Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a harness coupled to the occupant by surrounding a portion of the occupant, a winding mechanism fixed to the vehicle and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, and a flexible linking member having a first end coupled to the harness and a second end coupled to the winding mechanism. The linking member is configured to selectively wind and unwind from the winding mechanism. When the winding mechanism is in the first mode of operation, the linking member may be unwound from the winding mechanism to allow the occupant to move freely about the vehicle. When the winding mechanism is in the second mode of operation, the winding mechanism winds the linking member to pull the harness toward the winding mechanism.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a filter assembly (36) formed from a plurality of nodules (36b) positioned and secured in relation to each other so as to form a porous structure (36a). In one embodiment, the nodules (36b) are metallic and are secured in relation to each other using either a sintering process or a brazing process. The nodules (36b) may be bonded directly together, or the nodules may be secured within a metallic matrix material. The gas generating system may also include a first baffle plate (40) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a gas source of the gas generating system (10), and a second baffle plate (42) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a housing wall (12c) of the gas generating system (10). The baffle plates (40, 42) provide added structural integrity to the porous structure (36a) and increase the length of a tortuous flow path of gases through the filter assembly (36).

Abstract: A releasable tether retention system includes a housing and a tether retention member including a portion movably mounted in the housing. The system is configured to retain a tether on the member when the member is positioned in a first position, and configured so that a tether retained on the member is released from the member during movement of the member from the first position to a second position different from the first position.

Abstract: A gas source includes a housing with a cavity formed therein, and a connecting passage configured to enable fluid communication between the housing cavity and an exterior of the connecting passage. The connecting passage includes a first end and a second end. A cross-sectional area of the connecting passage second end is less than a cross-sectional area of the passage first end. A seal is configured so as to prevent fluid communication between the connecting passage second-end and the exterior of the connecting passage prior to activation of the gas source. Means are coupled to the housing for providing a pressure wave transmissible via a medium positioned in the cavity to the connecting passage first end.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system including an airbag including a vent and a vent cover, an actuator, and a tether. The tension can be applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated. Further, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover. The actuator is configured, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated. The vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open. The vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated. In addition, the vent cover can be located on an exterior surface of the airbag.

Abstract: An occupant sensing system for a vehicle includes a pressure sensitive material installed in one or more pressure sensing zones in or around at least one vehicle seat. The pressure sensitive material of each zone is configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when pressure is applied. The controller determines at least one of occupant presence, position, and classification based on the electrical signal. The pressure sensitive material has at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance based on the amount or type of pressure that is applied to the material. The at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance changes characteristics of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle includes at least one bi-directional gas exit passage configured to provide a thrust-neutral release of gases from the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for protecting an occupant positioned in a seat of a vehicle. The system includes a gas emitting device positioned adjacent to an occupant of a vehicle. The system also may include a controller configured to control the activation of the gas emitting device. A sensor configured to detect the vertical acceleration of the vehicle, may be included. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor and activate the gas emitting device when the signal from the sensor is indicative of a condition where the vertical acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold. When activated, the gas emitting device may be configured to emit gas toward the legs of the occupant so that the force of the emitted gas directly forces the legs of the occupant to move.

Abstract: An occupant protection system is used to protect an occupant from vertical acceleration of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that detects when a vehicle is subjected to vertical acceleration and a lowering means for a vehicle seat. The seat lowering means actively lowers, or forces the seat in a generally downward direction based on a signal from the sensor. Also, a seat for a vehicle includes a support that may withstand a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, a sensor that may detect the vertical acceleration, and a seat lowering means. The seat is connected to the support, and the seat may slide in a downward direction relative to the support. The seat is lowered by the seat lowering means at least partly in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion, a diffuser provided between the inflator and the airbag cushion and a deflector provided between the inflator and the diffuser. The diffuser forces the inflation gas to change flow direction at least one time before the inflation gas exits into the airbag cushion. The deflector deflects particulates emitted from the inflator into a predetermined portion of the diffuser to inhibit particulates from entering into the airbag cushion. The predetermined portion of the diffuser may be an upper corner of the diffuser.

Abstract: A steering system for allowing an operator to control the direction of travel of a vehicle propelled on wheels. The steering system comprises a steering input device configured to include a handle pivotally coupled to a linkage assembly configured to swivel, wherein the handle is configured to move in the fore and aft direction, wherein the steering input device generates input data based on the position of the linkage assembly and/or the handle. The steering system further comprises a communication device to communicate the input data received by the steering input device to a lower steering system, wherein the lower steering system is configured to receive the input data from the steering input device and control the direction of the wheels based on the input data received.

Abstract: An airbag device configured to deploy along an interior side of a passenger compartment of a vehicle may include a gas generator and an inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag may include a plurality of inflatable chambers configured to be inflated by the gas generator. A first inflatable chamber may be tethered to at least a second inflatable chamber by a connection member. The airbag may be configured so that when the airbag is inflated the connection member restrains the separation of the first and second inflatable chambers and forces at least one of the inflatable chambers inboard so that the plurality of inflatable chambers form a convex profile along a plane perpendicular to the side of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An exercising device includes a disc shaped member capable of rotating about a point of rotation. The exercising device also includes an elongated supporting member connected to the point of rotation of the disc shaped member. Further, the exercising device includes a braking mechanism carried by the elongated supporting member. The braking mechanism is capable of contacting the disc shaped member to apply a resistance to the rotation of the disc shaped member. Moreover, the exercising device includes a foot engaging member connected to the disc shaped member. The foot engaging member is adapted to be operated by feet of an individual. The operation of the foot engaging member by the individual against the resistance to the rotation applied by the braking mechanism exercises the individual.

Abstract: A plurality of features determined from at least a portion of an image containing information about an object are processed with an inclusive neural network, and with a plurality of exclusive neural networks, so as to provide a plurality of inclusive probability values representing probabilities that the portion of the image corresponds to at least one of at least two different classes of objects, and for each exclusive neural network, so as to provide first and second exclusive probability values representing probabilities that the portion of the image respectively corresponds. or not. to at least one class of objects. The plurality of inclusive probability values, and the first and second exclusive probability values from each of the exclusive neural networks, provide for identifying whether the portion of the image corresponds, or not, to any of the at least two different classes of objects.

Abstract: A knee airbag module for protecting a vehicle occupant comprising a housing containing an inflatable airbag and an inflator for providing gas for inflating the airbag; and wherein the airbag is configured to inflate and deploy out of the housing into a position forward of the knees of the occupant; where the airbag includes front and rear panels that are connected together to form an inflatable chamber; wherein when the airbag deploys the front panel is positioned adjacent to an instrument panel of the vehicle and the rear panel is positioned adjacent to the occupant; wherein the cross-sectional vertical length of the front panel is shorter than the cross-sectional vertical length of the rear panel thereby causing the airbag to deploy upwardly.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, an airbag system includes an airbag cushion, a housing, an inflator, a latch mechanism, and a valve panel. The airbag cushion defines an inlet and a chamber. The house is coupled to the airbag cushion generally proximate the inlet. The inflator is coupled to the housing and is in fluidic communication with the inlet. The latch mechanism is coupled to the housing. The valve panel has a first end coupled to the airbag cushion generally opposite the inlet and includes a second end releasably coupled to the latch mechanism. The airbag cushion includes one or more vent apertures through a surface thereof. The valve panel includes one or more valve apertures and is disposed in the chamber generally adjacent the surface of the airbag cushion. The valve panel is configured to slide relative to the airbag cushion from a first position to a second position before being released by the latch mechanism to move to a third.

Abstract: A knee airbag module can include a knee airbag cushion and a deployment control mechanism, with the deployment control mechanism limiting displacement of the knee airbag cushion in at least a vertical direction relative to a vehicle. The deployment control mechanism can induce an airbag cushion to deploy in a direction rearward (relative to a front of a vehicle) and oblique along a vehicle dashboard quickly by controlling and limiting the downward deployment distance and making the rearward and oblique direction become a path of least resistance for deployment of the knee airbag cushion. In addition, the airbag module and the deployment control mechanism can permit a knee airbag cushion to provide enhanced coverage of an occupant's leg, such as above the knee of the occupant's leg, by controlling the deployment of the knee airbag cushion without the need to use an airbag cushion with a greater vertical height.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions include a primary fuel selected from aminotetrazoles and heterocyclic amines; a carbonyl donor selected from formaldehyde, formamide, or an ammonium formate; and a basic constituent selected from alkali and alkaline earth metal aminotetrazoles, hydantoin and basic derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Gas generators and vehicle occupant protection systems incorporating the present compositions are also described.

Abstract: A gas generating system usable in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided. The system includes an outer housing having an outer diameter varying within a range of approximately 16 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters. A vehicle occupant protection system and an airbag module including the gas generating system are also provided.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an airbag having a vent and a vent cover configured to close the vent, an actuator, and a tether. The tether is connected between the actuator and the airbag. The vent cover is positioned outside the airbag and between the tether and the airbag. During inflation of the airbag but prior to activation of the actuator, the tether is in tension so as to apply a normal force against the vent cover to maintain the vent in a closed state. The actuator is configured to be activated to reduce or release tension in the tether to reduce the normal force applied by the tether to the vent cover and allow inflation gas to move the vent cover to place the vent in an open state.