Abstract: A belt force limiter which limits the belt force through the twisting of a torsion bar. The belt force limiter includes a flange, a reel for winding and unwinding the belt, as well as the torsion bar. Additionally, a shear pin or a deformable pin may be provided for locking the flange and the reel together, so that the relative turning of the flange and reel is prevented or impeded until the tensile force acting on the belt exceeds a preset level momentarily or over a preset period of time. Thus the force limitation is delayed or graduated. Furthermore, in a method for reducing the danger of injury to a vehicle's occupant by means of a restraining system the belt force is allowed to increase to an elevated level of force and then the belt force diminishes again before the belt force limitation begins.

Abstract: A device for operating a vehicle is provided with an operating lever to be operated by a driver, operating position sensors that detect a displacement amount of the operating lever, reaction force generating mechanisms that generate a return force and a reaction force in the operating lever, and a microcomputer that controls the reaction force generating mechanisms. The return force and the reaction force can be controlled independently. Also, the reaction force is generated by the reaction force generating mechanisms after the operating lever has reached an initial position. Further, a torsion spring is provided that retains the operating lever in the initial position when electric power is interrupted.

Abstract: A high ground clearance drive assembly includes a drop box and an articulation drop box. The drop box is fixed to the vehicle frame and the articulation drop box pivots relative thereto as a suspension system is exercised. The articulation drop box is pivotable about a pivot pin which extends through both the articulation drop box and the drop box to provide an axial preload therebetween. A first chain interconnects an input sprocket on the input shaft and an intermediate sprocket assembly. A second chain interconnects a second intermediate sprocket and the output sprocket to drive an output shaft connected thereto. A hollow shaft supports the first and second intermediate sprockets about the pivot pin such that rotation of the articulation drop box relative the drop box is accommodated without additional complex structure.

Abstract: A toe angle adjustment mechanism includes an electrical linear actuator, a control lever, and an interconnection arm, wherein the electrical linear actuator is mounted on a rear cross member of a vehicle having a pair of rear wheels. The control lever, pivotally attached to the rear cross member, pivotally interconnects the electrical linear actuator with the interconnection arm, which is pivotally connected with a steering knuckle rotationally coupled with a corresponding rear wheel. The electrical linear actuator includes a housing, a motor, a ball screw rotated by the motor, a ball nut operatively mounted on the ball screw for linear movement therealong in response to rotation of the ball screw by the motor, and an actuator rod attached to the ball nut.

Abstract: A toe angle adjustment mechanism includes an electrical linear actuator, a control lever, and an interconnection arm, wherein the electrical linear actuator is mounted on a rear cross member of a vehicle having a pair of rear wheels. The control lever, pivotally attached to the rear cross member, pivotally interconnects the electrical linear actuator with the interconnection arm, which is pivotally connected with a steering knuckle rotationally coupled with a corresponding rear wheel. The electrical linear actuator has a housing, a motor, a lead screw rotated by the motor, and a nut rod operatively mounted on the lead screw for linear movement therealong in response to rotation of the lead screw by the motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle wherein a load absorption for an impact of the knees relative to the steering column is provided arranged in case of an accident to be adjusted toward the driver's knees.

Abstract: A spare wheel assembly including a frame having opposed ends. A wheel hub is secured to one end of the frame. A pair of mounting brackets, configured for attachment to the leaf springs of a trailer, is pivotally secured to the frame. One of the mounting brackets is secured to the end of the frame not bearing the wheel hub and the other one of the mounting brackets is secured to the frame between the wheel hub and the other one of the mounting brackets. A wheel is secured to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A first airbag apparatus of the present invention has an airbag module, which includes an airbag and an inflator, and a displacement mechanism, which displaces the airbag module. The displacement mechanism displaces the airbag module from an original position to a predetermined position when a collision of the vehicle is predicted and displaces the airbag module from the predetermined position to the original position when the predicted collision is avoided. A second airbag apparatus of the present invention has the airbag module and the displacement mechanism, which displaces a support member. The support member displaces the airbag from the original position to the predetermined position before the airbag is deployed. The deployed airbag is supported between the support body that is displaced to the predetermined position and an occupant.

Abstract: A lift axle parallelogram suspension system. In a described embodiment, a suspension system for a vehicle having a generally longitudinally extending frame includes an axle assembly and upper and lower trailing arms. One end of each of the upper and lower arms is attached to the frame at a pivot connection, and an opposite end of the arm is attached to the axle assembly at another pivot connection. Each of the arms is angled laterally outward from the frame as the arm extends from the frame pivot connection to the axle assembly pivot connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel (12) includes an air bag door (16) integrally formed in the panel and defined by a door perimeter including a frangible edge (18) of reduced cross section. A dispenser (20) supports the air bag (24) behind the door. A metal reaction plate (28) is positioned between the air bag (24) and the door (16). When the air bag inflates, it forces the reaction plate (28) to bend around a horizontal hinge line (36). As the reaction, plate pivots it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps to predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers (50) limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation.

Abstract: A suspension strut used in a wheel suspension of an automotive vehicle, includes a shock absorber, a suspension strut bearing, and a coil spring at least partially coaxially surrounding the shock absorber and having one spring end supported by the shock absorber. The suspension strut bearing includes two plastic carrier elements, and a roller bearing positioned between the carrier elements. One carrier element is a guide ring connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle, and the other carrier element is a single-piece housing having incorporated therein plural hollow chambers in partial concentric surrounding relationship to the shock absorber and formed with a guide collar and a support surface for supporting the other end of the coil spring. The guide ring has a radially inner collar and a radially outer collar which together receive the roller bearing and extend at least beyond a midsection of the roller bearing.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag is provided with a porous tube member, in which a portion opposing the ejecting direction of a flame and the like generated due to an activation of an ignition unit stored in an inner cylindrical member is formed as a flame-preventing annular portion having no opening, disposed in a gas generator housing. Further, a multistage type gas generating apparatus prevents an erroneous connection between a plurality of igniter stored in a gas generator 1 and outputting portions of an ignition signal outputting device. In the multistage type air bag apparatus, the gas generator includes a plurality of igniters, and a defining unit for specifying the unique connection between the respective ignition signal outputting unit and the respective igniters is provided in a connector provided in a lead wire for sending an ignition signal to each of the igniters.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-link suspension assembly for a vehicle wheel, comprising a wheel carrier, an upper lateral link, a lower lateral link, a toe link, and a longitudinal link. The wheel carrier is oriented along a longitudinal axis of a vehicle body. The upper lateral link is oriented along a lateral axis of the vehicle body near the wheel center and is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier. The lower lateral link is oriented along a lateral axis of the vehicle body near the wheel center and is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier. The toe link is oriented along a lateral axis of the vehicle body behind the wheel center and is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier. The longitudinal link is oriented along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body and is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier forward of the wheel center and pivotally connected to the lower lateral link near the wheel center.

Abstract: A perforated fabric diffuser and perforated cushion deflector are sewn inside an outer shell, thus forming a diffuser system within an airbag. The diffuser contains a plurality of openings along a folded edge. The deflector contains a wall defining at least one orifice for attenuating gas flow upon airbag activation. The airbag contains an inlet that fluidly communicates with the deflector and diffuser upon airbag activation. The outer shell is preferably sewn in such a manner as to maintain a plurality of individual cell areas. The fabric diffuser system is disposed within the outer shell such that the diffuser openings are positioned generally over the individual cells. During deployment, the diffuser system thereby functions to facilitate substantially even inflation throughout the airbag.

Abstract: An antiroll and anti-pitch device for a vehicle having four wheels provided in a two-by-two arrangement, including a central resilient element, two central actuating elements, four wheel actuating elements, and four wheel transforming elements. Each of the wheel actuating elements is associated with one of the four wheels and capable of providing a transmitting force caused by a vertical force to which the associated wheel is subjected. The central resilient element is capable of opposing a force provided by a first of the central actuating element and a force provided by a second of the central actuating elements.

Abstract: New and useful constructions for an airbag cover and housing, and new and useful assembly technique for coupling the airbag housing and cover to form an airbag module, are provided. According to the present invention an airbag cover and housing are configured so that the cover is tightly fit over the housing as the cover is coupled to the housing. The housing has an array of hooks and retainers, each formed in one piece with the housing. The hooks and retainers are oriented toward each other and are configured to: (a) enable the cover to be tightly fit over the housing; (b) capture a portion of the cover between the hooks and the retainers; (c) prevent over travel of the cover during coupling of the cover with the housing; and (d) retain the cover securely coupled to the housing during deployment of an airbag from the module. Additionally, the configuration of the housing provides flexibility in the manner in which the housing can be formed, because it enables the housing to be formed e.g.

Abstract: An adjustment stop screw or bolt is provided for adjusting the full forward speed position of at least one steering lever on a skid steer loader. The stop screw will engage a member movable with the steering lever below the operator's platform. The stop screw can be adjusted through an opening in operator's platform to change the stopped forward speed position of the lever, and thus the full forward speed position of the linkage that controls the motor operated by that lever. This in turn adjusts the speed of the drive motor in a full forward position of the lever. The adjustment is made to match the output speeds of the drive motors on both sides of the skid steer vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle with an airbag device covered by part of an interior fitting, comprising an airbag disposed behind the interior fitting part and a gas generator which is pyrotechnically connected to the airbag. A cord-type gas generator (20) is used as a gas generator and is disposed inside the airbag (18). The cord-type gas generator (20) is placed lengthways within a U-shaped recess in the interior fitting which opens upon inflation of the airbag device.

Abstract: A vehicle subassembly includes a door latch and an emergency release mechanism for use in unlatching the door latch. The mechanism includes a release arranged so as to act on a latch input and to supply an increased unlatching force relative to that normally capable of being supplied to the door latch. An engagement member is actuable by a person to operate the release. In a first non-emergency condition the engagement member is substantially prevented from being actuated, and in a second emergency condition actuation the engagement member is allowed.

Abstract: In a multi-link rear suspension (A) in which a wheel support (11) is connected to a vehicle body through five links (6-10) and vehicle body side ends of the links are provided with rubber bushes (26), respectively, the lower end of a damping device (14) formed by coaxially arranging a coil spring (12) and a damper (13) is pivoted to a portion of the wheel support (11) located toward the inside of the vehicle body so that the vertical reaction force of the damping device (14) produces a moment Mn toward negative camber on a rear wheel (2). The moment Mn is set to be always larger than a moment Mp toward positive camber produced by a side force on the outside rear wheel (2) during vehicle cornering until limit maneuvering conditions of the outside rear wheel due to the side force are reached. The damping device (14) is disposed with respect to a suppositive king pin axle K so that the vertical reaction force thereof produces a moment toward toe-in on the rear wheel (2).