Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle which has a door frame and a door contained within the door frame. The safety device includes: a gas generator; a sensor for sensing at least one of a side impact and a roll-over for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from the gas generator upon activation of the gas generator. The inflatable element can thus assume a non-inflated mode and an inflated mode and can further be positioned adjacent the door in an inflated-mode thereof. The inflatable element is further made of fabric and includes: a first fabric layer defining a front part thereof; a second fabric layer defining a back part thereof, selected parts of the first fabric layer and second fabric layer being interconnected for defining one of linear and point shaped links where the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are directly secured together.

Abstract: A knee area protection apparatus for the protection of a vehicle occupant is provided which includes a deployment guiding plate and a support plate each having a top transverse edge, a bottom transverse edge, and side edges. The support plate is securable to the vehicle in a lower area of a seat compartment thereof. The knee area protection apparatus also includes retaining bands to retain and guide an air bag sack as it is deployed as well as to retain and guide the deployment guiding plate, which is moved by the deployment of the air bag sack.

Abstract: A method of folding an air-bag is disclosed. The air-bag is initially located in a substantially flat condition. Two side portions of the air-bag are rolled inwardly towards the gas generator and are then folded back (9, 10) towards the centre of the air-bag, thus releasing tension in the upper layer of fabric between the two rolls. The rolled regions are then themselves rolled inwards form the opposed ends thereof and are again finally turned back, again to release any tension in the central region of the fabric. Consequently, the central region of the fabric, which is located opposite the gas generator, is slack, enabling that part of the fabric to move away from the gas generator relatively easily when the gas generator is activated.

Abstract: A passenger seat air bag module for supporting and deploying an air bag at a location relative to the instrument panel of a vehicle is provided, which includes a housing, an air bag sack, a gas generator for generating gas for inflating the air bag sack, and a cover element for covering a deployment opening through which the air bag sack is moved when it is deployed. To withdraw the cover element, a drive mechanism applies a pulling force to the cover element via a pulling force transmitting element. The drive mechanism includes a drive block having a plurality of paired cylinder bores and associated drive pistons and a push bar driven outwardly by the drive pistons. The outward movement of the push bar effects withdrawal of the cover element from its deployment opening covering position to its withdrawn position by the pulling force transmitting element.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a switch device for verifying the locking position of an automobile seatbelt lock having at least two switch elements whose switch condition can be determined, as well as a control element that can be moved in the seatbelt lock and through which the switch condition of the switch elements can be changed. A switch device with high operating reliability is created by the fact that the switch elements are designed as sensors and the switch condition of the switch elements can be changed by an interaction between control element and sensors.

Abstract: An occupant impact protection system with an airbag that inflates when triggered whereby the protective effect of the inflated airbag is to be maintained beyond its service life. For this purpose it is provided that the airbag be foamable by means of particles introduced therein that are made of plastic that foam when activated and that are activated together with the introduction of the gas produced by the gas generator and a solid structure is formed for impact protection after the plastic foam hardens.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle comprises a gas generator(9) which generates gas when an accident occurs. An air-bag is provided to be inflated by the gas. The air-bag comprises three super-imposed fabric layers(2,3,4), the outer peripheries of which are conjoined by a seam(5). A central aperture(6) in the lower-most layer receives the gas outlet(8) of the gas generator. A plurality of apertures(12) are formed in the intermediate layer and seams(13) interconnect the intermediate layer(3) and the lower-most(2) adjacent the apertures. The seams(13) partially surround each aperture, but are not present in a region(14) which is radially outwardly positioned relative to the center of the intermediate layer(3). This arrangement causes the bag, on inflation, to inflate laterally outwardly before inflating towards the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the bag.

Abstract: A self-locking belt roller has a housing and a belt winding shaft rotatably mounted in housing. A torsion rod has a first end connected in the belt winding shaft. A profile head is connected to a second end of the torsion rod. A blocking member, that is vehicle-sensitive and/or belt-sensitive, is mounted on the profile head and moveable into a locking position at the housing in which rotation of the belt winding shaft is blocked. An energy-dissipating structure is positioned within a force transmission path, including the profile head, the torsion rod, and the belt winding shaft, for increasing a restraining force before the torsion rod becomes effective or simultaneously to the torsion rod becoming effective and for obtaining a degressive force characteristic curve.

Abstract: An inflatable element adapted to be inflated with gas from a gas generator (2) includes a gas flow duct (6) leading from the gas generator to a plurality of cells (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) which are to be inflated. An elongate element (20) having a plurality of substantially helical turns is within the gas flow duct, the axis of the elongate element being substantially coincident.

Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor has a belt reeling shaft having a belt connected thereto. A locking device, activatable in a vehicle sensitive and/or belt-sensitive manner for preventing belt removal from the belt reeling shaft is provided. The locking device has a locking member and a profiled head connected to the belt reeling shaft. The belt reeling shaft is locked when the locking member engages the profiled head. At least two force-limiting elements are arranged in parallel or in series to one another, wherein one of the force-limiting elements is a torsion bar allowing a limited belt removal when the locking device locks the belt reeling shaft. A switching device for selectively engaging at least one of the force-limiting elements is provided to thereby connect the belt reeling shaft and the profiled head.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit for a vehicle safety device includes an electrical activator responsive to a flow of current therethrough to activate the safety device. The electrical activator is present in a series connection including the activator and two switches. The series connection forms at least part of an electric circuit. The control circuit further includes a crash sensor producing an output signal when an accident is detected. A crash risk sensor produces an output signal when a certain crash risk is detected. One of the switches is closed in response to at least the output signal from the crash sensor. The other switch is closed in response to the output signals coming from both the crash sensor and from the crash risk sensor.

Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal nitrate is reacted with an ammonia source to form an aqueous slurry containing a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for introducing pressurized gas into a vehicle safety device, preferably an air bag, with a pressure container (10) for compressed gas which has at least one opening (12) closed by a gas tight foil cover (14). The foil cover (14) is supported over at least a substantial part of its free surface area in a flat manner by a support device (16) which can be retracted in a direction perpendicular to the opening plane and is in turn supported on the pressure container (10). Via the foil cover (14) the compressed gas generates an outwardly directed force perpendicular to the opening plane, this force acting on the retractable support device (16) and being balanced with a reaction force of the latter. The device has a trigger arrangement (34) which can be activated in the event of an accident and brings about the retraction of the support device (16) such that the reaction force is canceled.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly has a container having a bottom and an upper end. The upper end has an opening delimited by a rim. A gas generator is mounted at the bottom in the container. A gas bag has a mouth with an edge portion. The gas bag is folded into the container so as to be positioned between the gas generator and the opening. the edge portion is placed onto the container rim. A steering wheel member is placed onto the edge portion and secured to the upper end of the container by clamping the edge portion of the gas bag between the container rim and the steering wheel member.

Abstract: A knee protector for vehicle passengers has a securing member for securing the knee protector within the vehicle. An inflatable air bag is mounted in an initially folded position on the securing member. A deformable cage is connected to the securing member and encloses the air bag in the initially folded state and in the deployed state as well as in all intermediate states. A cover is connected to a side of the cage opposite the securing member and attached to the securing member when the air bag is in the initially folded position. The cover is designed to detach from the securing member and to perform a movement away from the securing member upon deployment of the air bag in order to provide a load distribution plate for knee protection. The deformable cage guides the cover during the movement away from the securing member upon deployment of the air bag and during a return movement toward the securing member.

Abstract: An air bag arrangement is provided, and includes a gas generator to which is connected an air bag. The gas generator has a combustion chamber for composite propellant, and walls of the combustion chamber are provided with discharge openings. A first filter unit is disposed in the gas generator housing and a second filter unit is disposed beyond the housing and surrounds the same at a distance to form a cooling and pressure-reduction zone for a gas stream coming from the first filter unit. The second filter unit separates out gaseous and/or liquid impurities resulting in a gas stream during combustion of the composite propellant in the combustion chamber. By reducing the temperature level of the gas stream and its pressure level to within the range of atmospheric pressure, the second filter unit effects a phase change of the gaseous and/or liquid impurities, whereby liquid and/or solid impurities are filtered out in the second filter unit. The gas stream then enters the air bag from the second filter unit.

Abstract: A safety seat for use in a motor vehicle has a squab (101) and a back (104) and a head-rest (105). There is a pivotal connection between the back (104) and the squab (101). The head-rest (105) is mounted on a series of levers (112). If the vehicle is involved in a rear impact, the back (104) of the seat may move rearwardly. Simultaneously, because of the levers (112) the head-rest (105) will move forwardly relative to the back of the seat. Thus, the head-rest will come into contact with the head of the occupant of the seat, thus minimizing the risk of “whiplash” injuries.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat frame having a pivot connection and a seat portion mounted on the seat frame. A backrest, having a head rest, is mounted on the seat frame such that the backrest is pivotable relative to the seat portion about the pivot connection. A lateral airbag system is mounted in the backrest and extends in a longitudinal direction of the backrest. The lateral airbag system has an elongate housing open at one side. The elongate housing has an elongate channel extending along a side of the backrest to an upper end of the head rest. The elongate housing is connected to the seat frame. The lateral airbag system has an airbag folded into the elongate channel such that a direction of folding is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the elongate channel and such that the airbag is completely stretched out in the longitudinal direction. A cover covering the open side of the elongate housing is provided. The cover is adapted to open upon actuation of the airbag to release the airbag.

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and related methods of gas generation are provided in which the igniter composition desirably avoids or is not prone to being ignited by thermal means at ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: A back support mechanism for supporting the back of a seat in a motor vehicle, wherein the seat back support mechanism includes at least one first component adapted to be connected to the squab of the seat or to a frame supporting the squab of the seat, and at least one further component adapted to be connected to the back of the seat. A connection between the components includes a linkage to permit the further component to move with first and second pivotal actions relative to the first component. The linkage includes two pivot link elements which are respectively mounted to effect a pivotal movement relative to the at least one first component. The pivot link elements directly or indirectly support the further component. The pivot link elements permit the further component to effect an initial rearward pivotal movement which constitutes the first pivotal action before effecting the second pivotal action. The connection includes a deformable element which resists the second pivotal action.