Abstract: A side air bag module is disposed in a cavity in a vehicle seat. At least one reinforcement panel is secured to either the air bag module or the seat frame on an anchoring edge. The opposite edge of the reinforcement panel is sewn to a hem on one side of a tear seam. A barbed retainer may be inserted in a slot to bear upon a peripheral flange portion of the air bag module.

Abstract: A vibration damper for connecting an inflator to an air bag module in a vehicle steering column or the like. The vibration damper comprises a flexible and resilient, annular damper member having a first end portion connected to a first ring member, and a second opposite end portion connected to a second ring member. The first ring member comprises an annular rim extending outwardly from the damper member and having an inwardly extending detent portion at its outer end that is constructed to be snap-fitted to an outwardly extending rim portion on the diffuser of the inflator. The second ring member is constructed to be connected to the air bag module.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for a vehicle, including: (a) a plurality of suspension cylinders each disposed between a chassis-side member and a corresponding one of a plurality of wheel-side members; (b) a controller cylinder including a housing and at least one piston slidably mounted in the housing, such that the housing and the at least one piston cooperate to define a plurality of chambers each having a volume that is variable upon slide movement of the at least one piston relative to the housing; (c) individual conduits each communicating a corresponding one of the plurality of chambers of the controller cylinder and a chamber of a corresponding one of the plurality of suspension cylinders; and (d) a suspension-cylinder operation facilitator operable to facilitate an operation of each of the plurality of suspension cylinders for permitting displacement of each of the plurality of wheel-side members relative to the chassis-side member after the at least one piston of the controller cylinder has reached it

Abstract: An airbag apparatus comprises an airbag deployed between a vehicle and a passenger with gas generated by an inflator. The airbag comprises a first panel cloth, a second panel cloth attached to the first panel cloth, a reinforcement cloth fastened to the inner face of the second panel cloth, and tethers connecting the periphery of the reinforcement cloth to the first panel cloth. The center of the reinforcement cloth is disposed below the center of the second panel cloth. The tethers are disposed below the center of the reinforcement cloth. The inflator injects gas from the central portion of the first panel cloth towards the inside of the airbag. The airbag apparatus is preferably a driver's seat airbag apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a frame for mounting the seat assembly to a vehicle, a seat pad disposed proximate the frame, and a trim cover disposed over the seat pad. The trim cover includes a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad. A pad shield covers at least a portion of the seat pad, and protects it during deployment of an airbag disposed within the seat assembly. The pad shield includes a first portion disposed between the seat pad and a side of the trim cover such that a deployment path for the airbag is formed between the first portion of the pad shield and the side of the trim cover. The pad shield facilitates movement of the seat pad away from, and inhibits contact of the seat pad with, the deploying airbag, and also facilitates deployment of the airbag through the seam in the trim cover.

Abstract: A rear suspension apparatus is disclosed for a high speed vehicle body having a first and a second driven ground engaging wheel. The apparatus includes a first truck arm having a first and a second end. The first end of the first arm is connected to the body of the vehicle at a first fixed location. A second truck arm has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity of the second arm being connected to the body of the vehicle at a second fixed location. A drive axle has a first and a second side, the second end of the first arm being secured adjacent to the first side of the axle. The second extremity of the second arm is secured adjacent to the second side of the axle such that the axle is supported by the arms. The arrangement is such that a first plane extending through the first and second sides of the axle is disposed spaced and parallel relative to a second plane extending through the first and the second locations.

Abstract: A suspension system having a reduced weight arm construction. In one vehicle suspension system, an axle is constructed at least partially of a metal alloy. An arm assembly of the suspension system includes an axle attachment constructed at least partially of a material which cannot be welded directly to the metal alloy. To interconnect the axle to the axle attachment of the arm assembly, a transition device is permanently secured to the metal alloy and permanently secured to the axle attachment material.

Abstract: An inflator assembly having an inflator base including a simple stamping. The inflator base includes an end wall, first and second openings in the end wall, a base side wall generally perpendicularly extending from the end wall, and an attachment collar generally perpendicularly extending from the base side wall at a side opposite the end wall. A first initiator assembly is disposed through the end wall first opening. The first initiator assembly includes a first stamped adapter that is resistance welded joined to the inflator base. A second initiator assembly is disposed through the inflator base second opening. The second initiator assembly includes a second stamped adapter that is resistance welded joined to the inflator base.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle is provided. The tension sensing assembly comprises an anchor, a movable mechanism configured to be secured to a portion of a buckle, at least one magnet coupled to the movable mechanism, a Hall effect sensor coupled to the anchor, at least one tension spring secured to the anchor at a first end and the movable mechanism at a second end. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to induce an output from the Hall effect sensor. The output indicates a tension level being applied to the tension sensing assembly.

Abstract: A compressed air treatment device is designed to be installed in an industrial vehicle consisting of a motor vehicle that can pull a trailer. The device comprises: an inlet for air from a compressed air source; at least one air outlet which is connected to a tank that is intended to supply the service braking system; a set of electropneumatic components for distributing the compressed air which comes from the compressed air source and which is intended for the tank(s); an electronic control unit which can control said set of electropneumatic components, the control unit being connected to a computer communication bus and to various electrical components such as sensors or switches.

Abstract: A steering-column fixing-panel assembly of a cowl crossmember comprises a pair of first and second upper panels, and a single lower panel. Each of the upper panels includes a circular groove for use in the engagement of a crossbar of the cowl crossmember, inner and outer flanges formed at opposite lateral side edges thereof, and a coupling hole formed at the front portion thereof for the fixing of a steering column. The lower panel includes a circular groove for use in the engagement of the crossbar below the first and second upper panels; a protrusion configured to engage closely, at opposite lateral side edges thereof, with the inner flanges of the first and second upper panels; lower flanges, formed at opposite lateral side edges thereof, so as to engage closely with the outer flanges of the first and second upper panels; and a pair of coupling holes, formed at the front portion thereof, so as to communicate with the coupling holes of the first and second upper panels.

Abstract: An expanding independent load suspension system that incorporates a square walking beam, unique bushings, and multiple expanding sliding units to spread the load bearing tires evenly over the surface instead of grouping them close together. With the weight of the vehicle having the ability to pivot over three separate axes, it maintains an equal pressure on all the tires no matter what the surface conditions. Additional benefits are derived by the separation of the tires with the new design of the square walking beam causing less damage to the roadways. The vehicle has been designed to operate on the highways in the conventional ten-foot width, and then expand to a maximum of twenty feet to move large loads with the permits required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission suspension structure for a rear engine vehicle, mainly bus, where the drive engine (3) and the gearbox (4) are built uniaxially to form a rigid transmission unit (2), which has suspension brackets (8, 9) in front and behind the center of gravity of the unit (2), in respect of the geometric axis of rotation of its main axis, the suspension bracket(s) (9) behind the center of gravity is (are) adjoined to the gearbox (4), a further two suspension brackets (8) are adjoined to the lower ends (23) of the two suspension bars (20) holding the transmission, and at the upper ends of the said suspension bars there are flexible adjoining members (21) for linkage to the body of the bus in the vicinity of its right hand side and left hand side walls.

Abstract: A steering system is provided for a work machine. The steering system may include at least one hand-operated work implement control device and a steering mechanism configured to control a direction of travel of the work machine. The system may also include a first steering device operatively coupled to the steering mechanism and configured to control at least one component of the steering mechanism based on operator input. The system may further include a second steering device mounted on the work implement control device. The second steering device may be configured to be selectively operatively coupled to the steering mechanism to thereby control a direction of travel of the work machine based on lateral movement of the second steering device relative to the work implement control device.

Abstract: A vehicle seat component (18) includes a side air bag module (18) mounted on a frame (24) within a trim cover (34) that also covers a seat pad (30). An air bag guide (44) includes flexible inner and outer panels (46,48) that extend between a release seam (36) of the trim cover (34) and the air bag module (18) to provide a guiding function to an air bag (42) thereof as it is inflated upon deployment so as to project outwardly through the release seam (36) for use. Inner extremities (52,56) of the flexible inner and outer panels (46,48) are respectively secured by first and second connectors (68,70) to attachment wires (64,66) that are molded in the seat pad (36) at spaced locations from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connection of an airbag module to a supporting vehicle component, comprising an expanding element, arranged on one of the modules for connection, a clip opening, provided on one of the other modules for connection, and into which the expanding element may be introduced such as, in a clipping position in the expanded state, to engage behind the edge of the clip opening and a security element which may be engaged with the expanding elements such as to retain the expanding element in the expanded state. According to the invention, the security element, before being engaged with the expanding element, is detachably connected to a component of the module, provided with the expanding element and arranged behind the clip opening such as to be able to be brought into engagement with the expanding element when the latter is run through the clip opening over the clip position thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a frame, a cushion associated with the frame, an air bag module, and a trim cover disposed proximate the cushion and having an end portion. A coupling member is disposed proximate the end portion. The coupling member engages the air bag module to secure the trim cover.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over the seat pad and including a first and second end portion forming a release seam adjacent the seat pad, and an air bag assembly within the trim cover. In accordance with this embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an inflator and an air bag inflatable to project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover. Further in accordance with this embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly further includes an air bag guide including an inner panel and an outer panel, a first connector connected to the first and second end portions of the trim cover, and a second connector connected to outer panels.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag. The seat track assembly includes a stationary rail fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes a movable rail fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with the stationary rail to move the seat therealong. The movable rail extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. A shunt defining an elongated body extends along a portion of the length of the movable rail. A sensor is fixedly secured to the stationary rail and disposed adjacent the shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of the sensor relative to the shunt. The sensor and the shunt are disposed within the stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.

Abstract: Knee support element for motor vehicles for absorbing energy in a knee region in case of a crash of the vehicle, including a first deformation element for absorbing energy upon impact of the knees in a first impact zone and a second deformation element for absorbing energy upon impact of the knees in a second impact zone, where the first deformation element is linked to the second deformation element in order to deform the second deformation element and thereby limit the resistance of the second deformation element against deformation, upon impact on the first impact zone.