Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus comprises an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including a first vent opening that permits inflation fluid to escape out of the airbag; and a valve sheet including a second vent opening movable relative to the first vent opening, the valve sheet having opposite ends that are each fixed to a surface of the airbag. One end of the valve sheet moves with the panel during inflation of the airbag to move the second vent opening relative to the first vent opening. The apparatus also includes a valve guide or envelope to guide movement of the valve sheet relative to the panel, the valve sheet is capable of sliding between the valve guide and the panel. Both ends of the valve sheet remain fixed to the panel during and after inflation of the airbag. The valve sheet includes a tear tab to temporarily retain the valve sheet to the panel.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus comprises an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including a first vent opening that permits inflation fluid to escape out of the airbag; and a valve sheet including a second vent opening movable relative to the first vent opening, the valve sheet having opposite ends that are each fixed to a surface of the airbag. One end of the valve sheet moves with the panel during inflation of the airbag to move the second vent opening relative to the first vent opening. The apparatus also includes a valve guide to guide movement of the valve sheet relative to the panel, the valve sheet is capable of sliding between the valve guide and the panel. Both ends of the valve sheet remain fixed to the panel during and after inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus comprises an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including a first vent opening that permits inflation fluid to escape out of the airbag; and a valve sheet including a second vent opening movable relative to the first vent opening, the valve sheet having opposite ends that are each fixed to a surface of the airbag. One end of the valve sheet moves with the panel during inflation of the airbag to move the second vent opening relative to the first vent opening. The apparatus also includes a valve guide or envelope to guide movement of the valve sheet relative to the panel, the valve sheet is capable of sliding between the valve guide and the panel. Both ends of the valve sheet remain fixed to the panel during and after inflation of the airbag. The valve sheet includes a tear tab to temporarily retain the valve sheet to the panel.

Abstract: An airbag module includes an airbag, an inflator for inflating the airbag, a mounting plate, and a non-rigid tension element. The tension element comprises at least one fabric layer. The tension element is attached to the mounting plate to restrict lateral movement of the airbag during deployment. The airbag module may also include a fabric casing with a bowl section and a draw section. The fabric casing includes a casing opening and a tether drawstring. The tension element may be attached to the fabric casing.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a housing having at least one aperture for releasing gas from an interior of the housing during inflation of an airbag. The airbag module also includes a member configured for movement between a first position in which the member impedes the flow of gas through the at least one aperture and a second position in which the member does not impede the flow of gas through the at least one aperture. A pyrotechnic device is attached to the member for directing a burst of gas toward a fixed surface to cause the member and the pyrotechnic device to move between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag and a system provided in contact with at least a portion of the airbag that includes a first member and a second member. The second member at least partially overlaps the first member and is held in contact during initial deployment of the airbag with the first member by a frictional force between the first member and the second member. The system is configured to cause the airbag to inflate laterally with respect to a vehicle occupant until the frictional force is overcome by inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag formed with at least one fabric panel and an inflator. The fabric panel includes at least one loop along a perimeter of the fabric panel. The inflator is a dual stage inflator configured to generate inflation gas during a first inflation stage and a second inflation stage to inflate the airbag. The airbag also includes a tether configured to help control the shape of the airbag when the airbag is inflating, the tether being positioned through the opening or loop when the airbag is in an uninflated state. The tether is severed by heat and/or pressure from inflation gases during the second stage inflation.

Abstract: First and second air bag cushion portions are joined to form a bi-lobular air bag cushion with an opening adapted to receive inflation gas from an air bag inflator. A first inner panel forms first and second chambers in the first cushion portion and provide for fluid communication therebetween proximate to a distal portion thereof. A second inner panel forms third and fourth chambers in the second cushion portion and provide for fluid communication therebetween proximate to a distal portion thereof. Relatively inboard first and third chambers are in fluid communication with one another. The second and fourth chambers are in fluid communication with the opening. In another embodiment, first and second distribution tubes provide for fluid communication between the opening and relatively distal portions of the first and second cushion portions. The inner panels and the distribution tubes provide for lateral inflation of the bi-lobular air bag.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a housing having at least one aperture for releasing gas from an interior of the housing during inflation of an airbag. The airbag module also includes a member configured for movement between a first position in which the member impedes the flow of gas through the at least one aperture and a second position in which the member does not impede the flow of gas through the at least one aperture. A pyrotechnic device is attached to the member for directing a burst of gas toward a fixed surface to cause the member and the pyrotechnic device to move between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (12) comprises a frame (40), a seat belt webbing spool (42) rotatably mounted in the frame (40), and an actuator (70) for locking the seat belt webbing spool (42) against rotation in at least one direction (B) in the frame (40). The actuator (70) is mounted to the frame (40). An accelerometer (82) provides an electrical output signal indicative of vehicle deceleration. The accelerometer (82) is mounted on the frame (40). A controller (84) monitors the electrical output signal and causes the actuator (70) to lock the seat belt webbing spool (42) against rotation in the at least one direction (B) upon the occurrence of a predetermined amount of vehicle deceleration. The controller (84) is mounted on the frame (40).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) including a seat belt webbing spool (24) supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction (29) and an opposite belt retraction direction (30). A member (40) is supported for rotation relative to the spool (24). The retractor (10) includes means for blocking rotation of the spool (24) in the belt withdrawal direction (29) in response to relative rotation of the member (40) and the spool. The retractor (10) also includes an electrically actuatable clamp (48, 80) movable, upon application of an electric current, between a first condition not clamping the member (40) and a second condition clamping the member and thereby restraining rotation of the member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a truck cab (12), a seat (22) for an occupant of the truck cab (12), and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (34). The seat (22) includes a seat back (24) with an upper end (26) adjacent to the rear wall (16) of the truck cab (12). The protection device (34) is inflatable to a deployed condition adjoining the rear wall (16) of the truck cab (12) above the upper end (26) of the seat back (24) so as to transmit crash forces from the occupant's head to the rear wall (16) of the truck cab (12). In this manner, the protection device (34) and the rear wall (16) of the truck cab (12) together provide crash reaction forces that restrain movement of the occupant's head toward the rear wall (16) of the truck cab (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (40) pretensions seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14). The apparatus (40) includes a movable first member (140), a connector (42) for connecting the first member (140) with the seat belt webbing (16), a movable second member (200), a pyrotechnic device (120) for applying a force to the second member (200) to move the second member, and force limiting coupling device (240). The force limiting coupling device (240) couples the first member (140) and the second member (200). The coupling device (240) moves the first member (140) with the second member (200) until a predetermined force is applied by the connector (42) to the first member (140) resisting movement of the first member with the second member. Thereafter, the coupling device (240) enables the second member to move relative to the first member.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (12) has a light-transmitting portion (26) which is visible to a vehicle occupant. The buckle (12) includes a housing (60) containing a latch mechanism (20) which releasably locks a seat belt tongue (16) in the housing (60). The housing (60) further contains a light source (70) and optical fibers (72) for conducting light from the source (70) to the light-transmitting portion (26) of the buckle (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pretensioning seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) has at least two different output levels. Sensors (110, 120, 130) sense at least one characteristic of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14). A controller (100) is operatively connected to the sensors (110, 120, 130) for controlling the output level of the pretensioning apparatus (40) based on the characteristics of the occupant sensed by the sensors. The at least two output levels of the pretensioning apparatus (40) correspond to respective levels of force applied to the seat belt webbing (16) which in turn correspond to respective levels of force imposed on the vehicle occupant by the seat belt webbing.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pretensioning seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) includes a housing (70) having a fluid chamber (90) and an actuatable pyrotechnic device (150) in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. An actuatable venting mechanism, such as a pyrotechnic plug (160), when actuated, opens a vent opening (96) to enable venting of fluid from the fluid chamber (90). A controller (190) is operatively connected to the pyrotechnic device (150) and to the venting mechanism (160) for controlling the actuation of the pyrotechnic device and of the venting mechanism. The controller (190) actuates only the pyrotechnic device (150) to provide a first pretensioning output level and, alternatively, actuates both the pyrotechnic device (150) and the venting mechanism (160) to provide a second pretensioning output level.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) pretensions seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14). The apparatus (40) includes a housing (50) defining a chamber (56), a piston (90) in the chamber (56), and a coupling member (42) for coupling the piston (90) to the seat belt webbing (16). The coupling member (42) transmits force acting on the piston (90) to the seat belt webbing (16). The apparatus (40) further includes a first pyrotechnic device (200) for applying a first force to the piston (90) to move the piston initially in a first direction (B) in the chamber (56) to remove slack in the seat belt webbing (16). A second pyrotechnic device (220) applies a second force to the piston (90) in the first direction (B) to tension the seat belt webbing (16) against the occupant after the slack has been removed from the seat belt webbing (16) by the first force.

Abstract: A spool sleeve (78) is rotatable in webbing withdrawal and webbing retraction directions (A, B). A lock pawl (122) engageable with a ratchet wheel (114), stops rotation of the spool sleeve (78) in the webbing withdrawal direction (A). The spool sleeve (78) is rotatable relative to the ratchet wheel (114) upon the occurrence of tension in webbing (16) above a predetermined amount. A cutter (94) is located radially within the spool sleeve (78) for cutting the spool sleeve (78) when the spool sleeve (78) rotates relative to the stopped ratchet wheel (114). In one preferred embodiment, the cutter (220) includes a portion (226) which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis (164) of the spool sleeve (192) to cause the cutter (220) to move axially relative to the spool sleeve. In another preferred embodiment, the spool sleeve (284, 286) is comprised of a plurality of pieces fitted together to extend around the axis (164).

Abstract: An apparatus (40, 460) for tensioning a seat belt and tightening the seat belt against an occupant. The apparatus comprises a housing (42, 462) connectable to a component of a vehicle. A flexible member (102, 482) has a first end portion (104, 484) fixed against movement relative to the housing (42, 462). A second end portion (120, 500) of the flexible member (102, 482) is connectable with a seat belt. An intermediate portion (142, 502) of the flexible member (102, 482) is located between the first and second end portions (104, 120, 484, 500). A part (144, 504) of the intermediate portion (142, 502) is located in the housing (42, 462) and defines an expansible chamber (162, 518). An actuator (202, 562), upon actuation, creates a force which acts on the part (144, 504) of the intermediate portion (144, 502) to expand the chamber (162, 518) and move the second end portion (120, 500) of the flexible member (102, 484) in a direction to tension the seat belt and tighten the seat belt against the occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 220, 420) for tensioning a vehicle seat belt and tightening the seat belt against a vehicle occupant comprising a buckle (22) which is connectable with a tongue of a seat belt. An anchor (80, 280, 444) is connectable with a part of a vehicle. A tubular housing (42, 242, 442) is fixed to one of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444), has a rectangular inner periphery taken in a plane extending normal to a longitudinal axis (B) of the housing, and includes a first wall (64, 264, 446). A second wall (84, 284, 484) is fixed to the other of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444), has a rectangular outer periphery taken in the plane, and is received in the housing (42, 242, 442) opposite the first wall (64, 264, 446) to at least partially define a chamber (102, 302, 502) which is expansible. A connector (82, 282, 482) is fixed to the second wall (84, 284, 484) and to the other of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444).