Abstract: A modular suspension (10) adapted to mount on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced C-shaped frame rails (12). The modular suspension comprises a pair of trailing arm assemblies (14) connected by a cross beam (50) and a trailing arm connection. Each of the trailing arm assemblies comprises a frame bracket (18) adapted to be mounted to one of the frame rails and a trailing arm (16) having one portion pivotally mounted to the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The trailing arm connection (42, 52) extends between and is coupled to a portion of the trailing arms rearward of the pivot axis. The cross beam extends between and connects to the frame brackets such that a rail opening (56) having a shape for slidably receiving at least a portion of one of the frame rails is formed between each of the frame brackets and the cross beam.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle, for restraining an occupant in a seat disposed in a compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises an opening formed on at least one side of the vehicular body, and a first door moving between a first state where the first door closes at least a part of the opening and a second state where the first door opens the opening. The seat belt system includes a belt webbing, a retractor disposed in the first door for retracting the proximal end of the belt webbing, and a sliding device fixed on a lower edge of the opening, to which the distal end of the belt webbing is attached. The sliding device permits the distal end of the belt webbing to slide along the lower edge of the opening between a forward position and a rearward position. The distal end of the belt webbing is located at the rearward position when the first door is in the second state.

Abstract: A four-link suspension system provides an almost infinite amount of adjustments to compensate for changing weather and road conditions. The suspension system includes a main support bracket with a plurality of holes formed therein and a plurality of links attached thereto. Each of the plurality of links has a plurality of holes formed therein for engaging a respective one of the plurality of holes formed in the main support bracket. The particular placement and combination of the holes in the main support bracket and each link, the size of each hole and slot, the shape of each link, the shape of the main support bracket, and the engagement of the links to the main support bracket permit the four-link suspension system to have hundreds of possible instant center (I/C) choices and locations. The assortment of configurations available allow the user to have an ideal four-link suspension system for any particular application.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20), an inflator (30), and a cover (40). The inflator (30) inflates the protection device (20). The cover (40) includes a center section (155) interposed between first and second side sections (151, 152). The cover (40) has a strong tear seam (170) and a weak tear seam (160). The weak tear seam (160) releases when subjected to a first force by the protection device (20). The strong tear seam (170) releases after the weak tear seam (160) releases. The protection device (20), while being inflated, releases the weak tear seam (160) and moves at least one of the side sections (151, 152) away from the center section (155). The protection device (20) deploys through a first area provided by moving the side section (151, 152). The protection device (20) urges a vehicle occupant (15) away from the center section (155).

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for an automobile includes a fracture-opening section of an instrument panel cover; a frame member having edge portions in contact with a peripheral region around the fracture-opening section to thereby reinforce the instrument panel cover from inside; reinforcement plate members connected to the edge portions of the frame member by means of hinge portions and adapted to reinforce the fracture-opening section; and an airbag case which is located opposite to the instrument panel cover with respect to the frame member while being removably connected to the frame member.

Abstract: In a seat belt device for an automobile, according to a through anchor of the present invention, a groove provides the boundary part between a molded part and a resin piece. Thereby, the boundary between the molded part and the resin piece is disposed inside the groove without conspicuousness. Moreover, a projection part of a mold for forming the groove is disposed between the synthetic resin materials comprising the resin piece and the molded part when molding the molded part. Accordingly, the heat of the molten synthetic resin material comprising the molded part is not transmitted directly to the resin piece on the surface of the through anchor.

Abstract: A vehicular suspension device comprises a wheel carrier which is articulated relative to the suspension elements. This connection is provided by rigid connection rods. This additional degree of freedom permits variation of the camber angle independently of the suspension spring movement and of the deformations of its elements. The variation of the camber is preferably controlled by the forces sustained by the wheel in the ground contact area of the tire. This is obtained by a configuration in which the movements of the wheel relative to the body of the vehicle allow an instantaneous center of rotation which is situated beneath the plane of the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant classification system categorizes vehicle occupants into various classes such as adult, child, infant, etc. to provide variable control for a vehicle restraint system such as an airbag. The classification system utilizes sensors that are installed in various locations in the vehicle. The sensors are used to generate a three-dimensional profile for the vehicle occupant. Various factors can affect the accuracy of this three-dimensional profile. Fuzzy logic is used to reduce some of the inaccuracies by providing multiple decision levels for various stages of the classification. Inaccuracies are also caused by sensors shifting within the system from their original position. This condition creates offset and the system evaluates this offset and generates a correction factor to provide a more accurate three-dimensional profile.

Abstract: To enable the easy adjustment of the height of the upper end of a shoulder belt of webbing utilizing a shoulder guard provided to a strut provided on both right and left sides of a seat. An air belt system is provided with webbing in which a lap belt that cannot be inflated and a shoulder belt that can be inflated are connected to each other. A retractor is provided to one side of a seat for winding the end of the lap belt. A tongue is supported in an intermediate part of the webbing so that the tongue can slide relative thereto. A buckle is provided on the other side of the seat for connecting the tongue so that the tongue can be detached. An inflator is connected to the end of the shoulder belt for supplying high pressure gas to the shoulder belt. Right and left shoulder guards are respectively provided to the struts provided on both right and left sides of the seat so that the upper and lower positions can be adjusted.

Abstract: A vibration control system for a structure having a first structural member and a second structural member. The vibration control system having a liquid spring operably interposed between the first structural member and the second structural member. The liquid spring uses a compressible liquid to seamlessly generate spring and/or damping forces in the suspension system in response to relative displacement between the first structural member and the second structural member. A second volume of compressible liquid is located in a second chamber. The second volume is removably connected to the liquid spring by a fluid passage. A valve is coupled to the fluid passage, the valve selectively operable to place the second volume in communication with the liquid spring. A controller is electrically coupled to the valve. The controller emitting a control signal to control the valve.

Abstract: An inflatable belt presenter for use with an occupant restraint belt of a motor vehicle has a stored condition wherein the presenter is deflated and allows the restraint belt to assume a stowed position, and a deployed condition wherein the presenter is inflated and urges the belt to a graspable position in which the occupant can more easily grasp the belt prior to fastening it. The presenter is inflated by a source of gas pressure carried on board the vehicle, such as a compressor, pressure vessel, or a seat-mounted bladder after an occupant has been seated in the seat and is ready to don the restraint belt. Inflation of the presenter preferably occurs upon activation by an electronic control system that receives inputs from one or more vehicle systems, such as a seat weight sensor, a door open/closed sensor, and/or an ignition switch. The inflated presenter is flexible and compliant enough that it will not cause any discomfort to the seat occupant if it should contact the occupant's body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection system, comprising a gas bag which has at least one inflatable chamber defined by a wall. The protection system further comprises a tensioning strap which fixes the gas bag in position in an inflated state. The tensioning strap is fully looped around the wall of the chamber and fastened to the wall and to the vehicle in such a manner that inflating the chamber causes a displacement of the tensioning strap and a tightening of the tensioning strap.

Abstract: An inflator for an air-bag has two gas chambers mounted on a central block (1). The central block defines passages leading from the gas chambers to the air-bag, but the passages are initially sealed by closures . An ignitor mounted on the block can generate hot gas to move an actuating element in a predetermined direction, the actuating element having a conical face which acts on inclined faces of two opening elements which are thus moved apart to rupture the closures to permit gas to flow from the chambers into the air-bag. Finally gas from the ignitor can also flow through a passage into the air-bag to ignite the mixed gases from the two gas chambers.

Abstract: An ATV includes a frame, a power unit and a hydraulic pump unit. The power unit is mounted on the frame for propulsion of the ATV. The power unit has an output shaft and a mounting structure. A hydraulic pump unit includes an assembly casing mounted to the mounting structure of the power unit. A hydraulic pump is mounted to the assembly casing. The hydraulic pump has a rotatable input shaft and a shaft extension coupled to the output shaft. The shaft extension is carried by the assembly casing so as to be coaxial with the output shaft. A coupling structure or coupler couples the shaft extension to the input shaft.

Abstract: An airbag cushion for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The airbag cushion is formed from a notched body panel and a rectilinear center panel by a series of substantially straight seams which reduces substantially the elongation of the air bag cushion upon impact on collision of the vehicle in which it is installed. A method of forming the cushion according to the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An air bag system comprising: a housing/inflator assembly and an air bag assembly operatively linked to the housing/inflator assembly to receive inflation gas to inflate an air bag of the air bag assembly, the housing/inflator assembly comprising: a plurality of inflators, each inflator including at least one exit port near a first end thereof, each inflator having a respective opposite second end, the housing/inflator assembly further including: a housing for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflator's positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflator's and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.

Abstract: An air bag module is provided for inflating an air bag cushion at dual rates in response to rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The air bag module includes an air bag housing for receiving an inflator. The air bag cushion is secured to a peripheral flange of the housing in a folded position. Upon actuation of the inflator, heated gas passes selectively from the inflator through a plurality of openings in the housing. A controller generates an ignition signal to the inflator in response to velocity responsive sensors. In response to the ignition signals, the inflator releases an appropriate predetermined volume of gas into the air bag cushion. The level of deployment or inflation of the air bag cushion is dependent on the actuation of a slide slidably arranged to selectively block the openings of the air bag housing to restrict gas flow to the air bag cushion. The housing further includes venting apertures to permit gas flow from the housing and thereby redirect the gas away from the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A pedal locking device for locking and securing a brake and/or clutch pedal of a vehicle includes a dual locking mechanism. The dual locking mechanism provides a first locking mechanism which is movable to engage a locking bracket with the pedals and a second locking mechanism which is actuatable to lock the first locking mechanism in its locked position. The locking device is adjustably mounted to a steering column of the vehicle and is adapted for use with different vehicles, without requiring any alteration of the length of the locking device.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly utilizes a single input to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. Each wheel end is suspended independently from the other. The input is operatively coupled to only one of the wheel ends and an exposed axle shaft assembly interconnects the input to the opposite wheel end. The axle shaft assembly includes multiple shaft members to interconnect the laterally spaced wheel ends. One of the axle shaft members is mounted to a vehicle floor structure with a bearing mount and includes connection joints at either end to accommodate the independent motion of each wheel end. The floor and the shaft member move together during suspension travel, allowing the floor to have a lower profile than is traditionally available.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a stabilizer bar having decouplable end links. A first segment of each end link is attached to the suspension member while a second segment is attached to the stabilizer bar. The second segment preferably selectively telescopes within the first segment. When the end links are engaged, the stabilizer bar is rigidly linked to the suspension members to provide roll resistance in a known manner. When the end links are disengaged, the second segment telescopes relative to the first segment to decouple motion of the suspension member from the stabilizer bar. The affect of the stabilizer bar is removed and the articulation range of suspension system is increased as it is unhindered by the torsional resistance produced by the stabilizer bar. Activation can be provided automatically through the controller or manually through a switch operated by the driver.