Abstract: A mounting assembly for a steering system of a vehicle includes a tubular boss for operative connection to a steering gear of the steering system and a tubular sleeve disposed within the tubular boss for operative connection to a frame of the vehicle. The mounting assembly also includes a conductive bushing disposed between the tubular sleeve and the tubular boss to allow electrical grounding of the steering gear to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat belt-deflecting device which has a simple and cost-effective construction. The deflecting device includes at least one holding body on which a deflecting element is held. The seat belt is deflected about the deflecting axis of the deflecting element. The deflecting device also includes a belt-deflecting edge which is formed by the shaping of the holding body and about which the seat belt of the motor vehicle is additionally deflected in the direction of the vehicle occupant. The deflecting axis of the deflecting element and the deflecting edge forming an acute angle with respect to each other.

Abstract: An active roll stabilization system of a vehicle having an axle with at least two wheels, wherein the axle is provided with a roll stabilizer that is actuated by means of a hydraulic device. The hydraulic device is actuated and controlled by at least one pressure control valve with a preselected pressure level by a pressure supply device, such as a pump. In order to reduce the costs for producing such an active roll stabilization system, the pressure control valve is pilot-operated by a pressure control pilot valve.

Abstract: A kneebag is arranged to be inflated upwardly from below in front of legs of an occupant in a vehicle. In an inflated state, the kneebag has a thickness at an upper portion thereof larger than that of a middle portion in a vertical direction of the kneebag except left and right side portions thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorbing type steering device decreases variations in press fitting loads corresponding to a friction force between two columns. A shock can be appropriately absorbed by relative movements of the two columns in an axial direction. At least one of a first column and a second column press fitted into an opening at one end of the first column is formed with swaged parts on a peripheral wall thereof at a plurality of positions having intervals in a circumferential direction of the column, respectively at a plurality of positions having intervals in an axial direction of the column. Positions of tip ends of the swaged parts are different between a group of swaged parts near the opening at the end of the first column and other groups remote from the opening.

Abstract: An airbag to be inflated with gas from a gas generator includes a front panel disposed at a position adjacent to an occupant and a rear panel disposed at a position opposite to the occupant. The rear panel has an opening for the gas generator at the center thereof. An inner panel is provided for dividing an interior of the airbag into a central first chamber and a second chamber around the first chamber. The inner panel has an opening disposed substantially coaxially with the opening of the rear panel. The inner panel has a communication opening at a rear end thereof for communicating the first chamber and the second chamber. When the airbag becomes an inflated state, the communication opening is situated on at extension of a direction that gas is ejected from the gas generator.

Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.

Abstract: An adjustable stabilizer bar assembly is disclosed. An adjustable stabilizer bar assembly includes a cylindrical housing, a first primary half bar, a splined cylindrical housing, a second primary half bar, a splined torsion bar and a slidable assembly. The primary and secondary half bars are mounted to a vehicle suspension via the cylindrical housings. The splined torsion bar is disposed between the two cylindrical housings. The assembly allows for adjustable multi-rate stabilization means made by either the driver or an automatic control system, which may sense vehicle velocity, lateral acceleration or any other suitable operating variable.

Abstract: A restraint system for restraining a recumbent occupant of a vehicle seat surface includes a member being selectively movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The member, when in the deployed position, extends higher than the seat surface and is configured to exert a reaction force on the recumbent occupant to retain the occupant above the seat surface in the event of a vehicle impact.

Abstract: A ballast system for use in a cargo bed of a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, provides generally even weight distribution over rear or powered wheels of the vehicle. The ballast system provides additional weight to the cargo bed of the vehicle, thereby improving stability, handling, and rear wheel traction, especially during inclement weather, such as in snow or rain. The ballast system may be rolled-up into a compact roll during non-use for convenient storage. The ballast system has a plurality of weighted cross-members laminated, attached, or bonded between two generally pliable mats. The cross-members are, preferably, equally spaced apart from each other along widths of the mats and transverse to a longitudinal direction of the cargo bed of the vehicle. The ballast system is readily rolled-up into a compact roll for convenient storage.

Abstract: The activating device (20) for an occupant protection device includes a first deceleration detecting means (22) for detecting a first deceleration G in vehicle front/rear direction and an activation judging means (37) for judging whether the activation of the occupant protection device is necessary or not by comparing the first deceleration G detected by the first deceleration detecting means (22) with a first threshold value. The device further includes a second deceleration detecting means (24, 26) for detecting a deceleration LG, RG at a position further front side of the vehicle than the position detecting the first deceleration, a collision condition detecting means (35) for detecting a vehicle collision condition based on a second threshold value by the deceleration LG and RG and a first threshold changing means (36) for changing the first threshold value of an activation judging means (37) based on the detected result of the collision condition detecting means (35).

Abstract: An airbag device includes an interior panel as a part of an inner surface of a vehicle cabin; a door portion formed in the interior panel and opening toward an inner side of the vehicle cabin; a retainer disposed behind a backside of the interior panel; an airbag accommodated in the retainer in a folded state; an inflator for inflating the airbag; and a door frame arranged between the retainer and the interior panel. The door frame includes a door frame movable member having a backing plate and a leg portion projecting from the backing plate; and a door frame fixed member having a flange portion and a leg portion projecting from the flange portion. The leg portion of the door frame fixed member has a height smaller than that of the leg portion of the door frame movable member.

Abstract: A power plant mounting apparatus includes a mount member that enables a side member of a vehicle to support a power plant. The mount member has a supporting member whose one end is fixed to the power plant. The supporting member has a shaft portion at the other end thereof which is disposed within an outer tube. An insulator is provided between the shaft portion and the outer tube. A bracket of a flat plate-shape attached to the outer tube is fastened to an inner side surface of the side member by means of a bolt. A center point of the shaft portion within the outer tube is positioned within the side member.

Abstract: A seating detector comprises a plurality of cells provided at a seating surface to be defined by rows and columns for detecting partial loads, an unevenness calculating means for calculating the number of cells when a partial pressure detected at the each cell is larger than a partial pressure detected at one abutting cell positioned next to the cell at one side thereof and a partial pressure detected at the other abutting cell positioned next to the cell at the other side thereof, or when a partial pressure detected at the each cell is smaller than a partial pressure detected at one abutting cell positioned next to the cell at one side thereof and a partial pressure detected at the other abutting cell positioned next to the cell at the other side thereof, and a determining means for determining that the seat is occupied by a child restraint system based on a comparison between the number of the cells and a threshold.

Abstract: In a knee-protecting airbag device according to the present invention, an airbag folded and housed in undeployed condition protrudes rearward from a housing case to deploy upward and protects knees of a driver upon inflow of inflation gas. The airbag includes a cover portion for covering a vehicle's rear side of an area proximate to the key cylinder upon completion of deployment, and a general portion in the upper edge side of the airbag except the cover portion. Kinetic energy of the cover portion as deployed in a position of complete deployment is restrained compared with a kinetic energy of the general portion as deployed in a position of complete deployment. This restraint is achieved by reducing amount of inflation gas flowing into the cover portion. The knee-protecting airbag device of the present invention prevents the inflating airbag from contacting with key accessories hung down from an ignition key inserted into the key cylinder in a manner to cause gas leakage.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a frame, an air bag module, and a trim cover having an end portion. A first coupling member is disposed proximate the end portion. A second coupling member is adapted to engage the first coupling member. The second coupling member is received in a slot defined by the air bag module and the frame.

Abstract: An airbag includes, when expanded, a center portion of an occupant-side front panel that is stretched by tethers toward a rear side of the airbag. The concave portion formed at the center portion of the front panel caves to the rear side of the airbag from a peripheral portion of the front panel. A covering lid panel traverses the concave portion. The airbag efficiently protects an occupant, even though the concave portion caves away from the occupant. Because the airbag has a volume that is smaller to the extent of the concave portion, the airbag immediately expands even when a gas generator with relatively low output is used.

Abstract: A shifter face plate assembly and method for an automatic transmission having a shifter rod in an opening of a floor console which includes an intermediary plate and top face plate. The intermediary plate supports the top plate and floats horizontally laterally to obtain the proper sidewise position of the top plate with respect to the console opening. The top plate floats horizontally longitudinally to obtain the proper lengthwise position of the top plate with respect to the console opening. An eccentric cone on the shifter rod is movable to accommodate any offset of the shifter rod relative to its slot in the top plate after the proper position of the top plate in the console opening is obtained.

Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus and system for use with recreational vehicles to reduce or eliminate side-to-side swaying and front-to-back shifting. The invention comprises one or more stabilizer components having a frame connector attached to the vehicle's frame, a jack connector attached to the leveling jack and a telescoping stabilizer bar interconnecting the frame and jack connectors. An engaging element, such as a T-bolt, locks the stabilizer bar. The frame and jack connectors utilize a universally configured connector having a base portion, a support bar mount to connect to a clevis on the stabilizer bar and a threaded end to connect to the frame or jack. The invention is configured to automatically raise and lower with the raising and lowering of the vehicle's jack system. The invention can be provided as an easily installed bolt-on kit that is adaptable to a variety of different recreational vehicles and jack systems.

Abstract: A steering wheel incorporating an air bag device that facilitates the attachment and removal of an air bag module with respect to a steering wheel body while reducing manufacturing costs. The steering wheel body has a spoke core, which includes a hook. A horn plate, which forms part of the air bag module, includes a catch that is flexed to engage the hook.