An apparatus comprised of a first portion comprising a generally flexible fabric, and a second portion or layer comprising a gel material formed in a generally planar rectangular shape. Positioned below the second layer is a third portion or a damping layer having a series of dampers positioned thereon, where the dampers are elastomeric flexible and compressible. The three portions are laminated together.

A fluid dispenser having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and a pump for drawing fluid from a fluid source via the fluid inlet towards the fluid outlet; wherein the pump has a housing and a spring adapted to bias the pump away from a compressed position and towards a rest position; the spring being situated at least partially within the housing; and wherein the spring comprises one or more resiliently deformable polymer units.

A bushing includes a cylindrical body and a flange extending from the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has an inner face defining a bore. The flange includes an outer rim and a face extending radially between the bore and the outer rim. At least one groove is formed in the face. The at least one groove extends from a first end intersecting the bore to a second end adjacent the outer rim such that grease supplied to the bore of the bushing is able to flow through the at least one groove.

A bushing includes a cylindrical body and a flange extending from the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has an inner face defining a bore. The flange includes an outer rim and a face extending radially between the bore and the outer rim. At least one groove is formed in the face. The at least one groove extends from a first end intersecting the bore to a second end adjacent the outer rim such that grease supplied to the bore of the bushing is able to flow through the at least one groove.

A cushioning and impact absorbing pad with a surface layer of thickness t, and an elastomeric sub-surface-structure of height h. The sub-surface structure comprises an array of elastomeric columns wherein each column has a frustoconical column wall surrounding a central void. The frustoconical column walls have a zone that is a more compressible, relatively collapsible zone in a region at an end of the column opposite the surface layer and a zone that is a relatively less compressible zone in a region at the end of the column abutting the surface layer. Column walls are tapered with draft angles in the range of greater than 6 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

A cushioning and impact absorbing pad with a surface layer of thickness t, and an elastomeric sub-surface-structure of height h. The sub-surface structure comprises an array of elastomeric columns wherein each column has a frustoconical column wall surrounding a central void. The frustoconical column walls have a zone that is a more compressible, relatively collapsible zone in a region at an end of the column opposite the surface layer and a zone that is a relatively less compressible zone in a region at the end of the column abutting the surface layer. Column walls are tapered with draft angles in the range of greater than 6 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

A footrest support structure includes a footrest main body 10 on which a foot of an occupant is placeable, a panel member 14 of a vehicle interior floor, and a shock absorbing member 15. The panel member 14 has an inclined portion 14b inclined forward and upward from the horizontal portion 14a. The shock absorbing member 15 is interposed between the panel member 14 and the footrest main body 10. The inclined portion 14b of the panel member 14 has a recessed portion 18 that is recessed downward. The shock absorbing member 15 has a thinned portion 21 in a portion facing the recessed portion 18, which is thinner than other portions. A deformation-allowing space 30 is formed between the recessed portion 18 and the shock absorbing member 15.

A footrest support structure includes a footrest main body 10 on which a foot of an occupant is placeable, a panel member 14 of a vehicle interior floor, and a shock absorbing member 15. The panel member 14 has an inclined portion 14b inclined forward and upward from the horizontal portion 14a. The shock absorbing member 15 is interposed between the panel member 14 and the footrest main body 10. The inclined portion 14b of the panel member 14 has a recessed portion 18 that is recessed downward. The shock absorbing member 15 has a thinned portion 21 in a portion facing the recessed portion 18, which is thinner than other portions. A deformation-allowing space 30 is formed between the recessed portion 18 and the shock absorbing member 15.

A support ring for a resiliently deformable jounce bumper is made of a cast material. The support ring contains an inner circumferential surface that defines a through-opening extending along a longitudinal axis, an outer circumferential surface, a first axial end face, an opposing second axial end face, and a plurality of recesses configured to reduce the material mass which the support ring is made of. The through-opening is configured to fit around the jounce bumper. The plurality of recesses may be formed in at least one of the two end faces such that the recesses extend from the respective end face in the axial direction into the material of the support ring.

An electric vehicle and a range extender engine are shown including the controls to operate the same.