Abstract: A passenger restraint system (100) for an occupant of a vehicle (102) includes an inflatable belt portion comprising a seamless hollow inflatable textile member that becomes inflated upon the occurrence of a collision. The inflatable textile member may vary in size and construction along its length. The belt portion (104, 112) tightens against the occupant's body when the inflatable belt portion becomes inflated.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system (100) for an occupant of a vehicle (102) includes an inflatable belt portion comprising a seamless hollow inflatable textile member that becomes inflated upon the occurrence of a collision. The inflatable textile member may vary in size and construction along its length. The belt portion (104, 112) tightens against the occupant's body when the inflatable belt portion becomes inflated.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for weaving a fabric with a three dimensional bulging zone, which is formed by increasing the density of the crossing points of the warp and weft threads so as to naturally impart a bulging zone in the fabric. The density is changed by changing the number of threads and/or changing the weave pattern. The lengths of the warp threads can also be increased in the bulging zone. In a preferred embodiment, the threads include a material which is settable by thermal or chemical treatment, and such that upon being set a three dimensional rigid matrix is formed which includes the non-settable threads as a reinforcement. The apparatus for carrying out the process takes the form of a loom having the capability of individually drawing off selected lengths of the warp threads from a warp supply, and a jacquard head for forming the weaving sheds and which has a control for changing the number of threads woven and/or the weave pattern.