Abstract: A safety arrangement for use in a motor vehicle includes a blocking unit (6) and a drive (7, 8, 9, 10) to drive the blocking unit (6) from a position where it is flush with the dashboard (4) to a forward position where it will block movement of the knees of an occupant of a seat (1). A timing arrangement (17) is provided which controls the drive to return the blocking unit to an initial position after a predetermined period of time. An energy-absorbing element, which may be an air-bag (12) absorbs energy as the blocking unit (6) is moved from the operative position by a force applied to the blocking unit by the knees of a seat occupant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for motor vehicles having sensor devices for detecting an accident and an apparatus for reinforcing a carrying construction (1) of a motor-vehicle roof (6), in particular the A, B or C column of the motor vehicle, which protrudes beyond a lower edge of a window opening (4), in which an inflatable reinforcing element (2) is deployed which is fastened to the carrying construction (1) and can be filled with gas via a gas generator (3) if corresponding sensor data are present. The invention also relates to a carrying construction (1) per se.

Abstract: In a seat belt apparatus, a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion which are capable of being brought into abutment with each other so that a switch lever is shifted from a switch OFF position to a switch ON position are provided on a side of a drive gear and a side of a first gear, respectively. A third projecting portion and a fourth projecting portion, which are capable of being brought into abutment with each other so that the switch lever is shifted from the switch ON position to the switch OFF position, are provided on the side of the first gear and a side of a second gear. An abutment position between the first and second projecting portions and an abutment position between the third and fourth projecting portions differ from each other in an axial direction of a spindle.

Abstract: An air-bag is formed from a single element of laminar material such as fabric. The element defines a rectangular region having linear side edges. This region has a shape and configuration equivalent to that of the air-bag when inflated. Each side edge of the region carries a protruding flap. There are infill elements between adjacent flaps. The flaps are inwardly folded to overlie the rectangular region. Each infill element lies between two respective inwardly folded adjacent flaps. The folded element may be secured to form an air-tight air-bag with reinforced corners.

Abstract: An inflatable air-bag is disclosed which is provided with a controllable vent formed in the fabric of the air-bag. The vent comprises a hole formed in the fabric of the air-bag and a flexible vent tube which extends inwardly of the air-bag from the hole so as to terminate in an open free-end located within the air-bag. The free end of the vent tube is normally tethered within the air-bag so as to maintain the vent in a closed condition but is releasable in response to a signal so as to open the vent. In one arrangement the vent tube is fixed to the inner surface of the air-bag around the hole and is configured so as to have a tapering cross-section which is smaller at the free-end of the tube then at the fixed end of the tube. In another arrangement the vent tube is fixed to the inner surface of the air-bag fabric around the vent hole by stitching which runs around the periphery of the hole and which is located within the vent tube.

Abstract: The inventive device for fixing a seat belt winder is fixed to the part of a motor vehicle. The plate of the housing of the winder is provided with at lest one fixing hole for receiving a screw connection which maintains the vehicle part embodied therein. The housing of said seat belt winder is arranged in such a way that it is rotatable with respect to the fixing hole of the vehicle part, thereby enabling the winder to be automatically oriented in a direction of a force of a belt which moves at an angle with respect to the axis of the shaft. Said fixing device is characterised in that the housing (10) of the winder is rotationally maintained on the holder part (13, 19, 25) which can be firmly connected to the vehicle part (40).

Abstract: An airbag unit with an airbag exhibiting an impact surface, a housing, a gas generator, a first tensioning element extending from housing to impact surface, which is interrupted when the airbag is fully expanded, and a second tensioning element extending from impact surface to an outlet valve with variable cross section located in airbag. The cross section of the outlet valve becomes smaller when the second tensioning element is under tension. In order to ensure a high degree of functional reliability, outlet valve exhibits a nozzle extending around an opening, around which the second tensioning element is guided.

Abstract: A seat-belt arrangement including an energy-absorbing force limiter. A first component, for example in the form of a retractor reel spool is movable relative to a second component, for example the frame-work of the retractor. The spool carries with it elements presenting friction faces which co-operate with further elements carried by the frame. A stack of Piezo-electric elements apply a compressional force driving together the elements having the friction faces to provide a controlled frictional energy-absorbing effect.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a support plate (7) mounted on the squab (2) of the seat, and a support plate (11) mounted on the back rest (3) of the seat. There is a pivotal interconnection (10) between the plates to enable the back rest to be reclined. The pivotal interconnection is initially retained by a spring (20), in a retaining part (15) of an elongate slot (14). When the back rest (3) is subjected to a rearward force, such as by a seat occupant in a rear impact situation, the spring is deformed and the pivot shaft moves along the slot (14), enabling the back rest (3) to move rearwardly. An energy absorbing element (17) is provided which deforms, whilst absorbing energy, during this second movement of the back rest.

Abstract: A crash sensor comprising a support arrangement for supporting opposed ends of a yieldable element directly on one of an outer skin of a vehicle and a component adjacent to the outer skin with the yieldable element substantially parallel with the outer skin of the vehicle. A sensor arrangement in the form of resistors mounted on the yieldable element to generate a signal in response to deformation or bending of the yieldable element. A stiffness and a mass of the yieldable element is selected to achieve such that a period for a complete oscillation of the element at its resonance frequency is of at least 2 milliseconds.

Abstract: A novel safety device for the driver's cabin of a truck, wherein the driver's cabin demonstrates at least one driver seat (10, 16) with a first side (10a) facing a side window and a second side (10b) opposite the first side, is suggested. The safety device comprises a safety net (20), which is spread next to the second side (10b) of the driver seat (10) at least in the event of a rollover accident. The safety net can be permanently spread next to the driver seat, or it can be rolled up or folded together in the state of rest and only be spread next to the driver seat when needed. The safety net prevents the person sitting on the driver seat from falling to the opposite inner structure of the driver's cabin when the driver's cabin rolls over (FIG. 10).

Abstract: By forming a resin sheet or a metal sheet, an angular-box-shaped bag main body having gore portions on surrounding side faces to ensure its height is formed. A folded line to be folded, in a manner to form a valley line, toward an inside of the box-shaped bag main body is formed in an intermediate portion of each of the gore portions in a height direction. A triangular overlaid and folded portion is formed in an end of each of the gore portions on each of the surrounding side faces with each corner portion of the angular-box-shaped bag main body being sandwiched between one surrounding side face and another surrounding side face adjacent to the one surrounding side face in which the gore portion is folded in an overlaid manner in the overlaid and folded portion at a same time when another gore portion on another surrounding side face is folded.

Abstract: An air-bag is formed from two super-imposed layers of fabric which define between them at least one inflatable region. A gas supply duct extends into the air-bag. Apertures are formed in the gas supply duct. The gas supply duct is of elongate form, and is formed from a fabric having intersecting warp and weft yarns, the warp and weft yarns being inclined at an angle of between 30° and 60° and preferably 45° to the axis of the gas supply duct.

Abstract: A pretensioner coupling for a seat belt retractor for a motor vehicle of a type having a belt shaft and a pretensioner drive for winding the belt shaft. The pretensioner coupling having a coupling latch movably arranged between a release position and an engagement position. The coupling latch produces a load-transmitting rotational connection between the belt shaft and the pretensioner drive when in the engagement position and movable out of the engagement position and into the release position to permit relative rotation between the belt shaft and the pretensioner drive.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle for receiving and locking an insert tongue, said seatbelt buckle comprising a housing, a bolt which locks the insert tongue, and a slide button which acts upon the bolt, wherein an inertial mass is provided for shockproofing of the seatbelt buckle. The inertial mass is mounted and guided on a guide disposed on the slide button and/or the housing. The slide button including a catch which is located apart from guide and opposite the bearing axis of the coupling lever. The bearing axis being fixed to the housing, wherein two arms of the coupling lever directly engage the inertial mass and the catch of the slide button.

Abstract: A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit is disclosed. The tilting arrangement incorporates a mount (2) to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle. A support element (11) is provided, and the steering wheel unit is pivotally connected (13) to the support element (11) to effect tilting pivotal movement about a pivot axis (13). The support element (11) is moveable relative to the mount (2) so as to move the pivotal axis (13) with a movement which has a substantial upward component.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement is disclosed which comprises an air-bag (21), an aperture (22) communicating with the interior of the air-bag (21), and a gas generator (23) to generate gas to inflate the air-bag (21). The gas generator (23) is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending across the aperture (22) so that the gas generator (23) is pivotally moveable between a closed position in which at least part of the gas generator (23) extends across the aperture (22), to close the aperture (22), and an open position in which said aperture (22) is opened to permit the flow of gas from the air-bag (21).

Abstract: A reliable hose for introduction and distribution of inflator gas improves the storing properties of an air bag device for side collision, reduces storing space, is advantageous in terms of cost, and has enough strength. A hose made of woven fabric for introduction and distribution of inflator gas is arranged in an air bag device for side collision and has one or more distributing hole(s) for introduction and distribution of gas from an inflator to the inner area of an air bag upon actuation of the air bag. On the side containing said distributing hole, there is a non-tubular portion which projects from a hose tubular portion to the outside of an opposite side to the tubular portion.

Abstract: An air-bag is disclosed which is formed from fabric (12, 13) and has an inflatable region (1), and at least one protruding mounting tab (9). The or each mounting tab (9) is formed from fabric woven to have a random or quasi-random, distribution of floats. In a preferred embodiment, the floats each pass over between two and eight underlying yarns.

Abstract: By forming a resin sheet or a metal sheet, an angular-box-shaped bag main body (51) having gore portions (54) on surrounding side faces to ensure its height is formed. A folded line (55) to be folded, in a manner to form a valley line, toward an inside of the box-shaped bag main body (51) is formed in an intermediate portion of each of the gore portions (54) in a height direction. A triangular overlaid and folded portion (56) is formed in an end of each of the gore portions (54a) on each of the surrounding side faces with each corner portion of the angular-box-shaped bag main body (51) being sandwiched between one surrounding side face and another surrounding side face adjacent to the one surrounding side face in which the gore portion (54b) is folded in an overlaid manner in the overlaid and folded portion (56) at a same time when another gore portion on another surrounding side face is folded.