Abstract: A coin cleaning device for separating foreign objects from a mass of coins, comprising first and second shelf portions arranged at first and second heights, vibration means for vibrating both the first and second shelf portions to cause coins on said shelf portions to be conveyed along said shelf portions, said shelf portions each being perforated by apertures of transverse dimensions smaller than a predetermined minimum diameter of coins to be handled by the device, whereby foreign matter of transverse dimensions smaller than the perforations can fall through said perforations, said first shelf portion having an upstream end and a downstream end, said second shelf portion having an upstream end and a downstream end, said shelf portions being arranged in series with one another whereby coins fall from said downstream end of said first shelf portion to tumble downwards to lie on said upstream end of said second shelf portion, and a coin outlet positioned beneath said downstream end of said second shelf portion

Abstract: A coin cleaning device for separating foreign objects from a mass of coins, comprising first and second shelf portions arranged at first and second heights, vibration means for vibrating both the first and second shelf portions to cause coins on said shelf portions to be conveyed along said shelf portions, said shelf portions each being perforated by apertures of transverse dimensions smaller than a predetermined minimum diameter of coins to be handled by the device, whereby foreign matter of transverse dimensions smaller than the perforations can fall through said perforations, said first shelf portion having an upstream end and a downstream end, said second shelf portion having an upstream end and a downstream end, said shelf portions being arranged in series with one another whereby coins fall from said downstream end of said first shelf portion to tumble downwards to lie on said upstream end of said second shelf portion, and a coin outlet positioned beneath said downstream end of said second shelf portion

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for simulating impact conditions which has a test sled 10, simulated occupant (14), and a pre-impact force-generating device. The pre-impact force-generating device can apply force directly to the simulated occupant being (14), thereby overcoming many of the cost problems associated with applying a low and long duration force directly to a test sled (10). The pre-impact force-generating device can be designed such that instead of providing a low and long duration force to a simulated occupant (14), it provides a short and high impact force to the simulated occupant (14). An impact force-generating device provides impact force directly to the sled (10) which simulates impact conditions.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus is provided for a bathtub and includes a suction cup for attaching to a wall of the bathtub. An alarm housing is attached to a top portion of the suction cup. An alarm system is housed within the alarm housing. A float assembly is supported by the alarm housing for activating the alarm system. To use the alarm apparatus of the invention in a bathtub, the suction cup is applied to a wall of the bathtub approximately at a desired height on the wall. Water is added to the bathtub, and when the water level lifts the float assembly a sufficient amount, the alarm system is activated and sounds a warning alarm. The alarm system includes a battery power source, a sounder assembly electrically connected to the battery power source, a manually operated on-off switch assembly electrically connected to the sounder assembly, and a pair of float-responsive switch contacts.

Abstract: A test apparatus (20) for testing the dynamic performance and verifying the performance of at least one occupant sensor (82) used in a vehicular safety restraint system comprising: a movable sled slidably oriented relative to the occupant sensor; an object, the presence of which is to be sensed by the sensor, mounted and movable with the sled; a support (22, 24, 26a,b, 32, 36) for slidably supporting the sled relative to the sensor (82); a force producing device (90a,b, 92, 94) for moving the sled toward the sensor in a determinable manner; a data collection device (84) for comparing signals derived from the occupant sensor indicative of the relative position to the object with signals derived upon independent measurement of the motion of the sled.

Abstract: A diffuser-retainer, incorporated in a sub-assembly (cushion pack) of an air bag module for the use in an inflatable air bag restraint system. The diffuser-retainer functions as an inflation gas diffuser and an air cushion retainer.

Abstract: An air bag assembly in a vehicle has an inflator for generating gas and an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag assembly also includes a tether being substantially external to the air bag. The tether has a first end connected to the air bag and a second end connected to the vehicle. Preferably, the second end of the tether is spaced laterally apart from the first end of the tether such that upon air bag deployment, the tether provides lateral support to the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module for a vehicle includes an inflator for discharging inflator gas and an air bat; for inflation by the discharging inflator gas. The air bag has a fixed edge adapted to be fixedly connected to the vehicle and also has a sliding edge adapted to be slidably connected to the vehicle. Upon air bag deployment, the sliding edge of the air bag slides along the vehicle and extends the air bag to the inflated condition. The air bag module preferably includes a conduit having a first portion in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving the discharging inflator gas therein. The conduit also includes a second portion spaced apart from the inflator and having an opening in fluid communication with the air bag for directing inflator gas into the air bag. The second portion of the conduit directs the discharging inflator gas such that the sliding edge of the air bag is forced to the extended condition.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an inflator for generating gas and an air bag coupled to the inflator and deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. A pouch is made of a fabric material and serves as both the housing and cover of the module. The pouch has wall portions surrounding the air bag and inflator and defining a pouch interior containing the inflator and the air bag substantially therein such that the inflator and the air bag are housed within the pouch. The pouch also is provided with a frangible seam being breakable to form a pouch deployment opening. Upon air bag deployment, the air bag breaks open the frangible seam of the pouch to permit deployment of the air bag out through the pouch deployment opening such that the pouch guides the air bag during deployment.

Abstract: An automotive door panel that has styling lines is made by laying a facing layer of soft trim material on a support surface of a mold part. The facing layer has a backing layer of open cell flexible foam that has gaps that expose strips on the back surface of the facing layer. A heat-sensitive adhesive barrier film is behind the flexible foam backing layer. The mold is closed by a mating mold part and a urethane precursor mixture is injected into the closed mold which is heated to generate a structural substrate. The generating substrate crushes the backing layer and activates the adhesive film to bond the structural substrate to the exposed back surface strips of the facing layer to provide the styling lines. These styling lines are enhanced when the foam backing layer recovers upon removal from the mold.

Abstract: A side impact air bag mounted in a door of a motor vehicle in an unfurled, deflated position for reducing deployment time and providing reliable orientation of the air bag upon deployment. The air bag is mounted in an upper portion of the door, and an actuable inflator is mounted in the lower portion of the door. The inflator is in communication with the air bag via a connecting air bag or flexible duct, which provides added padding to the door upon inflation. A soft flexible material overlies the air bag to hide the air bag from the occupant's view as well as retain the air bag in the unfurled position. The soft flexible material is adhesively attached or stapled to an inner trim panel of the door and becomes detached from the inner trim panel upon the air bag inflating and pushing the soft flexible material away from the inner trim panel so that the air bag reaches its inflated position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method for manufacturing vehicle interior trim panels such as door panels and instrument panels in which different regions of the trim panel have different colors or other aesthetic characteristics. Two pieces of sheet vinyl having the desired color or other aesthetic characteristic desired in the manufactured trim panel are cut to shape and then bonded together edge-to-edge to form a composite two-tone vinyl sheet. This composite vinyl sheet is draped over a mold having a blade projecting from the mold surface. A retainer is installed onto the backside of the composite vinyl sheet to attach the composite vinyl sheet to the blade and thereby hold the vinyl in place with the bond between the two sheets located at the apex of the blade. The mold is closed and urethane is poured against the backside of the composite vinyl sheet to encapsulate the retainer.