Abstract: An inflatable cushion (100,100a) includes a first panel (22a) and a second panel (22b) attached together along a peripheral joint. The joint (30) is subjected to a shearing or peeling load upon inflation of the cushion tending to separate the panels. Each of the first and second panels includes a first layer (24) of flexible structural material and a second (26) bondable layer. A reinforcement (50) is provided to prevent the joint (30) from separating. The reinforcement includes first (52a) and second (52b) strips of material, each having a structural layer (24a) and a bondable layer (26a). The first and second strips are sewn together at a seam (56a) to retard separation of the strips. The seam (56a) separates each of the strips into two portions. The structural layers of the strips face each other and the bondable layers of the strips face outwardly abutting a corresponding bondable layer of one of the first and second panels.

Abstract: A side impact airbag (10) and a method of folding. The airbag (10) comprises a head and a thorax compartment (5,6) separated by a panel (4) of airbag fabric and pneumatically linked by a vent hole (13) in the panel (4). On inflation the panel is adjacent the shoulder of an average occupant. The airbag (10) may be made of two or three pieces of fabric. If only two pieces are used then the dividing panel (4) is formed from part of one or both of the other two pieces. The inflation profile of the airbag (10) may be controlled by tethers (8) or by mounting it at 10°-40° to the horizontal. Tethers and stitching may also be used. The two compartments (5,6) may be of different weight and denier; a higher weight fabric for the lower, thorax, compartment (6), and a lower weight fabric for the upper head compartment (5). An airbag folding method is also described.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle safety restraint, for rapidly reducing slack in a safety restraint belt in the event of a crash situation, the pretensioner comprising a cable (1) connected at one end to a piston (3) at its other end to a belt rewinding mechanism, the piston (3) being slidably moveable in a cylinder (4) under action of pressure from a gas generator (15) sensitive to a crash indicator, wherein means (5) are provided for controlling the rate of acceleration of the cable (1) in the pretensioning direction, in dependence upon the condition of tension in the safety restraint belt which is to be pretensioned. This can be effected by blocking holes in a dividing plate or by using a continuously variable throttle arrangement such as a profiled throttle pin or a hollow space in the piston with a restrictable opening.

Abstract: An airbag, primarily a driver's airbag, is formed of two, preferably disc shaped pieces of fabric joined at their circumference and having inflation control features including at least two stitch lines each comprising a major portion extending across the body of airbag and a minor central discontinuity in the form of a gap or triangle or peak. Preferably the stitch lines are S shaped and have radial and circumferential aspects.

Abstract: The buckle of the invention comprises a housing, a buckle part connected to one end of a seat belt and having a passage for receiving an interlocking tongue part connected to another end of a seat belt, a pivoting carrier element carrying a latching element arranged to engage with the tongue part to lock the tongue part in the passage, a release button operatively coupled via a ramp surface to move the latching element from an engaging position in which the buckle is fastened to the tongue, to a release position in which the buckle is unfastened, a counterbalance mass slidably mounted in the housing so that its inertia acts on the latching element to keep the latching element in the tongue engaging position under forces of acceleration and of deceleration acting on the buckle, the inertia acting in a first direction under acceleration and in a second direction under deceleration thereby substantially to counteract the effects of button inertia on the operation of the buckle.

Abstract: An occupant safety protection system (8) capable of sensing the misuse of a safety belt system (10). The invention includes: a shoulder belt portion (13), a field generator means (243) for generating a detection field (202), a disturbance tag means (250) attached to the shoulder belt portion (13) and a tag detection circuit means (19) which determines seat belt misuse and sends an output indicative thereof. When the seat belt system is being properly used the disturbance tag (250) does not disturb the detection field. Conversely, when the seat belt system is being improperly used the disturbance tag disturbs the detection field. The tag detection circuit sends an output indication (245) corresponding to the state of the seat belt system use.

Abstract: A torsion bar (50) and seat belt retractor (20). The torsion bar (50) has a circular cross section where the torsion bar is formed as a cold headed extruded part and wherein the grain structure of the metal is aligned along the axis (axial direction) of the bar generally in the center of the bar and the grain structure smoothly diverges from the axial direction near an end formation (52a,b). The torsion bar is later annealed and twisted about 180 degrees. The seat belt retractor (20) includes: a frame (22) to rotationally support the torsion bar and spool (30). The torsion bar (30) is characterized by an elastic deformation zone and a sharp onset into a plastic deformation zone. The spool is operatively connected to rotate with the torsion bar. The retractor also includes a locking device, activated during a vehicle accident and operatively linked to the torsion bar for preventing one side of the torsion bar from rotating while permitting the other side and the spool to rotate once loaded by the occupant.

Abstract: An inflatable trim panel assembly (20) operable to provide a gas-filled cushion for protecting the vehicle occupant in an accident situation. The trim panel assembly (20) includes a support member (22), an elastic skin (24) attached to the periphery of the support member (22), and tethers (28) that are secured between the elastic skin (24) and the support member (22). The trim panel assembly (20) also includes an inflator (26) which, upon activation, supplies gas to the sealed area (30) between the elastic skin (24) and the support member (22) causing expansion of the elastic skin (24) and formation of an energy absorbing safety restraint cushion. The tethers (28) shape the elastic skin (24) so that the body of the vehicle occupant may be properly directed into the location for optimum safety restraint.

Abstract: A pretensioner-proof buckle comprises a buckle for a vehicle safety restraint mechanism, the buckle comprising: a housing (3) having a rectilinear channel for receving a fastening member (2); a latching element (4) mounted within the housing and moveable between a first position in which it engages the fastening member and a second position in which the fastening member is released; a release button (10) operatively connected to the latching element for effecting movement thereof between the first and second positions; a blocking member (5) for engaging the latching element under predetermined conditions to prevent movement of the latching element towards the release position; and an inertial mass (14) pivotally mounted to, and contained within side walls of, the release button (10), the mass being arranged to act on the blocking member under said predetermined conditions to move the blocking member into engagement with the latching element.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (22) having an inertial sensor to initiate lockup of the retractor, the inertial sensor including a first housing portion (102) having an actuating arm mounting member (120). The retractor including a first pin (126) cantilevered from the mounting member (120); an activation arm (130) rotationally supported upon the first pin (126), the activation arm (130), when activated, movable into engagement with a ratchet wheel (80), a pendulous vehicle sensor subassembly (150) mounted upon the first housing portion (102), the subassembly (150) and the first housing portion (102) including a support mechanism to rotatably support the sensor subassembly thereon.

Abstract: A retractor for a vehicle restraint system has a locking mechanism comprising an additional inertia member (7) which decouples from the webbing spool when a predetemined acceleration or deceleration force is exceeded, due to the pretensioning operation taking place, and operates a locking pawl (3) to prevent further movement of the spool. The locking pawl (3) is then positively held in the locking condition using a spring catch (9) integral with the inertia member (7), or it can be spring biased in the locking condition using a spring displacing the inertia member (7) against the locking pawl (3) once shear pins (8) have been destroyed. This prevents webbing payout in a multiple crash situation, and provides a positive indication that the pretensioner has fired.

Abstract: A driver alertness monitoring system for motor vehicles which issues visual or audible signals to the driver, and which monitors visual, audible or mechanical responses received from the driver to determine driver alertness. An electronic control unit, preferably incorporated in the circuitry of existent vehicle safety systems, controls the activation of these visual or audible signals and determines appropriate actions based on the response of the driver. The system includes auxiliary sensors which can be used to control and modify the function of the system to reduce unnecessary activation.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) comprising: a housing (22) having a first opening (102) within a first housing portion (100), a retaining member (24) having a second opening (52) and at least one pair of opposed open faced ramps (40a,b), an air bag (26) having an inflatable cushion portion (80) and a neck portion (82), the neck portion is located between the housing and retaining member (24), a cover (30) to protect the air bag, the cover being opened by the air bag upon inflation thereof, and an inflator (28) received within the first opening from a bottom of the first housing portion (100) and into the second opening (52), the inflator including a flange (36); wherein with an edge of the inflator flange located proximate a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramps and is drawn toward the retaining member thereby sandwiching the housing and air bag therebetween.

Abstract: A snap-in connector (80) including a female connector part (84) including an upper cylindrical portion (120) having a first opening (122) therethrough, a medial flange (130) extending outwardly and a lower portion segmented into a plurality of flexible locking members (140a-d) which snap into and lock with portions of a male connector part as a function of the degree of insertion of the male connector part.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic piston and cylinder assembly raises a belt guide, pulling two segments of a safety belt upwardly away from a vehicle seat. The extension of the two segments removes slack from the safety belt. After the piston is fully extended, a pair of wedges jam an inner wall of the cylinder, providing resistance to the retraction of the shaft into the cylinder. As the belt forces overcome the resistance from the wedges, the piston is pushed back into the cylinder and a portion of belt is permitted to extend, relieving tension in the safety belt. The wedges plastically deform the inner wall of the cylinder, thereby absorbing a portion of the energy of the collision.

Abstract: An anchor mechanism (200, 200a) has a load bearing plate (202) having a first opening (210). The plate coated by a coating material (214) at least in the vicinity of the first opening. The coating material (214) proximate opening (210a) being formed into a breakaway retaining ring (220) which functions to retaining a fastening bolt (82,82a) to the coated plate prior to installation and which breaks away during installation of the anchor mechanism to a cooperating part (102).

Abstract: A cover member (20) for a steering wheel mounted air bag module (14) is provided. The cover member (20) includes a horn switch (26) formed by a first conductive layer (30) defining a ground plane, and a second conductive layer (28) for contacting one side of the first conductive layer (30). The cover member (20) further includes a proximity sensor (24) formed by a third conductive layer (32) and a fourth conductive layer (34). The third and fourth conductive layers (32, 34) are electrically associated with the first conductive layer (30), and the proximity sensor (24) generates an electric field (50) in response to a signal received from a driver circuit (48).

Abstract: An weight sensor (16) for use in the crash management system of a motor vehicle's safety restraint system (10). The weight sensor (16) functions to determine the weight of an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat (12) and is mounted between the seat frame (42) and mounting structure (46) of the vehicle seat (12). The weight sensor (16) includes a position sensing unit (52) retained in an enclosed housing assembly (50). The weight of a seat occupant causes a portion (56) of the housing assembly (50) to deflect and the position sensing unit (52) measures the corresponding displacement caused by such deflection. The position sensing unit (52) includes a Hall effect sensor (70) fixed to the rigid portion (54) of the housing assembly (50) and a magnet (74) fixed to the deflectable portion (56) of the housing assembly (50).

Abstract: A height adjuster for use with a seat belt comprising: a track mountable to a structural member of a vehicle in a vertical orientation, the member including a portion of a vehicle seat, the track including a plurality of adjustment holes located along its length, a carrier member, manually movable along the track relatively to the adjustment holes, the carrier member supporting a movable pin, having a top and a bottom. The pin is movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from a selected adjustment hole to a second position in which it is located within the selected adjustment hole. A spring biases the pin in a direction toward the back of the track, and an activating member, operatively connected to the pin, moves the pin out of the selected hole to the selected position. A web guide, adapted to receive the seat belt, is mounted to and movable with the slide member.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic pretensioner for a vehicle safety belt comprises a piston slidably movable within a cylinder and attached to one end of a cable. The piston is driven along the cylinder by a gas generator to pull the cable and tension the safety belt. A locking device allows free movement of the piston in a tensioning direction and engages the cylinder to prevents movement of the piston in a loosening direction. The internal surface of the cylinder has a tooth profile engaged by the locking device. The piston has two resilient sealing members which cooperate with the tooth profile to seal the spaces between the teeth. The two sealing members are spaced apart by an odd integral number of half pitches of the teeth.