Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a rotatable spool for retraction or payout of seat belt webbing wound thereon, depending upon the rotation direction of the spool. A locking wheel is attached to one end of the spool. The spool to is locked to the locking wheel when a crash is sensed. A force limiter allows further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool has locked to the locking wheel, under the influence of a vehicle occupant's forward momentum. The force limiter includes a torsion bar attached at one end to the locking wheel and at the other end to the spool, and a secondary force limiter mechanism releasably coupled in the force path between the spool and the locking wheel, and a mechanism for de-coupling the secondary mechanism after a predetermined number of turns of the torsion bar. The locking mechanism has a locking element that is resiliently biased to a position wherein it locks the spool to the locking wheel and is held out of locking engagement by the secondary force limiting mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for implementing a high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode of operation in a free-space optical communication system are disclosed. Functions of the high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode may be implemented in response to one or more engage signals generated and transmitted in response to a sensed inclement weather condition, such as fog or the like, which may interfere with communication of an optical signal between a pair of free-space optical terminals in the free-space optical communication system. Implementation of the high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode facilitates maintenance of the alignment between the pair of free-space optical terminals throughout the duration of the inclement weather condition to allow data communication to resume fully after the inclement weather condition has diminished.

Abstract: A vehicle acceleration sensor for a seat belt retractor safety restraint has an inertial member is mounted so as to move under the influence of acceleration and deceleration forces. The inertial member is a ball mounted in a plastic cup which is mounted to pivot under inertial forces such as occur in a vehicle crash by engagement of a narrow neck portion in a mounting hole in a base member. A pivoted locking pawl is adapted to engage teeth in a ratchet wheel of the seat belt retractor to lock the seat belt retractor against webbing payout. A ring washer rests on the upper part of the ball and is adapted to restrain the movement of the ball so that the ball only moves when the level of acceleration or deceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a three point vehicle safety restraint seat belt has a mounting for one end of the seat belt. The mounting has a first member fixed to a load bearing part of the vehicle and a second member attached to the end of the seat belt. A force reservoir, such as a pyrotechnic unit, moves the second member relative to the first member in a pretensioning direction in response to activation by a crash sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle seat that is removable from a vehicle has an automatic buckle release mechanism. The vehicle seat has a seat base and a seat back. To prepare the seat for removal from the vehicle the seat back is pivoted about an axis towards the seat base. The seat base has a seat belt buckle attached thereto. The seat belt buckle has a release mechanism for releasing from the seat belt buckle a buckle tongue that is assembled with a seat belt webbing. The seat back has an actuator arm attached thereto that pivots with the seat back. The actuator arm causes the release mechanism of the seat belt buckle to operate in a buckle tongue releasing manner when the seat back is pivoted towards the seat base.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly has a buckle head having an attachment member and a strap comprising a predetermined length of flexible woven webbing material fastened to the attachment member and comprising a loop spaced from the attachment member. Two such buckle heads may be mounted to a mounting bracket for attachment to a vehicle and hook and loop fasteners may connect them back to back. This buckle head is more compact and versatile then previously known arrangements.

Abstract: A noise reduction device for use with a vehicle sensor in a seat belt retractor has a part arranged to be frictionally coupled to a retractor spool. An inhibitor arm extends radially from the frictionally coupled part. A counterbalance is arranged on a counterbalance arm extending radially from the frictionally coupled part and circumferentially spaced from the inhibitor arm. The device being arranged such that when rewinding of seat belt webbing onto the spool the inhibitor arm is moved to a first position in which it inhibits the vehicle sensor. When withdrawing of webbing from the spool, the inhibitor arm moves to a second position in which it does not inhibit the vehicle sensor, wherein the counterbalance is weighted and located so as to move the inhibitor arm to the second position if the frictional coupling between the device and the spool fails.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a spool mounted for rotation on the retractor, for retraction or payout of seat-belt webbing depending upon the rotation direction of the spool. The spool is locked against rotation when a crash condition is sensed. A force limiter allows further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool shaft has locked, under the influence of a vehicle occupant's forward momentum. The force limiter has a first resilient component attached in the force path between the spool and the locking component. A second resilient component is a wire releasably held in the force path between the spool and the locking component by a locking plate engaged with the locking component. The wire is released from the force path by disengagement between the locking plate and the locking component.

Abstract: A vehicle seat that is removable from a vehicle has an automatic buckle release mechanism. The vehicle seat has a seat base and a seat back. To prepare the seat for removal from the vehicle the seat back is pivoted about an axis towards the seat base. The seat base has a seat belt buckle attached thereto. The seat belt buckle has a release mechanism for releasing from the seat belt buckle a buckle tongue that is assembled with a seat belt webbing. The seat back has an actuator arm attached thereto that pivots with the seat back. The actuator arm causes the release mechanism of the seat belt buckle to operate in a buckle tongue releasing manner when the seat back is pivoted towards the seat base.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a rotatable spool for retraction or payout of seat belt webbing wound thereon, depending upon the rotation direction of the spool. A locking wheel is attached to one end of the spool. The spool to is locked to the locking wheel when a crash is sensed. A force limiter allows further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool has locked to the locking wheel, under the influence of a vehicle occupant's forward momentum. The force limiter includes a torsion bar attached at one end to the locking wheel and at the other end to the spool, and a secondary force limiter mechanism releasably coupled in the force path between the spool and the locking wheel, and a mechanism for de-coupling the secondary mechanism after a predetermined number of turns of the torsion bar. The locking mechanism has a locking element that is resiliently biased to a position wherein it locks the spool to the locking wheel and is held out of locking engagement by the secondary force limiting mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyridinones, processes for their preparation and their use in medicaments, especially for the treatment of COPD.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided for exchanging data objects over several network. The mobile apparatus exchanges data objects of a first data format over a first network and exchanges data of a second data format over a second network. The mobile apparatus comprises configurable processing means. When configured, processing means converts data of the first format received from the first network to data of the second format. Processing means then forwards converted data to the second network.

Abstract: A system for the payment and monitoring of fees which includes a personal device carried by a user and a monitoring device which communicates with the personal device to confirm/ascertain that the personal device has been activated to deduct the required fee.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes an optical fiber and ferrule. The ferrule's face is partitioned into several regions. Optical elements can be formed on the regions to diffract light incident on the ferrule. Alternatively, the ferrule's face may have several reflective facets. Light incident on the end of the optical fiber propagates to a communications detector. Light incident on the ferrule's face is redirected to tracking detectors, each arranged to receive the redirected light from a preselected region of the ferrule. The output signals of the tracking detectors are used to adjust the alignment between the incident light and the assembly. Alternatively, tracking fibers or a quadrant cell may be used to directly receive light that would otherwise be incident on the ferrule's face.

Abstract: Center fill chewing gum compositions containing an effective amount of at least one stanol compound sufficient to provide a positive cholesterol effect in a warm-blooded animal including humans.

Abstract: A corona discharge ionization source is disclosed in which neutral species are removed by directing a flow of oxygen containing gas in a direction substantially different to that of the ion flow. The ion profiles produced are similar in many respects to those produced by a 63Ni source, thus an alternative, non-radioactive, ion source is offered.

Abstract: Disclosed are a feed formulation and a corresponding method of feeding ruminants. The formulation and method are preferably for use with lactating dairy cattle. The feed increases the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid isomers in the milk fat and/or tissue fat of ruminants. The feed includes a combination of safflower oil and monensin.

Abstract: The invention relates to imidazopyridinones of the formula 1

Abstract: An optical tracking system for use in an optical receiver of an optical communication system includes a first focus unit, a tracker, and an optical fiber having an angled tip. The first focus unit receives an optical signal to be tracked and focuses it on the angled tip of the fiber. The fiber is connected to a communications detector of the optical communication system. In addition, the angled tip of the fiber reflects a portion of the focused optical signal to the tracker. The tracker processes the reflected portion of the optical signal to correct for any misalignment between the optical signal and the optical receiver.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Coreopsis plant named ‘Limerock Passion’, characterized by its daisy-type inflorescences; unique light red purple-colored ray florets and dark purple-colored disc florets; very freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences per plant; and upright and outwardly spreading growth habit.