Abstract: An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter.

Abstract: An airbag module includes an inflator and an airbag housed within a housing. The airbag has a cushion inflator hub portion that includes one or more tab extensions and an opening. The tab extensions define at least a portion of the periphery of the opening. A retainer ring is also added to the airbag module. The retainer ring has an aperture through which the inflator may be passed. The retainer ring includes one or more relief cuts positioned to receive the tab extensions. Specifically, the tab extensions are bent to pass through the relief cuts.

Abstract: An airbag gas flow apparatus for a steering wheel includes a housing and a rotatable gas guide positioned within the housing. The housing includes a base and a diffuser, the diffuser comprising at least one opening. The rotatable gas guide includes at least one open portion and a closed portion. A weight is added to the gas guide and is positioned diametrically opposite the closed portion. The weight remains substantially at the 6 o'clock position and the closed portion is positioned substantially at the 12 o'clock position regardless of the rotational position of the steering wheel. As the steering wheel is rotated, the gas guide rotates relative to the housing and readjusts within the apparatus such that the weight remains positioned substantially at the 6 o'clock position and the closed portion remains positioned substantially at the 12 o'clock position.

Abstract: An airbag inflator that contains a first quantity of inflation gas. This gas may be housed in a chamber. A quantity of liquid fuel may also be added. This fuel may be housed within a liquid fuel chamber. The quantity of inflation gas may operate to pressurize the liquid fuel chamber. A piezo-valve is also added. The piezo-valve seals the liquid fuel chamber. The piezo-valve is capable of variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber such that when this secondary liquid is ignited, the airbag inflation gas can be augmented as desired.

Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid and a piston are also housed within another chamber. This chamber is sealed by a burst disk. The piston includes an opening. During deployment of the inflator, the burst disk is ruptured and the piston moves towards the distal end of the inflator. The movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through the opening in the piston such that the liquid cools and contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring that a web browser displays the highest ranked image format possible for an image is provided. In response to a request from a web browser for a dynamic web page, computer-executable code is integrated with the dynamic web page. The computer-executable code is programmed to determine web browser configuration information and request an image according to a set of image formats which are ranked according to ranking criteria and the web browser configuration information. The modified dynamic web page is sent to the web browser. A request for an image is received from the web browser which executes the computer-executable code. The image request identifies the image format for the image selected. The requested image is generated according to the indicated image format and sent to the web browser for display.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a device for protecting the cushion material of an inflatable element from inflator gases and particulate matter. The device along with an inflator and an airbag may be placed in a housing. The device includes a first strip and a second strip. Each of the first strip and second strip includes at least one opening. Each of the openings are surrounded by a plurality of holes. The second strip may be placed above the first strip in a suitable position.

Abstract: An exercise machine for strengthening the abdominal and back muscles of a user has a frame that includes a front leg pivotally connected to a rear leg. The exercise machine also includes a seat and a backrest for supporting the back of a user during an exercise routine that is adjustably positioned and secured with respect to the seat. The backrest is adjustably flexible in order to provide resistance to the movement of a user in order to help strengthen the user's abdominal and back muscles. The backrest includes handles to facilitate engagement between the backrest and the user and to encourage the user to move against the adjustable resistance provided by the backrest. The exercise machine includes a non-use, storage mode that facilitates storage of the exercise machine.

Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator that may be used in an airbag system is disclosed. The inflator will generally include a housing and two initiators. Accordingly, the inflator is a “dual-stage” inflator. The two stages are disposed within the housing. The second initiator is disposed within a second stage generant cup. A cap is also used to engage the second stage cup. The cap maintains seated engagement with the second stage cup, even during deployment of the second stage. The second stage will also include one or more perforations, which constitute openings through which gas may flow. When the second initiator is in the unactuated state, these perforations will be isolated from the generant by the cap. Actuation of the second initiator unseals the one or more perforations but does not unseat the cap from the cup, due to constraints put in place to prevent such unseating.

Abstract: A new type of inflator that may be used to inflate an airbag is disclosed. The inflator will have a longitudinal axis, a first chamber, and a filter. The filter may be positioned outside of the first chamber. A first quantity of gas generant is positioned within the first chamber. A first strainer having a plurality of gas flow holes is also positioned within the first chamber. The first quantity of gas generant is located exterior of the strainer. Upon combustion of the first quantity of gas generant produces a first quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis while passing through the gas flow holes, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis while passing through the filter.

Abstract: A method of folding or compacting a door-mounted inflatable curtain airbag to reduce the overall length of the airbag for positioning onto a vehicle. The airbag may generally be substantially parallellogrammatical in shape. The method involves a two-step process (1) folding the airbag along an axis that is substantially normal to the rear edge (first edge) of the airbag and (2) subsequently folding the airbag radially to compact the airbag down into its final, storable position. The present methods allow folding, compaction of the airbag without having a fold that is parallel to the compacted length of the airbag.

Abstract: A drill bit for producing holes in composite materials is disclosed. The drill bit includes an elongate drill bit body having a drill bit diameter. The drill bit also includes at least two helical flutes. The helical flutes have a reverse helix angle and a primary cutting edge. The primary cutting edge may have a positive rake angle. The drill bit further includes a point having a point length. The drill bit may also include a cutting tip with a tip angle and a tip length. The tip length is at least twice the drill bit diameter.

Abstract: A knee airbag system for a vehicle is disclosed. The knee airbag system may include a reaction plate having a plurality of apertures. The knee airbag system may include an airbag. The airbag may have a plurality of locations that are disposed to correspond to the plurality of apertures if the airbag is positioned for attachment to the reaction plate. The knee airbag system may also include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may extend through the plurality of apertures for securing the reaction plate to the airbag.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly that receives an airbag may include a steering wheel framework. This framework may include a back cover and a first attachment feature. The steering wheel assembly may include an airbag cover having a second attachment feature for engaging the first attachment feature to directly attach the airbag cover to the steering wheel framework. This attachment may be accomplished without the use of an airbag housing. In some situations, the framework further includes an armature. The first attachment feature is positioned either on the armature or on the back cover.

Abstract: An airbag module is disclosed. The airbag module has an airbag cover that has a front surface. The cover also includes a plurality of latch hooks that extend away from the front surface. Each of the latch hooks includes a retention flange. A support plate is also included as part of the airbag module and is attached to the airbag cover. The support plate includes a plurality of slots. Each latch hook (of the cover) passes through a separate slot in the support plate. The slots are sized such that for each latch hook passed through a slot, a gap is formed between the retention flange of each latch hook and a shoulder of the support plate. A locking member that engages the plurality of latch hooks is also added to the airbag module. At least a portion of the locking member is disposed within the slot. The locking member, once positioned in the slot, engages the latch hooks and causes the retention flange to overlap the shoulder of the support plate.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus which may be moveable between a storage mode and an exercise mode. The exercise apparatus may used on a base surface by a user. The exercise apparatus may include a frame for supporting a seat above the base surface. The frame may include a front leg. The frame may include an engaging member that may be pivotally connected to the front leg comprising an engaging portion. The frame may include a rear leg comprising a receiving portion disposed to receive the engaging portion. The exercise apparatus may include a moveable backrest. The moveable backrest may include a resilient spine member. The moveable backrest may include a first end connected to the frame. The moveable backrest may include a second end that is freely moveable. The backrest may be disposed to provide support to the user's back during movement of the backrest.

Abstract: A new type of mounting system that may be used to mount an inflatable curtain airbag to a vehicle is described herein. This mounting system uses a “P-type” mounting bracket, which is designed such that the all (or substantially all) of the rolled inflatable curtain will be positioned above the bracket. An energy absorbing member is also associated with the P-type mounting bracket. When the inflatable curtain is in the rolled configuration, the energy absorbing member will engage the inflatable curtain. The energy member will also deform and absorb energy when the inflatable curtain is deployed from the rolled configuration into the deployed configuration. The mounting bracket may also include a curved arm that engages the inflatable curtain in the rolled configuration. The curved arm may be designed such that deployment of the inflatable curtain into the deployed configuration deforms the curved arm.

Abstract: A receptacle that is foldable between its open mode for receiving material and a secured mode where its top is double folded and secured with fasteners for maintaining material within the receptacle, or the receptacle is foldable between its open mode and a storage mode when the receptacle is folded to align releasable fasteners and to create a pass-through pocket for receiving accessories. In the storage mode, the receptacle can easily be carried in a pocket or purse until needed to receive undesirable material for disposal. The receptacle can be unfolded from the storage mode to the open mode to receive material.

Abstract: A PCD drill for producing close tolerance holes in multi layer laminates, such as carbon fiber reinforced composites, with minimum fraying of the fibers on both entrance and exit from the hole is provided. The drills provided include a symmetrical cutting point with a self-centering split point and a high shear second cutting lip positioned at the outer diameter of the drill. The drills of the invention may allow for increased cutting speeds and feeds when used with such advanced composite materials, thus increasing tool productivity and providing increased performance.