Abstract: An inflator device for an inflatable restraint system. The inflator device includes a tubular body with a center discharge opening disposed in a center portion of reduced diameter. First and second end closures each join an initiator to a respective opposing end of the tubular body to define a sealed chamber. First and second generant housings are disposed within the sealed chamber, define generant chambers containing a supply of generant material and include a plurality of openings providing fluid communication between the generant chambers and the sealed chamber. Rupturable initiator seals are disposed between the initiators and a respective generant chamber. A supply of pressurized stored gas and the supply of generant material are disposed within the sealed chamber.

Abstract: An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. At least a first load bearing pin is disposed between the energy adsorbing member and the housing. Prior to the collision, the contact element is disposed in an impact position, and upon the collision, the contact element moves within the chamber and the first pin deforms a segment of at least one of the housing or contact element, thereby reducing the force of the impact by transferring energy into the deformation.

Abstract: A motor vehicle motion sensor assembly includes a daughter board assembly having an alignment feature, a circuit board having electronic components, and a housing element having a receiving feature for receiving the daughter board assembly. The circuit board is electrically connected with the daughter board assembly by a flexible electrical connector. The circuit board is further connected with an external circuit connector. The alignment feature of the daughter board assembly is adapted to engage the receiving feature of the housing element.

Abstract: A reinforced frame having a roof member and a pillar includes a brace interconnected to the frame. The brace is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is defined by the brace extending diagonally between the pillar and the roof member.

Abstract: An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. A tab extends from a side wall of one of the housing and the contact element. Prior to a collision, the contact element is disposed in an impact position, and upon the collision the contact element moves within the chamber. The tab contacts a side wall portion of an other of the one of the housing and the contact element. The side wall of the housing and/or the contact element tears to absorb or displace kinetic energy during the collision, thereby reducing the force of the impact by transferring energy through the tearing.

Abstract: An air bag system includes an inflatable air bag and a housing formed with a vent. A tether release/vent-modifying mechanism is connected to the housing and has a plurality of walls and a movable member. The movable member has a cap portion and a rod portion extending longitudinally from the underside of the cap portion. A first broad portion extends from the cap portion forward of the underside of the cap portion and covers or uncovers a vent in the housing when the movable member is actuated to move between first and second positions to release tethers connected to the air bag.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor includes a frame, a spindle, and a torsion member. The frame is attached to a structural member of a vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported in the frame. The spindle includes a slot for accommodating a seatbelt webbing. The torsion member is coupled to the spindle, and the torsion member has a first engagement end, a second engagement end and an intermediate engagement portion disposed between the first and second engagement ends. The intermediate engagement portion includes an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion couples the torsion member to the spindle and the non-engagement portion is proximate the seatbelt webbing and allows seatbelt webbing to pass through the slot without interference.

Abstract: Folding methods and patterns for folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion for use in vehicles are provided. The folding patterns and methods of the invention assist in preventing failure of inflatable curtain airbag cushions by reducing the stress placed on specific regions of the longitudinal fill chambers of the cushions. These methods result in proper airbag deployment with reduced rates of cushion failure, thus providing reliable protection to vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. In one embodiment, the airbag assembly includes a cover with one or more ribs. A tray defines a cavity for housing an airbag and includes one or more channels that each receive a corresponding rib. An end of the cover is secured to an end of the tray. Upon deployment of an airbag, the cover pulls from the tray and dislodges the ribs from the channels.

Abstract: An airbag restrain system is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag restraint system includes an inflatable airbag cushion having a tether coupled to the interior surface of the cushion. The airbag restraint system further includes first and second inflators for dual mode airbag cushion deployment. Upon a pre-impact condition, the first inflator deploys to partially inflate the cushion and release the tether. The second inflator also deploys to inflate the cushion to approximately full capacity. Upon an impact condition, only the second inflator deploys and the tether extends until taut to limit expansion of the cushion. Means are provided to retain and release the tether in response to the first inflator.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a vehicle rollover is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle suspension unit and a programmable control unit. The vehicle suspension unit is located proximate to each of the vehicle road wheels for maintaining a predefined vehicle body height with respect to a road surface. The control unit is in communication with the vehicle suspension unit for actuating the vehicle suspension device after control unit has received a vehicle rollover notification signal to prevent vehicle rollover.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a vent flap that, prior to cushion deployment, extends from the cushion exterior through a vent. A strap is coupled to the vent flap and to an interior surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the strap extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the strap pulls the vent flap into the cushion interior where the interior air pressure effectively presses the vent flap against the vent. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the strap remains lax, and the vent remains open. Devices are provided for retaining the vent in the closed position during occupant ride down.

Abstract: A glove box airbag system is disclosed that may be used to protect the knees and/or legs of a vehicle occupant during a crash. The airbag assembly includes a glove box and a housing that encases a knee airbag. The housing is positioned below the glove box. The entirety of the housing may be positioned below the entirety of the glove box. The airbag assembly also has a front member that covers the glove box and the housing. The front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an airbag door that covers the housing. Alternatively, the front member may be a glove box door that covers both the housing and the glove box. Further, the front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an aperture that is positioned in front of the housing. A hinge and/or a latch mechanism that allow the glove box door to move between a closed position and an open position may also be added.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus for inflating an airbag with a tether release system. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second inflators are employed. A tether is operatively connected with one of the inflators such that the system is configured to release the tether upon deployment of one of the inflators and to allow the tether to restrict the full inflation size of the airbag upon deployment of the other inflator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for determining a seat belt tension is within a proper range. The apparatus is designed to be easily adapted to existing vehicle safety belt systems. Three points of contact with the safety belt allow the apparatus to be used in portable applications including installing child seats. Generally, two of the contact points support the belt while the third contact point is accomplished using a member responsive to the tension of the seat belt. The response of the member is in communication with a device to indicate the amount of tension present in the seat belt. A visual or audible signal is provided to the operator when sufficient tension has been reached and maintained. The apparatus can be mechanical or electro-mechanical in nature.

Abstract: An actuatable fastener assembly is disclosed. The actuatable fastener assembly includes a fastener body and a fastener head attached to the fastener body. An initiator is embedded within the fastener body. Activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body. The actuatable fastener assembly also includes a retainer that is slidably movable along the fastener body toward the fastener head. The retainer includes a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head.

Abstract: A seat belt system for motor vehicle applications incorporating a dual retractor restraint system with a portion of the seat belt webbing having a locally thick segment such as an inflatable seat belt portion. The dual retractors include electrically controlled actuating clutching mechanisms which operate to maintain the inflatable belt portion in a desired position relative to the upper torso of the seat occupant without requiring the inflatable belt portion to pass through the system D-ring or latch tongue or a high mounted retractor. When the occupant is donning the belt, the shoulder retractor is locked and the webbing is extracted from the lap retractor. Once the tongue is latched into the latch plate, the lap retractor is locked and movement of the occupant is permitted by allowing extraction of webbing from the shoulder retractor.

Abstract: An airbag cushion venting system is disclosed. The system comprises an airbag cushion body having a cushion vent formed therein. A vent cover is attached to the body such that the vent cover at least partially covers the cushion vent in its unconstrained state. A tieback structure holds the vent cover either away from the cushion vent opening or in a position such that a smaller portion of the cushion vent is covered than is covered in the cushion vent's unconstrained state and is adapted to release the vent cover once the body has expanded a sufficient amount to enable the vent cover to at least partially cover the cushion vent.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly including a module housing, a door and a door retainer ring. The module housing forms a compartment adapted to contain an inflatable restraint airbag cushion in a stored state. The module housing has at least one open end, and includes at least one side wall and at least one face wall generally perpendicularly disposed relative to the at least one side wall about the at least one open end. The door retainer ring is adapted to be joined to the module housing about the module housing open end. The door includes a circumference portion and has an inner surface and an outer surface. The door, in a static state, is disposed over the module housing to enclose the module housing open end with at least the circumference portion of the door disposed between the door retainer ring and the module housing. The circumference portion of the door includes at least one release portion and at least one hinge section.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a motor vehicle belt restraint system. The buckle assembly includes a mounting plate and a buckle strap carrying the buckle which is rotatably affixed to the mounting plate. A torsion spring acts on the buckle strap to rotationally bias it toward a desired position. The buckle assembly includes a retainer for maintaining the buckle strap in a mounting position, allowing convenient mounting of the device to the motor vehicle structure. Following mounting, the retainer is released to enable the buckle strap to move to its normal range of positions, allowing the buckle assembly to operate in its normal manner.