Abstract: A suspension apparatus of a vehicle has a cylinder unit interposed between a sprang weight and an unsprung weight, which changes a ride height of the vehicle body by supplying or discharging an operating liquid through a supply/discharge control valve. The supply/discharge control value is controlled on the basis of a predetermined condition so as to control a posture of the vehicle body. There are further provided a bump detecting means for detecting a bump of each of the wheels and a pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure in the cylinder unit. When the bump is detected by the bump detecting sensor to be below a given value, if the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is continued at a magnitude above a given value for a given period of time, it is judged that the supply/discharge control valve is in trouble.

Abstract: A method of actuating a safety device for vehicle occupants, wherein the safety device has several tripping devices coupled to a capacitor and to passenger restraint devices, such as air bags, seat belts, or the like. The energy supplied by the capacitor to a tripping device is measured upon actuation of that device. If the energy supplied exceeds a predetermined limit, the flow of electric current from the capacitor to the respective tripping device is interrupted. Thus, if an actuated tripping device shunts, the energy of the capacitor is not drained by the shunt, and the capacitor maintains an energy level sufficient to actuate the other tripping devices.

Abstract: A device is provided for improving comfort of a person seated in a motor vehicle using a safety belt assembly provided therein that includes a shoulder strap. Such device includes as essential parts (a) a suction cup that may be releasably adhered to the windshield, side window or other part of said motor vehicle, (b) a clip that may be releasably attached to a part of the shoulder strap, (c) a cord attached to one end to the suction cup and slidably looped through the clip creating a first section or cord that extends from the suction cup to the clip and a second section of cord that leads away from the clip but does not connect with the suction cup and (d) a cord jam member for manually adjusting the length of the first section of the cord.

Abstract: An actively controlled suspension system has two hydraulic systems for generating damping force against the vibration to be transmitted between a vehicle body and a suspension member. One of the hydraulic systems is designed for absorbing relatively high frequency vibration generally input from the suspension member for preventing vibration from the suspension member from being transmitted to the vehicle body. The other hydraulic system is active on relatively low frequency of vibration generally input from the vehicle body upon change of attitude of the vehicle body. The other hydraulic system generates a fluid pressure suppressing the attitude change. A pressure control valve and a fluid pressure source may be incorporated in the second hydraulic system so that they may not be active when aforementioned one of the hydraulic system is active.

Abstract: In a skid-steer loader of front type, the present invention offers a safety apparatus for the operator by way of providing a seat bar securely retainable in its desired position, a pair of supporting blocks and a pair of mounting blocks for retaining the seat bar. The safety device further includes a pair of actuating mechanisms for the parking brake operable in response to the pivotal movement of the seat bar.

Abstract: A buckle stalk suitable for use in a vehicle seat belt system is described. The stalk includes an anchor member to be fixed on a side of a vehicle body, a buckle permitting releasable securement of a webbing thereon, and a non-metallic stalk member connecting the buckle and the anchor member to each other. The buckle stalk member includes a connector, by which the buckle and the stalk member are connected to each other in such a way that the direction of opening of a tongue-receiving socket of the buckle extends at an angle with respect to the stalk member.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate utilizes dual position, eccentric axle aperture plugs which are received in the axle apertures of the skate frame to allow mounting of the skate's wheels in either of two distinct orientations. The plugs also solve a serious assembly problem by allowing wheels to be installed in the skate frame without the alignment problems previously encountered between frames, wheels and hard to handle spacing washers.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system has an air bag module located centrally of a steering wheel and secured with respect thereto by at least one fastener, the air bag module including an inflator and a screw for arming the inflator, an interlock is associated with the screw which will prevent release of the fastener until the inflator has been disarmed and will provide an indication of whether the inflator is armed or not.

Abstract: A wheel mounting apparatus includes a frame attached to an axle suspension of a vehicle. A riser extends downward from the frame. A universal joint attaches to an existing wheel hub of the vehicle. An axle extension extends from the universal joint. The axle extension is journaled in the frame. Journaled in the riser is a short axle. A drive means transfers torque between the axle extension and the short axle. A second wheel hub attaches to the short axle. A truck tire attaches to the second wheel hub. The wheel mounting apparatus, which must be used in sets of four, can be attached without any modification to the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension system having at least one shock and vibration damper including a cylinder-piston unit (2) provided with a gas storer (34) co-acting with a damping valve (60) provided with choke valves (88, 90, 92, 94). The choke valves (88, 90, 92, 94) include valve elements (96) biased with springs (98) in a closing direction of the valve elements (96). The bias tension of the springs (98) is variable by a setting member (100) acting on these springs (98) in common in a closing or opening direction of the valve elements (96). A load-dependent adjustment of the damping can be achieved, as the setting member (100) is driven by the pressure present inside the gas storer (34).

Abstract: A suspension control system includes a mechanism for monitoring wheel slippage on each of individual wheels as a parameter represenatative of road/tire traction. Suspension control is performed generally according to the vehicle driving conditions reflected in various suspension control parameters, such as vehicular speed, lateral acceleration and so forth in order to adjust spring coefficient or damping characteristics of a suspension system which is provided between a vehicle body and a suspension member supporting each individual wheel in order to adjust wheel load distribution and whereby to minimize variation of vehicular attitude change. Suspension control is further performed with taking the road/tire friction as one of suspension control parameters in order to provide traction dependent wheel load distribution.

Abstract: An improved thermoplastic airbag for application in motor vehicle occupant restraint systems is disclosed. The blow molded thermoplastic airbag includes at least one reinforcement insert encapsulated at a preselected area on the exterior surface of the airbag. The reinforcement insert providing supplemental support during inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An active suspension system includes a pressure holding mechanism with a pressure holding valve means which is maintained in conductive state for a given period in which the fluid pressure in a working chamber is gradually adjusted toward a predetermined neutral pressure level after turning OFF of a power switch. The pressure holding valve is, on the other hand, maintained in non-conductive state for a given period until the fluid pressure is adjusted to the neutral pressure after turning ON of the power switch. The system further includes a detector for detecting resumption of power supply after a short period of turning OFF of the power supply.

Abstract: In a fluid pressure type active suspension in a vehicle such as an automobile, having a fluid pressure type actuator supporting a vehicle body from a wheel so as to be able to vary a height of the vehicle body relative to the wheel in accordance with a fluid pressure supplied to its fluid chamber, a fluid supply passage for supplying a working fluid to the fluid chamber of the actuator, a fluid exhaust passage for exhausting the working fluid from the fluid chamber of the actuator, and a pressure control circuit including a switching-over valve traversing the fluid supply passage and the fluid exhaust passage so as to be operated by a pilot pressure to selectively connect the fluid chamber of the actuator with either the fluid supply passage or the fluid exhaust passage for controlling the fluid pressure supplied to the fluid chamber of the actuator, a variable throttle valve for generating the pilot pressure for operating the switching-over valve from the pressure of the working fluid in the fluid supply pas

Abstract: A proportioning valve assembly has a supply port through which a pressurized working fluid is supplied, a drain port through which a pressurized working fluid is drained, and a control port connected to a working chamber defined in a hydraulic cylinder disposed between a vehicular body and a suspension member rotatably supporting a vehicular wheel. The proportioning valve assembly further includes a valve member for adjusting working fluid pressure to be supplied to the working chamber via the control port. A flow restricting orifice is provided in the proportioning valve assembly. The flow restricting orifice employed is designed to provide variable flow restriction depending upon working fluid condition and/or the direction for achieving stabilization of pilot pressure or road shock absorption.

Abstract: An attachment is provided for enabling the shoulder belt portion of a restraining device as employed in automotive vehicles to be positionally adjusted for the comfort of the wearer. The attachment, having a rigid base panel with front and rear faces, slidably engages the lap belt portion of the restraint device by clamping elements associated with said rear face. An alongated hook member disposed upon said front face is adapted to slidably engage the shoulder belt.

Abstract: A retraction element in the form of a pivotally mounted lever or of a linearly slidable slider is mounted on a base plate to be preferably attached to the vehicle seat. The lever or slider is loaded by a strong flat spiral spring, but is held in a stable rest position by a latching device. The latching device consists of two roller body systems functionally connected in series. The first roller body system consists of two outer rolls and an inner, loose roll bearing on one roll of the second system. The second system consists of two outer rolls and an inner roll being situated in an over-dead-center position and mounted on one arm of a double-armed lever whose other arm carries a vehicle sensitive inertial mass. A release threshold may be defined precisely and reproducibly by means of this latching device.

Abstract: A tolley for supporting a wheel of a vehicle so that the vehicle may be driven or moved without the wheel touching the ground. The trolley has a hinged frame equipped with three or more wheels, a drive-on part which tilts upward when a wheel is driven onto the trolley and which then supports the wheel from behind, and a front support member. The front support member may be locked in place after the wheel has come to rest on the trolley. The trolley may be folded for storage.

Abstract: A frame and suspension assembly is capable of a low frame rail orientation and enhanced on-road stability when incorporated in a motor vehicle. An air spring suspension system is mounted outwardly of the frame rails and the frame rails include a reinforced notch to provide the required structural clearance for the rear axle to compensate for the low-to-the-ground frame rail positioning. An anti-sway bar which spans the distance between the two sides of the frame is also included for further stabilization.

Abstract: An actuator for a seat belt tightening device for a vehicle using a piston received in a cylinder so as to be actuated by an explosive expansion of a propellant in a chamber defined in the cylinder behind the piston. To ensure a required strength of the coupling between the piston and a cable for transmitting the actuating force and to simplify the process of attaching the cable to the piston, the piston is cast by metal or alloy with an end of the cable embedded therein. Thus, the piston may be used as cast and no extra work is required to tie the cable to the piston. To improve the sealing capability of the piston, a skirt having a flared edge made of synthetic resin may be attached to the rear end of the piston.