Abstract: A wheel suspension for an axle of a motor vehicle has a transverse control arm and tension strut, the transverse control arm being held on the wheel carrier by way of a joint, and the body-side bearings of the transverse control arm and of the tension strut as well as of the connection bearing between the transverse control arm and the tension strut being constructed with a defined characteristic for the elastokinematic adjustment of the wheel under the effect of lateral and peripheral forces acting upon the wheel. The transverse control arm with the connected tension strut is arranged below a wheel drive shaft and--with respect to the driving direction--in front of a tie rod. In the top view, the tension strut extends diagonally toward the front, the transverse control arm and the tie rod having a positive position with respect to one another. They form a wheel steering pole situated outside the track width and behind the wheel center transverse plane.

Abstract: An apparatus which isolates the radiator from the shock and deflection caused by movement of the truck chassis frame during operation of the truck. The apparatus includes a tubular support member connected at a location approximately equidistant from each chassis frame rail to a support member joining chassis frame rails of a truck. The tubular support member is attached to the hood and can also be attached to the front bumper and fenders. Installation of the tubular support member allows designers to contour the hood to the radiator, improving driver visibility and aerodynamics of the truck while not decreasing the fatigue life of the radiator. Securing the bumper to the support apparatus also allows closer fit between the bumper and the hood due to integration of relative movement of these parts.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable step assembly for mounting on vehicles. The assembly includes a mount which is fixed to either side of the vehicle. An extendible subassembly includes a step mounted on a movable swing arm in a preferred parallelogram linkage. The pivot axes of the arms are inclined causing the step to be moved downward and outward into an extended position. Cable and motor operators are shown to provide automatic operation when the vehicle door is operated. A safety release is used on the cable operator to allow vehicle door operation even if the step assembly becomes jammed.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for an axle of a motor vehicle, particularly a McPherson front axle, has a transverse control arm and a pivotally connected tension strut, the transverse control arm being held on the wheel carrier by way of a joint, and the body-side bearings of the transverse control arm and of the tension strut as well as of the connection bearing between the transverse control arm and the tension strut being constructed with a defined characteristic for the elastokinematic adjustment of the wheel under the effect of peripheral forces acting upon the wheel. The transverse control arm with the connected tension strut is arranged in an approximately horizontal plane and extends below the wheel spin axis approximately in a wheel center transverse plane. The tension strut is pivotally connected to the transverse control arm by way of a connection bearing and extends at an angle diagonally with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self contained portable device for use on the roof of a building for retrieving a lifeline from along the side of the building. A motor and drum drive assembly is mounted on a movable cart. An adjustable davit arm is pivotally mounted on the cart and is adapted to extend over the edge of the roof. The lifeline extends around a sheave mounted on the outer end of the davit arm and through a rope grab clamp and then about the take-up drum of the drive assembly. The davit arm is formed by telescopically joined tubular arm sections. The motor is controlled by a foot operated switch for rotating the drum to retrieve the lifeline. A safety line is adapted to secure the cart to rigid structure on the roof in addition to a wheel brake.

Abstract: A door assembly (40) for an air bag module (30) includes a door panel (42) supported for pivotal movement on a frame (46, 48) fixed to a vehicle (12). A body of foam material (50) includes a first portion (198) supported on the door panel (42) and a second portion (200, 202) supported on the frame (46, 48), interconnected by a frangible portion (206). A seamless skin (60) includes a first portion (214) covering the first foam portion (198) and a second portion (212) covering the second foam portion (200, 202). The first foam portion (198) moves with the door panel (42) when the deploying air bag (34) pivots the door panel open. The second foam portion (200, 202) remains on the frame (46, 48). The second portion (212) of the skin (60) peels away from the second foam portion (200, 202), without tearing, when the door panel (42) pivots open.

Abstract: A plastic air bag cover for use in an automobile, the air bag cover comprising, a front cover adapted to enclose an uninflated automotive air bag, the front cover having inner and outer surfaces defining a first thickness therebetween and a decorative indicia defined on the outer surface of the front cover and a break seam defined in the inner surface of the front cover for permitting the air bag to inflate and exit the front cover, the break seam further defining a break pattern and having a first wall, a second wall and a break wall connecting the first and second walls, the break wall having inner and outer surfaces defining a second thickness therebetween, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness, the break wall and first and second walls are visually imperceptible when viewing the front cover outer surface, and the break seam is substantially non-coincidental with the decorative indicia.

Abstract: A child's riding vehicle employing a unique and novel gear assembly and engagement structure includes a frame having plural wheels, and a gear assembly fixed on the frame which includes an output gear non-rotatably connected to at least one of the vehicle's wheels. A motor on the frame is mounted on an arm which is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a segment gear mounted on the frame adjacent the gear assembly engages the motor's pinion and defines a path between the engaged and disengaged position. Unique and novel gear tooth profiles are employed in both the gear assembly and the engagement structure to prevent the same from jamming during transition between the engaged and disengaged positions and vice versa.

Abstract: A bicycle repair stand particularly well suited for tandem bicycles supports the bicycle from one side only by being connected to the crank arm assembly through the dust cap threads and/or the fixing bolt threads of the crank arm axle. A third embodiment includes the locking bolt of the stand being connected to a stand arm having a clamp at its outer end engaging a crank arm connected to the axle. In all embodiments the crank arm is allowed to fully rotate without interference from the stand. The stand post may be pivoted from a first position where the bicycle is mounted and dismounted from the stand to a second position where the adjacent wheel is raised off the ground.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ski incorporating an injected core and to a process for manufacturing such a ski. The ski includes an internal reinforcement of perforated, reinforced fabric which is short, located at the level of the runner, in the form of an upturned gutter and which is separated from the upper face of the ski by distance pieces in the form of beads of hot melt adhesive. When manufacturing in the mould, these beads enable the reinforcement to be pre-positioned whilst maintaining it at a distance from the upper face.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator (44) which provides a source of inflation fluid. A canister (20) has a chamber (34) for receiving the inflator (44). A support means (56) supports the inflator (44) in a fixed position within the chamber (34) of the canister (20). The support means (56) includes two clamp halves (94 and 96) which have a mating relationship to engage and surround a portion (68) of the inflator (44). A plurality of fasteners (136, 152 and 160) secure the clamp halves (94 and 96) in their matting relationship and secure the clamp halves (94 and 96) to the canister (20).

Abstract: This ski comprises longitudinal reinforcing elements, each bearing on one edge, and forming the sides of the ski, at least one of them extending over a part of the height of this ski, and a shell forming the upper face and a part of at least one of the lateral walls of the ski, and the longitudinal borders of which rest and are fixed on the upper face of the sides, the respective heights of a side and of the shell on at least one of the lateral parts of the ski varying in the same proportions over the length of the ski.

Abstract: A front wheel drive motor vehicle is made having a strong, light weight, and attractive arrow-like body made with steel square tubing. Easily removable and replaceable plastic panel inserts complete the body. Vehicle entry is step in style by rolling back the top. The top is also easily removable to make it a convertible type vehicle. The vehicles front wheels are driven through a bevel gear drive which provides a narrow wheel track and drives both front wheels simultaneously. Suspension and steering along with drive support is through a pair of special U-shaped springs. The U-shaped springs also provide a semi-independent front suspension. The vehicle has a wide rear wheel track for stability.

Abstract: An air bag module (80) is mounted on a vehicle seatback (22). The module (80) includes an air bag (90) which has a narrow elongate neck portion (200) and a wide body portion (210). The neck portion (200) and the body portion (210) when inflated lie adjacent to the head and neck of an occupant (52) of the seat (12). The body portion (210) of the air bag (90) does not inflate until it has moved past the head and neck of the occupant (52). The body portion (210) of the air bag (90) has a relatively large height as compared to the neck portion (200) when the air bag is inflated. The body portion (210) is engageable by the head and neck of a forward leaning vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A set of lifting hooks for lifting a tree or shrub with a root ball in preparation for transplanting said tree or shrub. A hand cart for use in lifting is also disclosed. The set of hooks positioned under the root ball may be lifted by means of attachment to the rear edge of the hand cart while said hand cart is in a vertical position and rotating said hand cart toward the horizontal. The hand cart may be supplied with long handles to provide additional leverage when they are pulled to rotate the cart from the vertical to the horizontal.

Abstract: A fold configuration of top mounted air bag cushions which tend to deploy high in a vehicle compartment and slap the face of an occupant uses several fold variations including a loop of fabric on top, folded side wing panels, a roll comprising a plurality of folds, and an upper pleat and a pleat producing tuck which inversely roll down the vehicle dashboard when an inflating fluid under pressure from an inflator flows into the cushion, which folds can only unfold in sequence one after another so that expansion of the cushion is stopped at a predetermined extended length which creates an initial gas-fill cavity that overpressurizes taking additional energy to unfurl the remaining cushion, which slows the deployment, with the side wing panels folded toward the bottom of the cushion so that the side wing panels, when inflated, deploy low into the occupant's lap.

Abstract: A folding collapsible frame including a main frame, a first bag cradle and a second bag cradle mounted on the main frame at two opposite ends, a handle frame pivotably connected to a handle bracket on the main frame by a connecting block, a locating block fixedly mounted on the handle frame for connection to the first bag cradle to hold the handle frame and the first bag cradle in the respective operative positions, The first bag cradle is turned about a pivot on the main frame, and has a locating bolt transversely disposed at the bottom the locating block has a curved locating groove, which engages with the locating bolt on the first bag cradle to hold the collapsible folding frame in the operative position when the first bag cradle and the handle frame are respectively extended out.

Abstract: A shock absorbing linkage apparatus is provided on a motor vehicle such as a motorcycle including a U-shaped member with the free ends connected to the axle and the base section connected to the frame. An integral linkage member pivotally connects to the front of the swingarm member extending downwardly to connect with the shock absorber. Two rearward connection points on the integral member are connected to anchor arm members which connect to upper connection points on the frame. The shock absorber is positioned horiztonally extending rearwardly from a lower connection to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for propelling a manually-powered cycle including first and second pedals which move along spaced, linear paths of movement. The pedals are connected to the drive wheel of the cycle through elongated flexible transmission elements which wrap about rotatable crank members used to drive the cycle.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a wheel of a motor vehicle, includes a suspension assembly, an axle beam, an elongated spring, and a radius arm. The radius arm has an extended length for attachment at a mid-region suspension connection point on the vehicle frame. The suspension bracket has multiple surfaces adapted for flush mounting to the chassis of the vehicle.