Abstract: A restraint system for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a roof and a cabin with a seat for the occupant includes an airbag. The airbag has a stored condition within the vehicle seat and is inflatable to deploy laterally in the cabin to a deployed condition in front of the occupant. The airbag is configured to utilize the vehicle seat as a reaction surface for restraining the movement of the airbag in response to occupant penetration into the airbag.

Abstract: A pretensioner housing of a seatbelt system pretensioner and a method of forming the pretensioner housing. The pretensioner housing includes a sheet metal blank that is folded multiple times to form the pretensioner housing. The sheet metal blank has an integral mount for mounting a gas generator.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly (22) comprises a structural carrier member (30) which is formed as one piece and has a first section (40) defining a first chamber (54) for receiving and supporting a first component (110). The structural carrier member (30) has a second section (80) defining a second chamber (92) for receiving and supporting a second component (130). The first component (110) comprises a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (114) received in the first chamber (54). The structural carrier member (30) further defines a deployment opening (55) through which the first protection device (114) is inflatable from the first chamber (54). The second component (130) comprises an occupant knee protection device (132) received in the second chamber (92) for helping to protect the vehicle occupant's legs in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision comprises a steering wheel (11) including a steering wheel armature (12). The steering wheel armature (12) has a centrally located hub portion (20), a circumferentially extending rim portion (22), and at least one spoke (24, 46) extending between the rim portion and the hub portion. At least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134) is mounted on the steering wheel armature (12). An actuatable inflator (100), when actuated, inflates the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134). The inflator (100) forms at least a portion of the at least one spoke (24, 46) of the steering wheel armature (12).

Abstract: A foot pedal (12, 42) for controlling operation of a vehicle is supported for movement relative to the vehicle. A cushion (22, 60), inflatable by inflation fluid, is connected with and, when inflated, extends from the pedal (12, 42).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) 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 vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a pair of overlying panels (40 and 42) that have overlapping portions secured together along at least a portion of the periphery of the panels to form a substantially airtight volume defined by the panels. The panels (40 and 42) are made of gas impermeable elastomeric material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a retainer ring configured to overlie an edge portion (52) of an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) adjacent to an opening (53) defined by the edge portion (52). A mounting stud projects from the retainer ring. In a one embodiment, the mounting stud (64) has a central axis (71) and a free end (72) spaced from the retainer ring (54) along the axis (71). The peripheral size and shape of the mounting stud (64) are uniform fully between the retainer ring (54) and the free end (72). The mounting stud (64) further has an axially extending bore (85) configured to receive a screw-threaded fastener (66). In an additional embodiment, the mounting stud (124) is receivable through an aperture (76) in a reaction structure (28). The mounting stud (124) and a key (140) are configured to snap together into an interlocked condition in which the key (140) blocks withdrawal of the mounting stud (124) from the aperture (76) in the reaction structure (28).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes seat (11) for a vehicle occupant (15) and a support (20) for the seat (11). The seat (11) has a forward position in a vehicle (12) and a rearward position in the vehicle (12). The support (20) enables the seat (11) to move, relative to the support (20), from the forward position to the rearward position in the vehicle (12) during a frontal vehicle collision (13). The seat (11) moves from the forward position to the rearward position due to a force transmitted to the seat (11) through the legs (16) of the vehicle occupant (15).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat (12) having a cover (32) which is extendible from an initial condition to an extended condition for restraining an occupant of the seat (12). The seat (12) has a first volume enclosed by the cover (32) when the cover (32) is in the initial condition. The seat (12) has a second, greater volume enclosed by the cover (32) when the cover (32) is in the extended condition. The second enclosed volume of the seat (12) is greater than the first enclosed volume sufficient for enlargement of the seat (12) from the first enclosed volume to the second enclosed volume to enhance the degree to which the seat (12) can restrain movement of a seated vehicle occupant under the influence of vehicle crash forces. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) is supported on the seat (12).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for mounting in a portion (20) of a vehicle includes a module (12). The module (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (30), an inflation fluid source (32), a cover (40) for the vehicle occupant protection device and the inflation fluid source, and bolts (38) for mounting the module in the vehicle portion. The module cover (40) encloses the inflation fluid source (32) and the protection device (30) when the protection device is in a deflated condition. The module cover (40) is made from a material which is flexible and wrapped around the vehicle occupant protection device (30) and the inflation fluid source (32). The apparatus also includes a deployment door (14), and tabs (90) (104) for releasably mounting the deployment door on the vehicle portion (20) for movement relative to the vehicle portion upon inflation of the protection device (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity (18, 20) of a driver of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision. The apparatus (12) comprises one or more pedals (40, 42, 44) having an operative condition in which the pedals are engageable by a foot (20) of the driver to control a vehicle operation. The pedals (40, 42, 44) have an inoperative condition in which the pedals are not engageable by the driver's foot (20) to control a vehicle operation. A mechanism (50, 52, 54) moves the pedals (40, 42, 44) from the operative condition to the inoperative condition in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (14) has an inflated condition wherein the vehicle occupant protection device is located between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. When in the inflated condition, the vehicle occupant protection device (14) has a given length measured in the direction of vehicle travel. The length of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) increases as measured in the direction of vehicle travel as the vehicle occupant protection device deflates from the inflated condition to a deflated condition. A first spring connector (52) connects the vehicle occupant protection device (14) to the vehicle (12). The first spring connector (52) applies force to the vehicle occupant protection device (14) as it deflates and maintains tension in the deflating vehicle occupant protection device.

Abstract: A safety device (30) is actuatable to uncouple a first vehicle (10) from a second vehicle (12) to which the first vehicle (10) is coupled by a pivotable joint. An actuating apparatus (70, 72) senses and responds to a specified vehicle crash condition by actuating the safety device (30). Preferably, an additional safety device (32) is actuatable to roll the vehicles (10, 12) relative to one another. The actuating apparatus (70, 72) further responds to the specified vehicle crash condition by actuating the additional safety device (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection curtain (12) which is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position extending across a vehicle window (15). The apparatus (10) further includes a track (44 or 48) and a runner (34). The runner (34) is connected to the curtain (12) to draw the curtain (12) from the retracted position to the deployed position upon movement of the runner (34) along the track (44 or 48) from a first position to a second position. The track (44 or 48) defines a plurality of intermediate positions to which the runner (34) is movable transversely of the track (44 or 48) in a direction toward the window (15). The track (44 or 48) blocks return movement of the runner (34) from each of the intermediate positions toward the initial position under the influence of tension imparted to the curtain (12) by a vehicle occupant moving against the curtain (12) in a direction outward of the window (15).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a roof (46) and a side structure (40) includes a first vehicle occupant protection device (20). The first protection device (20) is inflatable into a position between the side of the occupant's head and the vehicle side structure (40). A first inflation fluid source (14) directs inflation fluid into the first inflatable device to inflate the first inflatable device. A second vehicle occupant protection device (22) is inflatable into a position between the top of the occupant's head and the vehicle roof (46). A second inflation fluid source (16) is actuatable independently of the first inflation fluid source for directing inflation fluid into the second inflatable device to inflate the second inflatable device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a housing (42) containing the protection device (12). The housing (42) has a seam (54). The apparatus (10) further includes a conduit (40) configured to convey inflation fluid to the protection device (12). The conduit (40) is deflectable under the influence of pressure forces applied by the inflation fluid, and is located adjacent to the seam (54) in the housing (42). The conduit (40) can thus transmit fluid pressure forces to the housing (42) along the seam (54) so as to open the housing (42) along the seam (54) upon deflecting under the influence of the fluid pressure forces. Preferably, the conduit (40) is a tubular extrusion extending along an elongated vehicle frame member (34) having a non-linear contour. The tubular extrusion (40) has a non-linear contour matching the non-linear contour of the frame member (34).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a roof (40) and a side structure (20) includes an inflatable device (120) having a deflated condition and having a condition inflated between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The apparatus (10) also comprises a one-piece extruded cover (70) for mounting in the vehicle (12) in a position extending along the vehicle between the roof (40) and side structure (20). The cover (70) includes a diffuser chamber (108) extending along the length of the cover for receiving inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (120). The cover (70) includes an inflatable device chamber (140) extending parallel to the diffuser chamber (108) along the length of the cover. The inflatable device chamber (140) receives the inflatable device (120) in a deflated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle stabilizer (16) and a structure (14) which supports the stabilizer (16) on a vehicle (10) for movement to a deployed position. When the stabilizer (16) is in the deployed position, it projects laterally from the vehicle (10) so as to restrain rolling of the vehicle (10). A stabilizer control system (18) moves the stabilizer to the deployed position when the vehicle (10) experiences a rollover crash. The stabilizer control system (18) includes a source of energy (92) for moving the stabilizer (16) to the deployed position, a sensor (106) for sensing the occurrence of a rollover crash, and a device (90) for responding to the sensor (106) by actuating the source of energy (92) upon the occurrence of a rollover crash.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes a knee bolster (80) movable from a stored position adjacent to an instrument panel (40) of the vehicle to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. An actuator (30) for moving the knee bolster (80) from the stored position to the blocking position is supported on the instrument panel (40) by an actuator support (70). An attachment member (90) is connected with the knee bolster (80). The knee bolster (80) is movable relative to the attachment member (90) when the knee bolster is in the blocking position. The attachment member (90) is fixed to the instrument panel (40) adjacent to the actuator support (70). A plurality of tethers (100, 102) are connected between the knee bolster (80) and the attachment member (90) for controlling movement of the knee bolster relative to the attachment member.