Abstract: In accordance with the description, electronic color matching apparatus with a display of multiple independently controllable segments enable a user to visually compare, capture, catalog and disseminate color as tangible information. In one embodiment, the invention provides an accurate color display representation of a color by means of a novel color screen that is also capable of hundreds of shade adjustments of the overall RGB color component levels until an exact color Hue is displayed. Such a novel color screen of this invention may be designated as an RGBH screen or display device. (Red, Green, Blue, Hue).

Abstract: A chip dispensing kiosk including a vault for holding casino chips, a dispensing assembly for dispensing selected numbers of casino chips and security and input systems to allow a pit manager to access the kiosk and have the kiosk dispense selected numbers of chips. These chips may be dispensed individually, in stacks or automatically loaded into a table chip tray back module. The kiosk is interactive with the casino's accounting system so as to report the dispensing of casino chips or receipt of casino chips. One preferred embodiment consists of a casino back room, cage, or Pit area chip tray management device that can be utilized by casino personnel to physically accept and count dumped gaming chips, communicate information with an ICT Intelligent Chip Tray Module, and automatically reload the chip tray per computer controlled specifications for any given table ID or chip loading requirement.

Abstract: Gas generant filter assemblies and related combinations, including airbag inflator devices, are provided which assemblies include a tubular wall portion with a sleeve member and a central opening adapted to at least in part contain a supply of gas generant material reactable to produce reaction products including a quantity of gas. The assemblies also include a closure such as disposed within the central opening at the second end of the central opening. The sleeve member is shapeable to form a plurality of retention tabs effective to secure the closure within the central opening at the second end.

Abstract: An active bumper assembly for mounting to a vehicle is disclosed. The active bumper assembly includes a bumper that may be hingedly connected to a vehicle. When the bumper is in the inactivated position it is disposed behind the outer edge of the vehicle. When activated, the bumper is moved to an activated position, which is lower with respect to the inactivated position and extends below the outer edge of the vehicle. A sensing system detects an impending collision and generates a signal to which an actuator responds, moving the bumper from the inactivated position to the activated position. A locking member, configured to be interconnected between the bumper and the vehicle frame, then secures the bumper in the activated position.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions such as used in initiator devices and corresponding initiator devices having a low firing energy are provided. The pyrotechnic composition includes a mixture containing a fuel component which includes a quantity of at least one Iron Blue Pigment and an oxidizer component which includes at least one oxidizer effective, upon reaction initiation with at least a portion of the quantity of the at least one Iron Blue Pigment, to produce gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: A backup power supply for a restraint control module is disclosed that includes a main power source that is connected to a backup power source charging circuit. A boost converter control and driver circuit is connected with the main power source and the backup power source such that the boost converter control and driver circuit controls the charging of the backup power source with the main power source during normal operation. A backup power supply control and driver circuit is connected with a backup power supply switching device. The backup power supply control and driver circuit switches the source of power from the main power source to the backup power source when the backup power supply control circuit senses a loss of power from the main power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt apparatus having a webbing which traverses an occupant's body. The webbing includes two lap belts which are secured at their ends to a lap belt retractor. The lap retractor is secured below the seat and in a forward position relative to the seat. The lap belt retractor is configured to simultaneously retract the lap belts to thereby retain the position of the buckle assembly over the mid abdomen section of an occupant. The opposing ends of the lap belts are secured in a fixed manner to a lap belt anchor. The lap belt anchor is secured below the seat and in a rearward position relative to the seat. The lap belt anchor may further incorporate a pretensioner which pulls the lap belts rearward and downward. The lap belts slidably engage a buckle assembly along a mid section of the lap belts. The webbing further includes shoulder belts which are secured at their ends to shoulder belt retractors.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus wherein the molecular weight of the gas mixture therein contained is manipulated by varying the relative amounts of the various constituents thereof. Through such manipulation and tight control of gas mixture molecular weight, the performance of the inflator can be properly tuned such as to desirably control or influence the speed of deployment of an associated airbag cushion and minimize or reduce damage to an associated airbag cushion caused by excessive deployment speeds, as well as satisfy the relatively onerous inflation demands required for proper or desired operation of various close proximity airbag cushions or inflatable restraint devices.

Abstract: A weight measurement system for automatically calibrating weight sensors installed on a motor vehicle seat. The system performs a calibrate operation whenever a valid weight measurement window is found. A valid weight measurement window is defined by the seat being empty, an associated door being open and an associated seat buckle being unlatched. The system operates in a factory install mode to establish a reference zero set value and in a diagnostic mode to establish a temporary zero set value that reflects drift of the weight sensors. The temporary zero set value is used by a weight management program to control occupant restraint devices. The weight sensor has an integral body with two lands connected by an elastomeric beam. The elastomeric beam has a pair of opposed surfaces that define a region of minimum thickness and one or more regions of maximum thickness. A resistive strain gauge element is disposed on the region of minimum thickness.

Abstract: An inflatable rigid knee airbag system for assisting in positioning and decelerating a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The system may include a front and a rear rigid panel, which may be made from sheet metal. The front and rear rigid panels define at least a portion of an inflatable chamber. The inflatable chamber is in fluid communication with an inflator that injects inflatable gas into the inflatable chamber when accident conditions exist. A support core positioned between the front and rear panels dampens vibrations of the front and rear panels and minimizes unsightly denting of the front panel when the inflatable rigid knee airbag system is in a pre-deployment state. The support core may be made from foam.

Abstract: A method for increasing the burn rate of a gas generant formulation is provided involving the addition of a quantity of at least one transition metal complex of diammonium bitetrazole to the gas generant formulation.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions such as used in initiator devices and corresponding initiator devices having a low firing energy are provided. The pyrotechnic composition includes a mixture containing a fuel component which includes a quantity of at least one Iron Blue Pigment and an oxidizer component which includes at least one oxidizer effective, upon reaction initiation with at least a portion of the quantity of the at least one Iron Blue Pigment, to produce gaseous reaction products. The pyrotechnic composition may additionally include a burn rate enhancing additive such as zirconium metal powder.

Abstract: An inflator is provided that can reduce the occurrence of virtual and masked leaks in inflator testing. The inflator may have an outer wall surrounding a main internal compartment containing compressed inflation gases. Additionally, the inflator may have a pyrotechnic assembly containing a generant, or pyrotechnic material, and an initiator configured to ignite the pyrotechnic material upon receipt of an electric signal from a vehicle's electrical system. The initiator may be separated from the pyrotechnic material, and from the compressed gases, by a pressure dome that effectively creates a cavity around the initiator. The initiator may be accessible to outside contact through an opening in the outer wall. An insert may be positioned around the initiator to control flows of gas leaving the cavity through the opening.

Abstract: An airbag mounting system for orienting an inflator, a retaining ring, an airbag cushion and a housing module of an airbag module assembly. The assembly includes an annular retaining ring having a plurality of first fastener openings circumferentially spaced about the ring. At least two of the plurality of first fastener openings being spaced from each other along the ring circumference by a first angle. At least one of the plurality of first fastener openings is offset from at least one of the at least two first fastener openings by a second angle different from the first angle. A module housing includes a plurality of second fastener openings circumferentially spaced about a central inlet opening. At least two of the second fastener openings are spaced from each other along the circumference by a third angle. At least one of the second fastener openings is offset from at least one of the at least two second openings by a fourth angle which is different from the third angle.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle, secured to the vehicle at points along a non-linear line above an opening in the vehicle. The arrangement incorporates an inflatable element, connectors to secure an edge part of the inflatable element to the vehicle, and an inflator to inflate the inflatable element. The invention also incorporates a tether arrangement including a first and second tether. The first tether has opposed ends secured to the inflatable element. The second tether has a first end associated with the first tether intermediate its ends and a second end secured to the motor vehicle. When the inflatable element is inflated, a lower region of the inflatable element and the tethers extend between two opposed ends of the non-linear line and are substantially taut.

Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.

Abstract: A tether assembly attachable to an inflatable cushion airbag module is disclosed that is usable in vehicles including trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles with abrupt rear surfaces. The tether assembly does not require that the rear tether be extended back from the rear edge of the airbag. The tether assembly may be used in connection with an inflatable cushion airbag secured to the front portion of the vehicle using a standard front tether system. The tether assembly is attached via a sliding mechanism to a rear tether used to secure an inflatable cushion module airbag to an anchoring point within the vehicle. The sliding mechanism is also connected to a retractor, preferably through a flexible connector made of the webbing material used in seat belts. The tether assembly is configured so that when the inflatable cushion airbag deploys during an accident, the retractor supplies rearward tension on the airbag by causing the sliding mechanism to move along the path of the tether.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt system providing protection to its inflatable members is disclosed. The system may include inflatable shoulder belts and lap belts, which may or may not be inflatable. Each inflatable belt includes seat belt webbing having an interior cavity in which an inflatable member is placed. The seat belt webbing also includes a frangible seam that bursts upon inflation of the inflatable member. The inflatable seat belt system may also include one or more anti-submarining (crotch) belts that prevent an occupant from slipping underneath the protection of the lap and shoulder belts.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a cushion member for an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface is disclosed. The attachment assembly is particularly useful for attaching curtain type cushion members, as for a side impact airbag system. The attachment assembly may include a protrusion with a rod and a knob larger than the rod. A compressible spring washer is affixed to the rod. A hole formed in a mounting portion of the cushion member is then fitted around the rod, outside the washer. A cap is affixed to the rod to keep the cushion member in place. The protrusion, with the attached cushion member, may then be affixed to the vehicle surface through the use of a keyhole formed in the vehicle surface. The knob is pushed longitudinally into a larger, clearance portion of the keyhole, such that the spring washer is compressed. Then, the protrusion is moved transversely into an engaged configuration, in which the knob and the spring washer engage the interference portion.