Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (22) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and for maintaining the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in an inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator (22) contains a stored inflation fluid under pressure. The inflation fluid consists essentially of helium.

Abstract: A tire condition communication system (10) and method for a vehicle (12) that has a tire (e.g., 14A). A sensor (70), associated with the tire (e.g., 14A), senses at least one tire condition. A memory (66), associated with the tire (e.g., 14A), holds an identification. A transmitter arrangement (22 and 74), associated with the tire (e.g., 14A), transmits a signal (e.g., 24A) that indicates the held identification and the sensed tire condition. A receiver arrangement (28 and 30), associated with the vehicle (12), receives the transmitted signal (e.g., 24A). An identification update device is associated with the tire and is operatively connected to the memory (66). The update device receives an update identification and provides the received location identification to the memory (66) to be held as the held identification. An input device is manually actuated to provide the update identification.

Abstract: A gas generating material (16) comprises a polymeric amine. The polymeric amine has a polymer backbone that includes units of wherein R is a nitrogen containing organic radical of a nitrogen containing organic fuel that includes a primary amino group.

Abstract: A detent connection comprises two retaining parts, one of which is provided with at least one detent nose. The detent nose is designed such that on shifting of the two retaining parts relative to each other one of the retaining parts is arched by a force acting substantially perpendicular to a shifting direction before the detent nose latches in place. Further, a gas bag module is proposed which comprises such a detent connection.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A pinion gear (24) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (32) is movable relative to the pinion gear (24). The rack bar (32) has teeth in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (24). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) further comprises a yoke assembly (38) in the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (32) relative to the pinion gear (24). The yoke assembly (38) comprises a yoke (40) and a plurality of balls (64). The yoke (40) has a first surface (46) and a plurality of slots (52) which intersect the first surface (46). Each ball (64) is inserted into a respective slot (52). Each ball (64) projects from its respective slot (52) and beyond the first surface (46) of the yoke (40) when load conditions on the yoke assembly (38) are below a predetermined level.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a seam (60) extending in a spiral-like manner from a location (64) within the boundaries of the vehicle occupant protection device to define a spiral-like chamber portion (80) of the vehicle occupant protection device (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant, comprising a safety belt, a belt buckle, two end fittings, at least one belt retractor, at least one inflatable belt gas bag and at least two belt tensioners. At least one of the belt tensioners is an end fitting tensioner.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for securing a first plate, which may be a pull handle bracket, in a spaced relationship to a second plate, which may be a door panel. The apparatus (10) comprises a fastener (16) having a head portion (22) and a base portion (24). The head portion (22) is insertable into a hole in the first plate and supports the first plate. The base portion (24) is insertable into a hole in the second plate and attaches to the second plate. Part of the base portion (24) of the fastener (16) extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate. The apparatus (10) further includes a retainer (18) having an elongated main body (90) for inserting into the head portion (22) of the fastener (16) and for securing the first plate to the head portion (22) of the fastener (16). The part of the base portion (24) of the fastener (16) that extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate has a width that increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate from the second plate.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (14) that has a first slot (30) extending through the member within the periphery (32) of the member. The first slot (30) has opposed spaced surfaces (34) that define a gap (40) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member (14) includes first and second portions (42 and 44) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a sensor (16) that has a first end (100) connected to the first portion (42) on one side of the first slot (30) and an opposite second end (102) connected to the second portion (44) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus (10) further includes a fastener (20) for fixedly connecting the second portion (44) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion (42).

Abstract: A multitasking operating system (10) for controlling performance of a plurality of processes (24). A plurality of event queues (32) are provided, with each event queue corresponding to a process and having a priority. An event scheduler function (40) places events to be processed into the event queues (32). Each event queue (32) which has at least one event to be processed is an active event queue. An event fetch function (42) searches the event queues (32) for an active event queue having the highest priority, and retrieves an event for processing from that event queue. An event dispatcher function (52) dispatches the retrieved event to a state of the process (24) corresponding to the highest priority active event queue. The state is at least a portion of the corresponding process (24) and is associated with the processing of the retrieved event. The state is executed by a processor (20) to process the event. The execution is not interrupted because of any activity within the event queues.

Abstract: A restraint module for a motor vehicle, comprising a compressed gas source (10) and an elongated side-impact gas bag (14) being in flow connection therewith, the side-impact gas bag (14) being translatable by means of compressed gas from a collapsed condition arranged in an ejection channel (16) into a deployed condition in which one longitudinal rim (18) of the gas bag (14) freely extends in the interior of the motor vehicle, each of both ends (20, 26) of this longitudinal rim (18) of the gas bag (14) being connectable to a vehicle-fixed tensioning point (24, 32), and a tensioning device (30) being provided cooperating with one of the ends of the longitudinal rim (18), is characterized in that the tensioning device (30) is arranged on the ejection channel (16) and is connected to said end (26) of the longitudinal rim (18) via a traction means (28) which is deflected at a vehicle-fixed point (32).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an actuatable inflator (14). A retainer (40) is connected with the protection device (12). The retainer (40) has a fixed portion (46) and a movable portion (48). The movable portion (48) is movable between a first condition and a second condition to vent inflation fluid from the protection device (12). The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (80) to release the movable portion (48) of the retainer (40) for movement from the first condition to the second condition. The apparatus (10) also includes vehicle electric circuitry (120) including a sensor (132) for sensing at least one occupant condition or vehicle condition and a controller (130) responsive to the sensor for controlling the electrically energizable mechanism (80).

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant, a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the seat (2), and a load sensing apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20), a bracket (30), a first member (60), a second member (70), a lever (90), and a sensor (99). The vehicle seat frame (20) supports a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2). The load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2) is transmitted through the bracket (30) from the vehicle seat frame (20) to the vehicle floor pan (4). The first member (60) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (20) and the bracket (30). The first member (60) is compressible as the seat frame (22) moves downward and is expandable as the seat frame (20) moves upward. The second member (70) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (20) and the bracket (30). The second member (70) is compressible as the seat frame (20) moves upward and is expandable as the seat frame (20) moves downward.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel, in particular for use in motor vehicles. The steering wheel comprises a steering wheel plane, an airbag module, a support plate and a spring plate connected to the support plate via an electrically insulating element. The steering wheel further comprises an insulating support fixed to the steering wheel, and restoring springs for replacing the airbag module in an initial position after displacement for actuation of a horn contact. The airbag module, for actuation of the horn contact, is constructed so as to be displaceable approximately perpendicularly to the steering wheel plane against the restoring springs by at least a contact gap.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) with a back rest (12) and with an adjustable head rest (15) having a supporting surface (16) which the head of the vehicle occupant can touch in the case of restraint is characterized in that the head rest (16) has an expansion device which increases the size of the supporting surface (16) of the head rest (15) in the case of restraint. Furthermore, the head rest (15) is vertically adjusted in relation to the back rest (12) at least when the head rest (15) is arranged so close to the back rest (12) that the back rest (12) would prevent a complete increase in size of the supporting surface (16).

Abstract: A ground-engaging emergency brake and anti-jackknife system for a vehicle comprises a brake skid which has at least one elongated substantially planar rigid base member, and upper and lower planar surfaces. A replaceable traction member is removably affixed to the base member lower planar surface. A linkage mechanism positions the brake skid in a ground-engaging deployed plane which is parallel to the plane of the vehicle, and when retracted, in a position adjacent to the underside of the vehicle. An actuating mechanism actuates the brake skid between the deployed and retracted positions. The brake skid is centered axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle between the rear wheels of the vehicle. The actuating mechanism and linkage mechanism are effective to place a substantial amount of the vehicle weight on the brake skid when the brake skid is in its deployed position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (12) includes a steering wheel (18) and a power steering motor (20) which is operated in response to rotation of the steering wheel. A first spring (120) is connected with the steering wheel (18) and urges the steering wheel to rotate in one direction. A second spring (124) is connected with the power steering motor (20) and urges the power steering motor to operate in a direction to urge the steering wheel (18) to turn in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first spring (120) urges the steering wheel to turn. The two springs (120, 124) cooperate to take up lash in a linkage (24) between the power steering motor (20) and the steering wheel (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag protective device comprising a gas bag made of at least two opposite fabric layers (15, 17), which delimit at least one chamber (25 to 33) able to be filled with gas, the fabric layers (15, 17) consisting of warp- and weft threads (19, 119, 21, 121). The gas bag has, in addition, at least one spacer (43) which is connected with the fabric layers (15, 17) and in the inflated state limits the spacing of the fabric layers (15, 17) from each other. In addition, at least two anchoring points are provided on the gas bag, at which it is to be fastened to the vehicle and between which it is tensioned in the inflated state. The gas bag is characterized in that the spacer is provided on a straight connecting line of anchoring points and brings about a tensioning of the gas bag between the anchoring points.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises a steering column (18) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle steering wheel (14). The steering wheel (14) comprises a hub (16), a rim (22), and at least one spoke (24) extending from the hub to the rim. The steering wheel hub (16) supports the steering wheel (14) on the steering column (18) for rotation about an axis (20). The spoke (24) moves through a path of movement (30) as the steering wheel (14) rotates about the axis (20). The apparatus (10) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (44) is supported below the spoke (24) and for rotation with the steering wheel (14) about the axis (20). The protection device (44) is inflatable through the path of movement (30) of the spoke (24) to an inflated condition to help protect a driver of the vehicle (12).