Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system comprises an inflation fluid dispensing member in fluid communication with an inflatable cushion. The cushion includes a contact face, and folds that at least partially define a substantially unobstructed fluid path between the inflation fluid dispensing member and the contact face. At least some of the folds are tucked between the contact face and the inflation fluid dispensing member. Upon actuation of the inflation fluid dispensing member, fluid travels through the fluid path to inflate the cushion outward such that the cushion is presented as a single layer at the contact face throughout inflation.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an inflatable cushion, an inner plate receivable within the cushion and a cover adapted to contain the cushion prior to inflation thereof. The inner plate and cushion are receivable within the cover. The base plate attaches to the inner plate. A portion of the cushion and a portion of the cover abut one another and are sandwiched directly between the base plate and the inner plate. The sandwiched portion of the cover is retained between the inner plate and the base plate (and preferably cupped by the base plate). The cushion, cover and attached inner plate and base plate remain retained to one another when the cushion is inflated. A method of assembling the air bag module is also provided.

Abstract: A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash including: a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster; a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states; a means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state causing the outer bolster to translate away from the inner bolster; and a tether operably connecting one end of the honeycomb celled material to the means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state.

Abstract: An air bag system includes an inflatable air bag and a housing formed with a vent. A tether release/vent-modifying mechanism is connected to the housing and has a plurality of walls and a movable member. The movable member has a cap portion and a rod portion extending longitudinally from the underside of the cap portion. A first broad portion extends from the cap portion forward of the underside of the cap portion and covers or uncovers a vent in the housing when the movable member is actuated to move between first and second positions to release tethers connected to the air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion and at least one tether having a first portion is provided. The first portion includes a first loop supported at a first location at the cushion. The tether is releasably restrained such that the cushion inflates to a first amount of expansion when the tether is restrained and to a greater second amount of expansion after the tether is released.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module retention system that employs at least one spring. The at least one spring performs two functions. First, the at least one spring provides snap-fit engagement to retain the air bag module to the armature of the steering wheel. Second, the at least one spring biases the airbag module in a first position in which the air bag module “floats” a distance from the armature. The at least one spring is deformable when a driver depresses the air bag module so that the air bag module is movable to a second position to activate a horn circuit and cause horn actuation.

Abstract: The present invention is for a vehicle having an air bag system for impact restraint. The air bag system includes a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas upon receiving a signal of an impact, a fill tube having a fill end in fluid communication with the inflator to port the inflation gas from the inflator, and an air bag cushion in fluid communication with the fill tube to receive the inflation gas from the fill tube and deployable in an interior space adjacent to a seat upon the impact. The air bag system also includes a tether operable to both a restricted and unrestricted length in conjunction with a dual depth mechanism. The air bag system may further include a vent operable to both an open and a closed state in conjunction with the dual depth mechanism.

Abstract: A common air bag module for the different spoke patterns of a vehicle steering wheel. The cover is configured with a cavity to fit over multiple steering wheel configurations. The common air bag module has common internals including a common cushion pack with chamfered corners on one side and a rounded side opposite the side with the chamfered corners and a common tear seam approach to enable styling flexibility with a plurality of cover show surface options.

Abstract: The present invention is for a vehicle having a passenger air bag system for frontal impact restraint packaged within the passenger vehicle door. The air bag system includes a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas upon receiving a signal of a frontal impact, a fill tube having a first, fill end in fluid communication with the inflator to port the inflation gas from the inflator, and an air bag module in fluid communication with the fill tube and having an air bag cushion packed therein to receive the inflation gas from the fill tube and deployable in the interior space forward of the passenger seat upon the frontal impact.

Abstract: A common air bag module for the different spoke patterns of a vehicle steering wheel. The cover is configured with a cavity to fit over multiple steering wheel configurations. The common air bag module has common internals including a common cushion pack with chamfered corners on one side and a rounded side opposite the side with the chamfered corners and a common tear seam approach to enable styling flexibility with a plurality of cover show surface options.

Abstract: There is disclosed an air bag system for an automotive vehicle. The air bag system may include one or more of the following: a baffling system, a gas emission direction system, a deployment door guidance system, or a material flap guidance system.

Abstract: The present invention is for a vehicle having a passenger air bag system for frontal impact restraint packaged within the passenger vehicle door. The air bag system includes a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas upon receiving a signal of a frontal impact, a fill tube having a first, fill end in fluid communication with the inflator to port the inflation gas from the inflator, and an air bag module in fluid communication with the fill tube and having an air bag cushion packed therein to receive the inflation gas from the fill tube and deployable in the interior space forward of the passenger seat upon the frontal impact.

Abstract: An inflatable safety restraint assembly is provided and methods are provided for installing such an inflatable safety restraint assembly into a vehicle. The inflatable safety restrain assembly comprises a cushion pack configured for attachment to an A-pillar of the vehicle and an inflator configured for attachment to a body structure of the vehicle other than the A-pillar. The inflatable safety restraint assembly further comprises a flexible tube having a first end connected to the cushion pack and a second end connected to the inflator. The flexible tube is adjustable to provide a number of orientations between the cushion pack attached to the A-pillar and the inflator attached to the vehicle body other than the A-pillar.

Abstract: An air restraint system has an airbag which is deployable between an instrument panel and an occupant seat within an automotive vehicle. The airbag includes first and second air chambers which are separated to restrict flow therebetween by a single panel member. The first and second chambers of the airbag are selectively pressurizable with a gaseous fluid which is distributed from an inflator through a plurality of passages, and the flow therein is controlled by a valve member. The valve member is operable to distribute the pressurized fluid to one chamber, both of the chambers of the airbag or to the atmosphere.

Abstract: There is disclosed a housing assembly for an air bag system with a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas. The housing assembly includes a support structure for retaining the gas emitting inflator within the structure and to a vehicle if the gas emitting inflator auto-ignites upon exposure to extreme conditions.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant. One or more profile restraining tether elements extend from locations on the air bag cushion to a releasable anchor structure so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether elements. An actuation mechanism activatable in response to a signal from a sensor measuring occupant conditions is used to release the tether elements from the releasable anchor thereby extending the operative profile of the air bag cushion upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a housing assembly for an air bag system with a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas. The housing assembly includes a support structure for retaining the gas emitting inflator within the structure and to a vehicle if the gas emitting inflator auto-ignites upon exposure to extreme conditions.

Abstract: An internal vehicle sensing system for assisting in controlling deployment of an air bag is disclosed. The sensing system includes at least one sensor that forms a sensor array designed to detect a portion of an individual. The sensing system sends signals to the air bag system based upon objects detected and signals, commands or allows full deployment, partial deployment, or suppression of deployment of an air bag.

Abstract: An inflatable safety restraint assembly is provided and methods are provided for installing such an inflatable safety restraint assembly into a vehicle. The inflatable safety restrain assembly comprises a cushion pack configured for attachment to an A-pillar of the vehicle and an inflator configured for attachment to a body structure of the vehicle other than the A-pillar. The inflatable safety restraint assembly further comprises a flexible tube having a first end connected to the cushion pack and a second end connected to the inflator. The flexible tube is adjustable to provide a number of orientations between the cushion pack attached to the A-pillar and the inflator attached to the vehicle body other than the A-pillar.

Abstract: There is disclosed an air bag system for an automotive vehicle. The air bag system includes a moveable member that may be selectively actuated to assist in the controlling of venting openings and tether elements of the system. In turn, the moveable member offers control over the manner of deployment of an air bag of the system.