Abstract: A horn or other vehicle device can be activated or controlled by attenuating light. A horn switch, or an optical switch, has a light source, light detector, and a pathway for light extending through a void. The switches are activated by attenuating the light emitted by the light source. The light can be attenuated by at least partially obstructing the light or by modifying the orientation of either the light detector or the light source.

Abstract: A rewind spring in a cassette for a seat belt retractor is assembled by first placing a mechanism cover on a winding jig. An arbor is fitted to a winding shaft of the jig. One end of a coiled metal bank spring is then fixed to the spring arbor. The band is then wound onto the arbor in the mechanism cover and a spring cover is fitted to the mechanism cover. Finally, a locking clip is attached to the spring cover to lock the arbor against rotation. A spring arbor for use in the cassette has a generally cylindrical shape and an axially extending slot for receiving an end of the spring. A step is provided in the profile of the cylindrical outer surface of the arbor in the region of the slot to compensate for the thickness of the band wound thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket has a form-feeding member with a tapered channel for receiving one end of a length of seatbelt webbing on an assembly line. A webbing pull-through member engages one end of the webbing. A bracket sensor senses the presence of a bracket at a correct position in the bracket support. Means responsive to a signal from a sensor may be provided for indicating the correct positioning of the sill-end bracket for feeding the pull-through member through the sill-end bracket. Means for driving the webbing into the tapered channel are provided so that said one end is located at a predetermined position relative to the form-feeding member. A method of manual or automatic assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: Steering wheel comprising a drive rim consisting of an internal polyurethane core, covered at least partially with a coating of a material with an aesthetically finer quality. The steering wheel is manufactured starting from a driving rim with a polyurethane core by means of a procedure comprising the following steps: grinding of the surface of the polyurethane core, providing a coating element of wood having plane shape and size congruent to at least one portion of the polyurethane core, applying of the coating element to the polyurethane core and respective bending of the same by means of a hot press provided with a suitable template, removing the excess part of the coating element, honing of the portion of the rim coated by the coating element, and protective varnishing of the coated rim.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor for a retractor for a vehicle safety restraint has a sensor mass in the form of an upturned hollow cup, formed in a single piece by injection molding or die casting, resting on an upstanding post. It may be of metal or high-density plastic material. Preferably a profiled pad is fixed or mounded on the underside of the lever or on the upper surface of the cup. In this way the arrangement causes the lever to lift through substantially the same angle whichever the direction of acceleration activating the sensor. This sensor is an improvement over known sensors because it is simpler and cheaper to manufacture, easier to calibrate relatively accurately, and does not exhibit right/left dependency.

Abstract: An airbag, in particular a passenger airbag, is folded in the resting state and is fastened on a fixing device. The airbag is folded double with crossover folds so that a passage for one or more substantially rectilinearly extending measuring elements is formed in the interior of the folded airbag.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a pretensioner in a vehicle safety restraint has a cylinder and a piston mounted for movement within and along the cylinder. One end of a cable is connected to the piston and the other end of the cable is connected to a safety restraint. The locking mechanism is a locking block and structure that resiliently biases the locking block away from the piston toward the inside wall of the cylinder. The locking block may be tapered as a wedge, and/or sloping surfaces may be provided on the piston or on the housing. More than one locking block may be spaced circumferentially about the piston.

Abstract: A steering wheel is provided with an airbag. The steering wheel has a central part for connection to a steering wheel attachment, having a cavity for housing a module comprising the airbag safety device and a horn, an outer ring and a plurality of substantially radial spokes connecting the outer ring to the central part of the steering wheel. Around module there is provided a metal peripheral part fixed to the plurality of spokes by means of connecting means so as to give the steering wheel a sporting appearance.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a safety belt retractor locking sensor has a shaft rotatably mounted in a lock cup spade of a retractor and a cam part eccentrically mounted relative to the shaft. The cam part is received within an elliptical hole in the housing. Rotation of the cam part about the axis of the shaft causes the housing to move relative to the lock cup spade. Projections on the spade engaging in the vertical slots in the housing constrain the housing to move substantially vertically. Vertical adjustment of the housing relative to the retractor affects the position of the lever tip relative to the ratchet wheel of the retractor.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensing device has a seat belt tension sensor and a seat belt buckle. The seat belt tension sensor has a means for detecting and transmitting information about magnetic field strength, a magnet, and a means for positioning the magnet spaced from the sensor. The magnet is biased away from the sensor. The seat belt tension sensor maintained fixed relative to a structural member of a vehicle. The a seat belt buckle is attached directly or indirectly to the seat belt tension sensor so that tension on the seat belt buckle moves the magnet and sensor closer together or further apart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roofliner for a motor vehicle, having at least one airbag module arranged in the region of the vehicle roof. The airbag module has an airbag and a conduit for gas that are integrated into the roofliner, so that the airbag module and roofliner form a unit.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a spool having seat belt webbing wound thereon mounted for rotation in a frame. A toothed ratchet wheel is connected to the spool and rotates therewith. The retractor has a crash sensor. A locking pawl is arranged to be pivotable from a first position in which it is spaced from the ratchet wheel to a second position in which it engages with the ratchet wheel to lock the spool against rotation, in response to activation of the crash sensor. A pretensioner is responsive to the crash sensor to rapidly rewind webbing onto the spool. A venting arrangement for the pretensioner includes a chamber having an inside side wall and an inside wall. A vent hole is formed in the side of the chamber with a seal for the vent hole. An axially slidable member is mounted in the chamber and biased away from one end of the chamber. The slidable member is connected to the locking pawl, so that it slides in the chamber when the locking pawl pivots.

Abstract: An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as “airbags”) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load sensor for a vehicle safety belt 10 comprises means for determining an electrical characteristic of the belt 10 and control means for comparing the sensed characteristic with a reference level for the characteristic. In one embodiment, conductive fibers 26, 28 are interwoven into the belt 10 and electrical contacts 30, 32 are provided at each end thereof. Excessive loading of the belt results in a break in the fibers 26, 28 which, in turn, results in electrical discontinuity. The discontinuity is sensed by an electrical sensor and indicator means is provided to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that a belt has been excessively loaded.

Abstract: A device for inflating an airbag has a gas generator that produces an inflation gas. A valve control adjusts the cross-section of a flow channel through which the inflation gas is supplied to the interior of the airbag by means of valve elements. The valve elements are held in an unactivated position by holding elements with a holding force that is lower than the actuating force used to actuate the valve elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simplified integrated steering wheel assembly and a simplified method for forming the integrated steering wheel assembly. The integrated steering wheel assembly has a one-piece steering wheel armature and an airbag scrim. A cover is molded over a portion of the steering wheel armature and a portion of the airbag scrim. The airbag scrim forms a cavity for placement of an airbag and an airbag inflator between the airbag scrim and a hub portion of the steering wheel armature. The method of the invention includes use of a plurality of positioning pins and a vacuum force to position the airbag scrim relative to the steering wheel armature and mold during the possess of molding the cover over a portion of the steering wheel armature and a portion of the airbag scrim.

Abstract: A controller for a seatbelt tightener puts on standby an electric igniter of a tightener drive, with a first electric circuit that includes the electric igniter and is closed upon buckling of the belt buckle. Monitoring of seatbelt usage is achieved by a first test signal proportional to the electric internal resistance of the igniter that is scanned using a second circuit which comprises a test resistance and is closed on unbuckling the belt buckle, a second test signal proportional to the test resistance being scanned.