Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly that ensures proper lap belt and shoulder belt restraint even when an occupant substantially reclines his or her seat. A primary shoulder belt that runs from a buckle member across the chest and shoulder of the occupant and engages a routing device and/or retraction/tensioning device coupled to a pillar, such as a B-pillar, of the body of the vehicle is coupled with a substantially coincident secondary shoulder belt that also runs from the buckle member across the chest and (same) shoulder of the occupant and engages a secondary routing device and/or secondary retraction/tensioning device coupled to a top portion of the seat back, adjacent to the heat rest of the seat and head of the occupant, on the same side of the seat as an anchor point associated with the lap belt.

Abstract: An energy absorption plate (52) for a steering column assembly (10) having a first end (54) and a second end (56), an arcuate segment (62), a first generally flat segment (58) between the first end (54) and the arcuate segment (62), and a second generally flat segment (64) between the second end (56) and the arcuate segment (62). The first generally flat segment (58) is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment (64). The first generally flat segment (58) is configured to face away from a column tube (18) of a steering column assembly (10). The second generally flat segment (64) is adapted to be secured to the column tube (18) of the steering column assembly (10). The first generally flat segment (58) includes one or more features, such as a toothed portion (66), for engaging with a fastener, such as a spring-biased fastener (44), to lock the column tube (18) in proper position. A steering column assembly (10) including this energy absorption plate (52) is also contemplated.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies for aspirating ambient air and related assemblies, methods, and components. Some embodiments may comprise an aspirating airbag cushion assembly comprising an airbag cushion housing, an aspiration housing coupled to the airbag cushion housing and comprising an aspiration inlet configured to allow for receipt of ambient air into an airbag cushion, and an inflation module slidably coupled to the aspiration housing. The inflation module may comprise an inflator and one or more inflation tubes or other conduits fluidly coupled with the inflator and configured to deliver inflation gas from the inflator into the airbag cushion.

Abstract: An obstacle determination device mounted on a mining work machine determines whether the state of the mining work machine is a state immediately after progressing or a normal travel state; selects, as a distance threshold provided to determine a non-obstacle, a starting distance threshold if in the state immediately after starting, or a normal distance threshold if in the normal travel state; extracts obstacle candidates on the basis of the result of comparison of the distance at which an obstacle candidate was initially detected with the distance threshold; selects a starting reflection intensity threshold if the state immediately after starting, or a normal reflection intensity threshold if in the normal travel state; excludes non-obstacles on the basis of the result of comparison of the reception strength of the reflection wave of the remaining obstacle candidates with the reflection intensity threshold; and outputs the remaining obstacle candidates as obstacles.

Abstract: An assembly of a driver airbag module and a steering wheel comprises connecting elements for connection of the airbag module with the steering wheel, the elements comprising a hinge or other connection means that allow the airbag module to swivel or rotate with respect to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A seat belt energy management loop system is disclosed. The seat belt energy management loop system reduces off-axis loading on a retractor for a seat belt during side loading of a vehicle. The seat belt energy management loop system includes a triangularly shaped wire loop, a first spacer attached to a first end of the wire loop and a second spacer attached to the second end of the wire loop. A fastener passes through the first and second spacers to attach the wire loop to a vehicle and relative to the seat belt retractor.

Abstract: A steering column structure includes a rotary connector, a steering column cover, and a steering lower cover attached with a gap defined between the steering lower cover and the steering column cover. The steering column cover includes a first side wall portion defining the gap, and a first insertion hole that is disposed in the first side wall portion and into which the rotary connector is inserted. The steering lower cover includes a second side wall portion facing the first side wall portion and defining the gap together with the first side wall portion, and a second insertion hole that is disposed in the second side wall portion and into which the rotary connector is inserted. The first side wall portion includes a first dam portion disposed in a position corresponding to the rotary connector above the rotary connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a forecarriage of a rolling motor vehicle with three or four wheels, comprising: —a forecarriage frame; —at least a pair of front wheels kinematically connected one to each other and to the forecarriage frame by means of a first kinematic mechanism which enables the front wheels to roll in a synchronous and specular manner, each wheel being connected to said rolling kinematic mechanism by means of a respective axle journal, the latter being mechanically connected to a rotation pin of the wheel in order to support it rotatably around an axis of rotation; —means of suspension which provide each axle journal at least one spring suspension movement with respect to said rolling kinematic mechanism; —a steering device which kinematically connects the axle journals to each other so as to command the rotation of the axle journals around respective steering axes of each front wheel.

Abstract: The sway bar linkage connects a sway bar with a control arm of a vehicle suspension system. The linkage includes a fastener and a plurality of bushings disposed between the fastener and the sway bar and between the fastener and the control arm. At least one of the bushings is constructed as a single piece of material, presents an outer surface, presents an inner bore which extends along an axis for receiving the fastener, and presents a plurality of pockets. The pockets are spaced radially between the inner bore and the outer surface for allowing the bushing to more easily deflect and absorb energy while transferring forces between the sway bar, fastener and control arm.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a vehicle body; three or more wheels; an operation input unit to be operated to input a turning direction; and a lean mechanism for leaning the vehicle body in its width direction. Within at least partial range of vehicle velocity, the vehicle is configured to travel in a mode in which the vehicle body is leaned by the lean mechanism according to an input into the operation input unit, and a steering angle of a steered wheel changes following a lean of the vehicle body. And, the vehicle includes a changing device for changing a turn resistance force acting between the vehicle body and the steered wheel.

Abstract: A trim panel assembly includes a trim panel configured to be removably connected to a pillar of a vehicle body structure. A connecting member includes a first part connected to the trim panel and a second part configured to be connected to the pillar. The first part is configured to be separable from the second part. A fastening member is connected between the first and second parts of the connecting member to limit a separation distance of the trim panel when the first part separates from the second part.

Abstract: An airbag device for a vehicle includes a curtain airbag that is deployed downward along an inner side surface of a vehicle; and a driver's seat airbag that expands from inside the steering wheel of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle, and is configured so that when the curtain airbag and the driver's seat airbag expand, a thickness portion of the driver's seat airbag along a direction of front to back of the vehicle is arrested by the inner face of the leading edge of the curtain airbag, keeping the head of the driver from pushing aside the curtain airbag and the driver's seat airbag and being projected toward the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering device, a hanger bracket having a first suspended plate-like portion and a second suspended plate-like portion and fixed firmly to a column pipe, an outer column having an enclosing main body portion enclosing the column pipe and a tightening portion, a fixed bracket supporting the outer column, and a tightening tool that tightens and loosens the outer column and the fixed bracket and has a bolt shaft. Long hole portions that extend in the axial direction and are each formed of a telescopic long hole and a shock absorbing long hole are formed in the first suspended plate-like portion and the second suspended plate-like portion respectively. A telescopic stopper is provided in at least either one of the long hole portions. An inclined region including a plurality of consecutive inclined sides and the vertical size of which gradually becomes narrow is provided in the other long hole portion.

Abstract: A three wheeled stand-up or sit down portable two part personal mobility vehicle suited to fulfilling the needs of a broad spectrum of drivers including the handicapped having walking disabilities and recreational users. The vehicle is configured to easily fold and collapse without the use of tools to thereby provide a convenient way for all people, including the handicapped or those lacking normal strength, to handle and store their vehicle. The folding mechanism is implemented with the steering column of the vehicle and enables the handlebar assembly to easily fold downward.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle interior component. The assembly includes an airbag mounted to the vehicle interior component. The assembly includes a deployable panel supported by the vehicle interior component adjacent the airbag, the deployable panel being movable relative to the vehicle interior component between a retracted position and an extended position. The assembly includes a spring between the vehicle interior component and the deployable panel. The spring biases the deployable panel toward the extended position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to deployable structures, such as airbag systems, for vehicles. A system is disclosed for reducing likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. The system may include a seat configured to accommodate the passenger and an airbag system. At least a portion of the airbag system may be incorporated into a vehicle prior to deployment of the airbag system. The airbag system may include an airbag and a locking feature. The locking feature may be configured to lock the airbag with a locking portion of a vehicle when the airbag system has been deployed. The locking feature may be attached to the airbag. Aside from airbags, other confining structures, such as nets, shades, curtains, etc., may also be used as deployable structures.

Abstract: A lock mechanism is provided in an actuator capable of changing a toe angle of a wheel by rotational drive of a motor and adapted to lock operation of the actuator when the rotational drive of the motor is stopped. The lock mechanism includes a casing secured to a housing of the actuator, an input-side shaft connected to a motor shaft of the motor and rotatably held in the casing, an output-side shaft to which rotational torque is transmitted from the input-side shaft, and an engaging part. The engaging part includes a pair of friction members displaceably provided along a guide groove, a claw part having an acute shape in cross section and a side end part which are provided on the input-side shaft, an abutting part provided on each friction member, and a coil spring for urging each friction member.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a seat defining a centerline and including a seat bottom and a seatback. A pair of upper retractors are disposed on the seatback, a pair of lower retractors are disposed on the seat bottom, and a pair of middle retractors are disposed on the seat between the pairs of upper and lower retractors. Each pair of retractors includes one retractor disposed on each side of the centerline.

Abstract: The innovation described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to a handle attachment device that can allow a user to operate the control lever arms of a zero turn radius vehicle with one hand. The handle attachment device can be configured to attach to control lever arms on a zero turn vehicle. The arrangement of the handle attachment device allows a user to grip the handle attachment device and steer the zero turn vehicle with one hand.

Abstract: It is provided an airbag arrangement for a vehicle-occupant-restraining system, comprising an airbag, wherein at least one airbag layer delimits an inflatable volume of the airbag; and at least one fastening tab, which is connected to the airbag layer and is intended for fastening the airbag on a vehicle component. The entire fastening tab is formed from a different material to that of the airbag layer.