Abstract: A trim piece (40) for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (14) includes a deployment panel (42), a base (46), and a scrim (76). The deployment panel (42) covers the restraint (14) in the vehicle, and includes a deployment door (44), a hinge (102), and a door frame section (90) which surrounds the hinge (102) and the deployment door (44). The base (46) also surrounds the hinge (102) and the deployment door (44), and projects inward from the door frame section (90) to define a chute (48) through which the restraint (14) moves outward toward the deployment door (44). The scrim (76) is embedded in the deployment panel (42) and the base (46). The scrim (76) extends partially across the door frame section (90) toward the deployment door (44), extends inward from the door frame section (90) into the base (46), turns approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: An energy efficient aquarium system with a separate cover wherein the lamp or lamps are located below the filters and filter ponds thus heating the filter pond bottom and sides to further heat the water contained in the filter ponds thus eliminating the need for a separate heater and further saving the energy required to heat the water as it flows into the aquarium. Floats each with a filter condition indicator bar are located in the filter ponds wherein the filter condition indicator bars extend through the cover and further indicate the condition of the filter as the water rises in the filter ponds due to the filters filling up with debris that restricts the flow of water passing through the filter; as the water rises in the filter ponds, the float rises and further causes the filter condition indicator to rise wherein it may easily be seen. When the filter condition indicator rises to a predetermined height, the owner of the aquarium would be given notice that the filters need to be changed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inflator module (10) includes an air bag (16), an inflator (14), and a reaction canister (12). The reaction canister (12) includes a first member (64), which has open axial ends, and second and third members (66 and 68) which are each adapted to mate with a respective one of the open ends of the first member (64). The first member (64) has an axially extending wall portion (98) which clamps the inflator (14) to prevent movement of the inflator (14) relative to the reaction canister (12). The inflator (14) is secured relative to the reaction canister (12) only by the clamping of the axially extending wall portion (98). The inflator (14) has an elongate housing (36) with inflation fluid openings (48) at one end portion (46). The axially extending wall portion (98) has projections (102) which engage the inflator (14) to space part of the wall portion (98) away from the inflator (14) and permit flow along the length of the inflator (14).

Abstract: A deployment apparatus for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, such as an air bag (18), includes a pivotal door panel (80). The apparatus further includes three couplings (124, 126, and 128) which secure the door panel (80) in a closed position by blocking pivotal movement of the door panel (80). The couplings (124, 126, and 128) include rigid members (118, 120, and 122) which rupture a rupturable member (84) upon relative movement of those members under the influence of the inflating air bag (18). The couplings (124, 126, and 128) are opened so as to release the door panel (80) for pivotal movement upon such rupturing by the rigid members (118, 120, and 122). One of the couplings (124) is located near the middle of the door panel (80). The other couplings (126 and 128) are located closer to the opposite ends of the door panel (80). The coupling (124) near the middle of the door panel (80) is opened before the other couplings (126 and 128) are opened.

Abstract: A deployment structure (28) for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) is rupturable by the restraint (12) when the restraint (12) is being inflated. The deployment structure (28) includes a plastic part (52). The plastic part (52) has a seam (158) along which it is rupturable under stress induced by movement of the restraint (12) forcefully against the deployment structure (28). The plastic part (52) includes first and second bodies (150,152) of plastic foam which are joined to each other at the seam (158). The first and second bodies (150,152) of plastic foam preferably have respective values of durometer hardness that differ from each other.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes an inflator (20), a reaction canister (22), and first and second brackets (150,152) for mounting the inflator (20) in the reaction canister (22). The inflator has an axis (82) and first and second axially opposite end portions (96,92). The reaction canister (22) has first and second canister walls (68,70) spaced from each other along the axis (82). The first and second brackets (150,152) are contained in the reaction canister (22) between the canister walls (68,70). The first bracket (150) is fixed to the first end portion (96) of the inflator (20) and to the first canister wall (68). The second bracket (152) is fixed to the second end portion (92) of the inflator (20) and to the second canister wall (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises a structure (30) including (i) opposed first and second walls (31, 32), (ii) opposed third and fourth walls (33, 34) connected to the first and second walls and (iii) a base wall (35) connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls. The walls (31-35) define a chamber (38). An inflator (20) is located in the chamber (38) and includes a source of inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The inflator (20) has nozzles (23) at one end adjacent to one of the third and fourth walls (33, 34) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator to the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The structure has a pair of recessed portions (40, 50) for engaging and supporting the inflator (20) in the chamber (38). The recessed portions (40, 50) are spaced apart from the third and fourth walls (33, 34).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a housing (12). An air bag (22) is folded and stored in the housing (12). A retaining ring (30) secures the air bag (22) to the housing (12). The retaining ring (30) includes two relatively movable U-shaped members (152, 154). Assembly tabs (210, 212, 252, 254) on the retaining ring members (152, 154) are gripped to move the retaining ring (30), in a collapsed condition, in one direction (32) through a deployment opening (150) into the housing (12). The retaining ring (30) is then expanded and moved in an opposite direction (34) to interlock with the housing (12).

Abstract: A door assembly (40) for an air bag module (30) includes a door panel (42) supported for pivotal movement on a frame (46, 48) fixed to a vehicle (12). A body of foam material (50) includes a first portion (198) supported on the door panel (42) and a second portion (200, 202) supported on the frame (46, 48), interconnected by a frangible portion (206). A seamless skin (60) includes a first portion (214) covering the first foam portion (198) and a second portion (212) covering the second foam portion (200, 202). The first foam portion (198) moves with the door panel (42) when the deploying air bag (34) pivots the door panel open. The second foam portion (200, 202) remains on the frame (46, 48). The second portion (212) of the skin (60) peels away from the second foam portion (200, 202), without tearing, when the door panel (42) pivots open.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator (44) which provides a source of inflation fluid. A canister (20) has a chamber (34) for receiving the inflator (44). A support means (56) supports the inflator (44) in a fixed position within the chamber (34) of the canister (20). The support means (56) includes two clamp halves (94 and 96) which have a mating relationship to engage and surround a portion (68) of the inflator (44). A plurality of fasteners (136, 152 and 160) secure the clamp halves (94 and 96) in their matting relationship and secure the clamp halves (94 and 96) to the canister (20).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a housing (12) having a front portion (14) and a rear portion (16). An inflator (18) is connected with the front portion (14) of the housing (12). An air bag (20) is folded and stored in the rear portion (16) of the housing (12). The air bag (20) is secured to a retaining ring (22). Each one of a plurality of fasteners (120-134) interconnects the retaining ring (22), the front portion (14) of the housing (12), and the rear portion (16) of the housing (12).

Abstract: A vacuum operated system for individually dispensing items of oral solid medicine from bulk storage to a user, where the medicine is dispensed under computer control, and the quantity and type of medicine is selected in advance by the user. The invention includes medicine dispensing equipment and a computer that provides a user interface. A plurality of storage containers arranged in a rotatable carousel or a rectilinear array may contain various pharmaceutical articles, or various types, dosages, ages, and lot numbers of medicines. The storage containers may be easily refilled by inserting modular refill cartridges into the storage containers. After a user enters certain data into the computer, the invention aligns a universal vacuum probe with the storage container that contains the desired items. The universal vacuum probe is lowered to the desired storage container and engaged with a container probe that is exclusive to that storage container.

Abstract: A vacuum operated system for individually dispensing items of oral solid medicine from bulk storage to a user, where the medicine is dispensed under computer control, and the quantity and type of medicine is selected in advance by the user. The invention includes medicine dispensing equipment and a computer that provides a user interface. A plurality of storage containers arranged in a rotatable carousel or a rectilinear array may contain various pharmaceutical articles, or various types, dosages, ages, and lot numbers of medicines. The storage containers may be easily refilled by inserting modular refill cartridges into the storage containers. After a user enters certain data into the computer, the invention aligns a universal vacuum probe with the storage container that contains the desired items. The universal vacuum probe is lowered to the desired storage container and engaged with a container probe that is exclusive to that storage container.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag restrains a vehicle occupant when inflated. The air bag comprises a first portion having a first plurality of folds disposed in a stacked relationship. The first portion of the air bag includes a surface area which is to be adjacent the torso of the occupant when the air bag is inflated. A second portion of the air bag has a second plurality of folds disposed in a stacked relationship. The second portion of the air bag includes a surface area which is to be adjacent the vehicle windshield when the air bag is inflated. A part of the air bag extends along the first plurality of folds for retarding an initial flow of inflating fluid into the first portion of the air bag and for directing an initial flow of inflating fluid into the second portion of said air bag.

Abstract: An Audio Still Camera System for recording a still image and sound, comprising a camera for recording still images onto a photogrpahic recording medium and sound recording means to record sound during the general time period in which the photographic record is made. The system includes a photographic recording medium with an integral suitable storage medium modifiable to record an acoustic signal. The system includes means for sound playback through the camera itself and or sound playback through separate means. The system allows the user to playback sound associated with a photograph after the photograph has been inserted into a photo album or frame. The system may be incorporated into the common cartridge film camera concept or the instant photograph camera concept. The result of the system is to present the user with a still photographic record enhanced by the dimension of sound.

Abstract: A water pipe or bong for smoking tobacco comprising a base to which there is affixed one end of an upright, hollow cylinder, thereby leaving an open end which can be received against one's mouth so that smoke can be inhaled by applying a suction action to the interior of the cylinder. A revolver is axially aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the hollow cylinder with the cylinder being telescopingly received within the revolver and with the revolver being rotatably positioned about a medial portion of the cylinder. A plurality of radially spaced combustion chambers are formed within the revolver in which tobacco can be stored and combusted. The combustion chambers include an open end into which tobacco is charged and an outlet end through which smoke can flow.