Abstract: Vehicle safety systems comprising seatbelts and inflatable cushions deployable therefrom. Some embodiments comprise a first vertical seatbelt having a first inflatable cushion coupled thereto and a second vertical seatbelt having a second inflatable cushion coupled thereto. The first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion may be configured to inflate at an at least substantially static location relative to an adjacent seat and may be configured to deploy adjacent to an occupant's chest and to inhibit movement of an occupant's head during an impact event. The system may further comprise a horizontal seatbelt coupled with one or both of the first vertical seatbelt and the second vertical seatbelt.

Abstract: A roof airbag for a vehicle longitudinally extends along a length between first and second longitudinal ends and laterally extends along a width between first and second lateral sides. An inlet for receiving inflation gases is provided at the first longitudinal end. A plenum is in fluid communication with the inlet for receiving the inflation gases from the inlet. The roof airbag includes a plurality of primary inflatable chambers, each primary inflatable chamber in fluid communication with the plenum to receive inflation gases from the plenum. A plurality of secondary inflatable chambers is in indirect fluid communication with the plenum to receive inflation gases indirectly from the plenum through the plurality of primary inflatable chambers.

Abstract: An inflator bracket for mounting an inflator of an airbag arrangement to a frame of a vehicle includes a main body portion elongated along a length between a first end and a second end. The main body portion includes a front side for receiving the inflator. The inflator bracket additionally includes first and second mounting portions for attachment to the frame of the vehicle. The inflator bracket further includes an interference portion extending from a rear side of the main body portion for contacting the frame of the vehicle and offsetting at least a portion of the main body portion from the frame. The interference portion has a first end depending from the main body portion and a second end. The second end is a free end. The interference portion is adapted to absorb energy from an impact force.

Abstract: An initiator for a gas generator of a vehicle safety device includes a cup defining an interior, a primary pyrotechnic material disposed in the interior of the cup, and a secondary pyrotechnic material disposed in the interior of the cup. A separator member hermetically separates the primary pyrotechnic material from the secondary pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator. In addition, the housing is formed with at least two levels including an inboard portion and an outboard portion to store the pretensioner rod after pretensioning.

Abstract: Cool burning hydrate fuels are provided for gas generant compositions for automotive inflatable restraint systems. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a compound comprising carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, a transition metal, and optionally nitrogen. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a transition metal salt of an organic compound or transition metal complex salt having (i) at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of: amide, imide, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, and combinations thereof, (ii) an oxygen-to-carbon mole ratio of greater than or equal to about 0.5, (iii) at least one-half a water molecule of hydration, and (iv) an exothermic heat of formation of at least about ?400 KJ/mole. The fuel may have a water release temperature of ?about 140° C. The cool burning hydrate fuel may be one or more of copper cyanurate dihydrate, a copper melamine oxalate dihydrate, and a copper malonate hydrate.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator. In addition, the housing is formed with at least two levels including an inboard portion and an outboard portion to store the pretensioner rod after pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle includes a frame assembly having a frame and an attachment bracket adapted to be interlocked to have an inner space for receiving the spindle, a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator.

Abstract: An airbag includes a U-shaped chamber, a head-impact chamber, and an uninflatable panel. The U-shaped chamber has a first side leg, a second side leg, and a top extending from the first side leg to the second side leg. The head-impact chamber is disposed between the first side leg and the second side leg. The uninflatable panel extends from the first leg to the second leg adjacent the head-impact chamber.

Abstract: A roof airbag arrangement includes an airbag, first and second guide rails, at least one first sliding member and at least one second sliding member. The airbag longitudinally extends along a length between first and second longitudinal sides and laterally extending along a width between first and second lateral sides. The first and second guide rails are on laterally opposite sides of the airbag, and define first and second channels, respectively. The at least one first sliding member is mounted within the first guide rail for translation within the first channel. The at least one second sliding member is mounted within the second guide rail for translation within the second channel. First and second pluralities of tethers connect the first lateral side of the airbag with the at least one first sliding member and the second lateral side of the airbag with the at least one second sliding member, respectively.

Abstract: An airbag device is adapted to be installed in a vehicle for protecting an occupant. The airbag device includes a bag-like cushion that inflates and deploys in front of a seat and is adapted to restrain the occupant. In an inflated condition, the airbag cushion includes a main inflating section inflating toward the rear of the vehicle, a pair of lobes protruding toward the rear of the vehicle on both sides of the main inflating section in a vehicle width direction, a pair of secondary inflating sections being provided respectively between the main inflating section and each of the lobes in the vehicle width direction and inflating toward the rear of the vehicle, and a pair of tethers are symmetrically attached and tensioned inside the cushion for preventing the protruded lobes from swinging around the main inflating section of the cushion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an airbag module may comprise an airbag cover configured to be positioned within a vehicle seat and comprising an opening. The opening may be configured to receive a structural element of the vehicle seat therethrough, such as an armrest mount. The module may further comprise an airbag cushion positioned within the airbag cover and configured to deploy from the airbag cover such that forces from deployment of the airbag cushion are directed applied to the structural element, in some cases directing these forces to the seat frame.

Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and allows the locking lever to rotate due to the position of its center of gravity relative to its pivot point allowing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor.

Abstract: A windscreen arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a windscreen and a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement is operative to mount the windscreen to a body of the motor vehicle for deployment from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the windscreen is upwardly displaced from the first position.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube including a body portion and an exit portion, and having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube, and a stopper disposed between the gas generator and the pretensioner rod. Further, the exit portion of the tube is formed to neck down such that the exit portion is configured to prevent the stopper from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A dual stage inflator for an inflatable vehicle safety device includes a second stage combustion cup having a first member and a second member. The first and second members are formed separately from one another and cooperate to define an interior for receiving a second stage gas generant material.

Abstract: Tabs for coupling airbag cushions to hangers and/or vehicles, along with related assembly/manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, the tab may comprise a first section comprising a first plurality of openings and a slot configured to receive a portion of the hanger therethrough, the slot being positioned in between at least a first opening of the first plurality of openings and a second opening of the first plurality of openings. The tab may further comprise a second section comprising a second plurality of openings. In some embodiments the second section may comprise, at least in part, a narrower width than the first section.

Abstract: Airbag covers having emblems and related methods for coupling emblem elements to airbag covers. In some implementations, a fastening member coupled to an emblem element may be inserted through an opening formed within an airbag cover. The emblem element may be secured to the airbag cover by reshaping at least a portion of the fastening member using a LASER welding process.

Abstract: A sensing system for detecting motion of a bobbin used in a chain stitch type sewing machine using a needle on one side of a textile workpiece and a rotary bobbin positioned on an opposing side of the textile workpiece includes the bobbin being held in a bobbin case having a side panel forming an aperture. The rotary bobbin has a side surface with arcuate regions around a perimeter of the side surface. In addition, the sensing system includes the first and second optical sensors aligned to detect the presence of the first or second bobbin surface. The sensing system further includes a controller adapted to receive signals from the first and second optical sensors related to the presence of the first or second bobbin surface in the first or second regions and interpret the signals to provide the detecting motion of the bobbin.

Abstract: Seat centric airbag restraint systems having pelvis restraint features, along with related methods. In some implementations, a first seat-mounted airbag cushion may be deployed along a first side of a vehicle occupant and a second seat-mounted airbag cushion may be deployed along a second side of the vehicle occupant. A first pelvis restraint chamber may be deployed below the first seat-mounted airbag cushion at an angle relative to the first seat-mounted airbag cushion and towards a first upper thigh of the vehicle occupant. The first pelvis restraint chamber may inhibit forward translation of the vehicle occupant within a vehicle seat by tensioning the pelvis region of the occupant.