Abstract: A head restraint (14) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle seat (20) includes a base frame (150) connected to the vehicle seat. A cushion carrier (350) is supported on the base frame (150) by a track assembly (440) that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier (350) relative to the base frame (150) along a deployment axis (18) from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition. The track assembly (440) includes a fixed track member (182) that forms a portion of the base frame (150). The fixed track member (182) includes spaced axially extending beam portions (190) with opposing surfaces (200) that define a channel (184) between the beam portions (190). The track assembly (440) also includes a sliding track member (370) that forms a portion of the cushion carrier (350).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable to help protect the vehicle occupant (16). A vent opening (52) directs flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14). A vent member (60) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14) through the vent opening (52) and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the vent opening. A panel (80) receives and transfers the force of inflation directed into the protection device to the vent member to urge the vent member toward the closed condition.

Abstract: A head restraint (14) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle seat (20) includes a base frame (150) connected to the vehicle seat. A cushion carrier (350) is supported on the base frame (150) by a track assembly (440) that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier (350) relative to the base frame (150) along a deployment axis (18) from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition. The track assembly (440) includes a fixed track member (182) that forms a portion of the base frame (150). The fixed track member (182) includes spaced axially extending beam portions (190) with opposing surfaces (200) that define a channel (184) between the beam portions (190). The track assembly (440) also includes a sliding track member (370) that forms a portion of the cushion carrier (350).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) provides inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (24) actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A conduit (22) directs inflation fluid into the protection device (14) from the inflator (24). A deflector (50) is arranged in fluid communication with the conduit (22) and has at least a portion in fluid communication with the protection device (14). The deflector (50) is configured to direct inflation fluid into the protection device (14) in opposing directions to reduce the magnitude of pressure waves experienced by a vehicle occupant (28).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (12) and a support member (40) having a vent opening (50) through which inflation fluid may flow. The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (58) for controlling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). Inflation fluid pressure within the inflatable occupant protection device (12) tends to move the mechanism (58) for increasing a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The mechanism (58) is responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device (12) beyond a predetermined distance for restricting the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The apparatus (10) further includes a locking member (96) for blocking the mechanism (58) from increasing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50) after the inflatable occupant protection device (12) has inflated beyond the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (40) for testing an occupant position sensing system (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a motor (42) having a stationary portion (44) and a movable portion (46). A test object (90) is fixed relative to the movable portion (46) of the motor (42). A motor position sensor (64) senses a position of the movable portion (46) of the motor (42) relative to the stationary portion (44) and for providing a motor position signal indicative thereof. Motor drive electronics (58) are responsive to the motor position signal for controlling the motor (42) for moving the test object (90). A data recorder (80) is adapted to receive and record data from the occupant position sensing system (12) and is adapted to receive and record the motor position signal provided by the motor position sensor (64).

Abstract: An apparatus (8) includes a seat (10) for an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). The seat (10) includes a cushion portion (16) and a backrest portion (18). The apparatus (8) also includes an occupant protection device (70) that, when actuated, resists rearward movement of the backrest portion (18) of the seat (10) relative to the cushion portion (16) of the seat (10). A deflection mechanism (72) of the apparatus (8) is located in the backrest portion (18) of the seat (10) and is movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the occupant protection device (70). The deflection mechanism (72) is adapted to move from the first position to the second position without the backrest portion (18) moving significantly relative to cushion portion (16).

Abstract: An assembly (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat (2). The assembly (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2), a sensor (79) for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, and a housing (100) for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor (79) provides an output signal indicative of the amount of the load of the vehicle occupant. The housing (100) encloses the sensor (79) to protect the sensor (79).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14), when inflated, has an upper edge (50) positioned adjacent the roof (18) and a lower edge (52) spaced from the roof. The protection device (14) also includes a guide (72, 74) and a flexible elongated member (70, 80) that extends through the guide and is slidable through the guide when the protection device is inflated. The member (70, 80) has two leg portions (110, 112) extending from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) to the protection device (14) when the protection device is inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle comprises a steering shaft (12) rotatable about a first axis (B) and an activatable lock (18) operatively coupled with the steering shaft for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The lock (18) is deactivated by a key (19). A vehicle steering wheel (20) includes a hub portion (130) and is non-rotatably connected to the steering shaft (12) by the hub portion for joint rotation with the steering shaft. The apparatus (10) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (70) attached to the steering wheel (20). A movable member (200) blocks axial movement of the steering wheel (20) relative to the steering shaft (12). A housing (160) encircles a portion of the steering shaft (12) and the hub portion (130). The housing (16) includes at least one opening (194).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes seat belt webbing (12) for restraining an object (14) in a vehicle seat (16). A sensor (50) associated with the vehicle seat (16) senses a sensed weight of the object (14) in the vehicle seat. A seat belt tension sensor (60) senses the tension in the seat belt webbing (12). A controller (44) determines a computed weight of the object (14) as a function of both the sensed weight and the tension in the seat belt webbing (12).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering column (40) connected to a vehicle steering wheel (42) to turn rotatable steerable vehicle wheels. A module (32) has an inflatable device (34) for helping to protect an occupant (36) of a vehicle (11) and an inflator (30) is connected with the inflatable device to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The apparatus (10) also includes at least one actuatable fastener (20) connected between the steering column (40) and a vehicle part (52). The actuatable fastener (20) has an unactuated condition blocking movement of the steering column (40) in a forward direction (58) in the vehicle (11) relative to the vehicle part (52). The actuatable fastener (20) has an actuated condition releasing the steering column (40) for movement in the vehicle (11) relative to the vehicle part (52) under load applied to the inflatable device (34) by the vehicle occupant (36).

Abstract: A system (10) for controlling a vehicle occupant protection device (52) associated with a vehicle seat (12) includes a weight sensor (40) operative to sense a weight condition of an occupant (26) of the vehicle seat (12) and provide a weight sensor signal. A second sensor (50) is operative to sense a second condition of the occupant (26) and provide a second sensor signal. A controller (34) receives the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The controller (34) analyzes the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal to determine inconsistencies between the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal and enables actuation of the occupant protection device (52) if the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal are inconsistent.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable from a stored position into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a guide (90) connected to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a flexible elongated member (70) that extends through the guide. The flexible elongated member (70) has a first end (72) connected to the vehicle (12) at a first location (76) and an opposite second end (74) connected to the vehicle at a second location (82).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes an elongated pressure vessel (30) containing a source of inflation fluid for a vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (12) further includes an inflation fluid outlet manifold (32) at one end (34) of the pressure vessel (30). The manifold (32) has outlet openings (60, 62) defining first and second outlet flow areas. The manifold (32) is configured to direct inflation fluid flowing through the first outlet flow area to flow at least partially in a first direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (31) of the pressure vessel (30). The manifold (32) is further configured to direct inflation fluid flowing through the second outlet flow area to flow at least partially in a second, opposite direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (31) of the pressure vessel (30).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is folded so as to be deployed from a reaction structure (24) in a first direction to restrain movement of a vehicle occupant in a second, opposite direction. The folded protection device (14) has a cross-section with a configuration defined by pleats (110). Each pleat (110) has an open end (112) and a closed end (114) spaced from the open end (112) in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second directions. An inflator (12) is received within one of the pleats (110′) and has inflation fluid outlet openings (124) adjacent to the closed end (114) of the pleat (110′). A retainer ring (56) engages and supports a peripheral edge portion (72) of the folded protection device (14) in an open configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus (47) determines presence, type, and a size value of a vehicle occupant (14) located within a vehicle (12). A first capacitive sensor (46A) is located on a first side of an occupant location within the vehicle (12) and senses a first capacitance value. An associated drive/monitor circuit (42A) provides a first signal (44A) indicative of the first capacitance value. A controller (27) determines from the first signal (44A) whether the first capacitance value is indicative of an occupant located proximate to the first capacitive sensor (46A). The controller (27) determines a first distance between the first capacitive sensor (46A) and the occupant (14) using the first signal (44A). A second capacitive sensor (46C) is located on a second side of the occupant location and senses a second capacitance value. An associated drive/monitor circuit (42C) provides a second signal (44C) indicative of the second capacitance value.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in a vehicle having a rotatable steering shaft (32) and a locking mechanism (56) for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The locking mechanism (56) is deactivated by an ignition key (58) in the vehicle's ignition. The apparatus comprises a vehicle steering wheel assembly (20) having a front side (68) facing a driver of the vehicle and a back side facing away from the driver, an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (90) for helping to protect the driver of the vehicle in a vehicle collision, and a mechanism (60, 110) for removably connecting the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (90) with the steering shaft (32). The mechanism (60, 110) for removably connecting the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (90) requires rotation of the steering wheel assembly (20) to accomplish removal of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device from the steering shaft (32).

Abstract: An occupant sensor system (40) has an array (42) of sensors (48.sub.I -48.sub.IV). Each of the sensors (48.sub.I -48.sub.IV) senses the presence of a body portion of an occupant (14) proximately located to the respective sensor and provides a signal (50) indicative of the presence. A controller (30) processes information derived from the signals (50) to characterize the type of the body portion.

Abstract: A wireless switch detection system (10, 100) includes central transmitter (22, 109) for transmitting a transmitter signal. The system (10, 110) also includes a remote switch (28, 128) spaced apart from the central transmitter (22, 109) and having at least two states. A tag circuit (32, 136) is responsive to and powered by the transmitter signal. The tag circuit (32, 136) detects the state of the remote switch (28, 128) and, in response to the transmitter signal, provides a tag signal indicative of the state of the switch (28, 128). A central receiver (26, 111) receives the tag signal.