Abstract: A vehicle hood apparatus is provided with a hood retaining mechanism including a linkage which is bendable and stretchable for retaining a hood in a lifted position when a vehicle collides with an object to be protected and the rear end of the hood is lifted. The linkage has an upper link and a lower link which are bendably and stretchably connected via a hinge. A stopper is included for preventing the lower link from falling rearward relative to the vehicle when the lower link and the upper link stretch. The hood apparatus further includes a ratchet mechanism for preventing the lower link and the upper link from shifting from the stretching state to a bending state to securely retain the lifted hood.

Abstract: A vehicle hood apparatus is provided with a hood retaining mechanism including a linkage which is bendable and stretchable for retaining a hood in a lifted position when a vehicle collides with an object to be protected and the rear end of the hood is lifted. The linkage has an upper link and a lower link which are bendably and stretchably connected via a hinge. A stopper is included for preventing the lower link from falling rearward relative to the vehicle when the lower link and the upper link stretch. The hood apparatus further includes a ratchet mechanism for preventing the lower link and the upper link from shifting from the stretching state to a bending state to securely retain the lifted hood.

Abstract: A push rod of a vacuum booster includes an inner rod section, a pipe-shaped outer rod section which is slidably fitted over an outer periphery of a rear portion of the inner rod section and connected to a brake pedal, and a buffer member made of a synthetic resin and fitted over the outer periphery of the inner rod section in front of the outer rod section. Usually, an end face of the outer rod section is retained in a position in which it abuts against a projection of the inner rod section. When an axial compressing force is applied to the push rod upon a collision of an automobile, the end face of the outer rod section slides forwards over and past the projection, while buckling the buffer member. Thus, the pushing-up of the brake pedal toward a vehicle compartment due to the retreating movement of a master cylinder is prevented, and the load applied to a driver's foot is alleviated.