Abstract: A vehicle seat inter-connected tether assembly includes a first tether, a second tether and a vertically configured third tether positioned between the first tether and the second tether fixedly coupled to and connecting the first tether to the second tether. A connector positioned at distal ends of the first tether and the second tether is configured to couple the first tether and the second tether to opposed seat frame members of a vehicle seat frame.

Abstract: A vehicle seat inter-connected tether assembly includes a first tether, a second tether and a vertically configured third tether positioned between the first tether and the second tether fixedly coupled to and connecting the first tether to the second tether. A connector positioned at distal ends of the first tether and the second tether is configured to couple the first tether and the second tether to opposed seat frame members of a vehicle seat frame.

Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.

Abstract: An anti-submarining seat cushion for a vehicle includes a main body constructed of an anisotropic material. The anisotropic material includes a primary material including a primary stiffness and a plurality of inserts that are dispersed throughout the primary material. The plurality of inserts exert an axial compressive force in response to the main body of the anti-submarining seat cushion experiencing a submarining load, where the axial compressive force is exerted in a direction that opposes the submarining load to increase an overall stiffness of the main body in a direction that aligns with the submarining load.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back pivotally moveable between an upright position and a reclined position, and at least one upper arm support selectively moveable between a stowed position and an extended position, the at least one upper arm support adapted to provide support for an upper arm of an occupant when the seat back of the vehicle seat is in the reclined position and the at least one upper arm support is in the extended position.

Abstract: A sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleeping compartment positioned within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping compartment supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position. An elastic bedsheet is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform positioned between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleeping compartment and triggers deployment of a bedsheet displacement system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.

Abstract: A one-way multiple cushions and chambers vehicle airbag assembly includes an airbag body having a primary airbag chamber and a secondary airbag chamber. At least one one-way vent valve provides a gas interconnection passage between the primary airbag chamber and the secondary airbag chamber.

Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle deployable cocoon airbag system includes an airbag cushion having a first side oriented in a vertical configuration in a non-deployed condition and a second side oriented substantially ninety degrees from the first side in the non-deployed condition and adapted to receive an occupant on the second side providing an occupant sleeping position. At least one retracting tether is connected to the first side and the second side and is retracted using a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism acts upon receipt of a signal to retract the at least one retracting tether and pull the second side toward the first side thereby enclosing the occupant between the first side and the second side in a deployed condition of the airbag cushion. At least one energy absorbing (EA) element is connected to the airbag cushion acting to restrict a fore-aft motion of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle deployable cocoon airbag system includes an airbag cushion having a first side oriented in a vertical configuration in a non-deployed condition and a second side oriented substantially ninety degrees from the first side in the non-deployed condition and adapted to receive an occupant on the second side providing an occupant sleeping position. At least one retracting tether is connected to the first side and the second side and is retracted using a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism acts upon receipt of a signal to retract the at least one retracting tether and pull the second side toward the first side thereby enclosing the occupant between the first side and the second side in a deployed condition of the airbag cushion. At least one energy absorbing (EA) element is connected to the airbag cushion acting to restrict a fore-aft motion of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleeping compartment positioned within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping compartment supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position. An elastic bedsheet is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform positioned between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleeping compartment and triggers deployment of a bedsheet displacement system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle airbag system includes a vehicle seat having a seat back rotatably connected to a seat base, with the seat base mounted on a seat frame. A seat base cushion is mounted on the seat frame upon which an occupant is seated. A thigh airbag is connected to the seat frame and positioned above the seat frame and below the seat base cushion in a thigh airbag uninflated condition. At least one airbag tether is connected to the seat frame and to the thigh airbag. A lap belt is connected to the vehicle seat and contacts a pelvis of the occupant. When inflated the thigh airbag pushes upward on the seat base cushion forcing the thighs and pelvis of the occupant upward into frictional contact with the lap belt, thereby mitigating against submarining of the pelvis beneath the lap belt.

Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle including a first seat section configured to support a lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a second seat section configured to support an upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a third seat section configured to support the torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and the upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a fourth seat section configured to support the lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system comprises: i) a vehicle seat configured to move to a substantially reclining position, the vehicle seat comprising a seat back and a seat bottom; and ii) a first support arm associated with the seat back, the first support arm including a first airbag on a lower surface of the first support arm, the first support arm holding the first airbag in a position above the thorax of a passenger reclining in the vehicle seat. The first airbag inflates in the event of a collision and provides protection between the first support arm and the thorax of the passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle seat safety system. The vehicle safety seat system comprises a vehicle seat configured to move between a substantially reclining position and a substantially sitting position. The vehicle seat comprises at least a seat back and a seat bottom. The system also includes an enclosure configured to store a blanket airbag in an undeployed position prior to a collision, wherein the enclosure is disposed near the head of a passenger in the vehicle seat, and wherein the blanket airbag is ejected from the enclosure to an intermediate position in the event of a collision. The system further comprises a first electromechanical restraint system associated with the seat back and coupled to the blanket airbag by a first physical coupling and a second electromechanical restraint system associated with the seat bottom and coupled to the blanket airbag by a second physical coupling.

Abstract: An inflatable blanket for a vehicle includes a first blanket layer, a second blanket layer coupled to the first blanket layer, and an airbag disposed between the first blanket layer and the second blanket layer. The airbag has a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration to protect a vehicle occupant when the vehicle is subjected to an external force.

Abstract: A deployable headrest airbag includes an airbag chamber configured to be coupled to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In stowed position, the airbag chamber is disposed inside the headrest. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle including a first seat section configured to support a lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a second seat section configured to support an upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a third seat section configured to support the torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and the upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a fourth seat section configured to support the lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction.

Abstract: A system for a seat of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat cover, and a valve. The seat cushion forms at least part of a bottom of the seat. The seat cover encloses the seat cushion and forming a barrier to airflow out of the seat cushion. The seat cover forms a top surface of the seat bottom, a bottom surface of the seat bottom, and side surfaces of the seat bottom. The valve extends through the seat cover and is configured to regulate airflow out of the seat cushion through the valve.

Abstract: A system for a seat of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat cover, and a valve. The seat cushion forms at least part of a bottom of the seat. The seat cover encloses the seat cushion and forming a barrier to airflow out of the seat cushion. The seat cover forms a top surface of the seat bottom, a bottom surface of the seat bottom, and side surfaces of the seat bottom. The valve extends through the seat cover and is configured to regulate airflow out of the seat cushion through the valve.