Abstract: A structure for supporting a collapsible steering column of a vehicle is covered partially by a column cover between an instrument panel and a steering wheel. The steering column passes through an opening formed in the instrument panel and extends towards a driver's seat. The column includes a meter cover for covering meters installed in the instrument panel. The meter cover is shaped so as to define an upper portion of the opening and is integrally formed with a knee pad adapted to be hit and forced, by knees of a driver thrown out of the driver's seat upon a collision of the vehicle, to move the meter cover upwards. Such expands the opening sufficiently to eliminate crushing of the column cover against the meter panel.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing unexpected operation during installation of an ignition device. The ignition device includes a drive shaft which is movable while following up movement of an inertial mass when a vehicle rapidly decelerates and an ignition member is urged towards a detonator. A lock plate is provided so as to be movable between a first position where the lock plate contacts the drive shaft at a position on the side opposite to the inertial mass via the drive shaft, such that the drive shaft is inhibited from following up movement of the inertial mass when the ignition device is installed, and a second position where the lock plate is released from the drive shaft. The inertial mass, which serves as an acceleration sensor, contacts the drive shaft to activate the ignition member, and the drive shaft is disposed to be movable while following up the inertial movement of the inertial mass.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable golf cart including a main frame assembly and a wheel assembly operatively connected to the main frame assembly for movement of the main frame assembly along a surface. The golf cart further includes a collapsible support assembly operatively connected to the main said frame assembly for selective movement between an erected position and a collapsed position relative to the main frame assembly. A seating member for a cart rider is operatively connected to the collapsible support means for movement with the collapsible support means between the above mentioned positions.

Abstract: An actuator for a buckle in a vehicle safety belt system is disclosed. A belt tightener engages on the buckle. In operation, the belt tightener moves the buckle towards the vehicle floor to tighten the webbing. An actuating member is arranged at a stationary location so that relative movement occurs between the buckle and the actuating member when the former is moved towards the vehicle bottom. A force transmitting connection permitting such relative movement is provided between the buckle and the actuating member. This connection can be embodied by a flexible cable or by a rack bar and a tooth member cooperating therewith.

Abstract: A gas generator for an airbag, including a gas-generating material which is based on an azide, an ignition device and at least a single ply or layer consisting of a sieve-netting or mesh fabric. The gas-generating material or compound together with the ignition device are arranged in either a gas-tight and heat-resistant, flexible or elastic, non-fragmenting high-pressure component with gas pressure-dependently opening rupturing or breaking locations, such as a high-pressure bag or pouch constituted from a pressure-and tear-resistant fabric, or from a high-pressure container, and wherein the rupturing or breaking locations of the high-pressure component communicate with a low-pressure bag or pouch constituted from a tear-resistant fabric with outflow or discharge apertures or windows.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag restraint system for an automotive vehicle. The airbag is formed of a circular doubly woven cloth including generally circular front and rear cloth parts which are separable from and integral at their periphery with each other to define therebetween a gas chamber to be filled with high pressure gas from an inflator. Each of front and rear cloth parts is formed with a generally rectangular reinforcement regions located near the periphery of the cloth part. The reinforcement region includes two warp band-like regions which are separate from each other and located near the periphery of the cloth part. The reinforcement region further includes two weft band-like regions which are separate from each other and located near the periphery of the cloth part. The weft band-like regions cross the warp yarn band-like regions, so that the reinforcement region is formed generally rectangular. Reinforcement yarns are woven in each of the warp and weft band-like regions.

Abstract: The air bag assembly, including the inflator and the stored air bag are mounted on the vehicle pillar adjacent the front seat back. Upon deployment, the air bag unfurls from a housing mounted on the pillar and extends along the door between the end of the seat and the door. The air bag assembly can include either an air bag which unfurls forwardly for the front seat occupant, or which unfurls rearwardly for the rear seat occupant, or air bags for both the front and rear occupants. The air bags maybe inflated by a single inflator, or separate inflators may be provided for the front and the rear seats. A sensor may be mounted on either the door or the pillar to provide an input signal to the air bag actuating electrical circuit.

Abstract: A gas-generating module for an airbag utilized in motor vehicles, which includes a gas-generating composition and an igniting composition arranged within a container. The gas-generating composition is presently in the shape of a foil-like layer or coating, or alternatively consists of a granulate, and is constituted from components which are a mixture of a composition which is based on a metal azide and an oxidizing agent; a first binder for the granulation of the composition; a second elastic binder and a rapidly combusting igniting mixture whereby the elastic foil layer is arranged in a casing which is pressure-resistant up to a specified degree and which consists of a relatively gas-tight fabric.

Abstract: A mechanical sensor comprises a casing having an axis, an inertia body received in the casing for displacement axially thereof, and an output member received in the casing for displacement axially thereof and having a portion extending out of the casing so as to transmit displacement of the output member to the outside of the casing. A set spring biases the inertia body to a set position in the casing. A stopper is received for axial displacement within the casing, and an actuator spring is engaged between the inertia body and the stopper and is also engageable with the output member to cause it to displace upon displacement of the stopper. Latch members movably coupled to the inertia body are engaged between the stopper and the casing in the absence of displacement of the inertia body in response to a predetermined acceleration of the inertia body so that the stopper stores energy in the actuator spring.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an air bag includes a housing. A quantity of gas generating material is disposed within the housing. The gas generating material when ignited generates gas for inflating the air bag. An igniter is actuatable to ignite the gas generating material. A weld adaptor is welded to the housing. A body of injection molded plastic material adheres to both the igniter and the weld adaptor to attach the igniter to the weld adaptor. The weld adaptor is welded to a cover part of the inflator housing.

Abstract: In a suspension system for a vehicle comprising a shock absorber of which damping force characteristics can be changed into four or more characteristics, detecting means detect the oscillation frequency range of the sprung member of the vehicle and a bumpy road. From the four or more damping force characteristics of the shock absorber, the number of characteristics on the higher level side are limited to two or so when the sprung member is in a low frequency oscillation range, that of the characteristics on the lower level side are limited to two or so when the sprung member is in a high frequency oscillation range, and that of the characteristics on the medium level side are limited to two or so when a road is bumpy. The damping force characteristic of the shock absorber is selected and changed on the basis of a given control rule only within the limited damping force characteristics.

Abstract: A steering wheel (12) incorporates an air bag unit (22). The air bag unit has a cover door (30) with a transducer (38) molded in a deformable front wall (35) of the cover door. The transducer is operably connected to an electrical circuit (42) that actuates a horn (44) when the circuit senses an actuating output voltage at the output lead (41) of the transducer (38). The transducer produces the actuating output voltage when hand pressure is exerted on the front wall (35).

Abstract: An air bag device for an automotive vehicle which comprises a reaction can disposed in a dashboard of the vehicle and a ring frame attached inside a portion of the reaction can. The air bag device also includes an air bag having a distal portion, a fixed portion disposed between the reaction can and the ring frame and a protruding portion which extends outside of the reaction can. The protruding portion has a stiffness greater than he distal portion of the air bag, whereby the distal portion of the air bag is substantially prevented from being disposed between the reaction can and the ring frame. A method for attaching the air bag to the reaction can is also disclosed.

Abstract: A functional, adjustable belt guide for receiving the webbing of a shoulder strap of a vehicle seat belt system is disclosed which adjustably directs the path of a shoulder strap across the body of an occupant of a seat for comfort. The adjustable belt guide includes a guide body mountable to the back portion of a seat, and the webbing may be adjusted laterally in position, inward or outward, relative to a seat, to vary the path of the shoulder strap across the body, enabling the occupant of a seat to vary the path of the shoulder strap to minimize neck chafing and/or shoulder pressure. Also disclosed is a vehicle seat belt system incorporating the functional, adjustable belt guide.

Abstract: In a control device for a passenger safety apparatus, the safety apparatus is triggered by a sensor arrangement which responds to a longitudinal and/or transverse acceleration of the motor vehicle. It is also independently triggerable by an additional state-of-motion or moving-condition sensor which is configured to recognize a near weightless state of the vehicle. The safety apparatus is triggered even in an extremely critical state of motion in which the vehicle moves in a manner similar to free fall.

Abstract: A collision detector for a vehicle, comprises a waveguide which is locatable on and acoustically isolated from the vehicle. The waveguide allows stress waves to propagate therethrough, and the waveguide is arranged to produce stress wave activity when the waveguide is deformed due to collision. A pair of transducers are acoustically coupled to the waveguide and the transducers convert any stress waves into electrical signals. A processor analyses the electrical signals and gives an output signal to indicate the occurrence of a collision. The transducers detect different frequency bands and the processor compares the electrical signals and indicates the occurrence of a crash if the ratio or difference is greater than a predetermined value. The waveguide is a metallic member which has a glass coating and a protective coating. Alternatively the waveguide may be a fibre reinforced plastic, tin, or a metallic member which has an interface with a semi-rigid plastic member.

Abstract: A quick release restraint device for such uses as restraining prisoners being transported in police vehicles, which includes a mechanism to quickly release the restraint device in the event it is necessary to rapidly move the restrained prisoner out of the vehicle in the case of an accident or other emergency wherein his life or safety may be endangered. The restraint comprises a strap member having a buckle at one end to secure to the handcuffs of the prisoner, and a releasable loop at the other end to secure to an anchoring member of some kind permanently affixed to the vehicle. The releasable loop is doubled back, with the doubled back portion received and held in an elongated sleeve which surrounds a portion of the strap. The releasable loop is held in place as long as the doubled back portion is within the elongated sleeve, but it may be rapidly undone to release the prisoner by pulling the doubled back portion out of the sleeve by a hand grasp member which projects outwardly of the sleeve.

Abstract: A truck trailer for transporting a structure over land that includes a frame having a low bed shelf for receiving transport platforms upon which said structure is secured wherein the height of the shelf is less than the height of the tires of the trailer wherein the height profile of the structure is reduced for both stabilization of the load on said frame as well as convenience of travel.

Abstract: A multipurpose, lightweight, sheet metal bracket having a U-shaped cross-section is provided with tablike extensions of the sides of the U-shape for attachment thereto of other vehicle components. The sheet metal bracket itself can be spot-welded at a number of points to correspondingly disposed portions of an automobile internal structure for strong, rigid, permanent location to provide strong support to the steering column assembly and the brake support bracket of the automobile. Space above the sides of the U-shaped cross-section of the bracket provides safe passage for wiring between elements in the instrument panel assembly and cooperating elements in the engine compartments.

Abstract: Steering apparatus for track-guidable buses or similar commercial vehicles, in which a supporting arm carrying a track guiding roller is conventionally held on a wheel carrier and extends in the driving direction, reaching outward in front of the vehicle wheel, each wheel carrier being equipped with a control arm connected by means of a tie rod. The supporting arms according to the invention at the same time forms the steering arm, and the tie rod disposed between the steering arms supports the lateral guiding forces in the straight-ahead driving position of the wheels.