Abstract: A torso stabilization restraint configured to restrain a user in a seat, includes an inflatable first module, an inflatable second module, an inflatable third module, and connectors arranged on one or more of the modules. The connectors are configured to reversibly connect a) the first module and the second module, and b) the second module and the third module when the first, second, and third modules are inflated. When the first, second, and third modules are inflated and connected, the torso stabilization restraint and the seat combine to exert radially inward directed pressure on a torso of the user. The first and second modules are deployable from a seat. The second module is deployable from a seat belt, is arranged between the first and second modules, and is configured to couple to the first and second modules when the modules are inflated.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes an occupant seat, three-point seatbelt device, and an airbag module mounted to the seat. The three-point seatbelt device has a webbing that is configured to, when the occupant is seated on the seat, extend from an upper side in a vicinity of the occupant's outboard shoulder to a lower side in a vicinity of an inboard side of the occupant's waist and obliquely across the occupant's upper body so as to restrain the upper body. The airbag module has an airbag cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag cushion. In a crash event the airbag cushion inflates and deploys from the seat in a vicinity of the occupant's inboard shoulder obliquely across the occupant's upper body, and in a fully deployed state the airbag cushion directly connects to the webbing extended across the occupant's upper body.

Abstract: A torso stabilization restraint configured to restrain a user in a seat, includes an inflatable first module, an inflatable second module, an inflatable third module, and connectors arranged on one or more of the modules. The connectors are configured to reversibly connect a) the first module and the second module, and b) the second module and the third module when the first, second, and third modules are inflated. When the first, second, and third modules are inflated and connected, the torso stabilization restraint and the seat combine to exert radially inward directed pressure on a torso of the user. The first and second modules are deployable from a seat. The second module is deployable from a seat belt, is arranged between the first and second modules, and is configured to couple to the first and second modules when the modules are inflated.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes an occupant seat, three-point seatbelt device, and an airbag module mounted to the seat. The three-point seatbelt device has a webbing that is configured to, when the occupant is seated on the seat, extend from an upper side in a vicinity of the occupant's outboard shoulder to a lower side in a vicinity of an inboard side of the occupant's waist and obliquely across the occupant's upper body so as to restrain the upper body. The airbag module has an airbag cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag cushion. In a crash event the airbag cushion inflates and deploys from the seat in a vicinity of the occupant's inboard shoulder obliquely across the occupant's upper body, and in a fully deployed state the airbag cushion directly connects to the webbing extended across the occupant's upper body.

Abstract: An airbag module mounted on a near-side vehicle seat is provided for protecting a far-side occupant seated in a far-side vehicle seat. The airbag module includes an airbag cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion in a deployed state has a rear lobe portion and an extension portion. The rear lobe portion bulges laterally toward the far-side vehicle seat. The extension portion projects forward of the rear lobe portion in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In a near-side impact crash event the airbag cushion deploys upwards in a vehicle height direction and forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a deployment angle of the entire airbag cushion obliquely oriented to direct the airbag cushion away from the near-side vehicle seat and toward the far-side vehicle seat to provide restraint of the far-side occupant against lateral movement within the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system is mounted on a far-side vehicle seat for protecting a far-side occupant in a near-side impact crash event. The vehicle safety system includes an occupant restraint mounted on an inboard side of a seat back of the far-side vehicle seat. The restraint includes a support frame rotatable from a stowed condition where the support frame is aligned with the seat back and a deployed condition where the support frame is forward of the seat back. The support frame includes a rear arm and a forward arm each rotatably connected to the seat back at separate mounting points with the mounting point of the rear arm located above the mounting point of the forward arm. In a near-side impact crash event the restraint is rotated into the deployed condition inboard of the far-side vehicle seat to restrain the far-side occupant against lateral movement within the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to passenger restraint system, deployable upon detection of an imminent side impact vehicle collision. The restraint system contains both an inner inflatable portion and an outer rigid telescopic portion, resulting in a semi-rigid restraint system. The restraint system may be mounted to the outboard and/or inboard sides of a vehicle seat, to protect the passenger from forces from an intruding door structure (or vehicle structure) or from other passengers. Mounting the restraint system to the vehicle seat may limit the force load that is transferred from the vehicle to the occupant, compared to a restraint system mounted to the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system is mounted on a far-side vehicle seat for protecting a far-side occupant in a near-side impact crash event. The vehicle safety system includes an occupant restraint mounted on an inboard side of a seat back of the far-side vehicle seat. The restraint includes a support frame rotatable from a stowed condition where the support frame is aligned with the seat back and a deployed condition where the support frame is forward of the seat back. The support frame includes a rear arm and a forward arm each rotatably connected to the seat back at separate mounting points with the mounting point of the rear arm located above the mounting point of the forward arm. In a near-side impact crash event the restraint is rotated into the deployed condition inboard of the far-side vehicle seat to restrain the far-side occupant against lateral movement within the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag module mounted on a near-side vehicle seat is provided for protecting a far-side occupant seated in a far-side vehicle seat. The airbag module includes an airbag cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion in a deployed state has a rear lobe portion and an extension portion. The rear lobe portion bulges laterally toward the far-side vehicle seat. The extension portion projects forward of the rear lobe portion in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In a near-side impact crash event the airbag cushion deploys upwards in a vehicle height direction and forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a deployment angle of the entire airbag cushion obliquely oriented to direct the airbag cushion away from the near-side vehicle seat and toward the far-side vehicle seat to provide restraint of the far-side occupant against lateral movement within the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to passenger restraint system, deployable upon detection of an imminent side impact vehicle collision. The restraint system contains both an inner inflatable portion and an outer rigid telescopic portion, resulting in a semi-rigid restraint system. The restraint system may be mounted to the outboard and/or inboard sides of a vehicle seat, to protect the passenger from forces from an intruding door structure (or vehicle structure) or from other passengers. Mounting the restraint system to the vehicle seat may limit the force load that is transferred from the vehicle to the occupant, compared to a restraint system mounted to the vehicle interior.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an airbag assembly for protecting a vehicle occupant having a torso and a pelvis disposed in a vehicle seat. The airbag assembly can include a first inflatable chamber disposed in the vehicle seat and configured to expand outward from the vehicle seat to indirectly support the torso of the occupant. The airbag assembly can also include a second inflatable chamber disposed in the vehicle seat below the first inflatable chamber and configured to expand outward from the vehicle seat below the first inflatable chamber. The airbag assembly can further include a sheet connecting the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber, the sheet being configured to engage the torso of the occupant when the occupant is disposed in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an airbag assembly for protecting a vehicle occupant having a torso and a pelvis disposed in a vehicle seat. The airbag assembly can include a first inflatable chamber disposed in the vehicle seat and configured to expand outward from the vehicle seat to indirectly support the torso of the occupant. The airbag assembly can also include a second inflatable chamber disposed in the vehicle seat below the first inflatable chamber and configured to expand outward from the vehicle seat below the first inflatable chamber. The airbag assembly can further include a sheet connecting the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber, the sheet being configured to engage the torso of the occupant when the occupant is disposed in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint method, system, and apparatus. The system includes a seat belt associated with a seat of a vehicle and a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt comprising a shoulder stabilizing zone and a thorax belt portion, wherein the shoulder stabilizing zone includes a larger width dimension than the thorax belt portion. The system also includes a pretensioning device associated with the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt. The pretensioning device is configured to cinch and lock the shoulder stabilizing zone around a shoulder region of the occupant, thereby preventing forward rotation of the shoulder region, in response to a side impact collision.

Abstract: A structure for securing a curtain airbag to a vehicle including an airbag cushion disposed along a roof side rail of a vehicle having a side pillar, and adapted to be inflated in a curtain-like manner during a side-impact vehicle collision. The structure includes an airbag bracket for attaching the airbag to the vehicle body, and a support member having a first end secured to the vehicle side pillar and a second end receiving the airbag bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint method, system, and apparatus. The system includes a seat belt associated with a seat of a vehicle and a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt comprising a shoulder stabilizing zone and a thorax belt portion, wherein the shoulder stabilizing zone includes a larger width dimension than the thorax belt portion. The system also includes a pretensioning device associated with the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt. The pretensioning device is configured to cinch and lock the shoulder stabilizing zone around a shoulder region of the occupant, thereby preventing forward rotation of the shoulder region, in response to a side impact collision.

Abstract: An inflatable side restraint assembly for a vehicle includes a sail panel selectively deployed in the vehicle. The sail panel covers front and rear side window regions of the vehicle and includes an inflatable region located along a first pillar region between adjacent first and second windows when the sail panel is deployed. Likewise, a second inflatable region is located along a second pillar region between adjacent second and third side windows. An additional inflatable region extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the inflatable region, preferably located along a lower region of the sail panel. A deployable head-upper thorax restraint is configured to deploy between the sail panel and an outer end of a seat row in the vehicle, and preferably is provided at each end of each row of seats in the vehicle.

Abstract: An impact energy absorbing structure may be attached to and detached from a finished surface of a vehicle's passenger compartment.