Abstract: An apparatus (10) for providing fluid under pressure for actuating a vehicle occupant protection device comprises an electrically actuatable initiator (80) having terminal pins (100). A hermetically sealed metal propellant container (130) contains a propellant (82) ignitable by the initiator (80) to produce fluid under pressure. The propellant container (130) is secured to the initiator (80) by crimping. The apparatus (10) also comprises a member (86) electrically insulating between the metal propellant container (130) and the terminal pins (100) of the initiator (80) to isolate the initiator electrically from the propellant container.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes seat belt webbing (12) for restraining an object (14) in a vehicle seat (16). A sensor (50) associated with the vehicle seat (16) senses a sensed weight of the object (14) in the vehicle seat. A seat belt tension sensor (60) senses the tension in the seat belt webbing (12). A controller (44) determines a computed weight of the object (14) as a function of both the sensed weight and the tension in the seat belt webbing (12).

Abstract: A buckle (10) for a vehicle seat belt system (12) comprises a latch mechanism (26) for connection with a tongue assembly (14) of the seat belt system. The latch mechanism (26) has a latched condition and a released condition. The buckle (10) also comprises a manually engageable pushbutton (40) connected with the latch mechanism (26). The pushbutton (40) is movable between a first position in which the latch mechanism is in the latched condition and a second position in which the latch mechanism is in the released condition. The buckle (10) contains an illumination mechanism (46) comprising an electroluminescent panel (50) which may or may not be movable with the pushbutton when the pushbutton moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (20) for providing inflation fluid for the inflatable device. The inflator (20) has a relatively large diameter body portion (24) and a relatively small diameter neck portion (40) extending from the body portion. The neck portion (40) has an inflation fluid outlet (42). The occupant protection apparatus (10) also comprises a conduit (50) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator (20) into the inflatable device (14). The conduit (50) has a relatively large diameter main body portion (60) secured on the body portion (24) of the inflator (20) by interfitting portions (80, 34) of the main body portion and the body portion of the inflator. The main body portion (60) of the conduit (50) defines a fluid chamber (70) around the neck portion (40) of the inflator (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (13) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position to help protect the vehicle occupant. The apparatus (12) also comprises a housing (10) for mounting in the vehicle. The housing (10) includes a chamber (61) receiving the inflatable device in the deflated condition. The housing (10) includes a first housing part (60) having a locking rib (80), and a second housing part (90) having a locking groove (110) and an opening (114) into the locking groove. The locking rib (80) is movable in a first direction (70) through the opening (114) into the locking groove (110) for releasably closing the housing (10) with the inflatable device (14) inside the chamber. The first housing part (60) has a tool receiving portion (82) adjacent the locking rib (80).

Abstract: A cover assembly (10) for covering an inflatable occupant protection device (30) comprises a cover (50). The cover (50) has an inner surface (70) for facing the inflatable occupant protection device and a manually depressible outer surface (72). An electrical switch (110) is actuatable by manual depression of the outer surface (72). A backer plate (120) supports the electrical switch (110) adjacent the inner surface (70). A plurality of openings (122) extend through the backer plate (120). A rib (94) extends from the inner surface (70) of the cover (50) around at least a portion of the periphery of the electrical switch (110). A plurality of stakes (92) extend from the inner surface (70) through the plurality of openings (122) in the backer plate (120). Each of the plurality of stakes (92) has a portion (130) connected with the rib (94) to hold the backer plate (120) on the cover (50).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from a vehicle roof (18) between a vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) further comprises an anchoring device (70) that comprises a track (72) and an element (74) that is slidable along the track. The track (72) is connected to the side structure (16) and has a wall (82, 200) comprising a smooth uninterrupted surface (94, 202). The element (74) is connected to the device (14) and has a surface (130, 242) that is in continuous engagement with the surface (94, 202) of the wall (82, 200). The device (14) applies a first force to the element (74) which causes the element to slide in a first direction along the track (72). The element (74) is urged to slide along the track (72) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, when a second force is applied to the element.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant of a vehicle. The apparatus (10) includes a knee bolster (22), an inflatable device (30), an actuatable inflator (40), and a flexible tether (50). The knee bolster (22) is movable in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent to an instrument panel (14) of the vehicle to an actuated position to engage a knee of the occupant of the vehicle. The inflatable device (30) moves the knee bolster (22) from the stored position to the actuated position. The inflatable device (30) inflates in a first direction toward the knees of the vehicle occupant. The inflator (40) inflates the inflatable device (30). The tether (50) limits movement of the knee bolster (22) in the first direction and positions the knee bolster in the actuated position. The tether (50) engages an exterior central surface portion (32) of the inflatable device (30) and restricts inflation of the central surface portion (32) of the inflatable device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a housing (12) and an inflation fluid source (34) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator (38) is connected with the housing (12) for actuating the inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry (37) for actuating the initiator (38) to actuate the inflation fluid source (34) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device (36) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) (52) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source (34). An autoignition mechanism (40) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable between the side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) includes at least one inflatable front chamber (120), rear chamber (150), and middle chamber (100). The front chamber (120) and the rear chamber (150) each have an inflation fluid inlet (122 and 152) near an upper edge (50) of the device (14) and an inflation fluid outlet (124 and 154). The middle chamber (100) has at least one inflation fluid inlet (102, 104) near the lower edge (52) and is free from inlets near the upper edge (50). Inflation fluid enters the front and rear chambers (120 and 150) through the inlets (122 and 152) and exits through the outlets (124 and 154) into the inflation fluid inlets (102, 104) of the middle chamber (100) to inflate the middle chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a gas generating material (16) that when ignited produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The gas generating material (16) includes an inorganic salt oxidizer, a water-soluble binder, and about 1 to about 10% of a supplemental fuel selected from the group consisting of 3,6-dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dioxide, and 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. A first tensioning device (70) is actuatable to move a piston (124) from a first position towards a second position in a cylinder (122). A first flexible elongated member (72) has a first (74) end connected to the vehicle side structure (16), an opposite second end (80) connected to the piston (124), and an intermediate portion (82) that extends through the inflatable device (14). When the first tensioning device (70) is actuated, the piston (124) moves the second end (80) in a first direction, which tensions the first member (72) and helps to move the inflatable device (14) towards the deployed position. The inflatable device (14) resists movement of the piston (124) in the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable in a first direction away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An elongated member (70) is connected to the side structure (16) and has a first end (72), an opposite second end (76) and a length measured between the first and second ends. An element (100) is connected to the protection device (14) and at least partially encircles the elongated member (70). The element (100) is slidable along the elongated member (70) in the first direction when the protection device (14) is inflated. The element (100) includes at least one portion (150, 212) that engages the elongated member (70) and blocks the element from sliding along the elongated member in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) comprises flexible material defining an inflation fluid volume (42) for receiving inflation fluid. The material includes a first panel portion (30) on which is located a set of first points (A-D) and a second panel portion (40) on which is located a set of second points (A′-D′). A rupturable stitching section (50) holds the set of first points (A-D) closely adjacent the set of second points (A′-D′)when the device (10) is in the deflated condition and when the device is in a partially inflated condition. The rupturable stitching section (50) is rupturable in response to the application of a force greater than a predetermined force in response to inflation of the protection device (10). Rupturing of the stitching section (50) enables movement of the first panel portion (30) away from the second panel portion (40).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable protection device (14) that inflates away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) comprises inflatable front and rear portions (64 and 66) partially separated by a slit (80). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A slider assembly (90) is connected to the side structure (16). A flexible elongated member (100) has a first end (102) connected to the front portion (64) at a first location (104) and an opposite second end (106) connected to the slider assembly (90). The slit (80) is positioned between the first location (104) and the slider assembly (90) when the protection device (14) is inflated. The flexible elongated member (100) extends across the slit (80) when the protection device (14) is inflated.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (16) has a seat back portion (24) for engaging an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). A length of seat belt webbing (18) extends around a portion of the occupant (12). A seat belt retractor (44) biases the length of seat belt webbing (18) in a belt retraction direction. The seat belt retractor (44) allows the length of seat belt webbing (18) to move in a belt withdrawal direction, opposite the belt retraction direction, when a predetermined force is applied to the length of seat belt webbing (18). A blocking mechanism (70) blocks movement of the length of seat belt webbing (18) in the withdrawal direction. The blocking mechanism (70) is actuated upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. A portion of the length of seat belt webbing (18) restrains movement of the seat back portion (24) relative to the vehicle during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflator (14) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (12). A retainer (40) is connected with the protection device (12). One of the inflator (14) and the retainer (40) is movable between a first condition blocking venting of inflation fluid from the apparatus (10) and a second condition venting inflation fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (80) to release the one of the inflator (14) and the retainer (40) for movement from the first condition to the second condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) comprises flexible material defining an inflation fluid volume (42) for receiving inflation fluid. The material includes a first panel portion (30) on which is located a set of first points (A-D) and a second panel portion (40) on which is located a set of second points (A′-D′). A rupturable stitching section (50) holds the set of first points (A-D) closely adjacent the set of second points (A′-D′) when the device (10) is in the deflated condition and when the device is in a partially inflated condition. The rupturable stitching section (50) is rupturable in response to the application of a force greater than a predetermined force in response to inflation of the protection device (10). Rupturing of the stitching section (50) enables movement of the first panel portion (30) away from the second panel portion (40), thereby enabling movement of the device (10) from the partially inflated condition to a fully inflated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible mixture of the gases. An igniter is activated to effect ignition of the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas. Also, a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An improved igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the containing means to ignite a charge in the containing means. The igniter may include an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath which is shattered as the core is burned.