Abstract: An air bag system designed for mounting on a steering wheel or other member of a motor vehicle passenger compartment includes an air bag assembly, an open housing for the same and a cover. The air bag assembly while separated from its housing is disarmed to prevent accidental deployment. The air bag is armed during its installation in the housing. The housing and assembly are constructed so that the cover cannot be installed if the air bag assembly is missing or it has been installed improperly so that it is not armed. When the air bag assembly is removed from the housing, it is automatically disarmed.

Abstract: A safing sensor for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with contact blades and an inertial element. The movement of the inertial element is substantially undamped within the housing. Preferably, the sensor includes mounting tabs for mounting said housing on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: Conventional ball-in-tube, gas-damped, crash sensors utilize a gold plated ball to bridge two contacts. When the ball senses acceleration (deceleration) in the longitudinal direction of a cylinder of sufficient magnitude and duration, it moves to where it bridges the contacts, completing the electrical circuit and initiating deployment of a safety restraint system. A switch activated by magnetic flux is combined with this type of gas-damped sensor to provide a solid and reliable contact duration and ensure the correct functioning of the sensor. The level of biasing force for crash zone crash sensors of this type has been increased to avoid late firing problems on marginal crashes.

Abstract: An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with a magnetic closing element. The magnetic closing element includes a permanent magnet which generates a field around the sensor housing. A restricting element is mounted around the magnet for restricting and concentrating the magnetic field around the sensor. In an alternate embodiment, two similar sensors may be housed in a single enclosure for additional sensitivity. The restrictive elements of the sensors eliminate interference between the sensor magnetic fields.

Abstract: A water cannon assembly is described which includes a stand used to support and air a water cannon, and a replaceable cartridge which may be placed in the cannon. When the cartridge is set off, the cannon shoots out a concentrated liquid jet which may be used to disable the detonator of an explosive device, such as a bomb. The stand may have a base suitable for a hard flat surface, or it may include a spike for positioning the cannon on soft ground.

Abstract: A water cannon assembly is described which includes a stand used to support and aim a water cannon, and a replaceable cartridge which may be placed in the cannon. When the cartridge is set off, the cannon shoots out a concentrated liquid jet which may be used to disable the detonator of an explosive device, such as a bomb. The stand may have a base suitable for a hard flat surface, or it may include a spike for positioning the cannon on soft ground.

Abstract: An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with contact blades and a magnetically biased contacting element. The contacting element is arranged to move toward the contact blades when a deceleration exceeding a threshold level is sensed. The contact blades are spaced away from each other so that one is bent toward the other by the contacting element to form a direct electrical path, thereby deploying the restraint system.

Abstract: An accelerometer for a passenger restrain system in a motor vehicle includes a housing with a path for an inertial element, and spring members for urging the inertial element toward a preselected position. When the vehicle decelerates at a rate higher than a preset rate, the ball moves away from the preselected position and closes an electrical contact. A closed chamber may be used as a dampening element for the inertial element.

Abstract: An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with contact blades and a contacting element. The contacting element is arranged to move toward the contact blades when a deceleration exceeding a threshold level is sensed. A retaining element is provided to set the blades in a preselected position so that the blades are contacted by the contacting element simultaneously thereby improving the response time of the accelerometer.

Abstract: An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with contact blades and a magnetically biased contacting element. The contacting element is arranged to move toward the contact blades when a deceleration exceeding a threshold level is sensed. The contact blades are spaced away from each other so that one is bent toward the other by the contacting element to form a direct electrical path, thereby deploying the restraint system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating gas generation in an airbag in which the sensor is external to the gas generating vessel. The apparatus is a sensor which mounts on a toroidal shaped pressure vessel. The sensor activates a percussion primer in vessel when the vehicle decelerates to initiate gas generation without a passage from the vessel to the sensor.

Abstract: The projectile fuze of this invention comprises a housing having a cavity which is substantially filled with a liquid. A body having an average specific gravity less than that of the fluid is accommodated in the cavity and is movable forwardly by buoyant forces which arise during projectile launch.