Abstract: A pressurized fluid-powered actuator includes a housing and a striker movably coupled to the housing. Resilient sealing means are positioned between the striker and the housing. The sealing means are compressible so as to seal an end of the housing responsive to a force exerted on the sealing means by the striker in a first direction toward the housing. Releasable retaining means are operatively coupled to the striker and are structured to prevent motion of the striker in a second direction opposite the first direction prior to activation of the actuator, and responsive to a reaction force in the second direction exerted on the striker by the sealing means when the sealing means is compressed.

Abstract: An airbag assembly including an airbag module mounted to a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is mounted to an outside surface of a side member of a back frame of a vehicle seat frame and partially covers the outside surface of the side member and extending along a length of the side member. The assembly includes a load transfer device mounted to an inside surface of the side member. The load transfer device distributing a load originating at the airbag module from the mounting bracket to the vehicle seat frame.

Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider for restricting a flow of gases from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The valve mechanism is structured such that an actuation response time of the valve in attenuating or impeding gas flow from the lower chamber into the upper chamber is proportional to the pressure differential between the upper and lower chambers.

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner including a casing defining a pivot axis and having a locking member, a driving mechanism supported by the casing, a flexible connecting member, and a cam. The driving mechanism includes a movable member that moves relative to the casing during pretensioning. The flexible connecting member has a first end coupled to the movable member and a second end that is attachable to one of the anchor, the buckle and the webbing. The cam includes a locking surface having a cross-sectional shape that is an Archimedean spiral. The cam is rotatable about the pivot axis between a non-locking position, in which the connecting member is able to freely move between the cam and the locking member, and a locking position, in which the locking surface clamps the connecting member to the locking member to prevent any further movement of the connecting member relative to the locking member.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a first chamber activatable to provide a first quantity of gas and a second chamber activatable independently of the first chamber to provide a second quantity of gas. A single opening enables fluid communication between the second chamber and the first chamber. A barrier seals the opening to prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers prior to activation of the second chamber.

Abstract: Multi-piece constructions for an illuminated emblem assembly for connection to an airbag cover are provided herein. An airbag assembly can include an airbag cover, an emblem portion having one or more translucent areas and an illumination source. The illumination source can include a light guide and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) for illuminating the light guide. The light guide can include an illuminated portion for transmitting light emitted from the one or more LEDs. The emblem portion can be arranged between the airbag cover and the illumination source, and the emblem portion and the illumination source can be aligned such that at least one of the one or more translucent areas is illuminated by light passing through the emblem portion from the illuminated portion.

Abstract: An airbag includes an outer shell defining an interior, at least one vent opening structured to enable fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the airbag, and a divider dividing the airbag interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The divider is deflectable in a first direction toward the lower chamber and in a second direction toward the upper chamber. A vent cover is coupled to the at least one vent opening and to the divider so as to close over and restrict a flow of gas through the at least one vent opening when the divider is deflected in the first direction, and so as to permit the vent cover to open so as to enable an unobstructed flow of gas through the at least one vent opening when the divider is deflected in the second direction.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag module includes an extrusion incorporating a body portion and a cover extruded integrally with the body portion so as to form a single monolithic unit.

Abstract: A fastener for mounting an airbag to a vehicle includes a first fastening element and a second fastening element. The first and second fastening elements are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of an airbag panel. The first fastening element includes a protrusion configured to be positioned within an opening located in the second fastening element. The fastener has a locked condition in which the first and second fastening elements are locked together. A wall of the second fastening element forming the opening includes a recess configured to receive the protrusion when the fastener is in the locked condition. The second fastening element is configured to be rotated relative to the first fastening element in order to change the condition of the fastener to locked.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a front center airbag system comprising: a first airbag mounted on an inboard side of a first front seat and a second airbag mounted on an inboard side of a second front seat, wherein the first airbag and the second airbag are constructed and arranged so that in a deployment condition the first airbag and the second airbag fill a space between and partially forward of the first front seat and the second front seat.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting an airbag module to a seat frame having a bottom frame and a back frame mounted to the bottom frame and having at least one side member extending in a substantially vertical direction. The mounting device includes a mounting bracket, mounted to an outside surface of the side member and connected to the airbag module, and at least one load transfer device, mounted to an inside surface of the side member and engaging a front portion or a rear portion of the side member, having a main body shaped to engage the inside surface and an engagement portion extending from the main body and shaped to engage the front portion or the rear portion. The load transfer device distributes a load, originating at the airbag module as a result of deployment or occupant loading of the airbag, from the mounting bracket to the seat frame.

Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider for restricting a flow of gases from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The valve mechanism is structured such that an actuation response time of the valve in attenuating or impeding gas flow from the lower chamber into the upper chamber is proportional to the pressure differential between the upper and lower chambers.

Abstract: An active hinge mechanism structured for lifting a portion of a hood of a vehicle is provided. The mechanism includes a tubular link structured for operative coupling to the hood so as to transmit a lifting force to the hood after activation of the mechanism.

Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag and a divider attached to the at least one panel so as to divide the interior into a plurality of chambers. An internal tether is attached to the at least one panel and to the divider so as to limit movement of the divider in a direction toward one of the chambers.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle seat. The module includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator. The airbag is stored in the vehicle seat prior to deployment and includes inboard and outboard inflatable chambers separated by a gap at a forward portion of the airbag. The airbag is configured to deploy into a position along side of the vehicle seat and the occupant.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag module includes an extrusion incorporating a body portion and a cover extruded integrally with the body portion so as to form a single monolithic unit. At least one endcap formed separately from the extrusion is operatively coupled to an end of the extrusion so as to seal the end.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle seat. The module includes an inflatable cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the cushion. The cushion includes at least a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber. The inflatable cushion is configured so that the first inflatable chamber fully inflates prior to the second inflatable chamber becoming fully inflated. The second inflatable chamber is positioned to absorb energy resulting from movement of the head of the occupant, and the loft of the second inflatable chamber is greater than the loft of the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: An active leg engagement system for a vehicle includes a selectively deployable leg-engaging member.