Abstract: A hubcap includes a monolithic main body. The monolithic main body includes (i) a sidewall having an annular cross-section, a hub end, and a vent end opposite the hub end, (ii) an end-cap abutting and spanning across the vent end, and (iii) a flange abutting and at least partially surrounding the hub end. The flange has an outer flange-surface facing the vent end and, opposite the outer flange-surface, an inner flange-surface that defines an annular channel.

Abstract: A locking ring includes a center portion that forms a center tab extending radially away from a center axis. The locking ring also has a pair of legs that extends away from the center portion in opposite azimuthal directions about the center axis. The center tab fits into a radially-inward-facing annular groove of a lock nut. Each leg has a tab portion that includes one or more radially outward tabs that fit into the annular groove of the lock nut and a locking portion with radially outward teeth that interlock with radially inward teeth of the lock nut. Each radially outward tab forms a chamfered edge that, when the locking ring is inserted into the lock nut, slides against a chamfered edge of the lock nut to engage with the annular groove of the lock nut.

Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a nut forming a threaded center hole that defines a rotational axis. The threaded fastener also includes a plurality of spring plungers affixed to the nut, each having a shaft that is aligned parallel to the rotational axis. The threaded fastener also includes a positioner forming (i) an unthreaded center hole that is coaxial with the threaded center hole and (ii) a plurality of recesses facing the spring plungers. As the nut is torqued against the positioner on a threaded spindle, the spring plungers repeatedly engage and disengage the recesses as the nut rotates with respect to the positioner. The recesses are shaped such that positioner converts the applied torque into a linear force that compresses the spring plungers, thereby locking the threads of the nut against the threads of the spindle.

Abstract: An air bag usable to protect the driver of the vehicle comprising: a face panel; a rear panel of generally the same shape as the face panel and secured to the face panel along its periphery; the rear panel including a centrally located opening configured to receive an air bag inflator that introduces gas into the space formed by the face and rear panels; a tether of elongated shape having first and second ends and a center region, the center region is positioned into a Z-shaped configuration and secured to the face panel proximate a geometric center of the face panel.

Abstract: A safety system comprising an air bag configured to have at least one inflatable volume or chamber, an inlet through which inflation gas enters the inflatable volume, the air bag including at least one exit port or vent which when in an open state permits inflation gas to exit the volume or chamber, the exit port or vent located in a selected region of the air bag, a vent closure mechanism secured to the air bag and movable to close the exit port or vent by tension created in a tether which is part of the vent closure mechanism; as the air bag inflates, the tether has one end operatively secured to the air bag, a second end operatively secured to the vent closure mechanism, the tether including a medial portion slidably guided across a portion of the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module including a housing (90) having an open mouth or top, an inflator (50), a knee air bag (60, 60a) received with the housing and inflatable by the inflator, the knee air bag configured to move out of the housing (90) along a first direction and to inflate laterally across the top of the housing along a second direction and upon full inflation to move generally opposite to the first direction to protect the legs of an occupant of a vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag usable to protect the driver of the vehicle comprising: a face panel; a rear panel of generally the same shape as the face panel and secured to the face panel along its periphery; the rear panel including a centrally located opening configured to receive an air bag inflator that introduces gas into the space formed by the face and rear panels; a tether of elongated shape having first and second ends and a center region, the center region is positioned into a Z-shaped configuration and secured to the face panel proximate a geometric center of the face panel.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) having a base plate (30) and a toroidal air bag (80) is disclosed. The toroidal air bag (80) defines a pocket (120). The toroidal air bag (80) is coupled to the base plate (30). A control module (40) having a base plate portion (82) and a generally cylindrical portion (86) is coupled to the base and located within the toroidal air bag (80). The control module (40) has a control module cover (90) coupled to said generally cylindrical portion (86) disposed within said pocket (120).

Abstract: A band clamp (50, 60, 70) for securing an inflator of an air bag module (300) to a mounting surface, the clamp having a band formed into a loop of diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the inflator enabling the band to be slipped over the inflator, the band including a fastener receiving opening (32) therethrough to receive a fastener (22) which is receivable into the mounting surface, the band further including a means for tightening (40) the band about the inflator, such tightening creating stress within the band which if uncompensated tends to enlarge the fastener receiving opening, the band clamp further including first means including a set of holes (58, 60) that are larger than the fastener receiving opening (32) for absorbing the stress to lessen the possible enlargement of the fastener receiving opening.

Abstract: An air bag module (30) is disclosed having an air bag (50) and a tether (52) and an active brake (70, 80) for controlling the length of the tether in correspondence with the size of the occupant to be protected.

Abstract: A safety system comprising an air bag configured to have at least one inflatable volume or chamber, an inlet through which inflation gas enters the inflatable volume, the air bag including at least one exit port or vent which when in an open state permits inflation gas to exit the volume or chamber, the exit port or vent located in a selected region of the air bag, a vent closure mechanism secured to the air bag and movable to close the exit port or vent by tension created in a tether which is part of the vent closure mechanism; as the air bag inflates, the tether has one end operatively secured to the air bag, a second end operatively secured to the vent closure mechanism, the tether including a medial portion slidably guided across a portion of the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module (20, 20a) comprising: an inflator (300), a first support member (200-200a), a second support member (250, 250a-250d) and a cover (30) for enclosing an air bag (100); the cover includes a plurality of resilient tabs (48), the tabs are situated in a predetermined pattern about a cavity (38) which receives the air bag (100), a formation having a thickened tip is formed on a distal end of each tab, the thickened tip is configured as lock feature (50) which prevents the cover from disengaging from the first and second support members, each tab and associated lock feature is movable from a rest position to a deflected position upon contact with one of the plates; the first and second support members are locatable about each tab and configured to cooperatively define an effective narrow opening which is of smaller dimension than the thick tip, thereby preventing movement of the thick tip through the first and second support members and hence the disengagement of the cover from the first and second

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly having a fastenerless air bag module assembly is disclosed. This assembly employs a housing with a projection and a steering wheel armature configured to receive the projection. The cover is retained between the housing and the steering wheel armature. Furthermore, the present invention provides a steering wheel cover with a tear seam that permits the air bag to deploy more efficiently with less damage to the occupants.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) having a base plate (30) and a toroidal air bag (80) is disclosed. The toroidal air bag (80) defines a pocket (120). The toroidal air bag (80) is coupled to the base plate (30). A control module (40) having a base plate portion (82) and a generally cylindrical portion (86) is coupled to the base and located within the toroidal air bag (80). The control module (40) has a control module cover (90) coupled to said generally cylindrical portion (86) disposed within said pocket (120).

Abstract: An air bag module (100) comprising: a housing (20) including a receiving feature (20a) to receive at least a portion of an inflator (20), the inflator providing inflation gas to a cooperating air bag; this inflator being removably received in the receiving feature (20a); a holding member (40) movable between a first position and a second position, the holding member, while in the first position operatively holding an inflator (30) to a housing (20), the holding member movable between the first and the second positions under the influence of the inflator.

Abstract: A folding apparatus (100) for inserting an air bag and housing into an interior cavity of a cover, the apparatus comprising: an arcuately shaped tube, the tube sized in cross-section to slidably receive the housing and drawing the air bag up into the tube, the tube including an open first end oriented so that a plane through the first end is substantially parallel to vertical; a ram apparatus movable through the tube and adapted to hold and move the housing and air bag through the tube; a holding apparatus means for orienting the cover so that its internal cavity is in alignment with and adjacent to the first end such that the housing and air bag can be rammed into the cover internal cavity.

Abstract: The folding apparatus includes a ram apparatus movable through the tube and adapted to hold and move a ram plate and air bag through the tube. When moved in one direction, the ram apparatus moves the air bag into the cover. The folding apparatus further contains a movable piston which functions as an interior cushion support and is passed through a hole in the air bag module cover. The folding apparatus additionally includes a holding fixture for orienting the cover so that its internal cavity is in alignment with and adjacent to the tube such that the housing and air bag can be rammed into the cover internal cavity.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly having a fastenerless air bag module assembly is disclosed. This assembly employs a housing with a projection and a steering wheel armature configured to receive the projection. The cover is retained between the housing and the steering wheel armature. Furthermore, the present invention provides a steering wheel cover with a tear seam that permits the air bag to deploy more efficiently with less damage to the occupants.

Abstract: An air bag system comprising: a housing/inflator assembly and an air bag assembly operatively linked to the housing/inflator assembly to receive inflation gas to inflate an air bag of the air bag assembly, the housing/inflator assembly comprising: a plurality of inflators, each inflator including at least one exit port near a first end thereof, each inflator having a respective opposite second end, the housing/inflator assembly further including: a housing for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflator's positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflator's and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.

Abstract: An air bag module (100) comprising: a housing (20) including a receiving feature (20a) to receive at least a portion of an inflator (20), the inflator providing inflation gas to a cooperating air bag; this inflator being removably received in the receiving feature (20a); a holding member (40) movable between a first position and a second position, the holding member, while in the first position operatively holding an inflator (30) to a housing (20), the holding member movable between the first and the second positions under the influence of the inflator.