Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner acts upon the sill end of a three point seat belt. A fixed member of the pretensioner is adapted to be fixed to a load bearing part of the vehicle. A movable member is connected to the sill end of the seat belt and is slideable with respect to the fixed member. The movable member is moved in a direction that is longitudinal relative to the fixed member to move the sill end of the seat belt in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. In this way the sill end of the seat belt is free to move along a connecting member when the seat belt is not under tension either from use in restraining a seat occupant and/or from a pretensioning operation.

Abstract: An electronic circuit connects to an airbag crash controller in a way which is functionally identical to an airbag squib. Based on a squib fire signal from the controller, the circuit provides an activation signal indicating airbag deployment and also allows communication with an airbag crash controller by creating an open circuit that is detected by the airbag crash controller as an airbag fault. Each functional part of the circuit includes an isolator to protect the airbag crash controller.

Abstract: An airbag module is disposed in the vehicle seat as an anti-submarining airbag module that includes an inflator, or a connection therefor, a tubular airbag, the two free ends of which are folded over at least once transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the airbag to form loops, and wherein inserted into the loops of the airbag is a clamping member, by means of which the two layers of the folded-over parts of the airbag are brought into contact, to seal the airbag at least partially in a gastight manner.

Abstract: A web guide assembly has a D-ring to receive a seatbelt. The D-ring is attached to a support by a joint. The joint allows universal movement relative to the support. The web guide assembly may be part of a vehicle restraint system.

Abstract: An airbag deployment sensor has a cartridge containing a quantity of tape one end of which is attached to the inside surface of an airbag cushion. Deployment of the cushion pulls tape from the cartridge at a rate that is monitored by transmitting light through the tape, or by detecting the presence of metalized, or magnetic shielding portions, of the tape.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a housing with a Terfenol-D type sensing element positioned inside a sensing coil. A permanent biasing magnet is positioned in engagement with the Terfenol-D sensing element, and a spacer engages the Terfenol-D sensing element and extends from the housing. The housing has a beam with one or two mounting holes through which fasteners extend to mount the shock sensor to a structural member. The housing places the spacer in compression against the structural member. In an alternative embodiment a DC current can be supplied to the sensing coil to provide the biasing magnetic field. A high frequency filter separates the shock sensing signal from the applied DC biasing current.

Abstract: An airbag deployment rate sensor has a printed circuit board with a substrate that has guide slots for the withdrawal of deployable tapes. Each tape is fastened to the interior of the airbag. When the airbag is deployed, the tapes are withdrawn from tape cartridges mounted with respect to the substrate. The surfaces of the guide slot are coated with an electrically conductive coating. Static charges on the tapes are dissipated as they pass through the guide slots.

Abstract: An airbag module comprises an airbag inflatable through an opening and an airbag inflator in communication with the opening. A block selectively diverts inflation gas away from the airbag opening. The block may move from a first position and a second position, the first position permitting the inflation gas to flow to the opening and the second position deflecting the inflation gas away from the opening.

Abstract: An airbag module for incorporation in a vehicle seat has an airbag with an inflator located inside the airbag. The inflator has a first free end and an opposite second free end. The second free end of the inflator has a connection section projecting from the airbag. At least one part of the interior surface of the airbag comes into contact with the two free ends of the inflator when the airbag is inflated to brace the inflator in the airbag and to seal the airbag in a gas-tight manner at least in the region of the projecting connection section.

Abstract: A knee bolster for a vehicle has an air bag and an air bag inflator. The air bag has an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The air bag is attached to the knee bolster, which is moveable with the air bag. The knee bolster may move from an unactuated position when the air bag is in the deflated condition to an actuated position when the air bag is inflated. A guide structure, which is attached to the knee bolster directs the bolster along a linear path from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: The dual stage inflator has a divider plate that separates gas generant in the primary chamber from gas generant in the secondary chamber. Burning of the gas generant yields inflation gas that is useful for inflating a vehicle airbag. The gas generant from the primary chamber is ignited from a separate ignition train than the gas generant in the secondary chamber. The divider plate in the inflator is capable of moving during the operation of the inflator. Before the inflator is fired, the divider plate rests against the inner surface of the lower housing. The divider plate prevents inflation gas from the primary chamber from igniting the secondary chamber. However, when the internal pressure of the secondary chamber exceeds the internal pressure of the primary chamber, the divider plate is displaced in an upward direction thereby permitting the inflation gas from the secondary chamber to flow around the divider plate and out of the inflator.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a spool mounted for rotation on the retractor, for retraction or payout of seat-belt webbing depending upon the rotation direction of the spool. The spool is locked against rotation when a crash condition is sensed. A force limiter allows further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool shaft has locked, under the influence of a vehicle occupant's forward momentum. The force limiter has a first resilient component attached in the force path between the spool and the locking component. A second resilient component is a wire releasably held in the force path between the spool and the locking component by a locking plate engaged with the locking component. The wire is released from the force path by disengagement between the locking plate and the locking component.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a pulling force acting on a belt webbing of a seat belt of a motor vehicle is located between an anchoring point of the seat belt on the vehicle and a connection device which is to be connected to the seat belt. The connection device, in relation to the anchoring point, can be moved against a spring bias. The measuring device is a magnetic field sensor that is arranged between two analogous poles of two permanent magnets.

Abstract: The inflator has a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber. Gas generant contained in the first combustion chamber is independently ignited from gas generant contained in the second combustion chamber. A divider plate extends across the entire inflator dividing the inflator into a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber. The divider plate has a generally flat shape associated therewith. A first igniter of the inflator ignites the gas generant in the first combustion chamber, and the inflation gas from the burning of this gas generant passes through only a first filter and then exits the inflator via first exit ports. A second igniter of the inflator ignites the gas generant in the second combustion chamber. The burning of gas generant in the second combustion chamber produces inflation gas which travels through only the second filter and then through second exit ports. The first igniter and the second igniter are disposed on the same end of the inflator.

Abstract: A side airbag has at least one strap, which can be connected at its first end via a fastening portion to the airbag and at its second end to a vehicle part. The fastening portion of the strap and a second portion adjoining it each have constant cross-sections and a tapered portion is constructed between them. The cross-sectional width of the fastening portion is larger than the cross-sectional width of the second portion and the tapered portion forms a transition between them. The strap is constructed from a constant number of individual fibers extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the strap.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly measures changes in the position of a lever arm. The magnetic sensor assembly has a support. A lever arm can pivot about an axis of rotation or a pivot point and is attached to the support at a first end of the lever arm. A magnet produces a magnetic field adjacent the first end of the lever arm and is fixed to rotate in a predetermined arc about the pivot point or axis of rotation in response to a pivotal movement of the lever arm. A magnetic sensor is positioned in proximity to the magnet to detect changes in the magnetic field due to rotation of the magnet along a predetermined arc. Preferably the predetermined arc has a constant radius of curvature forming at least a portion of a circular arc. The magnetic sensor assembly preferably employs a magnet that is at least arcuate in shape more preferably the magnet is annular or penannular forming a ring.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor assembly has a seat belt retractor for generating a retraction force to rewind a seat belt on a reel. A coupling device selectively couples and decouples the retractor from the reel. A tensioning device generates a tensioning force in the seat belt when in an activated state. The coupling device decouples the retractor from the reel when the tensioning device is activated.

Abstract: A side curtain air bag assembly is provided, which has an inlet configured to receive inflation gas, a plurality of inflatable chambers; and a distribution tube in fluid communication with the inlet of the air bag. The inlet and the distribution tube are configured to cause inflation gas to flow along the air bag in a predetermined direction, and the distribution tube has a conical portion configured to reduce the pressure of the inflation gas pressure that is communicated from the inlet, and to distribute the inflation gas to the inflatable compartments of the air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint adjuster has a guide and a support for a vehicle restraint. The support is moveable along the guide. A securing member is provided to secure the guide to a vehicle body. The securing member is selectively actuable between a first position interfering with movement of the support past a predetermined point on the guide and a second position permitting movement of the support through the predetermined point.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.