Abstract: A separate door assembly with an outer shell, a layer of backing foam and a rigid substrate for covering an inflatable air bag system of a supplemental restraint system to protect the occupant of a vehicle, the separate door seats within an opening in an interior trim structure of a vehicle and is attached to the interior trim structure so that the whole door assembly can separate from the interior trim product during air bag deployment without delamination of the outer shell from the layer of backing foam.

Abstract: A steering axle is disclosed which comprises a girder having a respective wheel hub spindle hinged to its opposed ends by means of two hinges. An elastic element, such as a Belleville washer, is fitted between the elements of one of the hinges for adjusting the backlash between the girder and the spindle.

Abstract: A safety arrangement to protect a vehicle occupant in lateral accidents includes at least one airbag positioned above the lintel and at least one airbag positioned below the sill of a side window. The airbags are arranged so that, upon activation, the facing surface areas thereof will be engaged and form a limitedly fixed transverse connection so that, at least during an initial phase of an accident, the airbags will provide an inflated side wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the steering of a vehicle that is tracked or that has non-steerable wheels, by applying a steering command signal to a differential control system for controlling the wheels or the tracks of the vehicle, which steering command signal is obtained on the basis of a steering instruction given by an operator or a driver of the vehicle, as modified by a correction effect obtained from a signal representative of the instantaneous angular velocity in yaw of the vehicle as provided by a rate gyro sensor and as amplified by a gain k that varies as a function of the stable or unstable behavior of the vehicle in steering. The invention makes it possible to ensure that the vehicle remains stable while steering by avoiding uncontrolled skids or oversteer.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column unit includes a steering shaft having one end carrying a steering wheel and the opposite end connected to the rest of the steering mechanism, the shaft being movable in rotation in a column body (4), the body and/or the shaft being angularly and/or axially movable between two flanges of a fixing structure (5) for fixing the body to the remainder of the automobile vehicle, and the fixing structure comprising, at one end, locking means for locking the body in position and movable between locking and unlocking positions to permit the adjustment of the position of the steering wheel and, in proximity to the other end of the fixing structure, a guide bearing (7) for the body. The bearing (7) has a yoke portion, having a U-shaped section, of the fixing structure (5), in which is disposed a bushing (8) for mounting the body (4) without play. Opposed lateral walls of the bushing are connected to the flanges (7a,7b) of the yoke portion.

Abstract: A convertible wheelchair permits change over from an attended wheelchair arrangement to a self propelled wheelchair arrangement. The wheelchair accommodates both lateral and longitudinal dimensional changes. Further, the seat can pivot relative to the frame, as well as permitting a seat back to tilt relative to the seat portion. In the attended wheelchair arrangement, the rear wheels are simultaneously locked.

Abstract: Adjustable wheelchair with a frame on whose sides the wheel axles of hand-driven rear wheels are mounted on mounts provided on the frame with a negative camber, i.e., closer together at top than at bottom. The mounts each have a mounting part in which there is an inclined bore hole holding the rear wheel axle in order to achieve the negative angle. The mounting parts 16 of the wheel axles 8 on both sides are arranged so they can rotate independently of each other in the respective mounts 6 and can be secured in any set rotational position. By releasing the mounts, the mounting parts can be rotated to change the direction of the rear wheels to eliminate toe-in or tow-out. Thus, any desired variation in the angle of the rear wheels is possible and/or any toe-in or toe-out tendency can be corrected.

Abstract: A variable tie-rod assembly for a steering wheel structure of a row crop applicator. The tie-rod assembly can be adjusted and secured in any position between a minimum and maximum track setting. Thus, a selectively variable track width is provided. Toe-in settings are maintained by implementing a dual-cam arrangement with a locking pin to maintain the steering structure in a forward direction during track width adjustment procedures. The track width setting can be adjusted without the operator ever having to leave the cab of the row crop applicator, wherein the track width can be visually ascertained by observing indicia on the telescoping wheel structure.

Abstract: During operation of a flight control system in a coupled aiming mode, wherein a fire control system (55) azimuth command and elevation command provide an aircraft attitude reference, a bank angle calculation function (1077) provides a bank angle signal to place the aircraft in a roll angle which results in a substantially coordinated turn. The bank angle signal is determined primarily as a function of an aiming line of sight heading rate for small azimuth commands, and is determined primarily as a function of aircraft heading rate for large azimuth commands. Additionally, the bank angle initially comprises a component as a function of aircraft lateral acceleration for driving aircraft lateral acceleration to zero, and after the aircraft assumes a roll attitude for turn coordination, the bank angle comprises a component as a function of aircraft side slip for driving aircraft side slip to zero.

Abstract: An at least two-wheeled vehicle provided with a power source, a chain to transmit power from the source to a first wheel, and further device to transmit power from the first wheel to the second wheel. A torque-limiting clutch is provided in the mechanical connection between the two wheels which will predetermine the maximum torque which will be transmitted from the first wheel to the second wheel. This clutch also permits the first wheel to travel faster than the second wheel, when required. There is also provided a free-wheeling clutch in the mechanical connection between the two wheels which permits the second wheel to rotate faster than the first wheel. The core of the transmission has the ability to absorb and release torque applied to it. The present invention provides improved traction and better steering ability.