Abstract: A vulcanizable composition comprises sulfur-vulcanizable rubber, sulfur or a sulfur-donor, a zinc compound, and a sulfur-containing amine of the formulaR.sup.1 --S.sub.n --R--NR.sup.2 R.sup.3wherein R is a divalent radical comprising a chain of at least 2 C atoms, R.sup.1 is an organic radical, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each H or an organic radical, provided that NR.sup.2 R.sup.3 is not NH(C.sub.1-6 alkyl), and n is an integer, or a salt thereof, provided that the amine is not 3-(methylthio)propylamine. The amine is preferably cystamine.

Abstract: A cushion retainer for mounting an airbag cushion, having an inner edge defining an open mouth, to an airbag module baseplate defining an inflator-receiving aperture, so that the open mouth of the airbag inflator is aligned with the inflator-receiving aperture of the module baseplate. The airbag cushion retainer includes a rigid annular plate sized to fit around the inflator receiving aperture, and an annular sewing area extending radially outwardly from the annular plate. The sewing area is securable to the airbag cushion with stitches. According to one embodiment, the annular sewing area has a thickness that decreases outwardly to an outer periphery that is thin enough to accept a sewing needle or other sewing tool. According to another embodiment, the annular sewing area defines a multiplicity of holes for receiving stitches. According to a further embodiment, an annular fabric ring is secured to a bottom surface of the annular plate and extends radially outwardly from the annular sewing area.

Abstract: A membrane horn switch wherein the two membranes sheets of the horn switch have first and second relatively large areas connected by a rupturable, strain relieving bridge member. The bridge members provide an area that is readily rupturable from a force provided by an inflating airbag cushion such that the bridge members can be appropriately placed over a tear seam of a cover of an airbag module in a motor vehicle. Each bridge member of the horn switch has a non-straight path so as to lessen strain fatigue and prolong the durability of the bridge member.

Abstract: A driver's side airbag module of reduced thickness includes a housing, a cylindrical inflator, and a folded airbag. The airbag is first folded into a rectangle and the ends of the rectangle are thereafter folded or rolled to lie between the periphery of the inflator and the side walls of the housing. The thickness of the resulting module is not substantially greater than the height of the inflator.

Abstract: A side impact airbag module assembly having a combination airbag inflator and module housing and an airbag cushion. The combination airbag inflator and module housing has an extruded unitary one-piece hollow elongated longitudinal body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first open end, a second open end, and a plurality of gas exhaust ports extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. Two airbag receiving channels, each channel having a slot running along the channel, are respectively located on the outer surface of the longitudinal body, parallel with the body on opposite sides of the plurality of gas exhaust ports. A first endplug seals the first open end and a second endplug seals the second open end with the inner surface of the longitudinal body and the endplugs defining a gas generant chamber containing a gas generant.

Abstract: An airbag module is installed upon a structural member, such as a seat frame, on a motor vehicle. The structural member is enclosed by padding and covered with an upholstery cover material. One or more portions of the cover material extend inwardly of the padding and enclose the module. The outer portions of the cover material are joined by a frangible seam which forms an airbag opening in a preselected location. Upon inflation, the expanding airbag is guided to the opening by a trough formed by the cover material portions.

Abstract: An improved retainer rod for a passenger-side airbag is formed of two different plastics having different physical characteristics by a dual durometer extrusion process. The improved retainer rod has a cylindrical main body of a hard rigid plastic which can withstand bag deployment forces and a sheet-like flag of softer flexible plastic which can be sewn to the bag material.

Abstract: A side airbag deployment system having a rubber or plastic deployment cover with a tear seam therein, with the deployment cover being secured in the seat finish trim fabric at a location of the intended path of deployment of an inflatable airbag from an airbag module secured to a rigid seat frame member.

Abstract: A protective cover for a passenger side airbag module is extruded as a sheet of plastic which is cut to form a rectangle. One extruded edge of the rectangle defines a male connector and the opposite extruded edge defines a female connector. The sheet is wrapped around the module and the ends are interconnected. In a further embodiment, two separate panels having such connectors are anchored to the module and interconnected over the folded airbag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus especially useful for supplying inert gas to a highly pressurized pressure vessel, such as a hybrid inflator for an automotive airbag module, and weld sealing the gas passage or opening therein to avoid or substantially eliminate weld cracks. The apparatus for accomplishing same comprises no moving parts and the welding is accomplished by utilizing either a groove or a conical rise feature formed into the end plug or wall surface of the pressure vessel wall surrounding the gas passage or opening so that no additional filler material is required to obtain the weld seal. The method and apparatus may also be used to weld seal low or non-pressurized vessels as well as vacuum vessels.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator including an inflator housing having an outer wall and a pop-out diffuser. The outer wall defines a compressed gas reservoir and contains a combustion chamber separated from the compressed gas reservoir by a rupturable burst diaphragm. An initiator and pyrotechnic gas generant are contained within the combustion chamber of the inflator housing. The initiator is connectable to a remote collision or deceleration sensor through an initiator port defined by the outer wall. Compressed inert gas is contained within the compressed gas reservoir. The pop-out diffuser includes a diffuser plate forming a unitary part of the outer wall and a rupturable seam divides the diffuser plate from the remainder of the outer wall. A diffuser sleeve extends from the diffuser plate into the compressed gas reservoir to a diffuser flange extending radially outwardly from the diffuser sleeve and having an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the diffuser plate.

Abstract: The internal tether of a driver's side automotive airbag is of one or two members, each having a plurality of radial straps. Central portions of the tether are sewn to the airbag front panel by a seam which includes a linear portion crossing the center line of each of the radial strips. In the case of a square seam, the square has rounded corners of a radius suitable for gradually transferring the load from the tether to the front panel to reduce stress concentrations.

Abstract: A relatively rigid plastic sheet is molded into the foam seat pad of a motor vehicle seat where it forms part of the exterior surface of the pad. The sheet defines an airbag opening which communicates with a side-impact airbag module adjacent the pad and is positioned against an upholstery seam at a desired location on the seat. Upon actuation, the inflating bag is guided to and through the airbag opening so that the inflated bag is precisely located to provide maximum protection.

Abstract: A side impact airbag module including an inflator and a folded airbag is formed into a module by means of an extruded cover. The cover encircles the inflator and airbag and incorporates structure for releasing the airbag upon inflation. Optional end caps may be attached to one or both ends of the module.

Abstract: An improved liquid propellant airbag inflator including a tubular sidewall internally defining a combustion chamber and a propellant reservoir separated by a piston. A propellant injection port connecting the combustion chamber to the propellant reservoir is defined by a propellant guide surface of the tubular sidewall receiving the piston. According to one embodiment of the invention, the propellant injection port is provided in the form of a plurality of longitudinal grooves. According to another embodiment of the invention, an inner diameter of the propellant guide surface is larger than an outside diameter of the piston so that a gap, acting as the propellant injection port, is created between the propellant guide surface and the piston.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator has porous substrate coated with a heat-producing, essentially non gas-producing composition for heating pressurized inflation gases in the inflator.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator includes a pressure bottle containing compressed gas, combustible propellant for augmenting the stored gas and defining an outlet for delivering inflation gas from the inflator to a primary airbag cushion. The hybrid inflator further includes a vent opening defined as a second outlet from the pressure bottle for releasing stored compressed gas therefrom and a rupturable diaphragm positioned to seal the vent and prevent premature flow from the vent opening. A controller provides a signal for operating a squib for opening the primary outlet means and igniting the combustible propellant, and another signal for operating a squib rupturing the diaphragm covering the vent opening. The vent opening may be opened first to vent gas from the pressure bottle in advance of opening the primary outlet, may be opened with or after the primary outlet, or not at all.

Abstract: The screws which are normally employed to attach the end plates to the trough-shaped main body of a passenger-side airbag module reaction canister are replaced by impact-driven darts. The darts are made of material harder than that of the main body and include surface irregularities which deform the material of the main body and improve the frictional engagement.

Abstract: An improved heat generating thermite composition suitable for use in an inflator of a motor vehicle airbag restraint system comprises a hard consolidated pellet, grain or wafer shaped formulation of a powdered metal fuel, a powdered metal oxide oxidizer, a binder and a supplemental oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A horn switch pocket for use with a bend sensor horn switch as part of a horn switch assembly for mounting in a horn switch pocket of an airbag module. The bend sensor horn switch has a variable resistance circuit that is connectable to a horn control circuit and has a plurality of spaced-apart resistive elements. The horn switch jacket substantially encloses the bend sensor horn switch and includes a jacket front cover having a rear inner surface positioned in front of the bend sensor horn switch. A plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, elongated force concentration ribs extend from the rear inner surface with each resistive element positioned behind a force concentration rib. A jacket back cover has a front inner surface positioned behind the bend sensor horn switch.