Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat base pivotally connected to a seat mounting point and seat back pivotally connecting to the seat base. The seat base pivot reside proximal to a forward edge of the seat base and the seat back pivot resides proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base. Each pivot includes a toothed rack, and an engaging member for locking the pivot. The teeth define a radius about the pivots. The engaging members are attached to the seat base and are actuated by levers attached to the seat base. A harness is attached to the seat to prevent injury of an occupant in the event of a unanticipated maneuver, crash, rough terrain, or turbulence. The restraint system comprises a robust mechanism to withstand crash loads and offer sufficient adjustment between sitting and standing positions to accommodate an occupant's duties.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat base pivotally connected to a seat mounting point and seat back pivotally connecting to the seat base. The seat base pivot reside proximal to a forward edge of the seat base and the seat back pivot resides proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base. Each pivot includes a toothed rack, and an engaging member for locking the pivot. The teeth define a radius about the pivots. The engaging members are attached to the seat base and are actuated by levers attached to the seat base. A harness is attached to the seat to prevent injury of an occupant in the event of a unanticipated maneuver, crash, rough terrain, or turbulence. The restraint system comprises a robust mechanism to withstand crash loads and offer sufficient adjustment between sitting and standing positions to accommodate an occupant's duties.

Abstract: A pretensioner for tightening an occupant restraint, such as a seatbelt, against an occupant on a vehicle. The pretensioner has a locking reel which is activated when a signal is sent by a crash sensing device. When such signal is sent, the pretensioner causes a rack to turn a pinion, which is attached to a reel which tightens the occupant restraint. The pinion is allowed to turn freely by holding the rack out of its sphere of movement until the piston, which controls the position of the rack, is caused to extend. The pinion turns a shaft which is connected to a locking reel through a connector which is movable between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration.

Abstract: A release comprises cylindrical first and second connectors having supply passages, one of which is mounted on the supply tube and the other of which is mounted on the mask. The first connector has a cylindrical chamber for receiving a cylindrical portion of the second connector to connect the connectors and operatively connect the tube to the mask to enable supply of breathing gas to the mask. The second connector has a groove formed in its outer surface for receiving a split spring ring carried by the first connector. The free ends of the arms of the split ring have cam surfaces. A spring is mounted on the second connector and is compressed by insertion of the second connector. An unlocking device comprises an electrically-actuated explosive device carried within the first connector and a wedge which is projected against the cam surfaces upon actuation to force the spring arms apart, to force the split ring out of the groove.

Abstract: An amphibious toy vehicle having paddles located within the wheels of the toy vehicle which can be extended outside the wheels in order to propel the vehicle forward and backward in water. A flotation chamber is provided at the bottom of the vehicle. A gear assembly including rack gears is used to extend and retract the paddles. After the paddles are retracted inside the wheels, the toy vehicle may be moved over a supporting surface by the rotating wheels. A downwardly extending portion attached to an upper body of the amphibious toy vehicle helps to keep motors mounted inside the vehicle dry when the toy vehicle is placed in water.

Abstract: A lightweight emergency lighting system capable of arrangement into various subjective configurations is provided. A housing member supports a plurality of individual lighting elements mounted on a common semi-rigid bus bar. The upper configuration of the housing members is capable of a directional transmission of light towards a predetermined field angle, while the lower configuration is adaptable for mounting the lighting elements. The upper housing member can have an interior surface of a prismatic configuration to provide a refraction and reflection of light in combination with the exterior surface. The lighting elements, such as L.E.D.'s, can be excited through a pulsing circuit to maximize the light output while conserving power from an auxiliary battery source.

Abstract: A lightweight emergency lighting system capable of arrangement into various subjective configurations is provided. A housing member supports a plurality of individual lighting elements mounted on a common semi-rigid bus bar. The upper configuration of the housing members is capable of a directional transmission of light towards a predetermined field angle, while the lower configuration is adaptable for mounting the lighting elements. The upper housing member can have an interior surface of a prismatic configuration to provide a refraction and reflection of light in combination with the exterior surface. The lighting elements, such as L.E.D.'s, can be excited through a pulsing circuit to maximize the light output while conserving power from an auxiliary battery source.

Abstract: An inflation mechanism is provided for automatically inflating a life preserver or the like upon immersion in water. The mechanism includes a housing, a first piston slidably mounted within the housing, a second piston slidably mounted within the first piston, and a water-activated chemical positioned in a chamber between the two pistons. Upon immersion in water, the chemical reacts therewith creating a gaseous end product. The pistons are forced apart by the gas. One of them includes a piercing pin for puncturing the membrane of a CO.sub.2 cartridge. If the mechanism is not totally immersed in water, the piston including the piercing pin is restricted from moving through the membrane.

Abstract: Doors are slideably mounted in tracks by structure which cooperates with and follows the course of the tracks even around sharp corners and curves to permit sliding of the doors into out of the way storage positions. The sliding door assembly is illustrated forming a bathtub/shower enclosure.

Abstract: A body is provided forming a handle. A pair of complementary jaw members fit within the body and move longitudinally therein. The jaw members are configurated at their outer ends so as to be complementary and together to form a nut engaging configuration. Cam surfaces are provided on the insides of the body in a position to engage surfaces of the jaw members for camming them toward each other when a nut is engaged by the jaw members and a force is applied in a direction toward the nut. The jaw members move inwardly with respect to the body and are cammed towards each other to tightly engage and hold the nut. Preferably, the jaw members are pivoted together within the body and a spring is provided to normally urged them outwardly.

Abstract: Doors are slidably mounted in tracks by structure which cooperates with and follows the course of the tracks even around sharp corners and curves to permit sliding of the doors into out of the way storage positions. The sliding door assembly is illustrated forming a bathtub/shower enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating an open fire having a lamp mounted on a base structure within a shell. The shell is simulative of a pile of burning logs or the like and is at least in part light transmitting. Light masks are included, one of which operates to project the image of a flame on a projection screen mounted at the rear of the apparatus base. Arrangements may also be included for varying the light pattern projected from the lamp, for simulating the heat of a fire and for simulating the burning noise of a fire.

Abstract: A cabinet having a lower door which opens outwardly and an upper door which opens downwardly to rest on the opened lower door; thereby the cabinet may be converted into a bar. The lower door preferably has an extension hinged to its outer end which folds outwardly and the upper door is preferably right angularly shaped to overlie the extension when it is folded open.