Abstract: A combustible gas inflator and a method for filling and sealing the inflator are provided. The inflator includes an enclosure configured to receive and store the combustible gas under pressure. The enclosure has an outer wall comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a fill aperture extending therethrough. The fill aperture has a first aperture portion and a second aperture portion. The first aperture portion is proximate the exterior surface and the second aperture portion is proximate the interior surface, wherein the first aperture portion is larger than the second aperture portion. The inflator further includes a sealing member configured to seal the fill aperture. The sealing member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the second aperture portion and the second portion is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the first aperture portion.

Abstract: An air bag module, having a housing with at least one vent opening; an inflatable cushion being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion; a deployable member being configured to cover the at least one vent opening; a tether element being secured to the inflatable cushion at one end and the deployable member at the other; an actuator adapted to restrain or release the tether element wherein the deployable member is pulled away from the at least one vent opening when the actuator releases the tether, the at least one vent opening is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion when the deployable member is pulled away.

Abstract: An air bag module, having a housing with at least one vent opening; an inflatable cushion being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion; a deployable member being configured to cover the at least one vent opening; a tether element being secured to the inflatable cushion at one end and the deployable member at the other; an actuator adapted to restrain or release the tether element wherein the deployable member is pulled away from the at least one vent opening when the actuator releases the tether, the at least one vent opening is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion when the deployable member is pulled away.

Abstract: A retractable steering column is provided. The retractable steering column has a steering column and an outer tube. The outer tube has a first sealing member, and the steering column has a second sealing member. The steering column is sealed in the outer tube using the first and second sealing members. Thus, the first and second sealing members form a cavity between the steering column and the outer housing. The steering column is rotatable with respect to the outer tube and is slideable with respect to the outer tube from a first position to a second position. A gas generator generates a retraction pressure in the cavity to slide the steering column from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An air bag system in a vehicle having opposing upper front interior corners. The system includes at least one air bag assembly located proximate one of the upper front interior corners. The air bag is in fluid communication with a gas expelling inflator and includes a frontal impact portion sized and shaped for deploying along a predetermined deployment path in front of a vehicle occupant. A biasing element of flat pliable character is held in place in hinging relation along an attached edge at an anchoring position inboard of the air bag. The biasing element is unattached at a free end which is extended away from the anchoring position upon deployment of the air bag cushion such that the biasing element is advanced in hinging fashion ahead of the frontal impact portion as the frontal impact portion is deployed in front of the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: This present invention provides an air bag assembly for use in a vehicle having a front structural member which preferably comprises an A-pillar of the vehicle. The air bag assembly comprises an inflator for generating gas and an air bag cushion deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag cushion is preferably stored along a length of the front structural member while the inflator is preferably located at a position remote from the front structural member. The air bag assembly further includes a gas conduit which provides a gas path for transferring the gas from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The gas conduit comprises an expandable member extending along at least a length of the front structural member which permits the gas conduit to be packaged within the A-pillar structure underneath interior trim molding used to cover the A-pillar.