Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a safety belt retractor locking sensor has a shaft rotatably mounted in a lock cup spade of a retractor and a cam part eccentrically mounted relative to the shaft. The cam part is received within an elliptical hole in the housing. Rotation of the cam part about the axis of the shaft causes the housing to move relative to the lock cup spade. Projections on the spade engaging in the vertical slots in the housing constrain the housing to move substantially vertically. Vertical adjustment of the housing relative to the retractor affects the position of the lever tip relative to the ratchet wheel of the retractor.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensing device has a seat belt tension sensor and a seat belt buckle. The seat belt tension sensor has a means for detecting and transmitting information about magnetic field strength, a magnet, and a means for positioning the magnet spaced from the sensor. The magnet is biased away from the sensor. The seat belt tension sensor maintained fixed relative to a structural member of a vehicle. The a seat belt buckle is attached directly or indirectly to the seat belt tension sensor so that tension on the seat belt buckle moves the magnet and sensor closer together or further apart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roofliner for a motor vehicle, having at least one airbag module arranged in the region of the vehicle roof. The airbag module has an airbag and a conduit for gas that are integrated into the roofliner, so that the airbag module and roofliner form a unit.

Abstract: A housing (1) for a gas generator (9) for a vehicle occupant side airbag inflator, the housing (1) comprising an elongate back plate (2) for supporting the gas generator (9) having side flanges (3) extending laterally of the gas generator (9) at one end of the back plate (2) and having a retaining ring fixed to the back plate (2) at its other end, and arranged to circumscribe the gas generator (9), to hold the gas generator (9) securely. Preferably the housing (1) has an integral manifold and the retaining ring end is open to accommodate different widths and lengths of gas generator (9). The invention allows mounting of a gas generator with much reduced rattle.

Abstract: An airbag module has a gas distributor arranged between a gas generator and an airbag, in which at least a first and a second flow path for a gas are provided in the gas distributor. At least one valve device that opens and closes the respective flow path is arranged in each case in the flow paths. The first flow path connects the gas generator to the airbag, and the second flow path is not connected to the airbag.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a spool having seat belt webbing wound thereon mounted for rotation in a frame. A toothed ratchet wheel is connected to the spool and rotates therewith. The retractor has a crash sensor. A locking pawl is arranged to be pivotable from a first position in which it is spaced from the ratchet wheel to a second position in which it engages with the ratchet wheel to lock the spool against rotation, in response to activation of the crash sensor. A pretensioner is responsive to the crash sensor to rapidly rewind webbing onto the spool. A venting arrangement for the pretensioner includes a chamber having an inside side wall and an inside wall. A vent hole is formed in the side of the chamber with a seal for the vent hole. An axially slidable member is mounted in the chamber and biased away from one end of the chamber. The slidable member is connected to the locking pawl, so that it slides in the chamber when the locking pawl pivots.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion (100,100a) includes a first panel (22a) and a second panel (22b) attached together along a peripheral joint. The joint (30) is subjected to a shearing or peeling load upon inflation of the cushion tending to separate the panels. Each of the first and second panels includes a first layer (24) of flexible structural material and a second (26) bondable layer. A reinforcement (50) is provided to prevent the joint (30) from separating. The reinforcement includes first (52a) and second (52b) strips of material, each having a structural layer (24a) and a bondable layer (26a). The first and second strips are sewn together at a seam (56a) to retard separation of the strips. The seam (56a) separates each of the strips into two portions. The structural layers of the strips face each other and the bondable layers of the strips face outwardly abutting a corresponding bondable layer of one of the first and second panels.

Abstract: A side impact airbag (10) and a method of folding. The airbag (10) comprises a head and a thorax compartment (5,6) separated by a panel (4) of airbag fabric and pneumatically linked by a vent hole (13) in the panel (4). On inflation the panel is adjacent the shoulder of an average occupant. The airbag (10) may be made of two or three pieces of fabric. If only two pieces are used then the dividing panel (4) is formed from part of one or both of the other two pieces. The inflation profile of the airbag (10) may be controlled by tethers (8) or by mounting it at 10°-40° to the horizontal. Tethers and stitching may also be used. The two compartments (5,6) may be of different weight and denier; a higher weight fabric for the lower, thorax, compartment (6), and a lower weight fabric for the upper head compartment (5). An airbag folding method is also described.

Abstract: An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as “airbags”) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.

Abstract: A load sensor for a vehicle safety belt 10 comprises means for determining an electrical characteristic of the belt 10 and control means for comparing the sensed characteristic with a reference level for the characteristic. In one embodiment, conductive fibers 26, 28 are interwoven into the belt 10 and electrical contacts 30, 32 are provided at each end thereof. Excessive loading of the belt results in a break in the fibers 26, 28 which, in turn, results in electrical discontinuity. The discontinuity is sensed by an electrical sensor and indicator means is provided to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that a belt has been excessively loaded.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: An airbag, primarily a driver's airbag, is formed of two, preferably disc shaped pieces of fabric joined at their circumference and having inflation control features including at least two stitch lines each comprising a major portion extending across the body of airbag and a minor central discontinuity in the form of a gap or triangle or peak. Preferably the stitch lines are S shaped and have radial and circumferential aspects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simplified integrated steering wheel assembly and a simplified method for forming the integrated steering wheel assembly. The integrated steering wheel assembly has a one-piece steering wheel armature and an airbag scrim. A cover is molded over a portion of the steering wheel armature and a portion of the airbag scrim. The airbag scrim forms a cavity for placement of an airbag and an airbag inflator between the airbag scrim and a hub portion of the steering wheel armature. The method of the invention includes use of a plurality of positioning pins and a vacuum force to position the airbag scrim relative to the steering wheel armature and mold during the possess of molding the cover over a portion of the steering wheel armature and a portion of the airbag scrim.

Abstract: The buckle of the invention comprises a housing, a buckle part connected to one end of a seat belt and having a passage for receiving an interlocking tongue part connected to another end of a seat belt, a pivoting carrier element carrying a latching element arranged to engage with the tongue part to lock the tongue part in the passage, a release button operatively coupled via a ramp surface to move the latching element from an engaging position in which the buckle is fastened to the tongue, to a release position in which the buckle is unfastened, a counterbalance mass slidably mounted in the housing so that its inertia acts on the latching element to keep the latching element in the tongue engaging position under forces of acceleration and of deceleration acting on the buckle, the inertia acting in a first direction under acceleration and in a second direction under deceleration thereby substantially to counteract the effects of button inertia on the operation of the buckle.

Abstract: A device for inflating an airbag has a gas generator that produces an inflation gas. A valve control adjusts the cross-section of a flow channel through which the inflation gas is supplied to the interior of the airbag by means of valve elements. The valve elements are held in an unactivated position by holding elements with a holding force that is lower than the actuating force used to actuate the valve elements.

Abstract: A controller for a seatbelt tightener puts on standby an electric igniter of a tightener drive, with a first electric circuit that includes the electric igniter and is closed upon buckling of the belt buckle. Monitoring of seatbelt usage is achieved by a first test signal proportional to the electric internal resistance of the igniter that is scanned using a second circuit which comprises a test resistance and is closed on unbuckling the belt buckle, a second test signal proportional to the test resistance being scanned.

Abstract: An occupant safety protection system (8) capable of sensing the misuse of a safety belt system (10). The invention includes: a shoulder belt portion (13), a field generator means (243) for generating a detection field (202), a disturbance tag means (250) attached to the shoulder belt portion (13) and a tag detection circuit means (19) which determines seat belt misuse and sends an output indicative thereof. When the seat belt system is being properly used the disturbance tag (250) does not disturb the detection field. Conversely, when the seat belt system is being improperly used the disturbance tag disturbs the detection field. The tag detection circuit sends an output indication (245) corresponding to the state of the seat belt system use.

Abstract: A buckle for a seat belt has an interlock that provides impact resistance between an ejector and a support for a securing element for securing the locked state, the interlock being maintained during the retensioning process.