Abstract: A closed or sealed airbag system is described in which a semi-rigid, resilient force distribution plate is positioned proximate a pair of relatively flat inflatable airbags. Once inflated, the airbags retain the gas/fluid provided thereto, while the plate serves to redistribute a point of impact on the system across the entirety of the air bags so as to significantly reduce impact forces that otherwise would have been sustained by the object/person causing the initial point of impact. The airbags and plate are specifically engineered with features to distribute and dissipate force across their entire surface area, resulting in distributed deceleration of point load forces. Additional airbags and plates can be incorporated, including outer most plates on the outer facings of the system.

Abstract: A curtain airbag system of a vehicle is provided and omits a front or rear pillar area of a roof/side frame for a space for accommodating an airbag cushion. The airbag cushion is guided by a connection tether for a deployment direction to deploy the airbag cushion to a protection zone for an occupant. Additionally, the airbag cushion is folded in a zigzag form to expose the connection tether, thereby guiding the airbag cushion for the deployment direction and securing a deployment speed.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a pinion shaft. The steering assembly also includes a clamp yoke defining a central opening for axially receiving the pinion shaft and defining a counter bore for receiving a fastener that couples the pinion shaft to the yoke. The steering assembly further includes a blocking assembly fixed to the clamp yoke. The blocking assembly includes a resilient member having a first leg, a second leg and a connecting end. The blocking assembly also includes a blocking member coupled to the first leg and the second leg of the resilient member, the blocking member rotatable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position, the blocking position blocking the counter bore in an initial position and rotatable upon contact with the pinion shaft to be clear of the counter bore in the non-blocking position.

Abstract: A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points. The load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle to a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and at least one tethering mechanism positioned within the lower chamber. The at least one tether mechanism is structured and attached to the at least one panel so as to restrict movement of a portion of the at least one panel during airbag inflation such that a first recess is formed along an exterior surface of the airbag when the airbag is inflated.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to deployable structures, such as airbag systems, for vehicles. A system is disclosed for reducing likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. The system may include a seat configured to accommodate the passenger and an airbag system. At least a portion of the airbag system may be incorporated into a vehicle prior to deployment of the airbag system. The airbag system may include an airbag and a locking feature. The locking feature may be configured to lock the airbag with a locking portion of a vehicle when the airbag system has been deployed. The locking feature may be attached to the airbag. Aside from airbags, other confining structures, such as nets, shades, curtains, etc., may also be used as deployable structures.

Abstract: A steering column device includes: a vehicle-body attachment bracket configured to be fixed to a vehicle body and having a pair of sidewall portions; and an outer jacket arranged between the pair of sidewall portions along a vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, the steering column device includes: an inner jacket inserted in the outer jacket to be movable in a tube-axial direction; and a distance bracket having a long hole open along the vehicle front-rear direction and attached to the outer jacket. The distance bracket has a slit having an open end in the opposite direction to that of a slit of the outer jacket and is arranged such that the slit of the distance bracket is set over the slit of the outer jacket in a tube radial direction.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a side curtain airbag including an inboard panel, an outboard panel, and a perimeter at which the inboard panel and the outboard panel are connected to each other. The side curtain airbag includes a main portion formed of part of the inboard panel and part of the outboard panel, and a folded-over portion formed of part of the inboard panel and part of the outboard panel. The main portion and the folded-over portion each include a dead zone spaced from the perimeter at which the inboard panel and the outboard panel are connected to each other. The side curtain airbag is folded so that the inboard panel of the folded-over portion abuts the inboard panel of the main portion. The main portion and the folded-over portion are attached to each other via the respective dead zones.

Abstract: A frame for a vehicle includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing and the second housing each define an interior space. The first housing and the second housing each comprises a first side portion and an opposing second side portion. The first housing and the second housing each include a first pair of triangular members coupled to the first side portion and a second pair of triangular members coupled to the second side portion. The first and second pairs of triangular members each support a wheel. A support assembly couples the first housing and the second housing. The support assembly includes an external lattice structure and an internal lattice structure. The external lattice structure is coupled to the first housing and the second housing. The internal lattice structure is coupled to the external lattice structure, the first housing, and the second housing.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket pivotable about a rake axis. The steering column assembly also includes a rake adjustment assembly that includes a lever rotatable to lock and unlock the rake adjustment assembly. The rake adjustment assembly also includes a lever cam operatively coupled to, or integrally formed with, the lever. The rake adjustment assembly further includes an inner cam assembly in contact with the lever cam, wherein the inner cam assembly is formed of two different materials.

Abstract: In a shielding state, a partition extends from an upper portion to a lower portion of a cabin in such a manner as to partition a space between a pair of opposing vehicle seats. In the case where the partition is in the shielding state during a collision of a vehicle, the partition is inflated in a vehicle longitudinal direction by gas supplied from an inflator that is actuated when a collision detection sensor detects the collision of the vehicle. That is, since the partition is inflated in the space between the pair of the vehicle seats without interfering with the vehicle seats, the partition can reliably restrain an occupant who receives a collision load and is thereby displaced in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the vehicle seat. In this way, it is possible to easily secure a private space in the cabin and to improve occupant restraint performance.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a control unit and a group of at least two matched airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) for the protection of a vehicle occupant (10; 16) on a particular vehicle seat (12; 16). The control unit is arranged and the airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) are disposed and designed so that, in a collision case, the control unit differentiates between a first situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a standard distance area relative to a first airbag (20; 22) and a second situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a rear area which is further distant from the first airbag (20; 22) than the standard distance area. When the first situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) only. In contrast, when the second situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) and additionally at least a second airbag (24; 26) of the group, with the first airbag (20; 22) backing the second airbag (24; 26).

Abstract: A driver seat airbag including a horn plate seated on a steering wheel armature and provided with a plurality of restraint holes; holders disposed in the plurality of restraint holes; restraint clips installed in the plurality of holders to be elastically deformable; a mounting plate seated on the horn plate; and hooks provided to protrude from the mounting plate to correspond to the plurality of restraint holes, inserted into the plurality of restraint holes, and hooked on and restrained by the restraint clips.

Abstract: An airbag that includes an inner bag having a facing surface configured to face a passenger of a vehicle in the deployed state, an outer bag that surrounds the outer periphery of the inner bag with the facing surface exposed, and two protrusion parts which are provided in the outer bag and are respectively disposed on the left and right sides in the width direction of the vehicle with respect to the facing surface so as to protrude rearward. The inner bag and the outer bag may be partitioned by a common partition wall, with a ventilation port formed in the partition wall. Moreover, the inner bag and the outer bag may each be independent bag bodies, a ventilation port may be formed in both the inner bag and the outer bag, and the inner bag and the outer bag may be coupled around the ventilation port.

Abstract: An airbag device includes a steering wheel a rim portion of which has a longer length in a left and right direction than in a front and back direction, and an airbag mounted on a boss section of the steering wheel. An outer shell of the airbag includes a vehicle-side wall that is configured to be supported by an upper surface of the rim portion when deployed, and a driver-side wall a central region of which is configured to deploy generally vertically for receiving the driver. The airbag as deployed includes, in a rear portion of the vehicle-side wall, a locking inflatable portion that protrudes downward from a vicinity of the upper surface of the rim portion of the steering wheel to be locked by a rear surface of the rim portion and prevent a front portion of the airbag from slipping forward.

Abstract: A locking device for an adjustable steering column assembly of a motor vehicle is described, comprising an operating unit which has at least one closed and one open position, a control element coupled to the operating unit, and at least one eccentric part which is actuated by the control element. A retaining part is provided, which interacts with the eccentric part in the closed position, wherein a locking portion of the eccentric part engages on an engaging portion of the retaining part in the closed position. The eccentric part has a force transmission portion which is substantially opposite to the locking portion, wherein the force transmission portion in the closed position rests against a support surface lying substantially opposite to the engaging portion. Furthermore, a steering column assembly is described.

Abstract: A operator protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The operator protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.

Abstract: A steering column includes an adjustment unit having a steering spindle rotatably supported in a casing pipe about a longitudinal axis. A carrier unit configured to receive the casing pipe includes at least one clamping face facing the casing pipe. A clamping device clamps the clamping face against the casing pipe to longitudinally fix the adjustment unit relative to the carrier unit, releases the clamping face from the casing pipe and releases an adjustment of the adjustment unit relative to the carrier unit at least in the longitudinal direction. The carrier unit includes at least one sliding face facing the casing pipe along which the casing pipe can be moved longitudinally in the release position. The sliding face may be arranged on a support device which presses the sliding face against the casing pipe with a support force which can be predetermined independently of the clamping force.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame having a front section, a midsection, and a rear section, the frame defining a cab rearward of the front section. The utility vehicle further includes a plurality of body panels including a hood, a first side panel, and a second side panel coupled to the front section of the frame. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground engaging members. A cooling assembly of the utility vehicle is fluidly coupled to the engine and supported on a top surface of the front section of the frame. The cooling assembly is angled relative to the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from a line of sight extending from the cab.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for fastening a gas generator (11) in an oscillatory manner as a vibration damping mass inside an airbag module. A fastening ring (12) provided for fastening the gas generator (11) has at least one elastic section (14) and at least one reinforcement insert (15) for reinforcing the fastening ring (12) and securing the fastening ring (12) to the gas generator. A surface of the reinforcement insert (15) is made at least in part of plastic.