Abstract: A member disengagement apparatus comprises fastening release parts for disengaging fastened members fastened by fastening parts, a release operation unit for releasing the fastening release parts, an operation-inhibiting unit for inhibiting a release operation of the release operation unit, and a control unit for controlling the operation-inhibiting unit. The control unit controls the operation-inhibiting unit so that the release operation is no longer inhibited when specific emergency signals are received.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a body frame structure for a straddle-type four wheeled vehicle having a light weight and a high rigidity. The body frame structure included, a pair of right and left upper frame members, a pair of right and left lower frame members; a front frame member; and a pair of right and left bracket members connecting rear ends of the upper frame members and rear ends of the lower frame members. The upper frame members, the lower frame members, the front frame member and the bracket members are made of aluminum or alloy including aluminum.

Abstract: A multi-axle leaf spring suspension having a compliant equalizer. The leaf springs are mounted one behind the other on each side of the vehicle. Adjacent ends of the leaf springs are pivotally attached to the compliant equalizer. The compliant equalizer is pivotally mounted to a vehicle frame. The compliant equalizer comprises a pair of arms that are pivotally connected to each other in a scissor-like fashion. One end of each arm is pivotally connected to the end of a leaf spring. The other end of each arm is cooperatively arranged to contain and compress a spring member between them. The compliant equalizer reduces the magnitude of shocks that would be other wise transmitted to the suspension and frame by absorbing them through compression of the spring member.

Abstract: A method of configuring components on a chassis of a model vehicle is provided, comprising providing a vehicle chassis, mounting an engine to the vehicle chassis such that the engine crankshaft is positioned at a first height relative to the chassis, and mounting a transmission to the vehicle chassis such that the transmission output shaft is positioned at a second height, and wherein the first height of the crankshaft is no less than about 3 mm and no more than 15.5 mm higher than the second height of the output shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing one or more loops of a length of tubing in a model vehicle is provided, comprising a support configured to be secured directly or indirectly to the chassis of a model vehicle, and a first fastener secured to the support for retaining at least a first portion of a loop of tubing.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle, in which the vehicle includes a frame that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle. The axle/suspension system is attached to the vehicle frame via at least one hanger and includes at least one beam, which includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the beam is connected to the hanger, and the second end of the beam immovably captures an axle, which extends in a transverse direction relative to the vehicle. The beam is formed of a composite material and has a substantially constant cross section in the transverse direction to provide sufficient strength to control roll forces encountered by the vehicle during operation.

Abstract: A horn switch device includes a retractable body, an unmoving body facing the retractable body, a biasing member between the retractable body and the unmoving body, a pair of contact members attached to, and moving with, the retractable body, and a contacting body, formed on the unmoving body, for contacting one of the contact members when the retractable body retracts. The contacting body stops the retraction of the contacted contact member, thereby bringing the contact members into contact with each other so as to sound the horn. The horn switch device facilitates positioning of the contact members relative to each other, thereby simplifying the assembly of a steering wheel and an airbag system.

Abstract: To suppress the transmission of vibrations from a vehicle body and an engine to an inflator in an air bag system. Rubber mounts are fitted to a retainer box for accommodating an air bag. A flange of an inflator is placed on the rubber mounts, and bolts are inserted through set plates for connecting the air bag to the inflator and through the flange. The bolts are further inserted through the rubber mounts and nuts are tightened to the bolts.

Abstract: An independent suspension system for a wheeled vehicle includes a modified shock absorber, a leaf spring, and a wheel carrier. The shock absorber includes a cylinder, and a rod passing through the cylinder. The shock absorber is vertically mounted in a condition where the ends of the rod are coupled to the vehicle body. The cylinder of the shock absorber is coupled to the wheel carrier. The leaf spring supports the wheel carrier against rotation on a vertical axis of the vehicle. The leaf spring is elastically twisted to cancel a moment that causes a friction within the shock absorber.

Abstract: An air bag module (30) is disclosed having an air bag (50) and a tether (52) and an active brake (70, 80) for controlling the length of the tether in correspondence with the size of the occupant to be protected.

Abstract: A side airbag apparatus for a vehicle has a gas generator with gas ports, an airbag. With gas injected from the gas ports, the airbag is deployed and inflated between a side portion of a body of the vehicle and a passenger seated on a seat provided in a passenger compartment. The airbag has first and second inflation portion. The first inflation portion is deployed and inflated at a position that corresponds to a shoulder of a passenger having a small physical size. The second inflation portion communicates with the first inflation portion. The second inflation portion is deployed and inflated at a position that corresponds to the abdomen of the passenger having a small physical size. The gas ports are arranged such that gas injected from the gas ports is introduced into the first inflation portion before the second inflation portion. The apparatus further includes a thickness limiting portion located between the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion and a tether.

Abstract: An apparatus for activating occupant restraint devices of a vehicle includes first and second sensors, first and second determination units, an output circuit, and an activation unit. The first sensor generates a first signal indicative of dynamic movement of the vehicle, and the first determination unit determines, using a CPU, whether or not to output a first activation signal depending on the first signal. The second sensor generates a second signal indicative of the dynamic movement of the vehicle, and the second determination unit determines, using two thresholds of deceleration and acceleration or a single selectively provided deceleration threshold, whether or not to output a second activation signal depending on the second signal. The output circuit outputs a final activation signal upon receiving both the first and second activation signals, and the activation unit activates the occupant restraint devices of the vehicle upon receiving the final activation signal.

Abstract: A rack support assembly for an ATV for a rack and shock assembly that is removably attachable to a hitch and rack posts of an all terrain vehicle. The assembly comprises an upper bar and a lower bar. A pair of shock absorbers is coupled to and extends between the upper and lower bars so that the upper and lower bars are orientated parallel to each other. A coupler removably attaches the lower bar to the hitch so that the lower bar is horizontally orientated. Each of a pair of supports is attached to the upper bar. The supports are each removably attachable to one of the rack posts.

Abstract: The present application relates to a mobile conveying vehicle comprising axles rigidly arranged on a support frame, an operator's cabin and a series of units and additional unit parts such as an engine, pumps, a radiator, hydraulic tank and/or fuel tank. In accordance with the application, the operator's cabin and the units with additional unit parts are mounted on a common frame construction. The frame construction is uncoupled from the support frame.

Abstract: In the head-protecting airbag device according to the present invention, an airbag folded and housed in the upper edge of an opening inside the vehicle deploys downward to cover the opening. The airbag includes a plurality of cells juxtaposed in the front-rear direction each of which, when fed with inflation gas, extends downward from the upper edge of the opening and inflates to separate its interior and exterior walls. Above the cells is located a gas passage extending in the front-rear direction, via which the cells are communicated with one another. The gas passage includes a joint port for introducing inflation gas into the airbag. In each of the cells, the interior wall and exterior wall are respectively bellows-folded on alternate crest folds projecting in the surface and valley folds recessing inside the cell, such that the airbag is folded to bring its lower edge close to its upper edge. The head-protecting airbag device is able to deploy the airbag swiftly.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus cover has a module cover with a module cover main body, and a door frame with a door frame movable member and a door frame fixed member. When an inflator discharges gas, the door frame movable member is moved upward by an expanding airbag. The module cover is broken along a tear line, and a door portion is cut off and separated from the surrounding module cover. The door portion is moved farther upward with the door frame movable member, and a tear line of the door portion is burst as it is pressed by the airbag. The door portion and its lining plate portions open like a door, and the airbag is expanded into a vehicle cabin. The fixed member, the movable member, and the module cover are integrally formed by a double-shot molding process, which facilitates the manufacture of the cover with high dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: In an independent wheel suspension including a wheel-guiding strut which is mounted on a vehicle body, a wheel carrier is so supported on the strut by several elastic pivoting bearings, that a high degree of driving comfort is provided by a controlled accommodation of lateral, longitudinal and vertical forces.

Abstract: An airbag configuration technology which contributes to intensive protection of a rider of a motorbike in case of accident, and other technologies related thereto are provided. An airbag apparatus including an airbag which is deployed and inflated in a rider protecting area defined in front of the rider in case of a front collision, an inflator capable of supplying inflation gas into the airbag, and a rectifying cloth capable of adjusting the flowing state of inflation gas fed from the inflator and flowing within the airbag is mounted to a motorcycle as a motorbike.

Abstract: An airbag constructing technology is provided that is useful for improving the protection of a driver upon the occurrence of a vehicle accident, and related techniques. The airbag apparatus to be mounted on an automotive two-wheeler has an airbag which is inflated in a driver-protecting area formed in front of the driver upon the occurrence of a front vehicle collision. This airbag has a tether connecting inner wall surfaces facing each other of the airbag. Inflation of the vehicle rear side wall of the airbag toward the driver is regulated via the tether. Inflation of the vehicle front side wall of the airbag toward the front vehicle is allowed. This tether is prepared by sewing first to third tether component pieces to each other sewn to the inner wall surface of the airbag.

Abstract: A seat belt system includes webbing having a solid material that is configured to effect a shape or dimensional change in response to an activation signal. In a preferred embodiment, the webbing includes a first part and a second part, each having a wide end and a narrow end. The webbing is mounted with respect to a vehicle seatback so that the webbing is positionable across an occupant between the occupant's neck and the occupant's pelvis, and is characterized by the absence of an over-the-shoulder portion.