Abstract: An apparatus (10) for a vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is mounted to the steering wheel (12) and is actuatable for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) is movable relative to the steering wheel (12) for actuating an electric device (108) associated with the vehicle when a force is applied to any one of various locations on the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (104) for substantially blocking tilt of the movable portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) relative to the steering wheel (12) during movement for actuating the electric device (108).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable volume (16) of the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a reaction plate (20) that includes at least one vent opening (40) and a retainer (60) that is connectable with the reaction plate (20). A vent part (80) has a first condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (40) and a second condition permitting inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuator (120) for moving the vent part (80) from one of the first and second conditions to the other of the first and second conditions. The vent part (80) has a portion (104) that maintains the vent part in the other of the first and second conditions when moved to the other of the first and second conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a vent opening (44) for directing flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device. A vent member (46) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. A tether (50), when tensioned, moves the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition. A latch (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for enabling the vent member to move away from the closed condition. A controller (102) is operative to actuate the latch (48). selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable curtain (14). The inflatable curtain (14) is inflatable away from the roof (18) between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain has an inflatable volume (28). An inflation fluid source (30) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable volume (28) to inflate the inflatable curtain (14). A fill tube (32) delivers the inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (30) to the inflatable curtain (14). The apparatus (10) includes an actuatable apparatus (60) for providing an opening (72, 226) in at least one of the fill tube (32) and the inflatable curtain (14) for directing the inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (28) to deflate the inflatable curtain (14). The actuatable apparatus (60) is actuatable in response to actuation of the inflation fluid source (30).

Abstract: A modular headliner assembly (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) adapted to inflate away from a roof (18) of a vehicle (12) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The modular headliner assembly (10) also includes a headliner (36) for covering an interior portion (38) of the roof (18) and at least one support device (40) for supporting the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and the headliner in the vehicle (12). The support device (40) includes a bracket (42) having a portion (44) connectable to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), fastener (202) for connecting the headliner (36) to the bracket, and a fastener (222) for connecting the bracket to the vehicle (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for damping vibration of a vehicle part, such as a steering wheel or an electric motor. According to one embodiment, an apparatus (26) for damping vibration of a vehicle part (12) includes at least one container (50) having a chamber (56) defined by at least one interior wall (58). The container (50) is associated with the vehicle part (12). A plurality of particles (52) is disposed in the chamber (56). The particles (52), when at rest, occupy a first portion (82) of the chamber (56) and define an unoccupied second portion (84) of the chamber. The particles (52) move back and forth between the first and second portions (82 and 84) of the chamber (56) in response to vibration of the vehicle part (12) and collide with each other and with the interior wall (58) defining the chamber to damp the vibration of the vehicle part.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel (10) comprises a central hub portion (22), a rim portion (24), and at least one spoke (26) that connects the hub portion (22) to the rim portion (26). The steering wheel (10) further comprises a self-regulating electric heating element (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle steering wheel (12) including a hub portion (54) having a splinded inner surface (62) and diametrically opposed first and second angled surface portions (76 and 78). A vehicle steering shaft (14) is rotatable about a first axis (16) to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft (14) includes an end portion (18) having an outer surface with splines that mesh with the splined inner surface (62) of the hub portion (54) to connect the steering shaft non-rotatably with the steering wheel. The end portion (18) includes an inner surface (42) defining a passage (40) through the end portion that extends transverse to the first axis (16). A bolt (150) has a head portion (152), a threaded outer surface (156), and a shank portion (164). The shank portion (164) is disposed in the passage (40) through the steering shaft (14) and engages the inner surface (42). The head portion (152) has a first frustoconical surface (162). A nut (130) screws onto the bolt (150).