Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit. The air bag device includes an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion. The steering wheel cover includes a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from the central portion to define with the central portion a pocket for receiving the air bag device. At least one of the side portions has a tab for lockingly engaging the retainer plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling an inflator and an air bag unit into an inflator-air bag assembly. The apparatus comprises a frame and a holder device coupled to the frame. The holder device includes a movable nest adapted to receive an air bag unit and an inflator. The air bag unit has at least one stud which is capable of passing through at least one stud receiving opening provided in the inflator. The nest is adapted to move the air bag unit and the inflator such that the stud is moved to a nut-applying station. The apparatus further includes a driver unit coupled to the frame which is adapted to secure the nut to the stud to assemble the inflator and the air bag unit into an inflator-air bag assembly. The apparatus additionally includes a clamping element movably coupled to the support structure for engaging the inflator when the support structure is in the nut-securement position so as to act with the nest to clamp the inflator and the air bag unit together.

Abstract: An airbag folding engine comprises a frame for removably mounting any one of a number of different airbag folding devices. The airbag folding engine includes a driver system adapted to be removably connected to the airbag folding device mounted on the frame. The driver system, which may be pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or the like, provides the power to operate the airbag folding device. A control system mounted on the airbag folding engine controls the operation of the airbag folding device. A visual display provides a visual indication of the operation of the airbag folding device. Screw jacks may be mounted on the frame for varying the height of the airbag folding engine. An apparatus for folding an airbag which is adapted to be removably mounted on the airbag folding engine is also provided. The apparatus includes a plate which mounts on the airbag folding engine and an airbag folding mechanism mounted on the plate for folding one of a number of types of airbags.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding an inflatable cushion having an end portion and a main body portion and inserting the folded cushion into a cover. The apparatus comprises folding structure for creating folds in the main body portion to form a folded cushion. The folding structure including first folding apparatus adapted to create a first fold in the main body portion to form a partially folded cushion, and accordion folding apparatus adapted to create a plurality of accordion folds in the partially folded cushion which are generally transverse to the first fold to form the folded cushion. Further included is apparatus for supporting a cover into which the folded cushion is inserted. The folding structure further serves to insert the folded cushion into the cover.

Abstract: An automated inflatable cushion folding process is provided wherein cushion tension, and, as a consequence, cushion wear, is reduced during the folding process. An inflatable cushion portion of a cushion assembly is folded by installing a cushion assembly in a cushion fixture and a cushion receiving mechanism such that an inflatable cushion portion of the cushion assembly is positioned along a cushion path extending between the cushion fixture and the cushion receiving mechanism and creating at least one fold in the inflatable cushion portion at a fold location along the cushion path by actuating a fold developer and moving the cushion fixture incrementally towards the fold location.