Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame, a cover, and a seat side airbag assembly. The seat side airbag assembly includes a chute mounted to the frame and extending to the cover. An airbag is fixed to the chute, with the chute extending between the airbag and the cover. The chute is attached to the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame, a cover, and a seat side airbag assembly. The seat side airbag assembly includes a chute mounted to the frame and extending to the cover. An airbag is fixed to the chute, with the chute extending between the airbag and the cover. The chute is attached to the cover.

Abstract: A side airbag comprises a first side, a second side, a main portion and an extension portion. The main portion has a recess in the first side. The extension portion is supported by and is in communication with the main portion. A first tether is between the main portion and the extension portion. A vent is disposed in the main portion and selectively is moveable from a closed orientation to an open orientation. A second tether extends from the second side to the recess.

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam, an actuator, and a lower stiffener. The actuator includes a base mounted to the bumper beam, and a rod moveably engaged with the base along a vertical axis. The lower stiffener is fixed to the rod. Depending on pre-determined vehicle speeds, the lower stiffener moves from a deployed position to a retracted position based on pedestrian leg impact considerations and to reduce the likelihood of lower stiffener damage.

Abstract: An air curtain unit of a vehicle includes an inflator assembly and an air curtain that is in fluid communication with the inflator assembly. A clip includes a hook that extends at least partially around the air curtain. The clip includes a mounting portion that is fixed to the hook and is engaged with the inflator. The mounting portion of the clip supports the air curtain relative to the inflator assembly, and the hook of the clip supports the air curtain in a desired location.

Abstract: An air curtain unit of a vehicle includes an inflator assembly and an air curtain that is in fluid communication with the inflator assembly. A clip includes a hook that extends at least partially around the air curtain. The clip includes a mounting portion that is fixed to the hook and is engaged with the inflator. The mounting portion of the clip supports the air curtain relative to the inflator assembly, and the hook of the clip supports the air curtain in a desired location.

Abstract: A hood front cover assembly usable on a vehicle in which the hood has a leading edge and an underside adjacent the leading edge to reduce pedestrian injury in a pedestrian-vehicle impact event is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a deployable cover and cover housing. The housing is located on the underside of the hood adjacent the leading edge. The cover is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover may be entirely rigid or may be partially deformable and may include a hollow flexible front portion. A mechanism is provided for moving the cover between the stowed and deployed positions. The mechanism is associated with the housing and may be driven by a spring driver, a motor or a pneumatic driver. A pedestrian impact sensor is provided in the front end of the vehicle. The sensor is operatively associated with the hood front cover assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle console includes a frame and an impact absorbing device supported on the frame. The impact absorbing device includes a bladder connected to the frame and a panel connected to the bladder. The bladder and the panel define an inflation chamber between the bladder and the panel. The panel is rigid relative to the bladder. An inflator is in communication with the inflation chamber.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a seat belt buckle configured to receive a seat belt. The seat belt buckle is moveable between a first position and a second position. A timer is configured to determine an amount of time that the seat belt buckle is in the second position. If the seat belt buckle is in the second position for longer than a predetermined amount of time, the timer outputs an alert signal representing a potential fault.

Abstract: A guide mechanism may be provided in a buckle assembly including an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The guide mechanism in one example includes notches in the outer sleeve mateable to notches in a tongue piece. In another example, the guide mechanism includes ribs formed on an interior of the outer sleeve, that together with a wall of an outer button included in the outer sleeve, form a slot for receiving a tongue piece. In yet another example, the guide mechanism includes a pair of leaf springs having openings therein forming a slot for receiving a tongue piece.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a seat belt buckle configured to receive a seat belt. The seat belt buckle is moveable between a first position and a second position. A timer is configured to determine an amount of time that the seat belt buckle is in the second position. If the seat belt buckle is in the second position for longer than a predetermined amount of time, the timer outputs an alert signal representing a potential fault.

Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A roof rail assembly for a vehicle that includes a body side outer and an interior trim piece connected to the body side outer. The body side outer and the interior trim piece define a cavity. A roof rail is positioned within the cavity, and a side curtain air bag is positioned below the roof rail. The interior trim piece is assembled about a lower surface of the roof rail in a spaced relationship relative to the curtain air bag to increase visibility around the roof rail assembly.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included.

Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A hood front cover assembly usable on a vehicle in which the hood has a leading edge and an underside adjacent the leading edge to reduce pedestrian injury in a pedestrian-vehicle impact event is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a deployable cover and a cover housing. The housing is located on the underside of the hood adjacent the leading edge. The cover is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover may be entirely rigid or may be partially deformable and may include a hollow flexible front portion. A mechanism is provided for moving the cover between the stowed and deployed positions. The mechanism is associated with the housing and may be driven by a spring driver, a motor or a pneumatic driver. A pedestrian impact sensor is provided in the front end of the vehicle. The sensor is operatively associated with the hood front cover assembly.

Abstract: A door for a vehicle includes an interior surface and a compartment extending into the interior surface for receiving a dispensable paper product. A cover is movable between a closed position covering the compartment and an open position exposing the compartment. The cover defines an opening for accessing the dispensable paper product. The cover includes an outer surface flush with the interior surface when the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: A door for a vehicle includes an interior surface and a compartment extending into the interior surface for receiving a dispensable paper product. A cover is movable between a closed position covering the compartment and an open position exposing the compartment. The cover defines an opening for accessing the dispensable paper product. The cover includes an outer surface flush with the interior surface when the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: A frontal passenger airbag module is provided in association with the forward part of the instrument panel adjacent the windshield. The module includes a passageway through which the airbag may be deployed. The module is movable between an operational position in which the airbag may be deployed through the a breakaway opening in the instrument panel and a stowed position in which the module is moved vehicle-rearward such that the passageway is no longer adjacent the breakaway opening and the module no longer encroaches on the crush space provided for pedestrian protection. The vehicle includes an impact sensor for determining if an impact event involves a pedestrian. If it is determined by the sensor that a pedestrian has been involved, the module is moved to its stowed position. If it is determined by the sensor that no pedestrian has been involved, then the module remains in its operational position.