Abstract: Provided is a fuel filler pipe including: an inner layer that contains a fluorine-containing copolymer having a carbonyl group-containing group and having a melting point of 250° C. or lower; an intermediate layer that contains a non-fluorine copolymer having a unit based on ethylene and a unit based on vinyl alcohol; and an outer layer that contains a polyolefin, wherein the inner layer, the intermediate layer, and the outer layer are directly laminated in that order, and the outer layer is a layer that contains a polyolefin having a unit based on an acid anhydride or is a layer in which a layer that contains a polyolefin having a unit based on an acid anhydride and a layer that contains a polyolefin having no unit based on an acid anhydride are directly laminated.

Abstract: A webbing adjuster for a seat belt system having a webbing, the webbing adjuster including a main body having a base and a guide portion configured to limit a forward movement of the webbing relative to the base, the base having a friction element and a passage configured to route the webbing from a front side to a rear side of the base, and a lower guide member connected to the main body and configured to limit the forward movement of the webbing. When the webbing is not under load, the webbing adjuster is configured to be moveable relative to the webbing. When the webbing is under load, the friction element is configured to secure the webbing to maintain a relative position between the webbing adjuster and the webbing.

Abstract: A modular seat assembly including a seat bottom, a seat back, and a fastener. The seat bottom having a frame and a cushion, the frame including a first member having a channel with an open end. The seat back having a back frame, a back cushion, a second member, and a first restraint system. The second member is configured to be removably coupled to the first member by the fastener with the channel of the first member receiving the second member through the open end. The seat assembly is configured such that the second member may be decoupled from the first member to decouple the first seat back from the seat assembly and replace the first seat back with a second seat back.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle includes a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further includes a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a module operably connected to the cable. The module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A modular seat assembly including a seat bottom, a seat back, and a fastener. The seat bottom having a frame and a cushion, the frame including a first member having a channel with an open end. The seat back having a back frame, a back cushion, a second member, and a first restraint system. The second member is configured to be removably coupled to the first member by the fastener with the channel of the first member receiving the second member through the open end. The seat assembly is configured such that the second member may be decoupled from the first member to decouple the first seat back from the seat assembly and replace the first seat back with a second seat back.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle comprises a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further comprises a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a module operably connected to the cable. The module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A webbing adjuster for a seat belt system having a webbing, the webbing adjuster including a main body having a base and a guide portion configured to limit a forward movement of the webbing relative to the base, the base having a friction element and a passage configured to route the webbing from a front side to a rear side of the base, and a lower guide member connected to the main body and configured to limit the forward movement of the webbing. When the webbing is not under load, the webbing adjuster is configured to be moveable relative to the webbing. When the webbing is under load, the friction element is configured to secure the webbing to maintain a relative position between the webbing adjuster and the webbing.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle includes a seat belt tongue, a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button, and a remote buckle release mechanism. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism includes a buckle release cable and a motor module configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with the operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckle a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for a bench seat is provided. The seatbelt system includes a first seatbelt device that includes seatbelt webbing with a latch, a buckle to receive the latch, and at least one adjustable turning loop that is configured to adjust the vertical position of the adjustable turning loop and, thus, the webbing for the seatbelt. The adjustable turning loop includes a continuous, folding cover to conceal the structural components of the adjuster mechanism and rail assembly and to protect these components from debris and undesirable interaction with the occupant.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle comprises a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further comprises a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a motor module operably connected to the cable. The motor module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for a bench seat is provided. The seatbelt system includes a first seatbelt device that includes seatbelt webbing with a latch, a buckle to receive the latch, and at least one adjustable turning loop that is configured to adjust the vertical position of the adjustable turning loop and, thus, the webbing for the seatbelt. The adjustable turning loop includes a continuous, folding cover to conceal the structural components of the adjuster mechanism and rail assembly and to protect these components from debris and undesirable interaction with the occupant.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a steering column of an automotive vehicle and for dampening vibration of the steering column when the vehicle is in motion. Support structure secured to the vehicle frame has a central support body and laterally spaced, first and second support flanges on opposite sides of the support body. A bracket secured to the steering column has a central bracket body and laterally spaced, first and second bracket flanges on opposite sides of the bracket body. The bracket body and its flanges are opposed to the support body and its flanges. Fastener assemblies connect the bracket flanges to the support flanges. An isolator pad is secured to the bracket in the space between the bracket body and the support body. The isolator pad is in sheet form and has portions forwardly and rearwardly of the fastener assemblies to dampen steering column vibration and rocking of the steering column about a transverse axis through the fastener assemblies.

Abstract: A device for rotatably supporting a gear shift tube within a tubular steering column of an automotive vehicle. The device comprises a support of integral, one-piece construction made of an elastomeric, resinous plastic material disposed within a cup rigidly secured in the lower end of the steering column. The support comprises an open-ended bearing sleeve co-axial with the cup having an end portion extending through an opening in the bottom wall of the cup. The sleeve has angularly spaced abutments inside the cup abutting the inner surface of the bottom wall of the cup around the opening. The sleeve also has angularly spaced tangs outside the cup extending radially outwardly and abutting the outer surface of the bottom wall of the cup around the opening. The abutments and the tangs cooperate in locking the bearing sleeve axially within the cup. The bearing sleeve is preferably made of urethane reinforced with glass fibers.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device for a steering column of an automotive vehicle comprising energy-absorbing straps on opposite sides of the steering column. The straps are made of relatively stiff, bendable, flexible strip material. Each strap has a laterally inner leg and a laterally outer leg secured to the inner leg by one or more rivets. The legs of each strap extend lengthwise of the steering column and have corresponding ends laterally connected together by a curved loop portion. The inner leg of each strap is rigidly connected to the steering column. The outer leg of each strap is rigidly connected to the instrument panel. The rivets are adapted to shear in a frontal impact to allow the inner leg of each strap to move with the steering column as it collapses, with the loop portion of each strap resisting such collapse to gradually absorb energy and prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering column against the driver.

Abstract: A lower bearing assembly for supporting a steering shaft within a tubular jacket of an automotive steering column. The steering shaft is of double-D configuration having two diametrically opposite, arcuate side walls and two diametrically opposite parallel flats. A cup is fitted within the jacket having a hole in the bottom wall through which the steering shaft extends. A bearing within the cup supports the steering shaft for rotation. A wedge tube is sleeved on the steering shaft and has a tapered nose wedged between the bearing and the steering shaft. A compression coil spring encircles the wedge tube and bears on a flange on the wedge tube to hold the nose of the wedge tube wedged tightly between the bearing and the steering shaft. A retaining ring is sleeved on the steering shaft and holds the spring under compression. The inner edge of the retaining ring has the same double-D configuration as the steering shaft.

Abstract: A lower bearing assembly for supporting a steering shaft within a tubular jacket of an automotive steering column. The steering shaft is of double-D configuration having two diametrically opposite, arcuate side walls and two diametrically opposite parallel flats. A cup is fitted within the jacket having a hole in the bottom wall through which the steering shaft extends. A bearing within the cup supports the steering shaft for rotation. A wedge is sleeved on the steering shaft and has a tapered nose wedged between the bearing and the steering shaft. The wedge has an inner double-D configuration matching that of the steering shaft. A compression coil spring encircles the wedge and bears on a flange on the wedge to hold the nose of the wedge wedged tightly between the bearing and the steering shaft. A retaining ring is sleeved on the steering shaft and holds the spring under compression. The inner edge of the retaining ring has the same double-D configuration as the steering shaft.