Abstract: The present invention provides an air bag module (10) having a housing (24) with at least one connector (46a) and a cover (12) having a side wall (14) which surrounds the housing (24) to form a cavity between the panels for placement of an air bag and inflator therein. The cover (12) has at least one engagement member (56a) configured to operatively engage the connector (46a) of the housing (24) to secure the cover and housing to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 400) comprising: first driven gear (402) operatively linked a spool of a retractor (20) to rotate the spool (24) in a direction of retraction to cause a seat belt (31) wound thereabout to retract; flexible first driving member (430, 432) having a front end (435) initially maintained out of engagement with the driven gear and pushed into engagement with the first driving member to cause same to rotate; second driving member (420) operatively linked to a rear end of the first driving member for pushing the first driving member into engagement with the driven gear thereby causing the driven gear to rotate.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) comprising: a frame (102) having a tongue receiving opening (170) to receive a tongue (173) as the tongue is moved in a first direction, a latch member (180) arranged to move from a latched position to an unlatched position, an ejector to eject the tongue which the latch member is in its unlatched position, an electronic sensor assembly (400) located upon the frame (102) comprising a magnetic sensor and a spaced magnet, a metal bar (260) supported on one of the latch member (180), the ejector (131) or a pivot member (500) and movable into position between the sensor and the magnet.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor which is capable of functioning in either an ALR and ELR mode including a mode switching mechanism to convert the retractor between ELR to ALR modes of operation. A sensor capable of detecting which mode the retractor is in and accordingly provide a signal that modifies the operation of other devices of a safety restraint system.

Abstract: An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having sides (14) and an open mouth (18); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment of thereof in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) comprising a single piece of material, having a tearable region (110) thereon, enveloping the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and being of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the flap (100) is extendible to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprises a frame, a spool rotatably mounted relative to the frame for protracting and retracting a seat belt wound thereabout, and a driving member (e.g., a rotatable and slidable nut) operatively coupled to the spool. A deformable energy absorbing member is disposed within a bore of the spool and functions to receive a driving force supplied by the driving member responsive to an occupant load, and to deform when the driving force exceeds a predetermined threshold to thereby absorb energy and permit a controlled rotation of the spool and a corresponding controlled protraction of the belt as the belt is loaded by the occupant. At least one stop ring is disposed in proximity to the deformable member and functions to contact the deformable member in a deformed state and control further deformation thereof to thereby limit the protraction of the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20): comprising a spool (25), a frame (52) for rotationally supporting the spool, a seat belt (16) receivable on the spool, a rewind spring (100) for biasing the spool in a belt winding direction comprising a spring coil (100) having an inner spring end (103) connected to and rotated by a shaft (56) movable with the spool and an outer spring end (104) and a rotatable spring cup (70,72, 80, 81) connected to the outer spring end in continuous connection with the retractor shaft (56) for unwinding a predetermined number of coils from the spring coil in relation to the rotation of the shaft and reducing the rewind force or tensions applied to the shoulder of an occupant.

Abstract: The invention has an object to improve easiness and certainty of the mounting operation of an air bag lid onto an opening of an instrument panel, and upon expanding operation of the air bag, increase the opening area of the air bag lid opening so as not to prevent expansion of the spreading air bag in the passenger compartment. A lid bracket 34 is connected to an air bag lid 15. The air bag lid 15 is secured through the lid bracket 34 to a panel bracket 32 provided on the back of the instrument panel 11 from the surface side of the instrument panel 11. Then, an air bag module body 12 is secured to the panel bracket 32 from the back side of the instrument panel 11. Further, collars 19 pierced with engagement holes 20 on the back thereof are provided on the air bag lid 15. Insertion spaces 36 for insertion of collars 19 and setup claws 37 for engagement in the engagement holes 20 of collars 19 inserted into the insertion spaces 36 are formed in the lid bracket 34.

Abstract: A retainer assembly (22) for supporting an air bag inflator (24), the retainer assembly comprising: a hollow body (40), through which the inflator (24) is inserted, having a first end (28) and a second end (32), the second end including a first member for securing a cooperating second end of the inflator (36), the first end cooperating with a corresponding first end of inflator to provide a friction fit between the two components which acts to reroute gas through the retainer vent notch (46).

Abstract: An energy absorbing retractor having a frame, locking mechanisms to initially stop a spool from rotating in a belt protraction direction, the spool rotationally supported relative to the frame, a seat belt wound about the spool, and bias means to retract the seat belt, a two sided torsion bar for generating at least a first level of reaction torque on the spool permitting the spool to rotate in a controlled manner in a belt protracting direction including a torsion bar having a middle portion fixedly coupled to the spool to prevent relative rotation therebetween, a first torsion rod extending therefrom, the first torsion rod including a first end coupled to a first locking mechanism to prevent the first end from rotating upon such coupling, whereby upon locking of the first end, and the loading of the spool, the first torsion rod is twisted to generate a first level of control force.

Abstract: A snap-on steering wheel assembly is provided with an integral airbag housing. The assembly includes a steering wheel having a hub, a plurality of support arms extending from the hub, and a rim connected to the support arms. An airbag housing is formed integrally with the hub for supporting the airbag. The hub is adapted for mating with a steering column shaft. A snap-on attachment arrangement is provided in cooperation between the hub and the steering column shaft so that the steering wheel may be snapped onto the steering column shaft.

Abstract: An assembly for an air bag (56) adapted to fit within an opening (22) of a vehicle part (20) comprising: a housing (44) having: a first wall (100) and an opposite second wall (102), a flexible third wall (106) secured to the first wall (100) defining a space (150) therebetween, one of the first wall (100) and third wall (106) including a plurality of first tabs (112) extending into the space (150). The housing further including a locking tab (152a,b) to frictionally lock a cover thereto, the second wall (102) including a plurality of locating tabs (120a-c) and latching tabs extending outwardly therefrom. A deployment door or cover is used to enclose the housing.

Abstract: An air bag for installation within a seat of a vehicle to protect an occupant during a side impact collision, the air bag being deployed between the occupant and an adjacent side of the vehicle, including: a three-chambered cushion portion (22), separation panels (56a,b) having inflation gas flow restricting openings (58,58a) therein to control the interchange of inflation gas between the chambers, the cushion, proximate a lower portion (54) of the chambers including a neck portion (44) forming a pocket (94) to receive an inflator and an inlet (44) through which inflation gas enters into the lower chamber and an integral tether for assisting in controlling the deployment trajectory of the air bag.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor having a frame, a locking mechanism to initially stop a spool from rotating in a belt protraction direction, the spool rotationally supported relative to the frame, a seat belt wound about the spool, and bias means to retract the seat belt, a mechanism means for permitting the spool to rotate in the belt protraction direction subsequent to being locked including a wire pulling device which pulls a formed wire member through a tortuous path and in so doing generates a reaction force to control the manner in which the spool rotates.

Abstract: A diffuser-retainer, incorporated in a sub-assembly (cushion pack) of an air bag module for the use in an inflatable air bag restraint system. The diffuser-retainer functions as an inflation gas diffuser and an air cushion retainer.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (10) for controlling protraction of seat belt webbing (24) during a collision is provided. The seat belt retractor (10) includes a frame (12), a spool (20) rotatably supported on the frame (12) having webbing (24) wound thereabout, a bifurcated spool shaft (22) having a first portion (52) and a second independently rotatable portion (54), a locking mechanism (90, 91) associated with each portion of the spool shaft (22), and a load limiting mechanism (41, 43) interconnecting each shaft portion to the spool (20). The locking mechanisms (90, 91) are independently and simultaneously actuable by vehicle sensors (86, 87) to selectively engage and prevent rotation of either one or both of the first and second shaft portions (52, 54) to initiate operation of either one or both of the load limiting mechanisms (41, 43) to effectively control the threshold input force level required to permit controlled protraction of the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: A buckle mechanism for use in vehicle safety restraint systems which is substantially shock proof against forces in many directions in a crash situation and also against forces generated by buckle pretensioners used to take up the slack in the belt webbing.The buckle mechanism has a movable button and a resiliently biased locking member guided by a rocking support member and movable transversely to the plane of movement of the button to engage or disengage a locking surface of a co-operating tongue. Mutually co-operating abutments are provided respectively on the button and on the locking member or on the rocking support member to lock the button against the buckle disengaging forces of a crash situation. Preferably an overlocking member is also provided to further resist spurious disengagement of the buckle.

Abstract: An occupant protection system for protecting a seated occupant comprising: seat (20) having a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (24), frame means (26, 30) to support the seat back, a headrest extending above the seat back, cushion material (32) for providing resiliency to the seat and a protective cover material (34) covering the cushion material; an air bag (50,50'), having a first portion extending generally along the length of the seat back and a second portion which when inflated extends above the seat back to be positioned generally in front of the headrest, whereby upon inflation of the first portion of the air bag a portion of the seat back is gently urged against the spine of the occupant and the second portion expands upwardly to provide a protective layer between the headrest and the occupant's head.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 500) comprising: first driven gear (502) operatively linked to a spool of a retractor (20) to rotate the spool (24) in a direction of retraction to cause a seat belt (31) wound thereabout to retract; a helically shaped first driving member (530) having a front end (536) initially maintained out of engagement with the driven gear and pushed into engagement with the first driving member to cause same to rotate; second driving member (520) operatively linked to a rear end of the first driving member for pushing the first driving member into engagement with the driven gear thereby causing the driven gear to rotate.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a seat (20) having a tubular frame part (40a) having a gas flow port (80); and an air bag module (36) comprising an inflator (50), the inflator including at least one exit port (56); wherein the inflator (50) is mounted within the frame part (40a) with the exit port (56) in fluid communication with the flow port (60). In one embodiment the inflator is slid into its desired position through the tubular frame part and in another the inflator (and a manifold 80') is received within an opening in the frame part.