Abstract: An airbag module having an elastically mounted gas generator. An easily fittable, elastic mounting is provided for mounting the the gas generator in such a manner that it can be used irrespective of the shape of the diffuser or of another housing surrounding the gas generator. The gas generator is mounted by means of an elastic subassembly, which has retaining element running obliquely upward, i.e., obliquely in the direction of the covering, and retaining element running obliquely downward, i.e., obliquely in the direction opposed to the aforementioned direction. The two retaining elements are fastened to the gas generator or to a section of the airbag module.

Abstract: A driver or front passenger airbag including a gas bag which can be inflated in a head-on collision to protect a motor vehicle occupant. The gas bag including two sections which are separated from one another so that the inflated gas bag has, on its front side facing the occupant to be protected, a gap which runs between the gas bag sections. The gap is spanned by a sheet so that, in the case of an impact directed toward the front side of the gas bag, the occupant to be protected is prevented by the sheet from penetrating into the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device for a vehicle horn of a vehicle having an actuation element by means of which the vehicle horn is triggered when pressure is applied by an operator. In order to make the switching device particularly user-friendly, the invention provides for the actuation element to be mounted on a pantograph device in such a way that the actuation element can move exclusively in a direction which is predefined by the pantograph device.

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: An airbag module for motor vehicles including a airbag which can be inflated in order to protect a vehicle passenger. The envelope of the airbag includes a section facing the upper body of the vehicle passenger to be protected. The airbag module also includes a cover which frees an opening for the deployment of the airbag, during the inflation of the airbag, and an emblem region of the cover which is arranged in a fixed manner. The airbag includes an opening in the envelope through which the emblem region penetrates the inner chamber of the airbag during the deployment of the same. The opening is not oriented towards the upper body of the passenger to be protected when the airbag is inflated.

Abstract: A belt force limiter which limits the belt force through the twisting of a torsion bar. The belt force limiter includes a flange, a reel for winding and unwinding the belt, as well as the torsion bar. Additionally, a shear pin or a deformable pin may be provided for locking the flange and the reel together, so that the relative turning of the flange and reel is prevented or impeded until the tensile force acting on the belt exceeds a preset level momentarily or over a preset period of time. Thus the force limitation is delayed or graduated. Furthermore, in a method for reducing the danger of injury to a vehicle's occupant by means of a restraining system the belt force is allowed to increase to an elevated level of force and then the belt force diminishes again before the belt force limitation begins.

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 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: The invention relates to a steering wheel with at least one device for the fastening of build-on parts, the steering wheel having a steering wheel skeleton surrounded by foam. According to the invention, there is provision for the device provided for the fastening of build-on parts to be, on the steering wheel skeleton, a holding part which is fixed by the steering wheel foam surround and which projects out of the steering wheel foam surround for the fastening of at least one build-on part.

Abstract: A steering wheel for motor vehicle that includes at least one switching device for actuating an electric functional group such as, for example, a vehicle horn. The switching device includes two electric contact elements that can be moved in relation to one another and can be brought into contact with one another for actuating the functional group. According to the invention, one of the contact elements is mounted in a springy manner and so that one of the contact elements glides along the other element after the two contact elements have been brought into contact with one another for actuating the electric functional group.

Abstract: A decorative element for cover caps of airbag modules is provided. The decorative element includes predetermined breaking points and/or bending points. As a result of the predetermined breaking points and/or bending points, the decorative element tears together with the cover cap when an airbag is deployed.

Abstract: An airbag module including a generator carrier having a base for fastening a gas generator. The carrier also includes at least one boundary wall which projects from the base and is integrally formed in one piece on the base and which, together with the base, forms a receptacle for a folded gas bag. The module also includes a cover for covering an outlet orifice for a deploying gas bag. At least one portion of the boundary wall is pivotably connected to the base part so that the boundary wall can pivot and thereby create a free space for the deploying gas bag.

Abstract: A steering wheel cover for covering a section of a steering wheel with at least one covering piece which surround the steering wheel body along the section of the steering wheel to be covered and which may be fixed relative to the steering wheel body by means of a catch connection. The catch connection is produced by the engagement of a catch element with a corresponding catch segment. An additional catch lock with a stop-face may be provided, on which the catch element may rest and which hinders a release of the catch connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device for a vehicle horn of a vehicle having an actuation element by means of which the vehicle horn is triggered when pressure is applied by an operator. In order to make the switching device particularly user-friendly, the invention provides for the actuation element to be mounted on a pantograph device in such a way that the actuation element can move exclusively in a direction which is predefined by the pantograph device.

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: The invention relates to a device for transmitting electric current between two components, which twist in relation to one another, of a steering device for motor vehicles. The inventive device comprises a rotor which is assigned to the steering wheel and which can turn together with the same, a stator which is assigned to a stationary subassembly of the motor vehicle, and at least one flexible printed circuit board which runs from the rotor to the stator. When the steering wheel is turned, said printed circuit board can, according to the direction of turning, be wound onto a winding element or unwound therefrom. In addition, the printed circuit board comprises a flat flexible support on which the conductor tracks run from the stator to the rotor. According to the invention, each opposing surface (28, 29) of the flexible support (30) is provided with conductor tracks (40a, 40b) running from the stator to the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and packaging an airbag includes a tapered concentrator. The airbag can be a head or side-window airbag. The concentrator has an inlet and an outlet whose dimension is smaller than the inlet. Feeding the airbag through the concentrator squeezes or compresses (i.e., folds) the airbag to a predetermined cross section corresponding the outlet size of the concentrator. The airbag can include a strap at one end portion thereof. The strap is feed through the concentrator, such as by pulling the strap therethrough. Pulling the strap pulls the airbag through the smaller outlet, which compresses or folds the airbag. Also, by placing an airbag package having an inlet sized to the outlet of the concentrator adjacent to the outlet of the concentrator, and feeding the strap through the airbag package, the folded airbag is inserted into the package substantially simultaneously with the folding operation. The concentrator can include pre-orienting elements for forming uniform folds.

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 means of a latching connection.

Abstract: A steering wheel for motor vehicle that includes at least one switching device for actuating an electric functional group such as, for example, a vehicle horn. The switching device includes two electric contact elements that can be moved in relation to one another and can be brought into contact with one another for actuating the functional group. According to the invention, one of the contact elements is mounted in a springy manner and so that one of the contact elements glides along the other element after the two contact elements have been brought into contact with one another for actuating the electric functional group.

Abstract: A steering angle sensor arrangement for determining the steering angle of a steering wheel arrangement has an incremental code track and a sensing device. The code track is assigned to either of a rotatable portion of the steering wheel or a fixed portion. The sensing device for sensing the code track can be assigned to the other assembly. The sensing device generates an incremental signal from which the steering angle can be determined. At the incremental track has at least one reference mark, which modifies the incremental signal for determining the absolute position of the steering wheel.