Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connection of an airbag module to a supporting vehicle component, comprising an expanding element, arranged on one of the modules for connection, a clip opening, provided on one of the other modules for connection, and into which the expanding element may be introduced such as, in a clipping position in the expanded state, to engage behind the edge of the clip opening and a security element which may be engaged with the expanding elements such as to retain the expanding element in the expanded state. According to the invention, the security element, before being engaged with the expanding element, is detachably connected to a component of the module, provided with the expanding element and arranged behind the clip opening such as to be able to be brought into engagement with the expanding element when the latter is run through the clip opening over the clip position thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a generator support for a driver air bag module to be mounted in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The generator support includes at least one fastening area for fastening a gas generator to the generator support and at least two horn contacts that can be brought into electrical contact with each other in order to trigger an acoustic horn signal in a mounted state of the generator support together with the driver air bag module in a motor vehicle. In one form, one of the horn contacts is electrically grounded in the mounted state of the generator support and the fastening area is adapted and positioned relative to the grounded horn contact in such a manner that, when the gas generator is fastened to the fastening area of the generator support as prescribed, an electrical contact is established between the grounded horn contact and the gas generator.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag module for arranging on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle comprises a hinge mechanism for pivotably fixing the housing to a steering wheel and at least one fixing mechanism for additionally mounting the housing on the steering wheel in a floating manner. The hinge mechanism and the fixing mechanism are arranged at a distance from each other. The inventive housing also comprises a contact mechanism for triggering a vehicle horn. The contact mechanism is arranged at a distance from the hinge mechanism, and the housing mounted in a floating manner can be pivoted about the hinge mechanism in order to trigger the vehicle horn by applied pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switch provided with self-cleaning contacts used, in particular for actuating a horn for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The inventive switch comprises at least two opposite contacts one of which is movable and touches the opposite contact by means of an actuating element. The self-cleaning of the contacts is carried out by the reciprocal sliding thereof, the contact associated with the actuating element is fixed to a supporting element which is embodied in such a way that it is elastic and fixed to an end, an opposite end being free and moveable. Said invention is characterized in that the supporting element from the fixing side outward has an inclined line with respect to the direction of actuation in the direction of said actuating element, and subsequently in the direction of the free end thereof. A line is also inclined in the direction of the free end thereof with respect to the direction of actuation starting from the actuating element.

Abstract: An airbag unit for motor vehicles, with a tubular gas generator, tied to a motor vehicle structure, for generating a filling gas for a gas bag. The tubular gas generator is displaceable in the direction of its tube axis in relation to the motor vehicle structure and being in interaction with a deformation element which, under the action of a force which is greater than or equal to a defined minimum force, is deformed and makes it possible for the tubular gas generator to be displaced along its tube axis.

Abstract: An annular airbag is disclosed, of the type where the center piece (12) of the steering wheel cover (11) (mostly embodied as the emblem of the vehicle producer) remains in place during the unfolding process. In order to prevent a vehicle occupant impacting the hole arising above the center piece with an inflated airbag, the tubular region (17) of the airbag above the center piece is embodied such that the cross-sectional area thereof in the inflated state reduces in the direction of the upper plate of the airbag from the center piece (12). The above is achieved, for example, by means of a special forming of the tubular region, by provision of pockets (21) and/or folds (31), the use of special materials, a special fixing of the airbag to the airbag module (9), or the fitting of tension straps (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one inflatable airbag for protecting passengers. The aim of the invention is to influence, in different ways, the direction of expansion and depth of an airbag, irrespective of the cut of the airbag and irrespective of the course of the stitches of the airbag. According to the invention, at least one supplementary airbag is associated with a main airbag. Said supplementary airbag has a lower volume in order to increase the depth of deployment and/or to alter the direction of deployment of the main airbag.

Abstract: A device for mounting a module on a turnable steering wheel of a motor vehicle is provided in such a manner that the angular position of the module remains constant when the steering wheel is turned. In one form, the device includes a reversing gearing with a first gearing element of the reversing gearing, which is attached to a part of the motor vehicle fixed to said vehicle; a second gearing element of the reversing gearing, which can be fixed to the module and can be turned together with the module, and; a gearing subassembly, which can be actuated by turning the steering wheel and via which the first gearing element is coupled with the second gearing element in such a manner that a turning of the steering wheel relative to the first gearing element along a turning direction is converted into a turning of the module connected to the second gearing element relative to the steering wheel in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A gas bag for an occupant protection device in motor vehicles that includes a gas bag configured to be inflated by a gas generator. The gas bag has an envelope surface that is assigned to a vehicle occupant to be protected and an envelope that forms, in the inflated state, a gap leading into the envelope surface. The gap is defined along longitudinal sides by first and second sections of the gas bag that are opposite one another. The gas bag is configured so that a body part facing the gas bag of a vehicle occupant who is sitting outside a normal seating position can penetrate the gap as the gas bag inflates thereby expanding the gap. Additionally, the first and second sections of the gas bag are restrained relative to one another so that the first section and the second section close the gap after inflation of the airbag in order to prevent the penetration of a body part of a vehicle occupant into the gap after the complete inflation of the gas bag.

Abstract: An occupant protection device having an inflatable airbag for protecting a vehicle occupant in the rear compartment of a vehicle. The airbag being designed is fastened in the roof region of the vehicle so that, when inflated, the airbag at least partially covers both the side wall and/or the side window of the vehicle and also the rear window and/or the rear wall of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle subassembly including a steering wheel body and an airbag module is provided with the airbag module secured to the steering wheel via latching structure at spaced fastening points that allows removal of the module from the steering wheel body by releasing it at one of the fastening points. In this manner, the latching structureneed not be actuated at the other fastening points as well for airbag module removal. In a preferred form, an actuating element such as a spring member is provided for forming part of the latching connection between the steering wheel body and the airbag module. The latching structure can include latching elements at each fastening point having associated elastic elements such as helical springs for securing the airbag module with a prestress to the steering wheel body.

Abstract: A device for actuating electric functional groups, in particular horns on the steering wheels of motor vehicles is disclosed. The device includes at least two opposing contacts which can be brought into contact with one another to actuate the functional group and which clean themselves by sliding against one another during contact. The opposing contacts are fixed to a respective support element with both of the elements being elastically deformable.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement for a vehicle having a driver's airbag is disclosed. The airbag arrangement has an airbag module having an airbag between the steering wheel and the instrument panel of the vehicle. In the event of a crash, the airbag is deployed between the steering wheel and the instrument panel and, as a result, supports the steering wheel. The effect achieved by this is that the driver's airbag is better positioned with regard to the vehicle occupant, since deformation of the steering wheel by the forces acting on the driver's airbag in the event of a crash is prevented or reduced by means of the airbag. The inflated airbag can extend as far as the windshield of the vehicle. As a result, the forces introduced into the steering wheel in the event of a crash are also conducted away into the windshield. In addition, contact of a vehicle occupant not wearing his/her seatbelt with the can be prevented by suitably defining the size of the inflated airbag.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module, especially a passenger airbag module, comprising a gas generator arranged in a module housing. The aim of the invention is to create an airbag module which provides the gas bag with a sufficient retaining capacity and enables a load-reducing gas bag deployment which can be variably influenced. According to the invention, the module housing (1) comprises a continuous gas outlet (6) on at least one side in the region of a gas bag (4) to be deployed, and at least one section (7) extending into the gas bag (4) is arranged in the region of the gas outlet. Alternatively, the section (11) can be arranged directly above the gas outlet (6a; 6b).

Abstract: An airbag arrangement including an airbag, a gas generator and a housing. The housing includes an outlet for letting gas out of the airbag arrangement and a passage for allowing gas from the gas generator into the housing. A closing device is provided. The closing device can be adjusted between an open position, in which the outlet is open and the passage is at least partially closed, and a closed position, in which the outlet opening is closed and the passage opening is open. A releasable lock is provided for locking the closing device in the open position.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for the connection of a fastening element in a preassembled part is provided. The fastening arrangement makes provision for the fastening element to be fastened in the preassembled part by a latch connection.

Abstract: An airbag module including a housing for accommodating at least one gas generator and at least one airbag. The housing is not connected to the dashboard and may move away from the occupant. The housing my include at least one pair of brackets comprising a first deformable bracket for fastening the housing on a vehicle cross member and a second bracket, which is provided with a slot extending essentially in the direction of movement of the housing, for guiding at least one connecting element during the movement of the housing and for damping this movement, the connecting element connecting the first bracket to the vehicle cross member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for actuating the horn on steering wheels, comprising a steering wheel frame and at least one fixed horn contact provided thereon, and comprising a moving paddling support i.e. generator support and at least one horn contact, which is provided thereon and to which the fixed horn contact is assigned. The invention provides that the padding support i.e. the generator support is mounted on the steering wheel frame in a manner that enables it to pivot at a position.