Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seatback including a left lateral panel and a right lateral panel opposite the left lateral panel, a left airbag inflatable from the left lateral panel to an inflated position, a right airbag inflatable from the right lateral panel to an inflated position, a tether extending from the left lateral panel to the right lateral panel, and a sheet connected to the left airbag and the right airbag. The tether is connected to the left and right airbags.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back having a front surface and a rear surface, a panel movable along the rear surface from a stowed position adjacent the rear surface to a deployed position facing the front surface, and an airbag supported on the panel and inflatable toward the front surface to an inflated position in which the airbag contacts the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seatback including a left lateral panel and a right lateral panel opposite the left lateral panel, a left airbag inflatable from the left lateral panel to an inflated position, a right airbag inflatable from the right lateral panel to an inflated position, a tether extending from the left lateral panel to the right lateral panel, and a sheet connected to the left airbag and the right airbag. The tether is connected to the left and right airbags.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, two arms coupled to the seat, and an airbag coupled to each arm. Each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position abutting the other arm. The airbags are inflatable toward the seat when the arms are in the extended position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back having a front surface and a rear surface, a panel movable along the rear surface from a stowed position adjacent the rear surface to a deployed position facing the front surface, and an airbag supported on the panel and inflatable toward the front surface to an inflated position in which the airbag contacts the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, two arms coupled to the seat, and an airbag coupled to each arm. Each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position abutting the other arm. The airbags are inflatable toward the seat when the arms are in the extended position.

Abstract: In response to an applied force, a speaker system is configured to deploy from a confined area so as to function as a pelvis pusher. Additionally, portions of the speaker system are configured to collapse upon the application of the force so as to absorb the force.

Abstract: A pull cup in a vehicle door is fitted to a door trim panel substrate and is connected to the door inner sheet metal panel of the vehicle door by way of a bracket or by one of a pair of inner and outer support brackets. The pull cup is provided with a bending initiator feature which is positioned a trigger area formed in the door trim panel substrate. In the event that a horizontal force is applied to the vehicle door, the vehicle inward movement of the door inner sheet metal panel causes the pull cup to be pushed upward. The bending initiator feature pushes on the trigger area causing the door trim panel substrate to buckle, thus substantially preventing vehicle inward movement of the door trim panel substrate during the impact event. The bending initiator feature also reduces the lateral stiffness of the door trim sub-system.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting an occupant in a vehicle seat, through the use of an occupant protection system is disclosed, wherein the vehicle seat includes a backrest section and a seat section. The occupant protection system includes a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag, wherein the first airbag assembly is containable within an airbag recess located within a vehicle roof portion. A second airbag assembly is included having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The second airbag assembly is mounted to a frame that is integrated with the seat while being external to a seat cushion. The first inflatable airbag is configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. The second inflatable airbag is configured to extend upward from the deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.

Abstract: A pull cup in a vehicle door is fitted to a door trim panel substrate and is connected to the door inner sheet metal panel of the vehicle door by way of a bracket or by one of a pair of inner and outer support brackets. The pull cup is provided with a bending initiator feature which is positioned a trigger area formed in the door trim panel substrate. In the event that a horizontal force is applied to the vehicle door, the vehicle inward movement of the door inner sheet metal panel causes the pull cup to be pushed upward. The bending initiator feature pushes on the trigger area causing the door trim panel substrate to buckle, thus substantially preventing vehicle inward movement of the door trim panel substrate during the impact event. The bending initiator feature also reduces the lateral stiffness of the door trim sub-system.

Abstract: In response to an applied force, a speaker system is configured to deploy from a confined area so as to function as a pelvis pusher. Additionally, portions of the speaker system are configured to collapse upon the application of the force so as to absorb the force.

Abstract: A side impact airbag for a vehicle is deployed from a vehicle seat back in a forward direction. The airbag has a primary inflation chamber that when fully inflated is rearward of the coronal plane that extends through a seated occupant's hip and shoulder. A supplemental inflation chamber may be provided forward of the primary inflation chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting an occupant in a vehicle seat, through the use of an occupant protection system is disclosed, wherein the vehicle seat includes a backrest section and a seat section. The occupant protection system includes a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag, wherein the first airbag assembly is containable within an airbag recess located within a vehicle roof portion. A second airbag assembly is included having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The second airbag assembly is mounted to a frame that is integrated with the seat while being external to a seat cushion. The first inflatable airbag is configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. The second inflatable airbag is configured to extend upward from the deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.

Abstract: A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a seat frame mounted upon a vehicle floorpan. A seat cushion and seatback are mounted to the seat frame. A side airbag is mounted to an outboard portion of the seatback and has at least one flexible tension member attached to and extending between the seat frame and an external surface of the airbag. The flexible tension member maintains the airbag in an appropriate position during a deployment event.

Abstract: A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a side airbag mounted to an outboard portion of a seatback, with the side airbag having an occupant reaction surface which is combined with deployable upper and lower reaction members attached to the airbag to define an augmented occupant reaction surface available upon inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system (11) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a rollover sensor (30) that generates a rollover signal. A seat (12) having a seat base (16) rotatably coupled to a seat back (18) may be included in the occupant restraint system (11). A controller (26) is coupled to the rollover sensor (30) and seat base (16). The controller (26) controls the seat back (18) to move relative to the seat base in response to the rollover signal. The rollover control module (26) may also control the operation of an inflatable seat belt (36) to maintain the occupant's position relative to the seat back (18).