Abstract: An air bag module assembly comprising: an inflator (250) having at least one exit port (270) with a thin layer of burst material (272) blocking the at least one exit port (270), the burst material bursting forth from the exit port during an initial moment of activation of the inflator. The module including an air bag assembly comprising an inflatable first bag (20) and an inflatable second bag (70), the second bag located within the first bag, the second bag including an opening (40b) to receive the inflator (250) wherein prior to activation, opposed portions of the second bag, radially outboard of the inflator, are formed into respective flaps, which are overlaid and positioned on a top of the inflator to provide a tortuous path through which any particles can flow prior to entering into a main portion of the air bag.

Abstract: A unique and simple method for attaching a steering wheel to a steering shaft includes a pair of securement members. The steering shaft is provided with a slot extending into an enlarged space. The first securement member extends across a bore in the steering wheel, and is threadably received in the second securement member. The steering wheel can be moved onto the steering shaft with the first securement member moving through the slot and into the space. The first securement member can then draw the second securement member into the space. Preferably, there is a tapered interface between the second securement member, the steering wheel, and the steering shaft. The tapered surface drives the steering wheel downwardly onto the steering shaft such that a wedge-lock is provided. In a further feature of this invention, an outer housing surrounds the steering shaft. The outer housing has a pair of spaced slots.

Abstract: An air bag module assembly comprising: an inflator (250) having at least one exit port (270) with a thin layer of burst material (272) blocking the at least one exit port (270), the burst material bursting forth from the exit port during an initial moment of activation of the inflator. The module including an air bag assembly (20) comprising an inflatable first bag (290) and an inflatable second bag (70), the second bag located within the first bag, the second bag including an opening (40b) to receive an inflator (250) wherein prior to activation, opposed portions of the second bag, radially outboard of the inflator, are formed into respective flaps, which are overlaid and positioned on a top of the inflator to provide a tortuous path through which any particles can flow prior to entering into an main portion of the air bag.

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 means for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflators positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflators and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.

Abstract: An air bag module having an inflator (20); a cushion (22); a retainer ring (24) having at least one mounting tab (40) and a plurality of fasteners (28) for engaging the inflator (20) and the cushion (22); a cover (26) having a pair of flaps (44) defining a plurality of apertures for engaging the fasteners (28); and a plurality of snap-in attachment nuts (32). The snap nuts 32 being used to connect the air bag module to an armature (30) of a steering wheel.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag, the air bag including: a face panel having a first central opening therein; a rear panel having a second central opening therein, that portion of the rear panel about the second central opening forming a neck portion; a tubular insert having an open end secured to the face panel about the first central opening, the tubular insert including a closed end opposite the open end, the tubular insert extending into the air bag.

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 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: A driver air bag module (22) having a cover (16), a cushion (12), an inflator (10), and a switch assembly (20) is disclosed. The switch assembly (20) is formed by a flat upper housing member (40), which is slideably coupled to a generally flat lower member (42). A pair of electrical contacts (43, 44) is disposed therein and is coupled to the generally flat lower member (42). The switch assembly (20) is coupled to an inflator (10) and incorporated into the air bag cushion (12).

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag, the air bag including: a face panel having a first central opening therein; a rear panel having a second central opening therein, that portion of the rear panel about the second central opening forming a neck portion; a tubular insert having an open end secured to the face panel about the first central opening, the tubular insert including a closed end opposite the open end, the tubular insert extending into the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) comprising: a housing (22) having a first opening (102) within a first housing portion (100), a retaining member (24) having a second opening (52) and at least one pair of opposed open faced ramps (40a,b), an air bag (26) having an inflatable cushion portion (80) and a neck portion (82), the neck portion is located between the housing and retaining member (24), a cover (30) to protect the air bag, the cover being opened by the air bag upon inflation thereof, and an inflator (28) received within the first opening from a bottom of the first housing portion (100) and into the second opening (52), the inflator including a flange (36); wherein with an edge of the inflator flange located proximate a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramps and is drawn toward the retaining member thereby sandwiching the housing and air bag therebetween.

Abstract: The subject invention is an apparatus and method for installing a cushion into a cover to provide for a uniform and consistent thickness of cushion between an inflator/horn assembly and the cover such that variation in the amount of force applied to the cover is minimized. The apparatus for installing the cushion to the cover includes a base for supporting the cover, a housing defining a cavity and having an upper and a lower platform, an air bag housing and a mock inflator attached to a piston. The method includes the steps of attaching the cushion assembly to a mock inflator, securing the cover, compacting the cushion into the cover and around the mock inflator, such that the cushion fills the cavity of the cover; then removing the mock inflator from the cushion to form a cavity within the cushion for the inflator/horn assembly.

Abstract: A driver air bag module (22) having a cover (16), a cushion (12), an inflator (10), and a switch assembly (20) is disclosed. The switch assembly (20) is formed by a flat upper housing member (40), which is slideably coupled to a generally flat lower member (42). A pair of electrical contacts (43, 44) is disposed therein and is coupled to the generally flat lower member (42). The switch assembly (20) is coupled to an inflator (10) and incorporated into the air bag cushion (12).

Abstract: A unique and simple method for attaching a steering wheel to a steering shaft includes a pair of securement members. The steering shaft is provided with a slot extending into an enlarged space. The first securement member extends across a bore in the steering wheel, and is threadably received in the second securement member. The steering wheel can be moved onto the steering shaft with the first securement member moving through the slot and into the space. The first securement member can then draw the second securement member into the space. Preferably, there is a tapered interface between the second securement member, the steering wheel, and the steering shaft. The tapered surface drives the steering wheel downwardly onto the steering shaft such that a wedge-lock is provided. In a further feature of this invention, an outer housing surrounds the steering shaft. The outer housing has a pair of spaced slots.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) including: an inflator (30); a cushion (26); a retainer ring (28); a cover (22) having a relatively flexible side wall (48a-d) with a pair of flaps (50a,50b) integrally formed and extending from opposing portions of the flexible side wall, each of the flaps including a plurality of apertures (60;62); a housing (24) having a bottom, and a side wall enveloping an end region of the cover side wall to reinforce the cover side wall; and a first plurality of fasteners (82) for engaging the inflator, retainer ring, the cushion (26) and cover flaps.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching as well as removing a steering wheel to and from a steering shaft. The steering wheel includes a pair of threadably mated, first and second securement members which are movable relative to one another. One of the securement members is received within a preformed, keyed slot on the top of the steering shaft. When the securement members are tighten the second securement member is moved into the slot thereby securing the steering, wheel to the steering shaft. The apparatus further includes a movable wedge which is positionable between the top of the steering shaft and a part of the steering wheel. Inward movement of the wedge urges the steering wheel and the steering shaft apart facilitating separation and removal.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement includes an air bag module (12) having an engagement member (14), a receiver (16), and a fastener (18). The receiver is located within a vehicle component such as a steering wheel in which the mounting of an air bag is desired. The engagement member (14) extends from the module (12) and fits within the receiver (16) such that a groove (38) in the engagement member is engageable by the fastener (18). The fastener (18) preferably includes a pair of substantially parallel wires (38) which form a first substantially annular segment (40) and a locking segment (44). The first annular segment (40) is proportioned to receive the engagement member (14). The locking segment (44) is sized to engage the groove (38). The fastener (18) slidably engages and disengages the engagement member (14) to lock and unlock the module (12) in response to sliding the fastener (18) relative to the retainer (16).

Abstract: A snap-in connector (80) including a female connector part (84) including an upper cylindrical portion (120) having a first opening (122) therethrough, a medial flange (130) extending outwardly and a lower portion segmented into a plurality of flexible locking members (140a-d) which snap into and lock with portions of a male connector part as a function of the degree of insertion of the male connector part.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) comprising: a housing (22) having a first opening (102) within a first housing portion (100), a retaining member (24) having a second opening (52) and at least one pair of opposed open faced ramps (40a,b), an air bag (26) having an inflatable cushion portion (80) and a neck portion (82), the neck portion is located between the housing and retaining member (24), a cover (30) to protect the air bag, the cover being opened by the air bag upon inflation thereof, and an inflator (28) received within the first opening from a bottom of the first housing portion (100) and into the second opening (52), the inflator including a flange (36); wherein with an edge of the inflator flange located proximate a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramps and is drawn toward the retaining member thereby sandwiching the housing and air bag therebetween.

Abstract: A steering wheel/steering shaft assembly (10) comprising: a steering shaft (50) including a shaft portion having a first end (62), the first end including a first securing and aligning mechanism (52) which cooperates with a second securing and aligning mechanism (40) in the steering wheel (13) which clamps upon the first securing and aligning mechanism to orient the steering wheel at a preferred orientation to the shaft and lock same in place.