Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes seat (11) for a vehicle occupant (15) and a support (20) for the seat (11). The seat (11) has a forward position in a vehicle (12) and a rearward position in the vehicle (12). The support (20) enables the seat (11) to move, relative to the support (20), from the forward position to the rearward position in the vehicle (12) during a frontal vehicle collision (13). The seat (11) moves from the forward position to the rearward position due to a force transmitted to the seat (11) through the legs (16) of the vehicle occupant (15).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a pair of overlying panels (40, 42) having overlapping portions that are secured together at points of connection (60). First and second points of connection (70, 72) are spaced vertically apart from each other and positioned along a first straight line (74) that extends between the first and second points of connection.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (26) having a seat (24) for the occupant and a vehicle side structure (28) comprises an air bag module (22) including an air bag (70) inflatable into a position between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The apparatus (10) also comprises a bracket (20) for supporting the air bag module (22) on the vehicle seat (24). The bracket (20) comprises a first bracket portion (90) connectable to the seat frame (50), and a second bracket portion (100) for mounting the module (22). The bracket (20) includes a hinge (120) disposed intermediate the first and second bracket portions (90, 100) and interconnecting the first and second bracket portions. The hinge (120) enables the second bracket portion (100) to pivot relative to the first bracket portion (90) during inflation of the air bag (70) to affect the direction in which the air bag deploys from the vehicle seat (24).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) including a seat belt webbing spool (24) supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction (29) and an opposite belt retraction direction (30). A member (40) is supported for rotation relative to the spool (24). The retractor (10) includes means for blocking rotation of the spool (24) in the belt withdrawal direction (29) in response to relative rotation of the member (40) and the spool. The retractor (10) also includes an electrically actuatable clamp (48, 80) movable, upon application of an electric current, between a first condition not clamping the member (40) and a second condition clamping the member and thereby restraining rotation of the member.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a first structure (90, 72) having a seat surface (74) configured to engage and support an inertia weight (70) for inertial movement under the influence of a vehicle crash condition. The apparatus (10) further includes a second structure (92) configured to support the first structure (90) in a vehicle seat belt retractor (14). The first structure (90) has an arcuate array of first orientation teeth (96). The second structure (92) has an arcuate array of second orientation teeth (116). The second orientation teeth (116) are configured to receive the first orientation teeth (96) in meshing engagement in any selected one of a plurality of different circumferential orientations relative to the arcuate array of second orientation teeth (116).

Abstract: A vehicle safety system (10) includes a first vehicle occupant safety device (50) including a first pyrotechnic device (60) that is electrically energizable in response to a first actuation signal (76). The system also includes a second vehicle occupant safety device (50) including a second pyrotechnic device that is electrically energizable in response to a second actuation signal (80). The system includes at least one sensor (14-28) for sensing a first occupant or vehicle condition and for providing a first output signal indicative of the sensed first condition. An electronic control unit (ECU) (30) receives the first output signal (14-28) and in response to the first output signal determines whether one or both of the first and second safety devices should be actuated. An radio frequency (RF) transmitter (40) electrically connected with the ECU (30) is selectively actuatable by the ECU to transmit first and second individually coded RF signals (72, 80).

Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the chamber. A first opening (41) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to an inflatable device (32). A first burst disk (60) extends across the first opening (41) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the first burst disk to a level above a first predetermined pressure differential. The inflator (10) includes a first igniter (90) for, when actuated, increasing the pressure differential across the first burst disk (60) to a level above the first predetermined pressure differential to rupture the first burst disk. A second opening (43) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable curtain (14). The curtain (14) is inflatable in a first direction away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain (14) when inflated extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (16) of the vehicle. First and second inflatable members (52 and 54) connect the inflatable curtain (14) to the vehicle (12). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable curtain (14) and the first and second inflatable members (52 and 54). The first and second inflatable members (52 and 54) are inflatable to resist movement of the inflatable curtain (14) away from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) when the inflatable curtain is inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering shaft (12), a mounting member (14), a locking pin (16), and a nut (120). The vehicle steering shaft (12) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (22) to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft (12) has a first locking pin passage (92) extending through the steering shaft (12) and transverse to the longitudinal axis (22). The first locking pin passage (92) is defined in part by first (94) and second (96) tapered surface portions. Each of the first (94) and second (96) surface portions tapers from a first circumference to a second, smaller circumference in a direction toward the longitudinal axis (22). The first (94) and second (96) tapered surface portions taper in opposite directions. The mounting member (14) is receivable on the steering shaft (12) and has a second locking pin passage (72).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat (12) having a cover (32) which is extendible from an initial condition to an extended condition for restraining an occupant of the seat (12). The seat (12) has a first volume enclosed by the cover (32) when the cover (32) is in the initial condition. The seat (12) has a second, greater volume enclosed by the cover (32) when the cover (32) is in the extended condition. The second enclosed volume of the seat (12) is greater than the first enclosed volume sufficient for enlargement of the seat (12) from the first enclosed volume to the second enclosed volume to enhance the degree to which the seat (12) can restrain movement of a seated vehicle occupant under the influence of vehicle crash forces. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) is supported on the seat (12).

Abstract: A rear impact restraint system (10) for protecting a vehicle occupant (42) during a rear impact crash event includes a vehicle seat (12) having a seat back portion (28) and an actuatable rear impact occupant protection device (40). The system (10) also includes a sensor (46, 48, 50 or 52) for sensing the position of the occupant (42) positioned on the vehicle seat (12). The sensor (46, 48, 50 or 52) provides a signal indicative of the position of the occupant (42). A rear impact sensor (60) senses a rear impact crash event and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller (44), in response to the first sensor signal, determines a condition according to the relative position of the occupant (42) with respect to the vehicle seat (12). The controller (44) selectively actuates the rear impact occupant protection device (40) in response to the rear impact sensor signal and the condition.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly (10) mounts on a vehicle steering shaft (14) which has a threaded end portion (18). The steering wheel assembly (10) comprises a steering wheel armature (20), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (80) supported on the steering wheel armature (20), an inflator (90) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (80), a hub (160) fixedly attached to the steering wheel armature (20) and for non-rotatable attachment to the steering shaft (14), and a rotatable fastener (180) rotatably supported on the hub (160) for axially forcing the hub onto the steering shaft (14) upon rotation of the fastener in a first direction. The fastener (180) has a first end portion (182) including gearing (190) for rotating the fastener and a second end portion (184) for threadedly engaging the threaded end portion (18) of the steering shaft (14) upon rotation of the fastener.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for mounting in a portion (20) of a vehicle includes a module (12). The module (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (30), an inflation fluid source (32), a cover (40) for the vehicle occupant protection device and the inflation fluid source, and bolts (38) for mounting the module in the vehicle portion. The module cover (40) encloses the inflation fluid source (32) and the protection device (30) when the protection device is in a deflated condition. The module cover (40) is made from a material which is flexible and wrapped around the vehicle occupant protection device (30) and the inflation fluid source (32). The apparatus also includes a deployment door (14), and tabs (90) (104) for releasably mounting the deployment door on the vehicle portion (20) for movement relative to the vehicle portion upon inflation of the protection device (30).

Abstract: An air bag module (12) for mounting on a steering wheel (10) includes an air bag (102), an inflator (100) for inflating the air bag, and a cover (104) for covering the air bag and the inflator. The module (12) has an uninstalled condition and has an installed condition in which the module is fixed to the steering wheel (10) for rotation with the steering wheel about a steering axis (22). The module (12) is rotatable in a first direction (26) relative to the steering wheel (10) to move the module from the uninstalled condition to the installed condition. The apparatus further comprises retainer structure (44, 110) for retaining the module (12) on the steering wheel (10) and for blocking movement of the module relative to the steering wheel from the installed condition to the uninstalled condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (22) of a vehicle (10) comprises a first steering column part (32) supported for movement relative to a second steering column part (34). An energy absorbing device (20) is interposed between the first steering column part (32) and the second steering column part (34) for resisting movement of the first part relative to the second part. The energy absorbing device (20) comprises at least one bendable strap (50) that bends to absorb energy in response to relative movement between the first steering column part (32) and the second steering column part (34). A member (70) is movable across the width of the at least one bendable strap (50) to vary the rate of bending of the at least one bendable strap to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column (32) part relative to the second steering column part (34).

Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster (10) includes a base (50) having a column (80) of openings (84, 86, 88) spaced along an axis (61). A carriage (120) is supported on the base (50) for movement along the axis (61) relative to the base. A seat belt webbing guide (24) is supported on the carriage (120). First and second latch parts (160, 180) on the carriage (120) are independently movable between a first condition not located in any one of the openings (84-88) and a second condition located in one of the openings to block axial movement of the carriage relative to the base (50). The first and second latch parts (160, 180) are configured and disposed on the carriage (120) so as to be capable of locating in the same opening (84-88) simultaneously. The height adjuster (10) also includes biasing means (210) for biasing the first and second latch parts (160, 180) into the second condition, and actuatable release means (200) for moving the first and second latch parts to the first condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity (18, 20) of a driver of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision. The apparatus (12) comprises one or more pedals (40, 42, 44) having an operative condition in which the pedals are engageable by a foot (20) of the driver to control a vehicle operation. The pedals (40, 42, 44) have an inoperative condition in which the pedals are not engageable by the driver's foot (20) to control a vehicle operation. A mechanism (50, 52, 54) moves the pedals (40, 42, 44) from the operative condition to the inoperative condition in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant (33) during a vehicle rollover condition includes a rollover sensor (68) for sensing a vehicle rollover condition. The rollover sensor (68) provides a signal indicative of the vehicle rollover condition. The system also includes a vehicle body portion (14) defining a vehicle occupant compartment (16). The vehicle body portion (14) also includes at least one actuatable power device (44; 52; 56) for, when actuated, helping to protect the vehicle occupant (33) in a rollover condition by modifying a characteristic of the vehicle body portion (14). A controller (28) actuates the power device (44; 54; 56) in response to the rollover sensor signal.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes an elongated pressure vessel (30) containing a source of inflation fluid for a vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (12) further includes an inflation fluid outlet manifold (32) at one end (34) of the pressure vessel (30). The manifold (32) has outlet openings (60, 62) defining first and second outlet flow areas. The manifold (32) is configured to direct inflation fluid flowing through the first outlet flow area to flow at least partially in a first direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (31) of the pressure vessel (30). The manifold (32) is further configured to direct inflation fluid flowing through the second outlet flow area to flow at least partially in a second, opposite direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (31) of the pressure vessel (30).

Abstract: A roof (40) and side structure (20) of a vehicle at least partially define a safety apparatus mounting chamber (70). The mounting chamber (70) has an opening (74) defined between an edge portion (68) of a vehicle headliner (58) and the vehicle side structure (20). An inflatable protection device (80) is inflatable between a vehicle occupant and the vehicle side structure (20). A cover (90) at least partially encloses the protection device (80) within the mounting chamber (70) when the protection device is in a deflated condition. The cover (90) has a trim portion (140) which extends from the mounting chamber (70) into the opening (74) and which has an outer surface (144) exposed to the vehicle occupant compartment (72). The trim portion (140) of the cover (90) has a closed condition in which a first edge portion (146) of the trim portion is in abutting engagement with the edge portion (68) of the headliner (58).