Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger gas bag protection device which comprises a gas bag which, in relation to an inflated state, has a rear wall and a front wall which includes a center section and onto which a passenger strikes in the case of an accident. The gas bag, from a viewpoint of the passenger, has a round outer contour with a specific width and height in the inflated state. The width of the outer contour distinctly exceeds the height. In the inflated state the front wall has a depression opening out to the outside in the manner of a slit. The slit runs in a direction of the width of the gas bag. A restraint means is provided and the depression is formed in that on inflation of the gas bag a center section of the front wall is prevented from moving by means of the restraint means.

Abstract: A head protection system for occupants of a motor vehicle has a multi-chamber air bag, which is inflated laterally of the head in the event of a side impact and prevents the displacement of the head. In addition, it protects the head from vehicle body parts that penetrate the occupant department. Via the individual chambers, an L-shape of the air bag can be constructed which is optimal for the desired purpose. In addition, the division into several chambers permits longer and therefore less aggressive inflation times.

Abstract: This invention relates to an air bag system for accommodation behind a vehicle covering. The air bag system contains an air bag, which advances in a main inflating direction when the air bag system is triggered, and a gas generator for supplying the air bag with pressure gas during triggering of the air bag system. The gas generator and the air bag are connected by a gas distributing duct which extends at least partially at an angle with respect to the main inflating direction of the air bag. In this case, the gas distributing duct is formed of air bag material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manufacturing process and a triggering process for such an air bag system as well as to a motor vehicle having such an air bag system, of which at least the air bag is arranged on a sliding roof frame part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional steering wheel comprising a steering wheel skeleton and at least one switch group consisting of remote control switches which are arranged on a circuit board. The steering wheel further comprises a gas bag module, a horn contact switch and a covering for said gas bag module. The horn contact switch is integrated in the circuit board of the switch group.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a single electronic controller and multiple sensor devices in a vehicle supplemental restraint system includes a unique communication protocol. A series of pulses, each having a chosen duration, are communicated between the sensor device and the controller. The combined sequence and duration of each pulse provides a unique piece of information to the controller regarding the condition sensed by each sensor device, respectively. By controlling the sequence and duration of pulses, each sensor device is able to provide unique information to the controller, which responsively controls the supplemental restraint device as needed.

Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket-mounting assembly for mounting a bar bracket to a vehicle frame, the bar bracket being adapted to carry vehicle accessories such as a mudflap. The bracket-mounting assembly attaches to a vehicle frame via a single bolt passed through a penetration in the vehicle frame and threadably connected to the bracket-mounting assembly by a central threaded hole in the bracket-mounting assembly. The bracket-mounting assembly further includes a generally vertically-oriented shaft opening for receiving a portion of the bar bracket and supporting the bar bracket with respect to the vehicle frame. The bracket-mounting assembly includes a rotation-resisting connector for inhibiting rotation of the bracket-mounting assembly relative to the vehicle frame about the axis of the bolt.

Abstract: A ball joint apparatus for a pressurized fluid line includes a bellows and a pair of opposed tube portions to accommodate limited flexure between the tube portions. The apparatus also includes an annular ball element positioned over one of the tube portions and an annular housing member mounted on the other tube portion and overlapping the ball member. As initially formed, the overlapping end of the housing member is open and of a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of the ball member to permit ease of assembly. After the component parts are in position and welded as desired, the apparatus is placed in a hydraulic press and the open end of the housing member is necked down by a swaging process to establish bearing contact with the ball member. Alternative arrangements of the apparatus are provided for use with stainless steel tubing and with titanium tubing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a molded plastics tubular coupling comprising a plastics sleeve having an integral head at one end. The sleeve provides a cylindrical outer surface to engage in a corresponding bore of another component. The surface has an encircling annular recess and an integral radially extending flexible annular diaphragm formed in the recess. The diaphragm has an outer periphery extending proud of the cylindrical surface to engage and grip the corresponding surface of another component.

Abstract: A seal and method for forming an in-field watertight seal between rigid pipe sections such as concrete pipe sections by applying on the periphery of a pipe section a continuous bead of a non-sagging gel formed from a curable mixture of low viscosity components. A second pipe section is positioned to form a joint with the first pipe section wherein the gap between mating surfaces of the two pipe sections is filled with the mixture which forms a flexible polymeric elastomer seal upon curing. Physical properties of the components and the seal mixture are disclosed.

Abstract: A union joint structure, used for jointing a fluid feeding pipe to a target device, such as a fluid feeding tank, a fluid control valve, or a flow meter, is disclosed. This joint structure has a simple construction, and prevents leakage of fluid from the junction, and reduces the consumption of material. This joint structure also reduces its production cost, in addition to preferably reducing the space occupied by the joint structure. The joint structure has an enlarged-diameter end formed at an end of the pipe, an internal sleeve movably inserted into the enlarged-diameter end of the pipe, and a hollow locking bolt movably fitted over the pipe at a position around the enlarged-diameter end. The locking bolt has a head and external threads, and is stepped on its internal surface at a position around the junction of the head and the internal threads, thus having an annular step.

Abstract: In-field watertight joints for dual wall corrugated plastic pipe sections utilized in drainage and sanitary sewer applications utilize pipe sections having end corrugations without external peripheral corners nearest the pipe ends and a method for forming a self-energizing water tight joint in corrugated plastic pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an axisymmetric structural component (1), one of the ends of which is fitted with an inner circular flange (2) for assembling, by bolting, the said axisymmetric structural component (1) with a second axisymmetric structural component (10), the said flange comprising housings (60, 61, 62, . . . ) for receiving fixing elements (70, 71, 72, . . . ) such as bolts, pins or threaded rods, the said housings (60, 61, 62, . . . ) being arranged on the circumference of the said flange (2) at regular intervals, characterized in that each housing (60, 61, 62, . . .

Abstract: A power control system for a turbogenerator which provides electrical power to one or more pump-jack oil wells. When the induction motor of a pump-jack oil well is powered by three-phase utility power, the speed of the pump-jack shaft varies only slightly over the pumping cycle but the utility power requirements can vary by four times the average pumping power. This power variation makes it impractical to power a pump-jack oil well with a stand-alone turbogenerator controlled by a conventional power control system. This power control system comprises a turbogenerator inverter, a load inverter, and a central processing unit which controls the frequency and voltage/current of each inverter.

Abstract: A latch assembly including a latch bolt, a retaining means and an actuator, the latch bolt being moveable between a closed position at which it is capable of retaining a strike and an open position at which the striker is released, the retaining means being moveable between a retained position at which it retains the latch bolt in at least its closed position and released position at which the latch bolt can move between its opened and closed positions, the actuator being capable of moving the retaining means from its engaged position to its released position, in which, under normal operating conditions of the latch, the actuator is the sole means of releasing the latch.

Abstract: A tubular bumper beam for automobiles includes a rollformed tubular beam and tubular inserts positioned transversely in end sections of the beam. The illustrated tubular insert includes front and rear ends positioned adjacent the front and rear walls of the tubular beam in a manner that reinforces the front and rear walls for improved corner impact strength. Material is extruded from the beam walls into the ends of the insert to form deformed tubular portions that telescopingly extend into the tubular insert to retain the insert in the beam, and further include radiused annular root sections that connect the tubular portions with the walls of the beam, and still further optionally include dished areas around the root sections that help stabilize the beam walls. A method related to the above is also disclosed.

Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as an ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum grip system (10) for gripping at least one object (11a), whereby the vacuum grip system (10) has a base unit (18) and at least two suction units (19, 20) affixed thereto, disposed at right angles to one another, each having at least one suction gripper (21, 22), and whereby at least one of the suction units (19) grasps the object or objects to be gripped (11a) from above, and at least one of the suction units (20) grasps the object or objects (11a) from one side. In order to provide a vacuum grip system (10) having maximum flexibility, it is proposed to affix the suction units (19, 20) to the base unit (18) such that, in order to grip the object (11a), the distance between the upper suction unit (19) and the lateral suction unit (20) may be varied. It is further proposed that the vacuum grip system (10) have a mechanical undergripper (25) upon which the gripped object (11a) may be laid.

Abstract: A belt hoist designed to enable a hanging member to be further reliably secured to a belt to provide a further improved safety under load less than a permissible maximum load. In the belt hoist, a winding shaft 44 on which one end portion of a belt 3 is coiled comprises a first shaft 44a and a second shaft 44b, and the one end portion of the belt 3 comprises a first coiling portion 31 coiled on the first shaft 44a to be superposed thereon, a second coiling portion 32 coiled on the first coiling portion 31 to be superposed thereon, a third coiling portion 33 coiled on the second shaft 44b to be superposed thereon, and a fourth coiling portion 34 coiled on the third coiling portion 33 to be superposed thereon.

Abstract: A portable hand grip for use with an exercise bar, and having a flexible pad with a first means for securing attached to a first end and a second means for securing attached to a second end such that when the flexible pad is wrapped around the exercise bar, the first means for securing is joined with the second means for securing such that the top surface of the flexible pad provides a continuous smooth surface around the bar. There is no overlapping of the first end and the second end of the flexible pad. The two ends may be secured with one or more magnets, notched teeth, or Velcro. In an alternative embodiment, the top surface of the flexible pad may have an ergonomic style of finger/palm shape, and the bottom surface may be textured to give a more secure and non-slip grip on the exercise bar.

Abstract: A soft sided gun case with retractable legs comprises a gun case, and a pair of retractable legs connected to a bottom of the gun case.

Abstract: A rear luggage compartment structure for a vehicle body is disclosed. A rear luggage compartment is provided by rear part of a floor panel of a vehicle body depressed downward at the rear part of the vehicle body. The rear luggage compartment structure includes a trunk case which is locked in a position where the trunk case is received in the rear luggage compartment and unlocked so as to be pulled out of the rear luggage compartment for access thereto below the rear bumper.

Abstract: A frame mounting structure for frame body automotive vehicle constructed in such a way a chassis frame and a body frame are doubly coupled up and down at a coupling region therebetween such that structural strength at the body is reinforced and less influence by inertia is applied due to improved structural strength when the vehicle is running, thereby making it unnecessary to use plugs for concealing the through hole on the floor panel, shortening the assembly process, and reducing the manufacturing cost according to reduced number of necessary parts, the structure comprising: a chassis frame arranged lengthwise; a body frame assembled by way of screw coupling while an upper bush and a lower bush are mounted on the chassis frame; a double coupling member fitted and fixed through the upper bush and the lower bush; and coupling means fitted at an upper side of the double coupling member to be coupled to the double coupling member and fixed at the body frame.

Abstract: A pickup truck conversion and method of providing same involves a storage/utility system in any fleet side pickup truck bed without substantially altering the bed's external appearance. The storage system is located adjacent the wheel well sections of the bed, and uses hinges to open and close the fender (side panel) of the bed. Since the storage system does not substantially alter the truck's external appearance, it reduces the attraction for theft. Also, since the storage area does not extend inwardly beyond the conventional wheel wells, the storage system leaves most of the truck bed free for use.

Abstract: A control panel for a vehicle includes a housing defining a recess formed therein. A panel is movably attached to the housing and has at least one control mechanism mounted thereon. The panel is movable between a first position wherein the panel generally covers a portion of the recess, and a second position wherein the panel generally exposes the recess. Preferably, the housing defines a first surface within the recess, and a second control mechanism is mounted on the first surface.

Abstract: This dashboard for a motor vehicle comprises a core (4) made of plastic foam, which includes recesses forming air ducts (12), and a covering (20) comprising a fiber mat (22) incorporated into a layer of polymer resin (24). The covering is a stiffening covering (20) completely surrounding the perimeter of the cross section of the core (4) over at least one portion of the length of the latter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spoiler which constitutes a traveling safety device for a motor vehicle. The spoiler is adapted for controllably diverting airflow which passes over aerodynamic surfaces of a motor vehicle, upon high speed traveling of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A storage type seat for an automobile is provided with a seat cushion having at least one leg portion, a lock mechanism operable to engage and disengage the at least one leg portion with and from a vehicle body floor, a seat back that can be folded down to a seat face of the seat cushion, a link member that links the seat with the vehicle body floor, the vehicle body floor having a recessed storage portion formed therein to the rear of the seat, the link member allowing the seat cushion and the seat back that are in a folded state to be stored in the recessed storage portion when the seat is not used, and allows the seat cushion and the seat back in the folded state to be returned to an original position for use so that the leg portion is brought into engagement with the vehicle body floor, a release permission mechanism which permits the leg portion of the seat cushion to be released from the vehicle body floor only when the seat cushion and the seat back are in the folded state, and a standing permission me

Abstract: A rocking chair and chaise lounge of the type having an elongate rectangular longitudinally flexible seat supported at opposite ends by a pair of oppositely inclined, diagonally disposed frames. Each frame is pivotally interconnected with the other at the sides of each intermediate the ends thereof by pairs of upper and of lower siderails with one frame nesting within the other such that the chair may be folded into a compact unit for storage. Each frame has a pair of parallel elongate side members interconnected by a plurality of cross members, with the upper portion of one frame comprising a backrest and the lower portion comprising front legs, and with the upper portion of the other frame comprising a seat and the lower portion comprising rear legs. An optional fold-out footrest nests within the other frames to act as a back support when the chair is used without the footrest deployed and which forms a chaise lounge with an optional extra-long backrest to footrest seat surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spindle base which constitutes a height regulating device of a chair or the like, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the corrosion resistance, the abrasion resistance, the fatigue strength, and the reverse bending stress of the spindle body by coating a nitration layer of a predetermined thickness on the inner and outer surfaces of the spindle base. A height regulating device gas comprises a spindle base, a cylinder formed in the spindle base, a piston slidably moved in the cylinder, and a spindle having a piston rod having one end connected to the piston. The other end of the piston rod is fixed to one end of an outer case and the spindle is moved upward and downward through the outer case based on the piston rod and the outer case. The spindle base is comprised of a metal and nitration layers are formed on the inner and outer surface of the metal.

Abstract: A coil shaft or tube to be fitted into a flexible sleeve to serve as a flexible rotation transmission shaft, containing a partially coarsely wound coil shaft formed by winding around a core a plural number of unit wires which are arranged in intimately parallel relation with each other in the fashion of a single flat metal strip, and extracting a dummy wire afterwards from a resulting tightly wound coil shaft to form coarsely wound portions where helices of certain adjacent unit wires spaced apart in the axial direction and in certain portions of the coil shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a back mounted to pivot on a seat proper by means of a locking mechanism, and urged forwards by a torsion bar formed by a metal wire which has two ends fixed respectively to the back and to the seat proper. The metal wire constituting the torsion bar forms at least one spiral comprising a plurality of adjacent turns.

Abstract: The invention resides in a new reinforced furniture strut, a method of constructing furniture in a modular fashion using a reinforcing strut and a method of constructing a chair in modular fashion incorporating the reinforcing strut for narrow package shipping. This invention satisfies the long felt need of providing furniture that may be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without substantial wear and damage to the furniture materials, yet result in a stable, high-quality piece of furniture, and without unappealing external bracing or the like. The present invention solves these problems by providing a strut containing a metal (or other rigid material) rod encased in the material the furniture is constructed of. The ends of the rod are threaded to allow the strut to be affixed to the furniture piece with a nut or bolt. These reinforcing struts appear to be ordinary furniture components but instead possess the strength of metal.

Abstract: A crosspiece for the frame of a vehicle seat that includes a supporting surface for the occupant. A crosspiece is formed as an element that shortens by a preset amount along its longitudinal dimension when a load is imposed up to a threshold value. The crosspiece includes an intentional bending point that bends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when the threshold value is exceeded so that the crosspiece does not move in the direction of the supporting surface.

Abstract: A wheel mounting apparatus includes a wheel mounting portion to be connected to a wheel, and includes a hub mounting portion to be connected to a wheel hub. Alternatively, the wheel mounting portion and the wheel hub can be formed as an integral unit, and the hub mounting portion can be eliminated. Ventilation passages are provided between the wheel mounting portion of the wheel mounting apparatus and the hub mounting portion or the wheel hub. Thus, good ventilation and cooling of the brake assembly, which is provided between the wheel rim and the wheel hub, can be achieved.

Abstract: A molded wheel and bearing assembly includes two bearings in a molded housing forming a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is molded into the hub of a caster wheel. The caster wheel is made by molding a hub around the bearing assembly, then molding a tread around the hub. No assembly of individual elements into the wheel is necessary.

Abstract: Braking systems including integrated control circuitry and sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature of the brake system and for determining various status information and performance parameters of the braking system and other related systems, such as tire and suspension systems.

Abstract: An arrangement in a door locking system, intended for a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The system is designed to receive from an authorization verification element an unlocking signal emitted by the element in order to automatically unlock at least one vehicle door lock, preferably on the driver's side, when the signal is emitted closer than a predetermined distance from the lock. The lock has a manually activatable sensor electrically connected to the lock mechanism. The lock is designed such that the sensor, when activated, causes the lock mechanism to release the door. The lock mechanism is designed to open the door automatically a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a plurality of electrical devices and a plurality of user activated switches. The plurality of electrical devices each include a control terminal. Each of the electrical devices causes a different distinguishable output to be provided when a control signal is asserted on the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices. The plurality of user activated switches include carbon-coated contacts. Each of the user activated switches when asserted provides the control signal to the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for triggering passenger protection systems in at least two different stages of an accident hazard and/or accident force, determined in accordance with sensor signals, with the passenger protection system being triggered directly at least when the second stage is reached.

Abstract: A plurality of electrodes in a solid object are located proximate to the contact interface between an ice layer and the surface of the solid object. A power source provides a potential difference across the electrodes to generate an electric field at the contact interface, thereby increasing the friction force between the solid object and the ice. Preferably, the power source is in AC power source. A capacitor in series between the power source and the electrodes creates an additional impedance for limiting the AC current to a level safe for human exposure.

Abstract: Power lines includes three or more conductors for transmitting alternating currents wherein said conductors are arranged in one combination of the conductor arrangement in which the sum of phase differences between the currents flowing through adjacent conductors is maximum and if there exist a plurality of such combinations, said one combination is selected in which the value of the smallest one of the phase difference between the currents flowing through every adjacent conductors is largest. With this arrangement, the power loss is reduced.

Abstract: A brushless motor includes a motor holder and a case connected thereto. A ventilation chamber is defined between the motor holder and the case. The ventilation chamber includes an air inlet portion, an air outlet portion and water draining portions. The air inlet portion is in communication with the atmosphere. The air outlet portion is in communication with a stator. The water draining portions drain water introduced into the ventilation chamber out of the motor. The motor provides a flow of cooling air passing through the ventilation chamber toward the stator for cooling heat generated during rotation of a rotor. The motor holder and the case have guide ribs arranged in the ventilation chamber to define an air passage for guiding the cooling air from the air inlet portion to the air outlet portion. The water draining portions are located outside of the air passage.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electric rotating machine and a method of connecting feeding lead wires thereto, which can increase the resistance to centrifugal forces of the lead wire without controlling the hardness of the lead wire by post-processing such as cold pressing and suppress plastic deformation of the joint between the lead wire and the joint conductor.

Abstract: To drive an actuator which is optimum for and practical in use as a three-dimensionally positioning apparatus for a monitoring camera, a disco-lighting, an antenna, a multi-axis (multi-articular) robot, etc., there is provided an inner rotor type rotary electric machine having a coaxial output hollow shaft with a reduction gear and a slip ring, comprising: a hollow rotation shaft; a reduction gear for reducing an output of the inner rotor type rotary electric machine and extracting an output through a hollow shaft of the reduction gear coaxially with the hollow rotation shaft; and a slip ring provided in a hollow portion or an output portion of the reduction gear. Instead of the inner rotor type rotary electric machine, a similar outer rotor type rotary electric machine may be used.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device which utilizes excitation of a shear horizontal wave includes a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer provided on the piezoelectric substrate. The interdigital transducer includes at least three metal layers containing at least one first layer made of a metal with a density of approximately 15 g/cm3 or more as a major component and at least one second layer made of a metal with a density of about 12 g/cm3 or less. The volume of the first layer being in the range from about 20% to about 95% of the total volume of the interdigital transducer or the reflector.

Abstract: Transducers are connected in parallel on a piezoelectric substrate. Each of the transducers is constituted of RSPUDTS. The RSPUDTs include SPUDTs that are opposed to each other such that their propagation directions are opposite to each other. The SPUDTs have a unidirectional electrode structure having a propagation characteristic.

Abstract: Common internal electrodes 27 and segment internal electrodes 28 are laminated alternately with a piezoelectric material 29 between and a common external electrode 30 and a segment external electrode 31 are provided on the surface, forming a drive vibrator 24. A free end part 24a of the drive vibrator 24 is formed with an active region L and can be expanded and contracted in the length direction of the vibrator. A piezoelectric material 29 of the outermost layer in the free end part 24a can be operated based on the potential difference between the external and internal electrodes and a portion of the active region L in the external electrode is used as a trimming portion with an effective length x varied by trimming.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave device has a number of resonator elements (14) which are laterally spaced such that a signal (26) applied between to one resonator element (141) at a resonant frequency of the device is coupled to the other resonator elements (142, 143, 144) by acoustic coupling between piezoelectric layers of the resonator elements (14). There are two outer resonator elements (141, 145) and at least one inner resonator element (142, 143, 144). The terminals of the inner resonator elements are electrically connected together. This connection provides an AC short which eliminates the effect of the parasitic capacitances of the inner resonator elements, and provides electromagnetic shielding between the input and output of the device, by reducing the parasitic capacitance between the input and output upper electrodes.

Abstract: A changer for CD and/or DVD disks generally includes a drawer slidably mounted within a chassis of the changer and supporting a number of disk plates arranged one above the other and each holding a disk therein.