Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a side airbag for protection of a vehicle occupant. The side airbag is adapted to be inflated by gas from an inflator. The side airbag comprises a side panel which forms an exterior of the side airbag. The side panel defines a vent hole for venting the gas to outside the side airbag. A closing panel is disposed about the vent hole. The closing panel is configured such that the vent hole is unobstructed to vent the gas during inflation of the side airbag until the side airbag is substantially inflated. The side and closing panels cooperate to obstruct the vent hole with the closing panel such that the gas is substantially not vented. When the side airbag is obstructed from substantially inflating, for example due to the proximity of an out-of-position occupant, the vent hole remains unobstructed to vent the gas.

Abstract: A sliding door for selectively opening and closing an opening is disclosed. The door is comprised of a door panel having a top, a bottom, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The door panel translates laterally relative to the opening between a closed position and an open position. The door has a guide, a guide follower, and a reset member. The guide is mounted to a mounting surface located between the upper and lower extent of the opening, and comprises a first end disposed proximate the opening and a second end opposite the first end. The guide follower is attached to the door panel and disposed in operable engagement with the guide. The reset member is disposed proximate the second end of the guide. The reset member has a surface that is angularly oriented to facilitate operable engagement and alignment of the guide follower with the guide.

Abstract: A panel guide and impact separation system for a sliding door adapted to open and close an opening having an upper and lower extent is disclosed. The system comprises a guide, a guide follower and an elongate beam. The guide is adapted to be mounted to a mounting surface located between the upper and lower extent. The guide follower is disposed in operable engagement with the guide and is adapted to translate along at least a portion of the guide. The elongate beam has a first and second end. The first end of the elongate beam is connected the guide follower and the second end of the elongate beam is attachable to a door panel. The second end of the elongate beam is adapted to extend generally horizontally along at least a portion of a vertical plane of a door panel.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring position information of a movable apparatus relevant to a specific axis is disclosed. In one embodiment, an interferometer generates first and second beams and various beam-steering members are located to define beam path segments for the two beams, but no beam path segment varies in length in unity with displacements of the movable apparatus along the specific axis. In another or the same embodiment, each beam path segment in which the first beam either impinges or has been reflected from the movable apparatus is symmetrical to a corresponding beam path segment of the second beam. The movable apparatus may be a wafer stage in which the “specific axis” is the exposure axis of a projection lens, but with all optical members which cooperate with the stage being located beyond the ranges of the wafer stage in directions perpendicular to the lithographic exposure axis.

Abstract: The position of a stage is determined. Images of a plurality of targets located on the stage are captured. The captured images of the plurality of targets are compared with stored images to determine displacement coordinates for each target. The displacement coordinates for the targets are translated into position coordinates for the stage.

Abstract: A fabric knee airbag that is capable of withstanding high internal pressures is provided. The knee airbag is formed from one continuous fabric sheet. The knee airbag has a plurality of loops formed in the walls of the airbag. Internal tethers are disposed within the airbag cushion and are attached to oppositely facing loops. The internal tethers enable the airbag to withstand the high internal pressure by maintaining the airbag at a constant volume and shape upon activation by an inflator. The knee airbag further includes an external tether attached to the exterior of the airbag wall to control the direction of the deployment of the knee airbag.

Abstract: A sliding door for selectively opening and closing an opening is disclosed. The door is comprised of a door panel having a top, a bottom, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The door panel translates laterally relative to the opening between a closed position and an open position. The door has a guide, a guide follower, and a reset member. The guide is mounted to a mounting surface located between the upper and lower extent of the opening, and comprises a first end disposed proximate the opening and a second end opposite the first end. The guide follower is attached to the door panel and disposed in operable engagement with the guide. The reset member is disposed proximate the second end of the guide. The reset member has a surface that is angularly oriented to facilitate operable engagement and alignment of the guide follower with the guide.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly comprises a reaction canister, an airbag inflator, a locking end cap for positioning and retaining the airbag inflator, a module diffuser housing, and an inflatable airbag. The airbag inflator is fixedly secured to the end cap and the end cap has at least one latch which allows the inflator-end cap unit to be fastened to the module diffuser housing. The end cap rigidly retains the inflator in the module diffuser housing, avoiding the need for a secondary restraint. This invention eliminates the need for exterior retention brackets and studs to directly secure the airbag inflator in the reaction canister.

Abstract: A frost resistant, horizontal folding door for a freezer room has heater assemblies in the header, jambs and for simultaneously heating the door curtain and the floor of the doorway. The heater assembly in the header can be a mat of open mesh fiber glass having a serpentine array of an electric resistance heating wire bonded to it. The heater assembly in the jamb can be a formable electrical resistance heater within the structure of the jamb. The heater assembly, for the door curtain and the floor of the doorway can be an electrical radiant heater disposed on the header and directed at the curtain and the floor.