Abstract: An airbag module case for use with a side-impact airbag module also including an airbag cushion containing an inflator assembly having two mounting projections extending through the airbag cushion. The airbag module case includes a lower shell and an upper shell for substantially containing the airbag cushion and the inflator assembly. A tear seam hinge joins the lower shell to the upper shell and allows the upper and the lower shells to open and receive the airbag cushion and the inflator assembly, and to close with an inflator seat of the bottom shell receiving the inflator assembly and airbag cushion and an inflator closure of the upper shell overlapping the inflator seat of the lower shell.

Abstract: A liquid concentrate comprises between about 4 and about 25 wt % of 4,5-dichloro-2-(n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one), between about 25 and about 88 wt % of a plasticizer in which said isothiazolinone compound is soluble and between about 8 and about 50 wt % of benzyl alcohol which stabilizes the concentrate against crystallization and/or freezing at sub-freezing conditions.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for a vehicle airbag module produces an initial release of essentially unheated, stored, pressurized gas from the gas storage chamber of the inflator by way of a projectile, releasable from a nozzle opening in a combustion chamber housing upon combustion of a gas-generating combustible material housed within the combustion chamber housing, which ruptures and passes through a frangible burst element retaining the stored, pressurized gas in the gas storage chamber of the inflator, thereby permitting, initially, the unheated, stored, pressurized gas to discharge through the ruptured burst element and flow externally past the combustion chamber housing in an isolation housing and then to exit the inflator through gas exhaust ports in the inflator.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, methods for inflating an inflatable safety device and a method of manufacturing an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device are provided having a fuel containment assembly to contain a fuel in the form of a fluid. The fuel, upon proper initiation, is burned to produce gas used in the inflation of the inflatable device.

Abstract: A mixing and dispensing system for two reactive fluids, such as two-component polysulfide sealants, in which the dispensed fluids are supplied to a hand operated mixing and dispensing gun through a pair of flexible hoses suspended above the floor from a pivotal boom. The flexible hoses are pivotally attached with swivel joints onto the inlets of the gun that are spaced on opposite lateral sides of the gun, and the swivels are rotatable about a common generally horizontal pivot axis. The gun is fully weight supported in an operative position above the floor with a tool balancer attached to the boom. The tool balancer includes an adjustably tensioned and extendable line that is pivotally attached to the top of the gun body and rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis.

Abstract: An integral label/gasket for use in crimped sealing engagement with an airbag inflator. The integral label/gasket combines a flat, generally annular label, an annular, deformable outer gasket seal and an annular, deformable inner gasket seal into one component. The outer gasket seal is secured to and extends downwardly from a bottom surface of the label adjacent an outer edge of the label, and the inner gasket seal is secured to and extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the label adjacent an inner edge of the label. The label, for printing handling and operational warnings and other information thereon, has adhesive on a top surface thereof for securing the label to a baseplate of an airbag inflator.

Abstract: Powdered coating compositions and methods for obtaining improved wrinkled finishes with epoxy powder coatings are provided which utilize a color stabilizer effective to avoid an excessive red color shift upon cure of the composition.

Abstract: The reaction canister of a passenger-side motor vehicle airbag module is extruded with a groove in at least one side wall forming a thinned section running the length of the canister. This creates a weakened and bendable region which allows the side wall to buckle under an impact through the instrument panel of the vehicle. This buckling absorbs impact energy, avoiding or reducing injury to the occupant.

Abstract: Triggering reliably within an extremely short time restraining features, for example, air bags, belt retractors, and other devices, that are provided in motor vehicles to offer a maximum degree of safety to vehicle occupants in the event of an accident, in which an acceleration signal is measured and converted into a speed signal by an integration over time and the speed signal is compared with a triggering threshold in order to determine a triggering criterion, wherein there is a provision for the integration of the acceleration signal (a) to be influenced as a function of a frequency analysis of the acceleration signal (a), wherein the acceleration signal is subjected to a spectral frequency analysis which influences a speed of the integration of the acceleration signal (a), and wherein the frequency analysis is carried out by utilizing a fast Fourier transformation (or the suboperations required from it).

Abstract: A side-impact airbag is essentially tubular and formed from two substantially identical panels. One of the panels is shortened, as by pleating and stitching. The resulting airbag, when inflated, has a unique assymetrical shape which minimizes any tendency to slap against a vehicle's occupant.

Abstract: The density of rigid foamed articles made by the thermal decomposition of a blowing agent in a vinyl chloride polymer is reduced by the use of an organotin mercaptoalkylcarboxylate, alone, or in combination with an organotin halide or carboxylate which activate the blowing agent. Sulfides made from said organotin mercaptoalkylcarboxylate are also superior activators of the blowing agent.

Abstract: The density of rigid foamed articles made by the thermal decomposition of a blowing agent in a vinyl chloride polymer is reduced by the use of an organotin halide in combination with a mercaptocarboxylic acid ester or a sulfide of such ester or a mixture of the ester and the sulfide to activate the blowing agent.

Abstract: A three piece bag construction for an air bag cushion adapted to be deployed in the event of a collision has reduced stress at corners of the mouth. An elongated central main panel 10 totally surrounds the two side panels 12 and 14 and has end portions which form a transition section leading from the mouth 16 to the interior of the cushion. No part of the side panels 12 or 14 extends to the mouth 16. Seams extending from the four corners of the bag mouth 16 through the mouth/attach area to the side panels 52 and 54 found in traditional bags where high stress occurs, are not used in the present invention. A novel rod and rod pocket assembly facilitates attachment of the cushion to a conventional module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device adaptable to a variety of fuels and oxidants wherein a fluid fuel is burned to produce hot gas, with the hot gas undergoing a reversal in direction of flow and mixing with stored, pressurized gas to produce inflation gas containing little or no particulate.

Abstract: Powdered coating compositions and methods for obtaining improved wrinkled finishes with epoxy powder coatings are provided which utilize curing agents other than commercially available methylenedisalicylic acid.

Abstract: A driver side inflator housing for a vehicle safety system which includes a base which is stamped from a thin sheet of aluminum The base includes a central axis, a plurality of stamped concentric rings extending upwardly from a bottom of the base and spaced from the central axis. An interface attachment flange is provided for mounting the inflator, and a squib pocket extending about the central axis of the base is capable of holding the squib of the gas generating inflator. The concentric rings, attachment flange and squib pocket are all formed during the stamping of the base; thus excessive machining is not required. Only minor machining is necessary to complete the base. The base of the present invention is designed to reduce the overall inflator cost, while maintaining the processing capability and quality of current bases.

Abstract: A passive vehicle occupant restraint system is provided for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to the other side thereof, and a roof having an outer roof surface, a quantity of insulation material inside of the outer roof surface and a headliner beneath and overlying the insulation material. The restraint system includes a first inflatable cushion mounted between the insulation material and the headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of the vehicle, and an inflator operatively connected with the inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of inflating gas for inflating the cushion.

Abstract: A diffuser for uniformly diffusing inflation gas from an elongated inflator having inflation exhaust ports at only one end into an airbag cushion. The diffuser having a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second diffuser ends. A first end section extends from the first diffuser end, is positionable over the inflation exhaust ports of the inflator and defines at least one diffuser vent opening. An intermediate section extends from the first end section and defines a plurality of diffuser vent openings equal or progressively larger further from the first end section. A second end section extends from the intermediate section to the second diffuser end and defines a single diffuser vent opening. Each of the plurality of diffuser vent openings of the intermediate section is equal or larger than the at least one diffuser vent opening of the first end section and equal or smaller than the single diffuser vent opening of the second end section.

Abstract: A binder polymer is a styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer in which the maleic anhydride residues are mono-esterified to between about 50 and about 65 mole percent of an alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, alkaryl, or arylalkyl alcohol having a molecular weight greater than 100, to between about 15 and about 50 mole percent of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl alcohol, and to at least about 80 mole percent total. The polymer has between about 45 and about 65 mole percent styrene residues and between about 35 and about 55 mole percent maleic anhydride residues, a weight average molecular weight of between about 80,000 and about 200,000, and an acid number of between about 170 and about 220.

Abstract: An airbag module having a cushion with a compression-deployed volume. The module includes an inflator which produces a quantity of inflation gas. This gas inflates only a first volume of the cushion, which is positioned to protect a first portion of a passenger's body. Compression of the first volume by the passenger forces the gas from the first volume into a second volume, to thus inflate the second volume. The second volume is positioned to protect a second portion of the passenger's body. The initial quantity of inflation gas is thus reused, reducing the amount of gas required. This in turn reduces the size and cost of the inflator. The module is preferred for side impact protection, and a fold arrangement suited to accurate deployment is provided. The folded cushion may be secured to the inflator by a frangible film wrap, eliminating the need for an exterior housing. The module is preferably mounted upon the side of the passenger seat back.