Abstract: An airbag arrangement for a vehicle includes a housing, an airbag cushion and a guide arrangement. The housing is mountable to a roof of the vehicle. The airbag cushion is normally stored within the housing and deployable from the housing. The guide arrangement guides the airbag cushion from a stowed position within the housing to a deployed position and includes a continuous cord having a first end attached to a first point on the airbag cushion and a second end attached to a second point on the airbag cushion. The guide arrangement further includes a plurality of mounting member for attachment to the roof. The plurality of mounting members slidably receive the continuous cord, The mounting members and the continuous cord cooperate to fix the airbag cushion in free space upon deployment with only the roof as structural support.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement for a vehicle includes a housing, an airbag cushion and a guide arrangement. The housing is mountable to a roof of the vehicle. The airbag cushion is normally stored within the housing and deployable from the housing. The guide arrangement guides the airbag cushion from a stowed position within the housing to a deployed position and includes a continuous cord having a first end attached to a first point on the airbag cushion and a second end attached to a second point on the airbag cushion. The guide arrangement further includes a plurality of mounting member for attachment to the roof. The plurality of mounting members slidably receive the continuous cord, The mounting members and the continuous cord cooperate to fix the airbag cushion in free space upon deployment with only the roof as structural support.

Abstract: An electrical switch for a vehicle steering wheel assembly is provided. The electrical switch includes a pressure actuated cable having a compressible semi-conductive material between a plurality of conductors therein. The electrical switch further includes a mechanical actuator configured to compress the pressure actuated cable such that an electrical path is formed through the plurality of conductors to activate a component of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical switch for a vehicle steering wheel assembly is provided. The electrical switch includes a pressure actuated cable having a compressible semi-conductive material between a plurality of conductors therein. The electrical switch further includes a mechanical actuator configured to compress the pressure actuated cable such that an electrical path is formed through the plurality of conductors to activate a component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A preformed flexibly resilient housing for retaining an airbag cushion and securing the airbag module to a vehicle structure. The preformed flexibly resilient housing has a persistent preformed shape and is flexible when subjected to stress. Features are added to the rim of the preformed flexibly resilient housing for interfacing with either a collar or the vehicle structure. The preformed flexibly resilient housing may be secured directly to the vehicle structure, or it may be secured using an intermediary such as a rigid collar. The preformed flexibly resilient housing may additionally have features for securing the preformed flexibly resilient housing to an inflation source.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is described. The airbag assembly includes an airbag housed within an airbag housing and an airbag inflator. A B-ring that engages the airbag housing is also added. The B-ring comprises a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface and restrict movement of the airbag housing in a lateral and vertical direction. The airbag assembly may optionally include a vehicle bracket that is capable of being attached to a vehicle structure. The second stabilizing bracket may be secured to the vehicle bracket.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is described. The airbag assembly includes an airbag housed within an airbag housing and an airbag inflator. A B-ring that engages the airbag housing is also added. The B-ring comprises a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface and restrict movement of the airbag housing in a lateral and vertical direction. The airbag assembly may optionally include a vehicle bracket that is capable of being attached to a vehicle structure. The second stabilizing bracket may be secured to the vehicle bracket.

Abstract: Instrument panels integrated with passenger airbag modules and methods of producing such modules are provided. The integrated instrument panels and passenger airbag modules of the invention provide modules that may be closely integrated with the instrument panel during its construction, thus simplifying attachment of the module to the instrument panel and rendering potential cost savings. The application also provides methods of construction and assembly of such integrated instrument panels and passenger airbag modules.