Abstract: A system of blocks is configured to be compatible with each other in the construction of a columnar structure. Each block has four faces and all four faces may generally have the same dimensions. The width of the blocks may generally be about twice their height. The faces of the block also may contain a slot to add an aesthetic appearance to the column. The blocks have certain constructions features that mate with specially constructed brackets in attaching a fence panel to the completed column. The blocks have interlocking elements or projections that permit positive connection between courses of blocks. Projections of one block extend into the core another block. Adjacent blocks can be rotated 90 degrees relative to each other about a vertical axis of each block with each course. The blocks can be used to construct a column that is easy to install and structurally sound.

Abstract: The security of an ordinary fence can be improved by using intersecting inserts that extend between posts of the fence. The inserts can be inserted in channels that are formed by the woven wire of the fence fabric. Intersections of the inserts can be used to securely couple two intersecting inserts to each other by any suitable means such as welding, bolting, riveting, gluing, and the like. The inserts can be securely coupled to the posts either directly (for example, by using a bracket attached to a post) and/or indirectly by using, for example, a tensioning rod that is coupled to a post. The inserts can also be securely coupled to a support rail that spans the distance between two posts.

Abstract: A rail and supported panel assembly having first and second rail portions, each portion having a constant cross section defining an elongate recessed channel on an underside. Also included are a panel supported at a top edge, a post for supporting the rail portions, and a rail-to-post connection assembly located between the post and the rails. The connection assembly has a pair of partially overlapping arms movable with respect to each other about a pivot to accommodate a range of first and second rail portion alignment angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration control or vehicular suspension system. In one embodiment, the system uses a liquid spring filled with a compressible liquid. In such an embodiment, a suspension system, in addition to being able to change stiffness and damping properties, has the ability to level a vehicle or other structure or device to a desired height and compensate the level height for the addition or subtraction of load. Further, the liquid spring can provide either spring force or both spring and damping forces.

Abstract: A rigid jounce bumper includes a body and at least one support segment projecting axially from an end of the body. The rigid jounce bumper is formed from a substantially non-elastic material such that the rigid jounce bumper can support axially-applied loads without undergoing substantial axial deflection. The at least one support segment is capable of displacement relative to the body when under laterally-applied loads. A gas spring assembly having such a rigid jounce bumper is also included.

Abstract: A clamp that includes a first clamping jaw, a support element to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a clamp body having a first slot through which the support element passes along a first direction and an opening that faces in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A handle grip attached to the clamp body, a braking lever and a brake actuator that contacts the braking lever and includes an engagement element that extends through the opening.

Abstract: In the image reading and recording apparatus, a separating and feeding unit, a paper end detecting unit, a reading unit, a conveying unit, and a recording unit are arranged in this order from the upstream of the conveying direction. The separating and feeding unit has a switching unit for selectively switching between a separating function of separating the uppermost one of stacked sheets and a feeding function of feeding each separated sheet at a predetermined speed. After a sheet is separated, switching from the separating function to the feeding function is carried out before the paper end detecting unit detects the top end of the sheet.

Abstract: A vacuum pick mechanism (100) for picking sheet media comprising control circuitry (126), a pump (110), a suction cup (106), a pick line (112) connecting the pump (110) to the suction cup (106), a pressure sensor (122) arranged to measure the pressure within the pick line (112) and a motor arranged to drive the pump, the control circuitry being arranged to receive the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and to control the motor to drive the pump such that a predetermined target pressure is measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding apparatus has a rotatable pressure plate for stacking sheet materials, a pickup roller for feeding the sheet material stacked on the pressure plate, a feed roller for feeding the sheet materials fed by the pickup roller and a separation roller contactable with the feed roller. A registration roller corrects oblique feeding of the sheet material by being abutted against the separated sheet material by the feeding roller and the separation roller, and after the registration roller rotates in synchronism with the pickup roller and the feed roller to start feeding the sheet material, pressure of the pressure plate against the pickup roller is released, and thereafter the feed roller and the separation roller are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: Automatic sheet feeding apparatus/recording apparatus include a feed roller 11 for feeding sheets out of a stack holding unit, a separation roller 12, in contact with the feed roller 11, for separating the sheets one by one; a return lever 13 for pushing back sheets to the stack holding unit and aligning them; and flanges 14 integrally turning with the feed roller; wherein the feed roller 11 and the return lever 13 do not overlap with each other but the flanges 14 and the return lever 13 do overlap in a side view during one turn of the feed roller 11. With the configuration, the apparatus can utilize the sheet conveying face of the feed roller longer and more effectively, and to eliminate the rush-in phenomenon, namely letting the tips of sheets enter deep into the feeding apparatus inadvertently at the time of setting the sheets into the sheet stack holding unit.

Abstract: Sheets fed out of a cassette supporting the sheets by a pickup roller are separated and fed by a sheet separation feeding unit having a feed roller and a separating roller which is rotatable in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction. A charge eliminating mechanism for eliminating charges of the separating roller is arranged on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction in a separation nip portion between the feed roller and the separating roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeder feeds a sheet to an image forming unit. The sheet feeder can include a supply tray that holds a stack of sheets, a separation element disposed at an end of the supply tray, and configured to contact and apply a resistive force to a sheet in the stack, and a separation roller disposed facing the separation element, and configured to rotate, contact and apply a feeding force to an uppermost sheet in the stack. The sheet feeder may also include a pressing plate pivotally attached to the supply tray at an end remote from the separation element, and configured to move toward the separation element as a number of sheets in the stack decreases, and a pressure applying element that increases a contact surface pressure between the separation element and the uppermost sheet in response to the pressing plate moving toward the separation element.

Abstract: A medium tray (101) comprises a medium support (1) connected to a medium feeding section (100) of an image recording apparatus (200) and receiving record medium (P), and a medium guide (5) extending from the medium support (1) and supporting the record medium (P) such that an angle of a rear portion of the record medium (P) is changed. A lengthy record medium (P) having a length greater than the medium support (1) is supported by the medium guide (5) with the rear portion thereof directed at a different angle so that the length record medium (P) is loaded in the medium tray (101) without enlarging an area projecting from the image recording apparatus (200).

Abstract: An oblique feeding roller and a reference guide are provided on a re-conveying path for conveying a sheet in which an image has been formed on one side by an image forming unit to the image forming unit again. The sheet is obliquely fed by the oblique feeding roller. A side edge of the sheet abuts to a reference surface provided for the reference guide along a sheet conveying direction, thereby correcting the oblique motion and a positional deviation of the sheet. The reference guide is moved to a position according to a length in a width direction of the sheet which is conveyed by a movement of a cam.

Abstract: A sheet feeder including: (a) a pair of feed rollers operable to have a plurality of successive rotational motions, so as to be rotated by a predetermined amount in each one of the successive rotational motions, for thereby causing a sheet nipped between the pair of feed rollers, to be fed along a feed path by a desired distance as a result of the each one of the successive rotational motions; (b) a back-tension applier disposed in the feed path, and configured to apply a back tension to the sheet that is fed along the feed path; and (c) a motion controller configured to control the successive rotational motions of the feed rollers, and to command the feed rollers to be rotated by a compensated amount that includes a supplementary amount in addition to the predetermined amount, in each of at least one of the successive rotational motions. Also disclosed is a process of feeding a sheet, by using the sheet feeder.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for bending a sheet of media are disclosed.

Abstract: A drum for conveying a sheet has a cohesive sheet-guiding surface provided at little effort or cost and includes a drum body, a jacket forming a circumferential surface and a device for fixing the jacket onto the drum body. The jacket is located above a gap formed in the drum body so as to extend parallel to a longitudinal axis. The device for fixing the jacket includes at least one tensioning body that acts on the jacket in the region of the gap and is adjustable in radial direction.

Abstract: The sheet conveying apparatus includes a first member configured to convey a sheet along a predetermined conveying path while holding the sheet, a second member configured to convey a sheet along the predetermined conveying path while holding the sheet, and a changing unit configured to change a first state in which the first member and the second member convey the same sheet along the predetermined conveying path and a second state in which the first member and the second member convey different sheets in the predetermined conveying path according to a length of a sheet along the predetermined conveying path.

Abstract: A game and method including providing a game board having a plurality of nodes, a source node for each player and a plurality of playing pieces. Each piece has multiple states and represents each state. The game is played by starting the playing pieces via a single starting position, and moving the pieces by each player, in turn, by having one of the player's pieces act on another of the player's own pieces, a piece of another player, or an empty node according to its predetermined movement abilities and then removing the acting piece. The player backfills the empty node with another piece linked to the emptied node, and continuing to the player's source node. Finally a new piece is placed on the source node in any chosen state. Play continues until one player removes a piece from another player's source node.

Abstract: A player places an ante wager to participate in the play of the underlying card game. An initial deal of at least one communal partial hand of poker consisting of at least one card is dealt from a single (or multiple) standard deck(s) of cards, standard deck(s) of cards with certain cards removed, or standard deck(s) of cards that is augmented by wild cards or jokers, especially with a partial communal hand consisting of two face-up cards. The player is directed to consider the partial hand and is then directed to choose to play the partial hand as either a 5-card stud game, a 6-card stud game, or a 7-card stud game by placing an additional Play wager on a particular Play Bet circle (i.e., the 5-card game, the 6-card game or the 7-card stud game. Three additional community cards are then dealt face up to complete the 5-card stud hand, and subsequently a 4th and 5th community card.

Abstract: An improvement to two groups of wagering games with at least one player hand and a dealer hand. In one group, the gaming pieces in a hand are divided into two or more sub-hands. In the other group the games include a Reverse Bet and/or a Push Bet. Games may be in both groups. In the improved versions of these games, at least one type of wager has a minimum hand value, known as a qualifier. When a pre-specified hand has that hand value or higher, one method of settling wagers is used. Otherwise, a different method is used for settling at least one type of wager. Introducing this qualifier allows a casino to adjust the advantage for the dealer, making several desirable options practical for these games.

Abstract: A basketball-like member is mounted on one end of a pendulum adapted to swing in an arc about a cylindrical bearing attached to a support extending from a discontinuity of a first side of a partially cylindrical hoop through which the basket-ball member is repetitively swung to score points. A handle on a second opposite side is grasped and the tethered ball manipulated to cause the repetitive arcuate travel through the hoop. A battery-powered counter keeps track of the number of baskets or points scored, at the preference of the player.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable clearance packing ring arrangement including a packing ring, wherein the packing ring includes a sealing face. The variable clearance packing ring arrangement also includes an actuating arrangement internal to the packing ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating an article, such as a cutting tool. A moveable jaw member includes first and second inclined surfaces, with the second inclined surface being substantially parallel to the first inclined surface and non-parallel to a central axis. A support structure provides stationary first and second guide surfaces along which the respective first and second inclined surfaces contactingly move. This maintains the jaw member in a selected angular alignment with the central axis as the jaw member advances in a direction orthogonal to the central axis to engage a side of the article. A second jaw member is preferably provided so that the article is clamped between the first and second jaw members. A spring preferably biases the jaw members apart and resists inward movement thereof. A base surface advances along the central axis to contactingly advance and retract the jaw member(s).

Abstract: A multi-blade ice-skate footwear includes a foot-retaining section with a substantially planar bottom surface, a first blade adjustably connected to an anterior portion of the bottom surface, and second and third blades adjustably connected to a posterior portion of the bottom surface and spaced from the first blade respectively. The ice-skate footwear includes a mechanism for selectively biasing the first blade along a first reciprocating linear path while simultaneously biasing the second and third blades along second and third reciprocating linear paths respectively.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow for transporting materials includes an undercarriage, a wheel rotatably mounted to the undercarriage, a pan mounted to and supported by the undercarriage and a fastening mechanism having a head. The pan includes a base wall and an upright wall extending upwardly from the base wall. The base wall and upright wall define a carrying space and a carrying surface facing the carrying space. A depression is formed in the pan defining a depression plane that is generally continuous with the carrying surface. The fastening mechanism mounts the pan to the undercarriage such that the head is positioned within the depression between the undercarriage and the depression plane.

Abstract: A cart is described for use in transporting and loading kayaks and similar watercraft. The cart includes first and second side frame members having forward and rear ends; a support member extending between the frame members adjacent the frame member rear ends; a bracing member extending between the frame members adjacent the frame member forward ends; a wheel assembly adjacent the rear ends of the frame members, the assembly including first and second axle ends and wheels carried on the axle ends; and an anti-reverse braking means preventing rearward movement of the cart upon tilting of the cart upward. The braking means may include a first component attached to a frame member and a second component attached to a rotatable component of the wheel assembly, the first and second components being moved into locking engagement upon upward tilting of the cart.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a material-moving device suitable for loading, unloading, and transporting at least one item thereon by a single person. The material-moving device includes a platform portion for holding at least one item thereon, at least two pairs of wheels rotatably attached to the platform portion in a manner that enables the front perimeter edge to pivot for easy loading and unloading the items onto the platform portion. The device also includes an elongated handle attached to the platform and an auxiliary handle movably attached to elongated handle in a manner effective to allow a single user to control the pivotal movement of the material-moving device while simultaneously gripping at least one item being loaded or unloaded onto said platform portion.

Abstract: The present invention offers a front suspension and steering system for cycles and motorcycles. A mainframe with two front wheels and one rear wheel, the front wheels have flat surface tires, a 2-axial hub, having a wheel axle to support the two front wheels and a tilting axis below the wheel axle, a steering arm, having a tilting axle, the tilting axle can rotate in the tilting axis when the steering arm is tilting, the steering arm is connected to the mainframe by two wish bones and can rotate in the steeling axis. During turning, the body and the rear wheel are tilting to the side of turning to keep the center of gravity on the side of turning to balance the centrifugal force, but the front wheels and the 2-axial hub do not tilt, such that it is more stable and safe during turning.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the roll of a motor vehicle. The system comprises a selective lock connected between an unsprung portion of the vehicle and a sprung portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.

Abstract: A hand-operated assembly that supplies secondary drive power and steering control to a secondary drive wheel of a wheel chair. The assembly comprises a handle that is controlled with one hand and a linkage rod that extends from the handle to an eccentric arm fitted to a one-way clutch assembly at a secondary drive wheel support axle. Reciprocating up-down, pivoting movements of the handle over a range Y? in the Y axis directs a linkage rod to rotate an eccentric arm fitted to a one-way clutch and a drive axle of a small diameter, secondary drive wheel. Independent 360° rotation of the handle about a second, horizontal or Z axis steers the secondary drive wheel. A portion Y? of the range of handle motion directs a flange at the linkage arm to engage a brake piece that contacts the secondary drive wheel. Large diameter, hand driven, primary drive wheels are separately available to the user for effecting normal chair conveyance.

Abstract: A transportation apparatus includes a backrest and leg support pivotably connected to a seat portion. The seat portion is slidably connected to first and second spaced apart slide rails. Each slide rail includes a plurality of telescoping members. At least one middle leg and at least one rear leg depends downwardly from the seat portion. At least one middle wheel is connected to the middle leg and at least one rear wheel is connected to the rear leg. The middle wheel and rear wheel define a middle and rear rotation axes, respectively. At least one front wheel is operatively connected to the leg support. The middle leg is movable to adjust the vertical position of the middle wheel, and the rear leg is movable to adjust the vertical position of the rear wheel. The plurality of telescoping members slide the seat portion in a substantially horizontal direction in relation to the rear rotation axis or the middle rotation axis.

Abstract: A bicycle frame includes an axle, a hub and freewheel assembly, two fork end members, two axle pegs, and two locking nuts. Thus, the first ramp of each of the axle pegs is rested on the second ramp of the respective fork end member to prevent each of the axle pegs from being rotatable relative to the respective fork end member, so that the first end of each of the axle pegs is clamped exactly between the respective fork end member and the respective locking nut to prevent each of the axle pegs from being rotatable freely on the axle to ensure the safety of a user who treads the axle pegs.

Abstract: A training wheel assembly for a bicycle includes an upright support bracket mounted on a frame, a first pivot arm pivotally mounted on the support bracket, a training wheel rotatably mounted on the first pivot arm, a second pivot arm pivotally mounted on the support bracket, and an adjusting mechanism mounted between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm to adjust a movable allowance or relative position between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm. Thus, each of the training wheels is movable upward to leave the ground or downward to contact the ground so that the user needs not to remove the training wheels from the frame of the bicycle when not in used, thereby facilitating the user operating the training wheel assembly.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing trailer hitch assembly is provided that includes a receiver tube and an insertion tube. The receiver tube is typically fixedly attached to a motor vehicle and has a set of apertures that affords for a pin to pass therethrough. The tube also has a set of slots adjacent to the apertures, with protrusions between each aperture and its adjacent slot. The insertion tube serves as a trailer hitch and has a set of apertures that align with the set of apertures in the receiver tube. Placement of the insertion tube within the receiver tube affords for a pin to pass through and be held within said apertures. In this manner a trailer may be attached to the trailer hitch and pulled by the motor vehicle. When the trailer is impacted, for example by a rear-end collision, deformation of the pin and/or the protrusions of the receiver tube allow the pin to travel in a forward direction, thereby absorbing energy from the collision.

Abstract: Gliding board equipment systems and individual components are disclosed herein. A gliding board equipment system of one embodiment includes a gliding board, a boot having an upper cuff and a lower boot, and a binding selectively attaching the boot to the gliding board. The upper cuff of the boot defines opposed slots, and a respective pin passes through each slot to couple the upper cuff to the lower boot and allow the upper cuff to move laterally relative to the lower boot.

Abstract: A folding chair includes handle frames, and front legs and rear legs configured to support the chair in an upright position. The front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot frames are pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the back rest and the rear legs. Sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respective arm rests and the seat and are configured to slide along the front legs.

Abstract: A detachable mobile seat includes a first part connected to a motor; a second part attached to the seat; and two links, each connected to the first part, the second part, and a wheel. The links transfer movement of the first part to the wheels. The first part includes a shaft connected to the motor, and two nuts disposed around the shaft that have screw threads in opposite directions and move along the shaft in response to operation of the motor. Each link includes a first link connected to the second part and to the nut, and a second link connected to the nut and to the wheel. The end of each second link that is nearest the wheel is rotatably connected to a connecting arm that has a rotating bar that rotates the wheel in response to operation of the links.

Abstract: A two-dimensional gas bag blank (10) has a first, a second, and a third side section (12, 14, 16). The first side section (12) is connected to the second side section (14) via a common side edge (18) forming a first edge fold line (18k), and the second side section (14) is connected to the third side section (16) via a common side edge (20) forming a second edge fold line (20k). A surface fold line (12s, 14s, 16s) extends on the surface of each section (12, 14, 16). The surface fold lines (12s, 14s, 16s) form an acute angle with the respective adjacent edge fold lines (18k, 20k).

Abstract: An arrangement for fixing a gas generator of an air bag unit. The gas generator is securely fixed in the generator chamber and both radial and axial tolerances, in particular of the gas generator, are compensated using a plate-like, spring-elastic fastening element that is pressed in the area of the end of the gas generator lying opposite the fixed bearing between the outer circumference thereof and the inner circumference of the generator chamber axially projecting through the gas generator. After the pressing in, the fastening element is arched into the generator chamber in the axial direction in a section between the outer wall of the gas generator and the inner wall of the generator chamber in the axial direction.

Abstract: An airbag system in a motor vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags and at least one airbag fold bracket configured to indicate the location of at least one airbag fold of the inflatable airbag. The airbag fold bracket may also be configured to maintain the position and shape of the airbag fold of the inflatable airbag while in the undeployed state. Furthermore, the airbag fold bracket may be configured to adjust and tune the deployment of the inflatable airbag.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: An airbag module is disclosed. The airbag module has an airbag cover that has a front surface. The cover also includes a plurality of latch hooks that extend away from the front surface. Each of the latch hooks includes a retention flange. A support plate is also included as part of the airbag module and is attached to the airbag cover. The support plate includes a plurality of slots. Each latch hook (of the cover) passes through a separate slot in the support plate. The slots are sized such that for each latch hook passed through a slot, a gap is formed between the retention flange of each latch hook and a shoulder of the support plate. A locking member that engages the plurality of latch hooks is also added to the airbag module. At least a portion of the locking member is disposed within the slot. The locking member, once positioned in the slot, engages the latch hooks and causes the retention flange to overlap the shoulder of the support plate.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system (SIR) is provided for use with a vehicle having a passenger compartment with an instrument panel at a forward end therein. The SIR includes a cavity having an opening formed in a lower portion of the instrument panel. An inflatable cushion is operable to transition through the opening from a non-expanded state, in which the cushion is inside the cavity, to an expanded state, in which the cushion is substantially outside the cavity. A fluid dispensing apparatus is operable to regulate transition of the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state. A hush panel is attached to the lower portion of the instrument panel such that the panel is not visible to a vehicle occupant seated upright and adjacent thereto. The hush panel is configured to cover the opening, and is characterized by the absence of an outer surface with an appearance finish.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint systems including an airbag which has a first airbag chamber and a second airbag chamber or, more generally, a first partial region and a second partial region. The first and the second airbag chambers are connected to each other so that, as a function of the internal pressures present, gas from the first airbag chamber can flow into the second airbag chamber and gas from the second airbag chamber can flow into the first airbag chamber. The second airbag chamber may include an elastic wall, so that, upon a loading of the first airbag chamber, gas flows into the second airbag chamber and, in the process, elastically expands the second airbag chamber.

Abstract: A motorcycle airbag module includes an inflatable airbag, which is deployed between the rider's seat and the steering handlebar of a motorcycle. First and second recessed portions are formed in the front face of the airbag, when in an inflated and deployed state. The first recessed portion extends in a longitudinal direction in the center part of the front face and the second recessed portion diverges and extends respectively to the right and left from the lower end of the first recessed portion arranged in the longitudinal direction. The front face of the airbag is sectioned by the first and second recessed portions to form right and left inflated portions as well as a lower inflated portion. The right and left inflated portions are positioned respectively on the right and left sides of the first recessed portion, and the lower inflated portion is positioned below the second recessed portions.

Abstract: A side airbag module for use in a motor vehicle. The module includes a gas generator attached to a folded airbag. The folded airbag unfolds into an interior of the motor vehicle when the gas generator is activated. A large guide fin is disposed within an interior of the airbag such that the airbag is disposed around the guide fin. The guide fin is connected to a component attached to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An expansion guiding apparatus of an airbag includes a connector connected to the airbag and to a pillar trim. When the airbag expands, it pulls the connector, which folds the pillar trim. The connector may include direction-change pins and a wire extending from the airbag to the direction-change pins to the pillar trim, sequentially, and attached to the airbag and the pillar trim. The wire may include a hook with a notch, attaching the wire to the pillar trim. Alternatively, the connector may include a rotating bar, rotatable about a hinge on the inner panel, and a wire extending from the airbag to the rotating bar to the pillar trim, sequentially, and attached to the airbag and the pillar trim. The wire may include a hook with a notch, attaching the wire to the rotating bar. The pillar trim may include a hinge, a notch, or a soft material part.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an air bag system comprises an air bag having an impact surface which in a non-inflated state is arranged in a housing located below the upper edge of a windowsill of a vehicle door. In an inflated state, at least part of the impact surface is positioned above the windowsill. There is a supporting surface for the air bag below the upper edge of the windowsill. The air bag defines a main chamber and a supporting chamber. The impact surface forms part of the main chamber. The supporting chamber, in an inflated state, is situated between the main chamber and the supporting surface and is supported at least in part by the supporting surface.