Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (30) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (30). An arm (106) is associated with the elongated member (30). The arm (106) receives a force from the elongated member (30) when tension in the seat belt webbing (24) increases. The force acts on the arm (106) through a moment arm creating a torsion force on the arm (106). At least a portion of the arm (106) moves in response to the torsion force. A device (102) is responsive to movement of the at least a portion of the arm (106) due to the torsion force to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable into a position between a side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (252). The protection device (14) includes a forwardmost inflatable chamber (122). The protection device (14) is rolled up in an outboard direction into a stored position. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14) for at least five seconds. The device (14) is adapted to inflate and unroll in a downward direction away from the vehicle roof (18). A first portion (270) is adapted to engage an occupant's head (250) positioned against the side structure (16). The first portion (270) moves the occupant's head (250) laterally in the vehicle (12) away from the side structure (16) and inflates between the side structure of the vehicle and the occupant's head.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for anticipating a crash event between a vehicle (12) and an object (16) comprises a source (34) of position information located remote from the vehicle (12) and operable for providing a vehicle position signal (30) indicating vehicle position. A vehicle speed sensor (90) is operable for sensing vehicle speed and for providing a vehicle speed signal indicating vehicle speed. A source (74) of object condition information is located remote from the vehicle (12) and is operable for providing an object path signal (38) indicating position and speed of the object (14). A controller (22) is mounted on the vehicle (12) and is operable, in response to receiving the vehicle position signal and the vehicle speed signal (30), for determining a vehicle path. The controller (22) is also operable, in response to receiving the object path signal (38), for anticipating the crash event.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) includes a knee bolster (20). An energy absorbing device (80) is interposed between the knee bolster (20) and the vehicle (12). The device (80) includes a field responsive fluid (84) having a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The device (80) also includes at least one passage (134) through which the fluid (84) flows upon movement of the knee bolster (20) relative to the vehicle (12). The device (80) further includes means (150) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (84) to vary the flow rate through the at least one passage (134) and thereby vary the resistance to movement of the knee bolster (20) relative to the vehicle (12).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34), first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38), and a buckle assembly (90) for interconnecting the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The vehicle restraint system (30) also comprises first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) for the first and second lap belts (32 and 34), respectively. A linking mechanism (218) connects the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) and is adapted to transfer motion between the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104). As a result, the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) are retracted in unison and by equal amounts during retraction and are withdrawn in unison and by equal amounts during withdrawal from the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflation fluid source (32) actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable to an inflated position for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one vent (60) positioned against a vehicle surface (62) while the protection device is in the inflated position to help block inflation fluid from venting through the vent.

Abstract: An assembly (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat (2). The assembly (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2), a sensor (79) for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, and a housing (100) for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor (79) provides an output signal indicative of the amount of the load of the vehicle occupant. The housing (100) encloses the sensor (79) to protect the sensor (79).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (14). The windshield curtain (14) is inflatable away from a roof (40) of the vehicle to a position between a windshield (50) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes an inflatable upper portion (190) and an inflatable lower portion (192). The upper portion (190) is inflatable between the roof (40) and an instrument panel (64) of the vehicle (12) and between the windshield (50) and a vehicle occupant. The lower portion (192) is bifurcated and includes a first chamber (194) inflatable against a surface (222) of the instrument panel (64) presented generally toward the vehicle occupant. The lower portion (192) also includes a second chamber (196) inflatable against the windshield (50) and a surface (220) of the instrument panel (64) adjacent the windshield.

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 curtain (14). The inflatable curtain (14) is inflatable away from the roof (18) between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain has an inflatable volume (28). An inflation fluid source (30) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable volume (28) to inflate the inflatable curtain (14). A fill tube (32) delivers the inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (30) to the inflatable curtain (14). The apparatus (10) includes actuatable means (60) for providing an opening (72, 226) in at least one of the fill tube (32) and the inflatable curtain (14) for directing the inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (28) to deflate the inflatable curtain (14). The actuatable means (60) is actuatable in response to actuation of the inflation fluid source (30).

Abstract: A method of disposing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10b) in a stored condition adjacent a retainer (212) to which the protection device (10b) is connected and an associated apparatus are provided. During the method, a bottom portion (252) of the protection device (10b) is packed. Parts of first and second side portions (254 and 256) of the protection device (10b) are disposed in a stack (276) with the bottom portion (252) so that the stack (276) includes three layers (280, 282, and 284). A first side surface (290) of the stack (276) is positioned adjacent the retainer (212). A flap (302) is formed from a top portion (250) of the protection device (10b). The flap (302) is extended from the retainer (212) and over a second side surface (292) of the stack (276).

Abstract: An occupant restraint system (30) includes first and second lap belts (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap of the occupant (18) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) for extending over the shoulders of the occupant (18). A buckle assembly (90) interconnects the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The occupant restraint system (30) also includes first and second lap belt anchors (42 and 102). At least one pretensioner (130, 140) is connected with the first and second lap belt anchors (42 and 102) and is actuatable to move the first and second lap belt anchors (42 and 102) for tensioning the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) simultaneously and uniformly.

Abstract: An apparatus (8) includes a seat (10) for an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). The seat (10) includes a cushion portion (16) and a backrest portion (18). A pivot mechanism (50) pivotally connects the backrest portion (18) to the cushion portion (16) and enables pivotal movement of the backrest portion (18) relative to the cushion portion (16) in both forward and rearward directions. The apparatus (8) also includes an occupant protection device (70) that is actuatable in response to an occupant exerted force directed rearward against the backrest portion (18) of the seat (10). The occupant protection device (70), when actuated resists rearward pivotal movement of the backrest portion (18) of the seat (10) relative to the cushion portion (16) of the seat (10).

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a lap belt (60) including a first portion (74) and a second portion (85). A retractor (76) includes a spool (96) rotatable about an axis (160). The first and second lap belt portions (74, 85) are secured to the spool (96). The spool (96) is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction to wind the first and second portions (74, 85) onto the spool. The first and second portions (74, 85) when tensioned urge the spool (96) to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to unwind the first and second portions from the spool. A locking mechanism (170) is actuatable to lock the spool (96) against rotation in the second rotational direction. First and second web grabbing devices (180, 182) are actuatable to clamp onto the first and second portions (74, 85) when the locking mechanism (170) is in the locked condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (510) includes seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (520) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (520). A sensor of the apparatus 510 includes an arm (560) that is associated with the elongated member (520). The elongated member (520) moves at least a portion of the arm (560) in response to a change in tension in the seat belt webbing (24). The sensor also includes a device (558) that is responsive to movement of the arm (560) to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24). Structure (604) of the apparatus (510) reduces a variable moment acting on the arm as a result of off-axis loading of the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10c) has an inflatable occupant protection device (12c) and a support member (20c) having a vent opening (44c). A vent member (46c) is associated with the vent opening (44c). A tether (50c) extends between the protection device (12c) and the vent member (46c). The vent member (46c) is initially in a first condition closing the vent opening (44c). The vent member (46c) is moved to a second condition spaced apart from the vent opening (44c) and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening (44c) upon initial inflation of the protection device (12c). The vent member (46c) is moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether (50c) that results from inflation of the protection device (12c) away from the support member (20c) by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An inflator (14) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) has a housing (20). A propellant charge (240) in the housing (20) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the device (12). The housing (20) has an end wall (42) and a side wall (44). The side wall (44) has a fluid passage (55) for directing flow of inflation fluid to the device (12). A flow control member (16) extends over the end wall (42) and the side wall (44) and has a movable portion (300) at least partially blocking the fluid passage (55). The control member (16) has an outlet opening (288) located over the end wall (42). The movable portion (300) moves as the pressure of inflation fluid acting on it increases upon inflator actuation to control the pressure in the housing (20) and to direct inflation fluid toward the outlet opening (288).

Abstract: A vehicle air-bag apparatus for use with a first air-bag and a first seat mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the apparatus including a first seat position adjusting mechanism to movably connect the first seat with respect to the vehicle, and to allow the first seat to move relative to the first air-bag along a first axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position, in which the forward-most position is a position of the first seat in which a distance between a passenger seated in the first seat and the first air-bag is equal to a minimum clearance distance, displacement of the first seat away from the forward-most position increasing the distance between the first seat and the first air-bag, and the first air-bag is fixedly positioned with respect to one of a steering wheel assembly for a driver and a dashboard arrangement for a passenger other than the driver, in which the minimum clearance distance is the distance between a reference line of a seat-back of the first seat l

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).