Abstract: An airbag includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a middle panel, and at least one extension. In the inflated position, the first side panel and the second side panel are spaced from each other by the middle panel, the middle panel having a top and a bottom, and a centerline between the first and the second side panels. The at least one extension is connected to at least one of the first side panel and the bottom of the middle panel, and is extendable in a direction away from the top of the middle panel in a deployed position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag and an inflator in communication with the airbag. The airbag includes a top side and includes a front side and a rear side each extending from the top side. The front side and the rear side define two extensions spaced from each other along the top side and a recess disposed between the extensions along the top side. The airbag includes a depressed region extending from the recess. The front side and the rear side are connected to each other along the depressed region.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag and an inflator in communication with the airbag. The airbag includes a top side and includes a front side and a rear side each extending from the top side. The front side and the rear side define two extensions spaced from each other along the top side and a recess disposed between the extensions along the top side. The airbag includes a depressed region extending from the recess. The front side and the rear side are connected to each other along the depressed region.

Abstract: An instrument panel component includes a wall, a first projection, and a second projection. The wall is configured to be supported by the instrument panel. The first and second projections are supported by the wall and extend in a common direction away from the wall. The length of the first projection is different than the length of the second projection and both projections are of a different material than the material of the wall.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an inflator and an airbag defining an inflation chamber in communication with the inflator. The airbag includes a first extension and a second extension spaced from each other and each in communication with the inflation chamber. The first extension and the second extension are each selectively inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A controller is programmed to provide instructions to release one or both of the first and second extensions to the deployed position in response at least to a detected direction of an impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an inflator and an airbag defining an inflation chamber in communication with the inflator. The airbag includes a first extension and a second extension spaced from each other and each in communication with the inflation chamber. The first extension and the second extension are each selectively inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A controller is programmed to provide instructions to release one or both of the first and second extensions to the deployed position in response at least to a detected direction of an impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag includes a primary portion and a secondary portion. The primary portion defines a first chamber and the secondary portion defines a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber. The primary portion further defines a center axis and the secondary portion is disposed at least partially along the center axis. In its unexpanded state, the airbag may be disposed under an instrument cluster.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to produce propylene glycol as the major product comprising contacting the glycerol with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst under conditions for the formation of propylene glycol is disclosed. In particular, propylene glycol is formed with a selectivity of greater than about 90%.

Abstract: An airbag includes a primary portion and a secondary portion. The primary portion defines a first chamber and the secondary portion defines a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber. The primary portion further defines a center axis and the secondary portion is disposed at least partially along the center axis. In its unexpanded state, the airbag may be disposed under an instrument cluster.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to produce propylene glycol as the major product comprising contacting the glycerol with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst under conditions for the formation of propylene glycol is disclosed. In particular, propylene glycol is formed with a selectivity of greater than about 90%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cloning stable stress tolerant superoxide dismutase from diverse plant species using universal primers.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a base and an airbag supported by the base. The airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position and presents an impact surface spaced from the base in the inflated position. The airbag includes an extension having a perimeter surface extending transversely from the impact surface around a perimeter of the extension. A tether extends from the base to the extension in the uninflated position. The extension catches the head of the test dummy if the test dummy slides along the impact surface during a vehicle oblique impact to slow and/or stop movement of the head of the test dummy toward a driver side door and/or A-pillar of the vehicle.

Abstract: A curtain airbag system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a curtain module substantially embedded in the roof rail in its normal, non-inflated state. The module includes an inflatable curtain attached to an inflator. The inflatable curtain has a forward portion. An elongated and inflatable extension is attached to the forward portion of the curtain. When the curtain is inflated in an impact event, the elongated and inflatable extension extends from the curtain and at least partially overlaps the A-pillar and at least part of the grab handle. The elongated and inflatable extension is a first extension that extends from the forward portion of said curtain. The inflatable curtain may include a second, triangular-shaped extension extendable from the forward portion of the curtain when the curtain is inflated.

Abstract: A curtain airbag system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a curtain module substantially embedded in the roof rail in its normal, non-inflated state. The module includes an inflatable curtain attached to an inflator. The inflatable curtain has a forward portion. An elongated and inflatable extension is attached to the forward portion of the curtain. When the curtain is inflated in an impact event the elongated and inflatable extension extends from the curtain and at least partially overlaps the A-pillar and at least part of the grab handle. The elongated and inflatable extension is a first extension and extends from the forward portion of said curtain. The inflatable curtain may include a second, triangular-shaped extension extendable from the forward portion of the curtain when the curtain is inflated.

Abstract: An integrated airbag in the inflated condition has a main airbag portion defining an upper chamber and a lower extended portion defining a chamber depending from the main airbag portion. The main airbag portion in the inflated condition acts against the head and torso of the occupant so as to generate a restraining force against the occupant, and the lower extended portion in the inflated condition acts against the pair of knees of the occupant so as to mitigate the femur forces on the knees of the motor vehicle occupant generated by contact with the lower portion of the instrument panel during the impact.

Abstract: A vehicle side air curtain has an inflator, a main inflatable chamber, and an integral separate, self-contained controlled pressure chamber in limited fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and disposed for impact by the head and upper thoracic region of a vehicle occupant. The main inflatable chamber is inflated to an initial pressure within an initial impact time period immediately following actuation of the inflator and a second lower stabilized pressure thereafter to extend the duration of the pressurization of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain beyond the initial impact time period. The controlled pressure chamber of the side air curtain is inflated to an initial pressure substantially lower than the first pressure of the main inflatable chamber and favorable to side impact occupant protection immediately following actuation of the inflator pressure.

Abstract: An airbag having a base end, a front panel and at least one panel opposing the front panel, the airbag having a cutout in the front panel, an inner perimeter of the cutout having first and second sides, a first panel having first and second edges, the first edge of the first panel is attached to the first side of the cutout, a second panel having third and fourth edges, the third edge is attached to the second edge of the first panel and the fourth edge is attached to the second side of the cutout, wherein the first and second panels define a slit in cutout of the front panel, and a tether attached along a backside of the slit and attached to an inner surface of the at least one panel opposing the front panel of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag having a base end, a front panel and at least one panel opposing the front panel, the airbag having a cutout in the front panel, an inner perimeter of the cutout having first and second sides, a first panel having first and second edges, the first edge of the first panel is attached to the first side of the cutout, a second panel having third and fourth edges, the third edge is attached to the second edge of the first panel and the fourth edge is attached to the second side of the cutout, wherein the first and second panels define a slit member in cutout of the front panel, and a tether attached along a backside of the slit member and attached to an inner surface of the at least one panel opposing the front panel of the airbag.

Abstract: A grab handle assembly for a vehicle has an asymmetrical handle that spans between a first end and a second end. The first end is operably coupled with an A-pillar of a frame of the vehicle. The second end is operably coupled with the A-pillar below the first end. The asymmetrical handle has a slanted portion and a curved portion, configured to provide a smooth downward transition between the A-pillar and the handle and to slidably deflect a forward moving object. The slanted portion extends down from the first end at a first angle. The curved portion protrudes outward and upward from the second end at a second angle to join the slanted portion. The first angle is less than the second angle and the first angle is less than thirty-five degrees, such that the first angle provides a smooth transition to the handle.

Abstract: A grab handle assembly for a vehicle has an asymmetrical handle that spans between a first end and a second end. The first end is operably coupled with an A-pillar of a frame of the vehicle. The second end is operably coupled with the A-pillar below the first end. The asymmetrical handle has a slanted portion and a curved portion, configured to provide a smooth downward transition between the A-pillar and the handle and to slidably deflect a forward moving object. The slanted portion extends down from the first end at a first angle. The curved portion protrudes outward and upward from the second end at a second angle to join the slanted portion. The first angle is less than the second angle and the first angle is less than thirty-five degrees, such that the first angle provides a smooth transition to the handle.