Abstract: A device for inflating an airbag has a compressed gas container in which an inflation gas is held in readiness under high pressure. An inflation tube projects into the airbag that is to be inflated. A gas release nozzle is connected at one end with the compressed gas container and at another end with the inflation tube. A gas tight sealing device is released for the introduction of the inflation gas into the inflation tube. A throttle device throttles the inflation gas flow into the inflation tube and is arranged in the flow direction of the inflation gas behind the sealing device in the gas release nozzle.

Abstract: A side-curtain airbag has at least two inflation chambers spaced apart from each other. The inflation chambers each have two fabric layers. The region between the two inflation chambers has at the most one layer of fabric. A method of manufacturing such a side-curtain airbag is disclosed.

Abstract: A seat belt has a buckle tongue stop that is resiliently deformable. The buckle tongue stop may be deformable laterally or in its width and may be formed of compressible bumps. The seat belt allows a child seat to be secured in a vehicle according to European regulations yet still enables the buckle tongue to be supported on the belt webbing at a convenient location for an adult vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor of a vehicle with a belt reel for the seat belt has a frame with two frame legs in which a belt reel is rotatably mounted. A torque rod is arranged in the belt reel with one end if the torque rod connected to a first belt reel part arranged inside an aperture in a frame leg. Another end of the torque rod is connected to a second belt reel part which receives the wound seat belt. A blocking device capable of engagement with the first belt reel part with support in one of the two planes of the two frame legs. In the event of an excessive force issuing from the seat belt the second belt reel part can be rotated with respect to the first belt reel part blocked on the frame by torsion of the torque rod.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for folding an airbag of a vehicle occupant restraining system, having a conveyor means, in which a first portion of the spread-out airbag is moved in order thus to push a second portion of the airbag against an abutment which has at least one abutment surface extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement, so that the second portion of the airbag is laid in folds. In order to obtain a regularly folded airbag in a particularly simple manner, the conveyor means is formed with at least one rotating conveyor element which can move the first portion of the airbag in the direction of the abutment.

Abstract: An air bag module (100) comprising: a housing (20) including a receiving feature (20a) to receive at least a portion of an inflator (20), the inflator providing inflation gas to a cooperating air bag; this inflator being removably received in the receiving feature (20a); a holding member (40) movable between a first position and a second position, the holding member, while in the first position operatively holding an inflator (30) to a housing (20), the holding member movable between the first and the second positions under the influence of the inflator.

Abstract: A side curtain air bag assembly is provided, which has an inlet configured to receive inflation gas, a plurality of inflatable chambers; and a distribution tube in fluid communication with the inlet of the air bag. The inlet and the distribution tube are configured to cause inflation gas to flow along the air bag in a predetermined direction, and the distribution tube has a conical portion configured to reduce the pressure of the inflation gas pressure that is communicated from the inlet, and to distribute the inflation gas to the inflatable compartments of the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module assembly comprising: an inflator (250) having at least one exit port (270) with a thin layer of burst material (272) blocking the at least one exit port (270), the burst material bursting forth from the exit port during an initial moment of activation of the inflator. The module including an air bag assembly comprising an inflatable first bag (20) and an inflatable second bag (70), the second bag located within the first bag, the second bag including an opening (40b) to receive the inflator (250) wherein prior to activation, opposed portions of the second bag, radially outboard of the inflator, are formed into respective flaps, which are overlaid and positioned on a top of the inflator to provide a tortuous path through which any particles can flow prior to entering into a main portion of the air bag.

Abstract: A height adjuster (100, 200, 400) for a seat belt system comprising a mounting bar (102, 202, 402), a carrier (120, 220,460, 460a) and a spring-loaded locking lever (170, 270,490). The mounting bar is preferably oval or rectangular in cross-section with at least one wall (side wall), which acts as an engagement or locking surface. The engagement surface can include a plurality of small teeth. The bar is adapted to be mounted to a support surface or structure. The carrier is slidably mounted on the bar and is movable to different positions. The carrier includes a main portion, which may be U-shaped in cross-section with a top, a bottom and a center wall. Each of the top and bottom walls includes a first opening through which the mounting bar extends.

Abstract: An air bag cover for an inflatable air bag system having an elastomeric body with a front surface and a rear surface, the body having a first aperture extending between the front and rear surfaces and a plurality of mounting pins or legs extending from the rear surface and located about the first aperture; and a badge assembly having a badge portion and a mounting rim about the badge portion, the badge portion fitting up through the first aperture from the rear surface, the rim extending under the rear surface proximate the first aperture with the legs disposed in at least some corresponding mounting opening in the rim. A light source within the cover can be provided to illuminate the badge.

Abstract: A unique and simple method for attaching a steering wheel to a steering shaft includes a pair of securement members. The steering shaft is provided with a slot extending into an enlarged space. The first securement member extends across a bore in the steering wheel, and is threadably received in the second securement member. The steering wheel can be moved onto the steering shaft with the first securement member moving through the slot and into the space. The first securement member can then draw the second securement member into the space. Preferably, there is a tapered interface between the second securement member, the steering wheel, and the steering shaft. The tapered surface drives the steering wheel downwardly onto the steering shaft such that a wedge-lock is provided. In a further feature of this invention, an outer housing surrounds the steering shaft. The outer housing has a pair of spaced slots.

Abstract: The autoignition compositions of the present invention ignites in the temperature range of 120° C. to 160° C. The autoignition compositions are thermally stable at 107° C. for 400 hours and are thermally stable during thermal cycling. The preferred composition for the autoignition composition comprises equal weight percentages of the following chemicals: nitroguanidine, Sb2S3, and AgNO3. An ignition temperature adjuster selected from the group consisting of teflon powder, graphite powder, ammonium perchlorate, MoS2, and FeS can be added to the preferred autoignition composition.

Abstract: A force-sensing mechanism (20) comprising: a housing having first (22) and second (24) housing members; a slidable plate positioned between plate portions of the first and second housing members and moveable thereto; various spacers located between the first housing member and the sliding plate to space and stabilize the plate relative to the first and second housing members; a magnetic sensor stationarily mounted between the first and second housing members, a magnet moveable with the sliding member in response to forces applied to the first and second housing members and to the sliding plate; a spring assembly (250) having one end in operative engagement with the sliding plate and another end in operative engagement with the housing while biasing the sliding plate within the housing.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a rotatably mounted spool for supporting seat belt webbing. An emergency locking mechanism selectively locks the spool against rotation. An automatic locking mechanism selectively locks the spool against paying out webbing. A switch has a first position for activating the automotive locking mechanism in dependence upon a predetermined amount of webbing being wound off the spool, and a second position for deactivating the automatic locking mechanism in dependence upon a predetermined amount of webbing being wound back onto the spool. A gear connects the spool with the switch mechanism having a first and a second actuator tab on the gear. A pivotally mounted actuator member has an actuator pawl for locking the spool and parts engaging with the first and second tabs to move the switch between the first and second positions. The tabs and the engaging parts are radially oriented in line, one with the other.

Abstract: A seat belt guide has a bearing axis for the pivotal mounting of a guide body on a vehicle structure. The guide body has a flexing bar around which the seat belt webbing is guided. A fixing plate can be fixed on the vehicle structure pivotally around the bearing axis with a fixing bolt. Two flexing bar carriers rigidly connect the flexing bar is to the fixing plate at its two ends. The guide body is deformable when a specific load originates from the seat belt webbing, the flexing bar bending substantially symmetrically with respect to the fixing bolt.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an inflator (350) having at least one exit port located on one side of a body, wherein inflation gas exiting the at least one exit port includes an axial component of flow, which exits the exit port in an axial direction; and an air bag assembly (200) comprising an outer air bag (202) and an inner air bag (300), the inner air bag disposed about the inflator to receive inflation gas before the inflation gas can substantially affect a trajectory of the inflating outer air bag (202), the inflation gas flowing within the inner air bag in at least the axial direction, the inner air bag including a first and second opening (306) to direct inflation gas into the inner bag with components of gas flow exiting the second opening(s) at at least a skewed angle while a portion of the gas flow may optionally flow in a vertical up and down direction, the inner bag also including a third opening (320) disposed near a remote side of the inner bag for directing inflation gas into the outer bag in a

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising: a first and a second energy absorption mechanism each of which is selectively activatable and respectively configured to generate first and second levels of energy absorption and when activated define an output characteristic of the retractor; a switch mechanism for operatively selecting one or the other energy level and a mode shifter for shifting between the first energy absorption level and the second energy absorption level as a function of the rotation of a spool of the retractor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a simulation based environment that allows a product based engineer, with a modest understanding of complex software programs, to use complex math models. The system provides an interface by which basic component models can be used within the simulation. Allowances are made for particular variables to be adaptable by the product based engineer.