Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Jason J Hallman

Corinne D Uskali

A vehicle includes a steering column assembly including a steering column. A steering wheel apparatus is connected to the steering column. The steering wheel apparatus includes a steering wheel hub that is connected to the steering column and a steering wheel rim that is connected to the steering wheel hub. A clutch mechanism selectively decouples the steering wheel rim from the steering wheel hub thereby allowing rotation of the steering wheel hub within the steering wheel rim.

Systems and methods of decoupling vehicle steering assemblies with indication of vehicle direction

A vehicle includes a rocker support that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A C-pillar assembly is coupled to and extends upward from the rocker support. A vehicle door includes a door reinforcement beam having a rear portion located adjacent the C-pillar assembly. A door reinforcement beam catch projection extends through at least part of the C-pillar assembly and terminates at a location above the rear portion of the door reinforcement beam in the vehicle vertical direction to engage the rear portion of the door reinforcement beam only after movement of the door reinforcement beam into the C-pillar assembly.

Door reinforcement beam catch projections for vehicle side structures

Inflatable restraint assemblies for use with removable vehicle components allow portions of inflator assemblies to remain in the vehicle when the component is removed. The assemblies may include inflatable devices such as an airbag mounted within a removable seat with conduit connecting the inflatable device to a seat connection. The seat connection may be adapted to connect to an inflator connection that is connected to an inflator assembly within the vehicle. Such assemblies allow the inflatable device to be in fluid communication with the inflator assembly when in an installed position, and to allow the inflator assembly to remain attached within the vehicle when the seat is in a removed position.

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Saline, MI, United States of America

Jason J Hallman