Abstract: A device for attaching a steering wheel on a steering shaft by a connecting sleeve, which is attached to the hub of the steering wheel. At its end, the steering shaft has a section with exterior splines, which are complementary to interior splines in the connecting sleeve. The connecting sleeve has an axial slot and is clamped by a clamping screw against the section of the steering shaft which has the splines. The steering wheel constitutes a sub-assembly with an integrated air bag module and may be supplied for the final assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inertial sensor for activating a vehicular passenger restraining system comprises a housing and a sensor body supported in the housing for a sliding translational movement under the action of inertial forces from a rest position to an activating position. A return spring bearing with one end at the sensor body and with the other end at the housing preloads the sensor body towards the rest position. A first one of a pair of electrical contacts is stationary and fixed in the housing. A second one of the pair of electrical contacts is a strip-shaped contact spring closely spaced from the stationary contact and mounted in the housing to be deflectable by the sensor body into contact with the stationary contact.

Abstract: An inertial sensor for activating a vehicular passenger restraining system has a sensor body which is slidably guided translationally in a housing and preloaded in a rest position by a return spring. The sensor body includes an actuating pin for actuating a contact pair which is located in the current circuit of an electric igniter. The preloading force of the return spring is overcome by an acceleration as low as approx. 2 g. Following an initial stroke of approx. 2 mm the movement of the sensor body is counteracted by an additional spring, the spring force of which is several times that of the return spring. The subsequent actuating stroke amounts to only approx. 0.5 mm. With good reliability in preventing malactivation a fast response is achieved.

Abstract: A cover plate for a gas bag restraining system has a badge bearing an emblem fixed on its front side. The badge has a tubular rivet formed thereon which extends through the cover plate and whose free terminal section is rolled over at the rear side of the cover plate. The rolled over terminal section of the tubular rivet is curved convexly and is directed toward the rear side of the cover plate.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel with an integrated gas bag restraining system comprises a plastic foam encased steering wheel body, whose hub part (18) is designed to receive a folded up gas bag (24). A cover (30) for the gas bag (24) is an integral component of the plastic foam case, in whose opening a housing body (40) is able to be inserted, wherein a pyrotechnic propellant charge and a fuse are arranged. The housing body (40) is secured on the one hand to the hub part (18) and on the other hand to the steering shaft.

Abstract: An air bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises several sewn fabrics parts. All fabric parts consist of fabric which has the same fiber density and filament yarn. The gas permeability curve of the entire gas bag increases as a function of the internal gage pressure. At a gage pressure of approximately 10 kPa the permeability is at a value between approximately 0.4 and approximately 1.0 m.sup.3 /s. On further increases in gage pressure to values between approximately 10 kPa and approximately 20 kPa, the gas permeability of the air bag reaches a maximum and then decreases when the gage pressure is above approximately 20 kPa to at least approximately 40 kPa. This form of the gas permeability curve means that hardness of the air bag is automatically regulated in order to provide low hardness during the initial pressure build up.

Abstract: In a belt tensioner for vehicular seat belt restraining systems the belt reel (16) of a belt retractor is caused to rotate by a linear drive unit via a step-up gear. The linear drive unit comprises a burstproof cylinder tube (42) closed off at both ends and a hollow piston (44) shiftable therein. Within said hollow piston a pyrotechnical propelling charge (50) with an igniter (52) is accommodated. The belt tensioner is distinguished by its compact configuration, low weight and low-cost production as well as by the linear drive unit being safe to handle.

Abstract: The belt retractor with a belt pretensioner acting on the belt drum (12) has a pyrotechnical piston and cylinder linear drive (22). A rack (32) adapted to be subjected to thrust is connected with the piston (28) of such linear drive (22). The rack (32) is able to be drivingly coupled with the belt drum by the intermediary of a step-up gear wheel transmission (34, 36, 44). After tensioning of the belt, tensions in the safety belt system are limited by plastic deformation of a torsion rod (38), and peak strain values are decreased.The belt retractor is integrated with the belt pretensioner and the energy converter as a compact assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle for cooperation with an insert tongue comprises a swivel latch mounted in a frame to be movable between a locked position and a released position, and a helical pressure spring which has a first end supported by said swivel latch and a second end supported by a locking member. The spring is held by a spring receptacle which is defined by two ridges on said frame and which surrounds a spigot on said locking member. The second pressure spring end and said spring receptacle are configured such that said second spring end is self-centered on said spigot. Due to this configuration, a malassembly of the spring is excluded.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle based on the proven latching pawl design is equipped with simple measures to render it tensioner compatible. The latching pawl is locked in its latching position by a pin-type catch which is preloaded by a compression spring to a retracted position, but shifted into a blocking position in response to high acceleration of the buckle in which it protrudes into the guiding channel of the latching pawl.

Abstract: On a belt retractor for vehicular seat belt restraining systems having a vehicle and belt sensitive automatic blocking mechanism (26) for the belt reel (12) rotatably mounted in the housing (10) the pawl tooth of a locking pawl (18) first coming into contact with the locking toothing (16) is formed as the control tooth (181). A control link (22) of the locking pawl (18) exhibits a radial stroke which is dimensioned so that the locking pawl (18) is swivelled by the control cam (24) up to first contact of the control tooth (181) with a tooth flank of the locking toothing (16) past which it is further swivelled unsubstantially at the most. After initial contact of the control tooth (181) with a tooth flank of the locking toothing (16) a torque is exerted by rotation of the belt reel on the locking pawl (18) as a result of which the locking pawl (18) is forced to swivel up to positive interlock of the pawl teeth (182, 183) with the locking toothing (16).

Abstract: The vehicle steering wheel with integrated gas bag restraining system is composed of two steering wheel parts, a first steering wheel part (10) comprising the steering wheel rim with sheathing as well as spokes and a fastener flange, and a second part (20) forming the hub part (22) and with a bush (26) for securing to the end of the steering shaft (28). Within the steering wheel a gas bag module (30) is accommodated. The cover (12a) of this gas bag module (30) is integrated in the sheathing (12) of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A combined occupant restraining system for the vehicle driver's side has a gas bag integrated in the steering wheel and a knee impact protector. The steering wheel is secured to a tubular steering shaft section in whose interior space a gas generator is mounted. The flow path defined by the steering shaft section opens directly into the gas bag folded up in the steering wheel. The knee protector comprises a gas cushion, which is inflatable via a flow path connected with the interior of the steering shaft section.

Abstract: A vehicular gas bag restraining system including a folded gas bag (12) arranged behind a cover (10) and a gas generator (16) mounted on a supporting plate.(18), the folded gas bag (12) forming together with an anchoring plate (14) provided with a through-opening corresponding to the inflation opening (122) of said gas bag (12) a preassembled module which is inserted within the cover (10) and is jointed together with said supporting plate (18) in the axial direction of the gas generator (16).

Abstract: An inertial sensor for the vehicle sensitive triggering of a locking mechanism on a belt retractor comprises a ball which is seated in a socket in alignment with a reference plane. A pivotally mounted sensor lever rests on the ball and has a free end with a control pawl formed thereon. The sensor lever is formed and adapted for cooperation with an externally toothed control disk of the belt retractor. The pivot axis of the sensor lever is inclined in relation to the reference plane in the same direction as the plane of the control disk, the angle of inclination of the pivot axis of the sensor lever being approximately half as large as the angle of inclination of the plane of the control disk in relation to a plane perpendicular to the reference plane.

Abstract: A gas bag module of a vehicular passenger restraint system has a gas bag stowable on one side of a mounting wall and, for inflating the gas bag, a gas generator mountable on the opposite side of this mounting wall. An inflation opening of the gas bag is provided with a bead which grips behind the mounting wall.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner for a safety belt comprises a pyrotechnic propellant charge (34) able to be operated by a fuze (48) and adapted to act on a drive device for a belt pretensioner. The drive device comprises a piston (18), adapted to be moved in translation, of a piston and cylinder unit. The pyrotechnic propellant charge (34) is mounted within the extent of a cylinder space (28) enclosed by the piston and cylinder unit. The fuze (48) is designed in the form of a self-contained unit and arranged separately from the propellant charge (34).

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a belt pretensioner comprises a sensor mass which responds both on a head-on collision and on ramming of the vehicle from the rear. The sensor mass may be pivotally mounted and formed by functional parts of the pretensioner drive. In a belt pretensioner which is combined with a belt retractor (10) to an assembly and which has a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder drive, the sensor mass consists of a carrier block (40) pivotally mounted on a base (12) and having a guide cylinder (42) mounted therein and a piston accommodated therein. A striker lever (50) pivotally mounted in the base (12) is released for activating an impact igniter on a gas generator cartridge (44) when the carrier block (40) is pivoted in vehicle-sensitive manner in the one or other direction.

Abstract: The buckle for safety belts is based on the well accepted pivotal latch design and using simple means is designed to resist the effects of a belt pretensioner. The pivotal latch is secured in a locked position by a catch plate. The catch plate is for its part held by two locking balls, held between a recess in the catch locking plate and an arresting plate extending parallel to the catch plate. For release of the buckle firstly this locking plate must be moved using a mass-balanced system.

Abstract: In a gas bag protective device for a vehicle occupant with an inflatable gas bag, a gas generator with a plurality of gas outlet openings and a generally tubular diffusor surrounding the gas generator and provided with a plurality of gas distribution openings are located within the gas bag. A casing is provided for accommodating the gas bag in a folded condition, the diffusor and the gas generator.