Abstract: A motor vehicle occupant safety device has a canister of inflator gas secured outside the passenger compartment. At least one air bag is connected to the source, and at least a portion of the air bag is stowed in the “A” pillar generally laterally relative to the passenger-side occupant prior to collision. An airtight frangible seal separates the source from the air bag. Upon collision, an electrical signal causes the seal to rupture which allows the pressurized gas to flow freely into the air bag. As the bag inflates, it moves laterally across the front of the occupant rather than toward him producing a cushion in front of the occupant. There is also a novel air bag formed from an inner bag and an outer bag.

Abstract: A steering column safety device for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having a collision sensing assembly for sensing a collision, includes a hollow cylinder having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being sized and configured for fixed, torque-transmitting connection to a steering wheel; a piston residing within the cylinder for sliding, telescopic reciprocation between an extended position and a collapsed position; an elongated rod with first and second ends, the first end being secured to the piston and the second end being sized and configured for fixed, torque-transmitting connection to the steering mechanism; structure for transmitting torque between the cylinder and the rod; a sealing assembly for sealing the hollow cylinder to define a fluid-tight cavity within the hollow cylinder between the piston and the top end of the cylinder, the fluid-tight cavity containing prior-to-collision pressurized gas; and, a mechanism to r