Abstract: A steering wheel has an airbag module and a separate cap covering the airbag module. The airbag module is connected to a skeleton or hub of the steering wheel using a plurality of vibration damping elements to isolate the airbag module from the hub. The cap, on the other hand has no vibration damping element. As the cap is directly linked to the hub, it oscillates with the hub and the components attached thereto so that no relative movement therebetween exists.

Abstract: The invention relates to an array for activating the horn in built-in modular steering wheels, wherein the cover of the airbag that is placed on top of the air bag unit forms part of the steering wheel rim. According to the invention, the air bag unit (5) is fixed to at least one contact of the horn (17) that is connected thereto and is fixed to at least one section of the steering wheel (4). Said section is elastically deformable in the direction of the corresponding mating contact (18). The air bag unit (5) is placed preferably in an elastically deformable section of the air bag cover (2).

Abstract: A way of folding an air bag used in an air bag module is disclosed, as well as a process and device for folding an air bag. The air bag is folded in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis, forming a ring with separate folds at its inner and outer sides, the imaginary longitudinal axis preferably extending through the filling mouth of the air bag. The folding process is characterized in that the empty air bag is stretched in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis and folded up in the direction of the longitudinal axis within a boundary, in particular a boundary having a ring-shaped cross-section. A device for folding the air bag has a molded part, at least one device for introducing the air bag into the molded part and at least one device for compressing the air bag inside the molded part. The advantage of the invention is that only a few process steps and a simple device are required for folding the air bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag retention system that is arranged in the area of the lower part of the body of the passenger. According to the invention, a gas bag is loosely placed on the body of the passenger in an inactivated state. Said gas bag has two ends enabling it to be secured to components of the vehicle. At least one end is secured to and can be detached from said vehicle. Preferably, the inactivated gas bag is placed loosely on the upper part of the legs of the passenger.

Abstract: A gas bag for an airbag module having an outer contour and a plurality of sections, at least one of which is cut free of the remaining section of the gas bag and is able to move independently of it. The cut-free section is situated at least partly within the outer contour of the gas bag, and is of such a size and shape that the adjacent gas bag section constitutes a frame of the cut free section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel having a nave, spokes, a rim and an air bag module. According to the invention, a rotationally arranged component (11) is secured to the steering wheel nave (2, 3) or to the steering column allocated thereto, which is designed to accommodate at least one further subassembly. The center of gravity of said component (11) and/or the other subassembly is positioned so eccentrically that the rotationally arranged component (11) remains in the same position when the steering wheel is rotated as when it is straightened. The advantage of the inventive steering wheel is that the subassembly connected to the rotationally arranged component, e.g. an air bag, does not change its position either when the steering wheel is rotated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collision protection device, especially for passengers in vehicles and more especially in motor vehicles, consisting of a cushion or a cover plate, an air bag, a securing component, electronic or mechanical devices and a gas generator, in which the air bag consists of a coated or uncoated fabric, a lower section (2) with a gas inlet aperture, which may be fitted with a flame guard, an upper section (1), one or more multi-layer safety stop bands (3), where the ends of the safety stop band(s) is/are secured by sewn seams (4) to the upper section, the lower section, other components or, if there are more than one of them, together, in which the sewn seams are substantially circular or oval within the ends of the safety stop band(s).

Abstract: An airbag for an airbag module wherein, in the folded state, the airbag has at least one constriction and folds extending in an ordered and/or chaotic manner. Preferably, the constriction extends from the top of the airbag to the bottom and perpendicular to the plane of the expanded unfolded airbag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag for an airbag module wherein the gas bag is folded in the rest position. According to the invention a telescopic folding is provided, as well as a method and a device for folding a gas bag, wherein chaotically folded sections extend around telescopic folds. The folding is conducted so that the gas bag is placed telescopically in folds into the inside of the gas bag step-wise, at least from one side, and is then compressed to form the chaotic folds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device for a moveable part of a motor vehicle such as an automobile which can be held, such as a steering wheel. The heater is connected to a source of electrical energy in a stationary part of the vehicle by a contact unit having a stator and a rotor. A voltage converter of the heating device is provided in the stationary part of the vehicle, before the contact unit or in the stator of the contact unit. The voltage converter enables the generation of a higher voltage than the normal 12 volt standard voltage of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for determining the angular position of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle uses a steering angle sensor and an electronic evaluation device for determining the angular position. The steering angle sensor is integrated in a contact unit for transmitting energy and data from stationary subassemblies of the vehicle to the steering wheel and vice versa. Preferably, the steering angle sensor is disposed as part of a stator and rotor in a contact unit which operates in a contactless manner and comprises the stator and the rotor. In this way, the steering angle sensor does not require any additional space for installation and costs are reduced.

Abstract: An airbag module for use in a motor vehicle includes a gas generator, and an airbag operatively connected to the gas generator which has, in an inflated state, a restricted cross-section with substantially parallel sides and two opposite ends, and two enlarged sections, each adjoining a different one of the two opposite ends of the restricted cross-section such that the airbag is bone-shaped. One of the enlarged sections of the airbag is adapted to face an occupant of the motor vehicle in which it is installed. Preferably, the airbag is mounted either underneath, above, or in the middle of the dashboard of the motor vehicle. The airbag may be installed in the steering wheel or a side airbag position in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a gas generator in a housing, in particular for fastening a tubular gas generator in a diffuser of an airbag module has a plastic adaptor located between the housing and the gas generator at an open end of the housing. The gas generator is screwed to the housing at the end of the housing opposite the open end. The housing also adjoins the gas generator near the open end of the housing in the operational direction of a fastening screw at a point next to the adapter and/or in the region of an opening in the adapter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gas bag for an airbag module, the gas bag being concertinaed in the region of a gas generator in the rest state. According to the invention, the gas bag stack formed by the concertina folds is additionally curved at least once in a plane extending perpendicular to the fold surfaces and parallel to the fold edges. A gas bag folded in this way can easily unfold since no section thereof is folded over the other.

Abstract: A method and device for folding an airbag having a inner main fold and an outer main fold in a folded state. The airbag is fixed to a working surface, extended along a longitudinal axis away from the working surface, and fixed in the area of the inner or outer main fold. The airbag is then expanded, or contracted, to form the outer or inner main fold, respectively, and then compressed toward the working surface. A shaping body is preferably inserted into the airbag through an inflation opening to extend the airbag so that a folding element may activated to retain the airbag against the shaping body to form the inner or outer main fold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of side impact, using an inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag is fitted behind a rigid, movable door or coachwork trim component. The movable trim component is moved by the inflating airbag towards the vehicle occupant to be protected, and remains between the airbag and the occupant during and after inflation.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger safety method in which a gas bag in an airbag module is inflated in between the passenger and parts of the vehicle when a crash occurs. The cover of the gas bag moves away from the passenger before the gas bag is inflated. Preferably, the gas bag and a diffuser, located in between an inflating device and the gas bag, also move away from the passenger. Compressed gas is released from the inflating device into the gas bag only when the above mentioned groups of components have been placed in a set position.

Abstract: A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module is characterized in that an empty airbag is spread out and gathered in towards a center to give a folded airbag. The airbag is gathered inside a fixed vertical profiled section having a top and a bottom separated by a distance corresponding to the predetermined height of the folded airbag. Only a few gathering tools and only a few operations are necessary to gather the airbag. A device for carrying out the method is characterized by a lower part on which the airbag is spread out flat and an upper part separated from the lower part by a distance that corresponds to the vertical profile required for the gathered airbag. Gathering tools are mounted between the upper part and the lower part so that they surround the airbag and so that their position relative to the airbag can be changed.

Abstract: An airbag system for motor vehicles with at least one gas bag and at least one associated gas generator, whereby the airbag system is at least partially shiftable by the occupant. The section of the airbag system shiftable by the occupant is supported by at least one deformable element or shiftable element. This deformable element or shiftable element is deformable or shiftable with a lower expenditure of force with ignition of the gas generator than with a slight deceleration of the vehicle and no ignition of the gas generator by action of the impacting occupant.

Abstract: A plug for gas generators of air bag impact protection systems has current paths formed by sheet metal strips and an inductance coil in one of both interrupted current paths that form two poles. One of the current paths is U-shaped; its branch opposite the counter-current path (4) is interrupted to form two inner poles (1, 2) and acts as a mechanical support for the inductance coil (5) that electrically bridges the interruption, and the other branch (3), located next to the counter-current path (4), forms together with the counter-current patch (4) plug pins (6, 7) that extend outwards. The plug pins (6, 7) are formed by bending the T-or forked-shaped ends of the current paths (3, 4). The inductance coil (5) is arranged in a housing and is provided with electric connections that can be directly connected to the inner poles (1, 2). In order to manufacture this plug, a preform is first cut out of a sheet metal web.