Abstract: A three-wheeled motor vehicle includes a through coupling situated between right and left internal shafts and rear wheels, each via a drive shaft. The axial lines of right and left internal shafts are both intersected with a straight line as a rocking axis. If the right and left internal shafts are placed away from each other in the front and rear of the vehicle body, the drive shaft can be placed extensively in the diagonal direction from the right and left internal shafts to the rear wheel side. Using the described structure, the total length of the drive shaft can be increased. In consideration thereof, the bending angle of the drive shaft can be minimized when the rear drive wheels move in the vertical direction, and the track of the rear wheels can be reduced because the drive shaft is placed extensively in the diagonal direction.

Abstract: A construction machine where a load acting on a vehicle body during an operation is transferred to ensure the strength of the vehicle body, thereby improving reliability including welding reliability. In the construction machine, at least one of the height differences between an upper face or a lower face of the center frame at a joining portion between the center frame and the connecting member and an upper face or a lower face of a center joining portion of the connecting member is set respectively at a dimension that is approximately equal to or less than the thickness of an upper face plate or a lower face plate of the center frame.

Abstract: A gas generator for an occupant protection system of a vehicle includes a compressed gas store, first and second bursting devices, and a gas generating triggering device. The compressed gas store has a discharge opening and is configured to store a compressed gas. The first bursting device can close the discharge opening. The triggering device can open the discharge open. The bursting devices can be supported against one another when the compressed gas store is closed, and an increased pressure for bursting a bursting device being able to be built up between the bursting devices by gas generated by the triggering device.

Abstract: A tractor has sprung left and right rear suspensions, each suspension including a suspension arm pivotally coupled to the tractor chassis to pivot about a pivot point. A planetary gear system is fixed to the suspension arm having a sun gear driven by the engine and a planetary gear carrier that is coupled to and drives an axle supporting a rear wheel. The ring gear is fixed with respect to the suspension arm.

Abstract: An inflatable fabric cushion is disclosed that can maintain a high internal pressure while having an exposed inflator squib. The inflatable cushion has a precision opening sized to be commensurate with a diameter of the inflator squib. The precision opening tightly circumscribes the inflator to limit leakage of inflation gas when the squib projects out of the opening. The cushion also has a throat through which the inflator may be inserted into the cushion. After the inflator is inserted into the cushion, the throat is sealed closed by wrapping the throat around the inflator housing and being cinched when the airbag assembly is mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling an actuator assembly for suspension systems. The actuator assembly control method of the present invention is possible to control the actuator assembly according to conditions of vehicle velocity and steering angle or vehicle velocity and steering angular velocity, thus reducing energy consumption, thereby increasing the efficiency of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: The application provides airbag cushion deployment restraint systems for use in inflatable airbag cushions. The deployment restraint systems of the invention regulate deployment of an airbag cushion to provide full radial expansion of the cushion prior to final expansion of the cushion toward a vehicle occupant. The deployment restraint systems of the invention thus increase the amount of contact surface area available to a vehicle occupant early in deployment and decrease the force with which the cushion is expanded toward a vehicle occupant during a collision event, thus reducing the likelihood of injury to an out-of-position vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for an inflator device having at least one inflator device mating lug. The initiator assembly includes an initiator having an initiator cup at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge. The initiator also includes at least one electrical connector in reaction initiating communication with the reactive charge. The initiator assembly has a molded body fitting over at least a portion of the initiator. The molded body includes at least one locking flange that is adapted to lockingly engage the at least one inflator device mating lug.

Abstract: A steer axle and suspension assembly are provided that produce lateral stability in the vehicle without the use of a transverse rod and without generating undue loads on the steer axle beam. The assembly includes at least one suspension arm that is connected to the frame and to a component of the steer axle assembly such as the axle beam, kingpin, or steering knuckle. The suspension arm is connected to the steer axle assembly at a location outboard of the longitudinal frame rails of the vehicle and extends longitudinally at an angle to the frame rails. The suspension arm arrangement can be used with a variety of suspensions including leaf spring and multi-link suspensions.

Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a steering mechanism and a pedal assemble united and supported together by a support structure as a unitized module for shipping and attachment to a vehicle. The support structure supports the pedal assembly for movement beyond the fully depressed position of one of the pedal therein in response to a predetermined collapse force on the pedal.

Abstract: A knee bolster structure includes an upper shock-absorbing member adapted for absorbing input force of knees of an occupant who has an average physical constitution and a lower shock-absorbing member adapted for absorbing input force of knees of an occupant who is small in stature, and a difference in strength between the upper shock-absorbing member and the lower shock-absorbing member is provided such that receiving strength of the upper shock-absorbing member is larger and receiving strength of the lower shock-absorbing member is smaller.

Abstract: A wheelchair with a footrest that tucks as a power base on which the wheelchair seat is mounted rotates about an axis parallel to a surface. The rotation of the power base raises the height of the seat above the surface. The footrest, which is coupled to the support, tucks towards the power base and still avoids obstacles on the surface. The footrest tuck improves the maneuverability of the wheelchair by reducing the radius about which the footrest swings as the wheelchair turns.

Abstract: A vehicle ballast system for improving the balance of a vehicle. The system is particularly well suited for use in the bed of a pickup truck but is not limited to that deployment. The system includes one or more ballast units. Each ballast unit includes a frame set and a ballast element. The frame set retains the ballast element therein. The ballast element may be one or more concrete blocks. The frame set includes an upper frame and a lower frame. The respective frames are connected together in a manner to contain the ballast element using a front retaining rod and a rear retaining rod is preferably affixable to a bracket secured to the rear of the vehicle. A tether may be removably connected between the upper frame and a securing point of the vehicle. A shock-absorbing lanyard may be employed at the rear of the system as a restraint upon sudden deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is attachable to a vehicle frame for pivotally connecting a booster axle assembly comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having a first end, a second end, and an axle connected therebetween. The mounting bracket includes a U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of spaced legs connected to the base and extending in a first direction generally normal to the base. The pair of spaced legs and base define a space for receiving the first end of one of the arms of the booster axle assembly. Each leg defines first and second spaced appendages that define a slot. A mounting plate is connected to the base of the U-shaped portion and extends in a second direction normal to the base to permit connection of the mounting bracket to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A protective motorcycle impact cage is provided, comprising a rear bumper, a rear bar, a passenger bar, a left upright rear shoulder bar, a right upright rear shoulder bar, a waistline bar, a bottom brace, a left top brace, a right top brace, an operator bar, a left side bar, a right side bar, a front bumper, a left front shoulder bar, and a right front shoulder bar. The protective motorcycle impact cage has particular utility in connection with protecting a motorcycle operator and passenger in a collision with a vehicle from any direction.

Abstract: An externally developed airbag device is provided that reliably deploys along predetermined areas. More particularly, an airbag includes a bag base, which deploys along the lower edge of the windshield, and bag side segments, which deploy while extending upwardly from the right and left sides of the bag base along the exteriors of “A” pillars. Guide rods vertically extend along the exteriors of the “A” pillars. Each of the bag side segments has a connecting strap on its top that connects the bag side segment to the guide rod. The connecting straps are movable along the guide rods. The bag side segments are guided along the guide rods by the connecting straps and deploy along the exteriors of the “A” pillars.

Abstract: A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. The driver's console is rotated in the cab with the steering and speed control elements moved with the seat for the driver to face forwards and its position is detected by switches. In the engine forward position for transportation, the control system detects the seat position and operates the controls for higher speed drive and to prevent operation of the header. A vehicle emblem SMV is located on the back of the driver's seat so that it is visible to a person behind regardless of the direction of travel.

Abstract: The membrane switch mounting structure for a vehicle includes a switch mounting space at a front side of a cushion cover facing the inner side of a horn cover, and a membrane switch and a supporting plate together inserted into the switch mounting space, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and the number of steps in the manufacturing process and increasing productivity.

Abstract: A vibration gasket that is capable of dampening vibrations or movements of a vehicle steering wheel is disclosed. The vibration gasket has a first surface that may be attached to an airbag inflator and a second surface that may be attached to an airbag mounting plate. At least one foil strip is also added to the vibration gasket. The foil strip has an inflator interface area and a mounting plate interface area. The foil strip is constructed such that the inflator interface area may be positioned between the first surface and the inflator. Similarly, the foil strip is also constructed such that the mounting plate interface area may be positioned between the second surface and the mounting plate. Additionally, the vibration gasket may also be used to electrically ground the airbag inflator.

Abstract: The vehicle suspension lift spacer of the present invention fits between the coil spring and the upper spring receiver of the front suspension. It is made by welding stock flat and cylinder stock material, making it cheap to make and sufficiently rugged for the desired use. The lift spacer is generally cylindrical, having a common axis with an axially mounted shock absorber. The lift spacer has a flat ring upper attachment plate having upward-spaced bolts for attachment through the upper coil spring receiver and shock tower mounts. A lift member is a cylindrical section welded coaxially to the underside of the upper attachment plate and determines the amount of lift of the lift spacer. A flat ring bearing is coaxially welded to the cylindrical lift member for bearing against the coil spring. A cylindrical guide member is welded to the lower side of the bearing plate.