Abstract: A seat belt retractor may be spaced from and mounted at an attitude to the vertical that is different than the attitude of the retractor; and a mechanical connection therebetween operates the retractor to block belt protraction from the retractor reel when the vehicle and/or seat belt experience an acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount. Preferably, the retractor is of substantial conventional manufacture, and the remote actuator uses the same kind of proven inertia-sensitive components to provide a low-cost and proven system. Preferably, the remote actuator is connected mechanically by a cable to the retractor, and the cable actuates the retractor to its blocking position to stop belt protraction.

Abstract: A seatbelt energy management device which includes a resistance mechanism coupled to a seatbelt apparatus having a magnetorheological fluid, a permanent magnet having a first magnetic field which orients the magnetorheological fluid to increase the magnetorheological fluid's viscosity, an electromagnet which generates a second magnetic field to cancel the first magnetic field of the permanent magnet to decrease the magnetorheological fluid's viscosity, where the resistance mechanism is controlled by the magnetorheological fluid's viscosity.

Abstract: A dual chamber airbag and method for making a dual chamber side impact airbag with an integral vented panel. A partial vent panel is formed from a section in each airbag piece such that the to partial panels meet as the airbag pieces are assembled to make the airbag. The two panels are subsequently sewn together, thereby forming an integral vented panel separating an upper and lower chamber within the airbag.

Abstract: An improved air bag module having a manifold designed with integral keys configured to lock the manifold, retainer, air bag and soft cover to the housing. The manifold is elastically deformable and the keys are configured to be inserted into slots in the retainer and housing while the manifold is elastically compressed. Upon releasing the compression force the manifold expands and the keys are locked into the retainer and housing slots locking the individual sub-module pieces together. The air bag and soft cover are trapped between the manifold and the retainer during assembly. The soft cover and module housing are configured to open upon air bag deployment, allowing the air bag to inflate outside of the air bag module.

Abstract: A sun visor or other accessory for a motor vehicle. The sun visor includes a body made of rigid foam in which various structures (such as a support pin, detent and pivot arm) are insert molded. The foam has a rigidity which is sufficient to support said sun visor without requiring any additional reinforcing structures such as a support frame, support wire or centerboard. The pivot arm and detent are provided within a casing that prevents the foam from affecting the operation of the detent. Also insert molded into the body of the visor are mounts for an illuminated vanity. Terminals from a power supply are mounted in predetermined positions relative to the body so that when the vanity is mounted to the body, contacts coupled to a lamp and mounted to the vanity in predetermined positions, are caused engage the terminals.

Abstract: A side impact air bag module assembly for restraining a side impact air bag to a vehicle seat frame which provides a visible cover on the outside of the seat and allows the seat cavity to be only as large as the module's reaction housing. The housing encloses an inflator with a retainer configured to fasten the air bag, inflator, and housing to the seat back frame.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system having an inflator for providing inflation gas and an airbag. The airbag having excursion restrictors made of localized adhesive deposited between and joining a front and a rear member of the airbag. The excursion restrictors retain portions of the front and rear members in proximity to one another until a predetermined threshold pressure is obtained. Thereafter, the adhesive of the excursion restrictor fails in a controlled fashion and the airbag is allowed to fully inflate.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint sub-module configured for integral use with a vehicle steering wheel comprising an air bag and an inflator enclosed in a fabric envelope. The sub-module is designed to be incorporated into a well in the central hub section of a steering wheel and is configured to use the well walls and steering wheel mounting plate as reaction surfaces during air bag deployment. The sub-module design eliminates the need for a module housing and thus is smaller and lighter than traditional modules. A membrane horn switch and backing plate can also be incorporated into the sub-module design. The reduced number of parts needed to manufacture the sub-module of the present invention allows the sub-module to be manufactured at a cost reduction. The reduced size and weight of the sub-module allows room for turn signal, light controls, wiper controls and redundant accessory switches to be attached by allowing extra room for the electronics needed to operate these functions.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system composed of a compact air cushion module containing a rotating vent ring which creates a variable venting system for inflation of an air cushion. The rotating vent ring moves to open one or more vents of different flow areas which allows inflation gas to vent to the atmosphere thereby controlling the pressure with which the inflatable air cushion fills. The rotating vent ring has a neutral or non-rotated position wherein the venting is minimized such that the inflatable air cushion fills with a maximum pressure. The rotating vent ring is rotated to a variety of positions in response to one or more changing environmental conditions within the vehicle. Such conditions may include occupant position, seat belt usage, occupant weight, ambient temperature or any other relevant environmental factor.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system having a head/thorax air bag cushion configured to protect the head and thorax regions of a motor vehicle occupant during a side impact collision. The air bag is configured to be kidney shaped when inflated to optimize the protection area while eliminating excess volume. The air bag is inflated from the bottom up, thus inflating the region adjacent the thorax area of the occupant first. As the thorax area is loaded by the occupant, gas is forced into the head area of the air bag. As the head area is loaded by the occupant, gas is vented to atmosphere through vents located in the head area of the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module with adjustable cushion inflation is provided by including a valve member in the module which is movable to change the size of an inflation outlet through which inflation fluid flows into an air cushion while simultaneously changing the size of a vent outlet which enables inflation fluid to be vented to the ambient atmosphere. The valve member is positioned by a control unit which receives input from various sensors within the vehicle regarding such factors as ambient temperature, occupant position, occupant weight, seat belt usage, etc to produce an optimum cushion inflation based upon these factors.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle incorporating simplified assembly features. The airbag module assembly includes a retainer bracket element having a series of protruding tabs. These tabs are passed through slits of the airbag material and also engage slots in the module housing. The components are oriented and dimensioned such that the retainer bracket elastically deforms during assembly and allows the tabs to engage the housing slots by snapping into position.

Abstract: A side impact head restraint with inflatable deployment in which an inflatable member having a movable mounting point is used to deploy a fabric panel during a side impact collision for head protection. The inflatable member, made of coated fabric, is pressurized by a gas generator. The inflatable member is connected to fabric panel and is used to bring a fabric panel into position in the window area of a side door of the vehicle. The fabric panel is secured at three points, two fixed points located on the upper side rail and a third movable point on a track located on the "B" pillar. The inflatable member pushes the movable mounting point down the track from a position near the upper side rail down to a position immediately below the centerline of the side glass. The movable point locks into position at the end of the travel, when fully deployed. The fabric panel can then be loaded by the head wherein fabric elongation absorbs head impact energy.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a resealable tear seam through which a seat deployed side impact air bag is deployed during a side impact collision wherein the air bag expands causing the resealable tear seam to open and allowing the air bag to expand outside of the vehicle seat. The resealable tear seam comprises a first and a second seam member, preferably plastic locking fasteners, configured to form a resealable interlocking bond. The seam members elastically deform when forming the bond and when opening along the bond and return to an undeformed state after the bond forms or opens. The seam may be easily opened to install or service the air bag module and after installation or service is complete the interlocking bond may be easily reformed.

Abstract: An improved side impact airbag module configured to be attached to the seat frame of a vehicle seat. The module consists of an inflator, an inflator plate, an airbag and a soft cover. The module is designed with a reduce number of airbag components and fasteners. The inflator plate comprises a longitudinal mounting flange, a redirecting flange and a mounting plate. The redirecting flange is configured to redirect and distribute gas generated by the inflator in response to a crash signal. The shape of the redirecting flange can be changed thus causing a change in the direction of airbag deployment. The airbag is configured for receiving the inflator plate/inflator assembly such that the airbag is in fluid communication with the inflator. A soft cover is included for enclosing the inflator plate, inflator and airbag in an undeployed position. The soft cover includes a tear seam configured to open during deployment of the airbag to allow the airbag to deploy outside of the module.

Abstract: An improved construction and assembly process for a driver's-side air bag module is provided which incorporates an integral inflator and air cushion clamp ring, and which is readily snap-fit attached to a vehicle steering wheel hub. The ring/inflator assembly is received inside an air bag, extends partially through the air bag mounting opening, and mates preferably with ball-lock fasteners to a module base plate to trap the air bag to the module. The fasteners also allow easy attachment of the assembled air bag module to the hub of a vehicle steering wheel.

Abstract: A side impact air bag module assembly for retaining a side impact air bag to a vehicle seat frame which provides a housing having a minimum internal volume configured for mounting to an existing seat back frame with minimal modifications so as to conform to the seat back structure and decrease the packaging size required within the seat back. The housing retains an inflator within a deep-well portion in conjunction with a retainer configured to fasten the air bag and inflator to the housing and seat back frame.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module especially adapted for seat mounted side impact protection. The restraint module incorporates a retainer bracket with projecting deformable tab fingers which are loaded inside the bag through an access slit. Slots on opposite sides of the access slit are overlapped and placed such that the retainer bracket tab fingers extend through them. A sheet metal mounting bracket is then installed over the air bag. A cylindrical inflator is installed through holes formed in the mounting bracket and air bag into the interior cavity of the retainer bracket. This sub-assembly can be mounted into a plastic housing having slots which permit the tab fingers to extend to the exterior of the housing where they can be deformed to interlock the components in an assembled condition.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly formed as part of a vehicle arm rest. The cup holder includes a slidable drawer mounted to a frame for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A retaining arm is supported by the drawer and biased to pivot about a vertical axis between a use position and a stored position. The retaining arm has a retaining ring on one end which defines a container receiving aperture. The ring also includes a downwardly extending offset which is adapted to receive the handle of a container. The drawer additionally has an indentation defined in a lateral side edge and the indentation is located so as to correspond with and receive the offset when the retaining arm is in its stored position.

Abstract: An improved air cushion restraint system utilizes a gas flow-regulating valve having an inner membrane, an outer membrane, a pucker formed therebetween, and a flow passage from the air bag inflation chamber to the pucker for expulsion through an outer membrane aperture. The inner membrane is extensible in response to occupant impact with the air bag which exceeds a threshold value such that the inner membrane extends in response to such load where it is brought into nested engagement with the outer membrane pucker which flow restricts the aperture and stiffens the air bag.