arm rest to be placed in a stowed position where it directly overlies the control console and is out of the operator's way.

Abstract: A strut type suspension, in which a strut has an upper strut portion swingably connected to a vehicle body and a lower strut portion swingably connected to a suspension arm, includes a wheel carrier and a control link. The wheel carrier has an upper portion located above a rotary axis of a wheel and swingably connected to the lower strut portion through a ball joint and a lower portion located below the rotary axis. The control link has one end swingably connected to the suspension arm and the other end swingably connected to the lower portion of the wheel carrier. The connection point of the control link and the suspension arm is provided in a such a position as to be displaced outward in a lateral direction of the vehicle body as the suspension arm is swung in a bounding direction from a reference condition.

Abstract: A trailng arm modular axle suspension unit including a hanger for attachment to a vehicle frame and having spaced sides and fore and aft and central portions, a trailing arm having sides and fore and aft and central portions, a rubber bushing mounting the fore portion of the trailing arm on the fore portion of the hanger, the aft portion of the trailing arm extending beyond the central portion of the hanger, a U-bolt construction for mounting an axle on the aft portion of the trailing arm which extends beyond the central portion of the hanger, a shock absorber mounted between the aft portion of the trailing arm and the aft portion of the hanger, and rubber springs secured between the opposite sides of the central portion of the trailing arm and the opposite sides of the central portion of the hanger.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement which facilitates the positioning of an operator's station on the frame of a work vehicle at a plurality of elevationally spaced apart positions relative to a longitudinal axis of the work vehicle and permits control of the operation of the work vehicle from each of the first and second positions is provided. The mounting arrangement includes first and second elevationally spaced apart frames for supporting the operator's station at the first and second spaced apart locations, respectively. A connecting device connects the operator's station to the first and second frames. A controllable component which is mounted on the vehicle frame is adapted to vary operation of a function of the vehicle. The controllable component is connected to a selecting device mounted on the operator's station by a directing device which passes a control signal from the selecting device to the controllable component. The mounting arrangement is particularly suited for use on a material handling vehicle.

Abstract: A device for the vertically displacable positioning of an upper belt articulation or belt deflection point in a two-door motor vehicle without a middle column includes a carrier which at its top end receives a belt articulation or belt deflection fitting. The carrier can be transferred from a position of rest concealed in a side wall to at least one upper position of use projecting beyond the side-wall trim. In order to obtain the best possible belt-band run of an oblique shoulder-belt portion, an advancing movement towards the center of the vehicle is impart to the carrier when it has reached its position of use, so that the belt articulation or belt deflection fitting moves a predetermined amount towards an associated seated occupant.

Abstract: An axle suspension assembly for a low-bed trailer wherein the frame is formed of I-beams at each side thereof and each I-beam has an intermediate portion sloping upwardly and rearwardly between a low central portion and a higher rear portion. The customary trailing arm or equalizing beam is pivotally mounted on the web of this sloping portion of the I-beam utilizing a bushing assembly. Basically, the bushing assembly includes two pivot brackets which are bolted to opposite sides of the web and which carry, by way of a resilient bushing a bushing core through which a fastener may pass so as to clamp opposite arms of a yokelike forward portion of the trailing arm to the bushing core. The bushing core passes through an opening formed in the web with the opening being elongated in a fore and aft direction whereby the bushing assembly may be adjusted so as to accurately position the mounted axle transversely of the trailer frame.

Abstract: An improved rear suspension system for an automotive vehicle of the type including a T-shaped front lower arm and a rear lower arm is disclosed. The rear suspension sytem includes a first pivotal point pivotally supported on a vehicle body via a bush, a second pivotal point pivotally supported on a supply member and a third pivotal point pivotally supported on the vehicle body. The third pivotal point is located inwardly from a line extending through the second pivotal point and an intersection defined by an extension line extending from a center line of the rear lower arm and a central plane of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A slider stopping mechanism for an automatic seatbelt system which is supported by a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and having a groove extending in the same direction and is adapted to stop the movement of a slider at one end of the guide rail so as to apply a webbing to a seat occupant or cancel the application thereof as the webbing is moved in the transverse direction by a driving apparatus. The slider stopping mechanism includes a switch inserted in the groove from the end portion and adapted to stop the driving of the driving apparatus when the slider reaches a predetermined position, as well as a shock-absorbing member which is disposed in the groove in such a manner as to be located adjacent to the switch and with which the slider is brought into contact. Hence, the slider is prevented from coming into direct contact with the switch.

Abstract: The vertical adjustment means for a guide fitting (10) of a safety-belt restraining system in motor vehicles comprises as essential loadbearing element an elongated plate (14) which is mounted pivotally at its one end on the vehicle bodywork while at its other end the guide fitting (10) is secured. By a detent means (16, 30) the elongated plate (14) can be selectively locked in various pivot positions. The height of the guide fitting (10) set is defined by the pivot position of the elongated plate (14).

Abstract: A double door closure for an air bag depolyment opening is disclosed in which bridging portions extend across a line of separation between the doors and are weakened to define a frangible seam fractured by the pressure exerted by the inflating bag. The doors also each have an integral hinge flange formed along the opposite side from the frangible seam and inward raised surfaces defining an area of contact with the air bag to exert maximum shearing stress along the line of separation. In a first embodiment, the doors are of one piece molded construction with the weakening of the bridging portion created by a series of blind pockets molded in from the inside along the line of separation to create a hidden seam. In a second embodiment, the doors are constructed of a support layer and stiffening pieces secured together. In the second embodiment a decorative skin layer overlies the doors, and a piercing piece is driven by the air bag to penetrate the skin layer and initiate tearing.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system includes a module having a support provided with openings therethrough which are normally closed by rupturable diaphragms when the pressure within the cushion exceeds a predetermined limit, the reaction force on the module moves the diaphragms into engagement with rupture pins to rupture the diaphragms and vent the cushion to ambient through the support.