Abstract: The invention is an airbag having two modes of deployment. In the normal mode, with a driver in the normal seated position, the airbag is fully deployed and inflated to attain its full normal reach and provide a cushion for protection of the driver in a collision. In the other mode, when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision, the airbag will deploy only to a shorter reach and thus protect the too-close driver from being forcibly pushed backwards by the airbag inflating to its full normal reach. In the mode for normal deployment an inner flap covers gas exhausting structure on the rear panel of the airbag to prevent escape of inflation gas from the airbag during inflation. But when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision the inner flap is held away from the gas exhausting structure, keeping such structure uncovered for escape of inflation gas which would otherwise fully inflate the airbag.

Abstract: An inflator adapter is provided for mounting a generally cylindrical inflator in an airbag module. The adapter has a hollow cylindrical shape with an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the inflator being mounted therein. The adapter contains a plurality of internal inwardly protruding teeth located around the circumference of one end thereof. When the adapter is pressed on to the inflator, the inwardly facing teeth bite into the exterior of the inflator, thereby mechanically locking the adapter onto the inflator which is then mounted in the airbag module.

Abstract: A pressure activated switch is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilized for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating a side impact vehicle crash comprises a test dolly assembly slidably mounted for longitudinal movement on a slidably mounted sled carriage accelerated by a pressure differential firing means. The test dolly assembly is essentially stationary on a track fixedly mounted on the sled carriage assembly until a ram on the sled carriage assembly strikes an impact block on the test dolly assembly.

Abstract: The requirement for a hinge, tether, or other connection between the breakaway door of an automotive airbag installation and a fixed attachment point is eliminated. This is accomplished by substituting a pressure-sensitive material connecting the door with the material of the airbag itself.

Abstract: A kit and method for reduction of primer-independent background signals in a DNA replication/detection assay, particularly in a direct in situ PCR amplification/detection assay, for a target DNA sequence in DNA sample, comprising pretreating the DNA sample, containing the target DNA sequence to be replicated/amplified and assayed, with DNA polymerase and one or more dideoxynucleoside triphosphates prior to conducting the replication/amplification steps.

Abstract: The sidewalls of a reaction canister for a passenger-side airbag module define a pair of opposed, parallel channels on their inner surfaces. A protective cover in the form of a thin rectangular plastic body has two opposite edges thickened to form lobes. These lobes are inserted into the channels before the second end plate is attached to the canister.

Abstract: In a vehicle airbag installation in which a deployment door in a panel becomes detached along a tearable region of the panel for creating an outlet in the panel through which an inflating airbag deploys, apparatus for detaching the deployment door at such a tear region includes a cutter/ripper which is flat-lying in an inactive position. During deployment of the airbag a cutting part of the cutter/ripper is pushed forwardly for swinging into an upright active position for detaching the deployment door. This forward swinging involves a hinge-like bending or folding of an intermediate region of the cutter/ripper causing two simultaneous components of motion. In a first motion, the cutting part is moving away from the outlet being created thereby compressing and inhibiting fragmentation of nearby core foam in the panel. In a second motion the cutting part extends forwardly into a confining position for retaining core foam between front and rear surface layers of the panel.

Abstract: A generant-loaded filter assembly is prepared as a unitary member for subsequent insertion into the inflator chamber of an airbag module. The assembly comprises a cylindrical filter pack having end caps enclosing the gas generant, a preload, and an igniter.

Abstract: An initiator of an airbag assembly is coupled to an electrical connector that is connected to sensor circuitry of a vehicle containing the airbag assembly. A locking relationship is provided between the electrical connector and the initiator base having a pair of legs extending therefrom and having a plurality of male electrical terminals being positioned between the legs. Each of the legs has a radially inward protruding element having two tapered surfaces forming a ramp on each of the legs. The electrical connector has a plurality of female electrical terminals housed therein which mate with the male electrical terminals extending from the initiator base. The electrical connector also has radially inwardly extending notches positioned in the electrical connector, which notches are adapted to mesh essentially complementarily with and engage the protruding elements on the legs of the initiator base for locking the connector on the initiator base.

Abstract: The deployable door of a passenger-side vehicle airbag restraint system is simultaneously fastened into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with the airbag module reaction canister. A spring clip on the canister receives a probe which is secured to the door through a pivoted breakaway connection. The probe is easily inserted into the clip but can be withdrawn only with difficulty. Airbag inflation thereafter separates the breakaway connection preferentially to the spring clip connection.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly comprises a reaction canister, an airbag inflator, a locking end cap for positioning and retaining the airbag inflator, a module diffuser housing, and an inflatable airbag. The airbag inflator is fixedly secured to the end cap and the end cap has at least one latch which allows the inflator-end cap unit to be fastened to the module diffuser housing. The end cap rigidly retains the inflator in the module diffuser housing, avoiding the need for a secondary restraint. This invention eliminates the need for exterior retention brackets and studs to directly secure the airbag inflator in the reaction canister.

Abstract: A compartmentalized airbag knee bolster device is mounted to the instrument panel of a vehicle for restraining forward movement of the knees of the front seat occupants. The device contains a plenum chamber attached to an inflator for pressurizing the plenum chamber. A plurality of airbag compartments are in communication with the plenum chamber by a plurality of one way valves. A knee bolster panel is positioned in front of the plenum chamber with the compartments of the airbag situated therebetween. On inflation of the compartmentalized airbag, the knee bolster panel contacts the front of the knees of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward knee movement. The pressure in the compartments behind the area of the knee bolster panel engaged by the occupant's knees increases in the contacted compartments, and accordingly the rigidity of the airbag in the proximate area of contact with the knees.

Abstract: A cover is mounted on an airbag canister in a manner which allows relative movement in three directions to permit a proper fit of the cover to the instrument panel of the vehicle in which the airbag is mounted. The airbag canister has a plurality of mounting holes in an upper sidewall with a plurality of threaded studs mounted therein and extending axially, generally transversely outwardly from the sidewall. An airbag cover is provided with a forwardly extending door portion which is adapted to fit in an opening of the instrument panel. The cover has a rearwardly extending portion with a plurality of openings therein adapted to receive the threaded studs for attaching the cover to the airbag canister. A shoulder nut is mounted on each of the studs for retaining the cover on the canister with sufficient structural integrity to maintain the attachment of the cover to the canister during airbag deployment.

Abstract: An adapter and retainer secures a hybrid inflator within the reaction canister of a passenger-side airbag module. It attaches to, or is integral with, the end wall of the canister and includes a cup which receives the nozzle end of the inflator. Surrounding the cup is a gas-impermeable flange. The flange includes compressive force means for applying clamping force to the inflator parallel to its longitudinal axis while resisting pressure buildup from within the canister during inflator actuation.

Abstract: In an airbag module comprising an inflator inside a canister the inflator is fastened inside the canister by means of a plug and socket connector which comprises a plug member and a socket member. One member of the connector is fastened to an end of the inflator and the other member of the connector is fastened to a wall of the canister. To join the inflator to the canister the plug member is inserted into the socket member and one member is turned relative to the other through a small arc less than one turn to tighten the connection.

Abstract: A device for protecting a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision includes an array of semi-rigid inflatable cells which support a portion of the vehicle's interior lining. Upon occurence of a crash of sufficient magnitude, the cells are inflated by a gas to advance the lining in the occupant's direction.

Abstract: In an airbag restraint system for automobile passenger safety, an airbag having a flexible fabric airbag wall defining an inflation chamber with a mouth in said airbag wall for communication of the closed inflation chamber with an inflator, has a portion of said airbag wall tucked inside the inflation chamber and held there by strips permanently attached to panels of the airbag wall parallel to fold lines on said panels where the tucked in portion of the airbag wall turns into the airbag. Those strips extend outward beyond said fold lines and are joined there by a weak seam that can be broken by tension in the airbag walls caused by inflation of the airbag to a desired inflation pressure. When the weak seam breaks, the strips are released and the tucked in portion of the airbag will be deployed and inflated to increase the volume capacity of the airbag and thereby decrease pressure in the airbag.

Abstract: A driver's side airbag has an internal tether to prevent displacement forwardly of, or upwardly from, the steering wheel. The tether has one end secured substantially centrally of the bottom of the bag. The other end is secured in the peripheral seam joining the bottom and top halves of the bag and at a location forward of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An adapter permits a cylindrical airbag inflator to be housed in a longer inflator housing, even if the diameter of the inflator varies from optimal. The adapter is in the form of a split tube. One end of the adapter forms a socket receiving the base of the inflator. The other end forms a base which is received in a circular opening in the inflator housing end wall.