Abstract: A retainer (15) adapted to fix an air bag (14) to a base plate (11) includes an expanded portion (15b) for covering an inflator (12). An angled portion (15d) of the expanded portion (15b) is provided with radially arranged gas through holes (15f). The center portion of an upper fabric material (14a) of the air bag (14) is affixed to the center of a top plate portion (15e) of the expanded portion (15b) by means of a rivet (41), thereby limiting the distance by which the air bag (14) projects toward the occupant.

Abstract: An airbag module mounted on a boss section of a steering wheel of an automotive vehicle. The airbag module comprises an airbag which is inflatable and developable upon being supplied with gas. A cover is provided including a covering section for covering the airbag. A tearing line is formed at a surface of the covering section of the cover. The tearing line includes a central section having first and second ends which are opposite to each other, and first and second side sections to which the first and second ends of the central section are respectively connected. An inflator is provided having gas ejection openings through which gas is ejected. The gas ejection openings are located inside the airbag. A base member is provided such that the airbag is fixed thereto. Additionally, an opposite member is located opposite to the covering section of the cover and disposed inside the airbag.

Abstract: A folded air bag is covered with a synthetic resin cover body. A switch apparatus having a membrane switch and a back plate is disposed between the cover body and the air bag. The membrane switch is adhered to the back plate at a point in a central portion. An extension portion of the back plate is mounted to the base plate, thereby deploying outward independently from the cover at a time of expansion and deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: A steering which reduces vibration and is shock absorbing and deformable. The steering wheel comprises a rim and a boss with a plurality of spokes, the rim, boss and spokes having a core metal. A reinforced spoke-core metal has a spoke deformation region which is a part of the reinforced portion and is thinner than the remaining part of the reinforced portion. A raised portion is included on the driver-side of each spoke deformation region which increases the strength of core metals and restricts vibration of the core metals. The configuration creates a weak point for collapsing the steering wheel in a collision and impact with the steering wheel by the driver, that is, the raised portions receives tensile forces and break, thereby smoothly bending core metal bodies.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a base plate, a flexible airbag module cover mounted to the baseplate, and a switch assembly which is disposed inside the cover and secured to the base plate. The flexible airbag module cover includes a flap portion forcedly separable from the cover and moveable from a normal closed position to an open position. The flap portion has a horn actuation area. The switch assembly includes a membrane type switch disposed behind the horn actuation area, and a back panel carrying the membrane type switch. The back panel has a switch support portion retaining the membrane type switch and a strap which is secured to the base plate and extends from the switch support portion.

Abstract: A horn switch arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel comprises a steering wheel affixed to a steering shaft of a vehicle, a horn plate movably mounted on the steering wheel with a spring urging the horn plate away from the steering wheel. The horn plate is provided with insulating members above and below for resiliently and mounting the horn plate in an insulated condition. A base plate is mounted on the upper insulating member the base plate being normally covered with a pad. The base plate may be further utilized to conveniently mount an airbag module on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A scanning electron microscope capable of producing an accurate topographical image of a specimen surface irrespective of the elements of the specimen or if the dosage of electron beam varies. The instrument has two detectors arranged in such a way as to detect electron beams reflected from the specimen in two directions which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the normal line to the specimen surface. A subtractor circuit produces the difference between the output signals from the detectors. An adder circuit produces the sum of the output signals from the detectors. A corrective circuit divides the output signal from the subtractor circuit by the output signal from the adder circuit. The output signal from the corrective circuit is integrated by an integrator.