Abstract: The panel assembly comprises an elongate panel preformed from mineral fibres having a density of not less than 180 kg/m.sup.3 and having two major faces and two longitudinal side edge faces, two elongate metal sections, each comprising a web engaging on one side thereof one of the side edge faces, a first flange at one longitudinal edge of the web and extending at right angles thereto from one side thereof, a second flange at the other longitudinal edge of the web and extending at an inclination thereto from the one side thereof and towards the first flange, and a channel in the web opening to the other side thereof for receiving a vapor seal.

Abstract: A cinch lock for safety belt retractors in which a manually operated plunger acts on the lock pawl to apply a spring bias to the pawl toward lock engagement with the retractor ratchets and in prevention of webbing withdrawal independent of the automatic inertial locks and independent of associated comfort mechanisms. The plunger directly engages the pawl in only one direction of stroke and the manual lock is released and frustrated by a predetermined amount of webbing wound on the retractor spool.

Abstract: A two-stage fluid seal assembly is provided for sealing between relatively moving parts, such as a piston and cylinder. The assembly comprises a hard-sealing, non-resilient material effective at high pressure and a resilient soft-sealing material effective at low pressures.

Abstract: A centrifugally controlled differential brake uses a plurality of disc brake pads which are urged against a non-rotating braking surface. The disc brake pads are each slidably mounted on a respective one of a plurality of first support rods and spring loaded to a position at one end of the corresponding rods. The other ends of the plurality of support rods are attached to a hub on which the rods are radially arranged and equally spaced. The hub is connected to a shaft to which a braking torque is to be applied. Each of the brake discs is connected by a connecting link to a respective one of a plurality of centrifugal weights which are each slidably mounted on a respective one of a plurality of second support rods. The second support rods are radially attached to the hub and equally spaced with each of the second rods being aligned diametrically opposite a respective one of the first rods.

Abstract: A belt reel journaled on the retractor frame carries a ratchet plate having teeth including a front face and a back face. A pawl mounted on the frame is movable from a normal disengaged position to a position engaging either the unwinding facing front side of a tooth or engaging with the winding facing side of a tooth. A normally stationary clutch member is connected to the pawl by a cam and is selectively rotated in response to a sensed condition so that the cam moves the pawl to engage the unwinding facing side of a tooth to lock the reel against belt unwinding rotation. A manual operating handle is provided to rotate the clutch member independent of occurrence of the sensed condition so that the pawl is moved into engagement with the winding face side of a ratchet tooth to block belt winding reel rotation by a reel windup spring and hold the belt at a tension free slackened length about the seat occupant.

Abstract: A pump assembly having an impeller for pumping a fluid from an intake to an outlet, a prime mover for driving the impeller, and a primary mechanical seal assembly between the prime mover and the impeller which is located in a housing. The mechanical seal assembly substantially prevents leakage of the fluid being pumped along a shaft connecting the impeller and the prime mover. A secondary mechanical seal means is located in the housing between the prime mover and the mechanical seal assembly. The secondary seal means is constructed of a material, such as carbon, which will collapse under pressure of the fluid being pumped upon failure of the primary mechanical seal assembly, to substantially prevent the leakage of fluid along the shaft and to the exterior of the housing.