Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to a pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a trim molding covering the air bag and mounted to the pillar. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended downward and sideways in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle.

Abstract: A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Abstract: An inflatable safety restraint assembly is provided and methods are provided for installing such an inflatable safety restraint assembly into a vehicle. The inflatable safety restrain assembly comprises a cushion pack configured for attachment to an A-pillar of the vehicle and an inflator configured for attachment to a body structure of the vehicle other than the A-pillar. The inflatable safety restraint assembly further comprises a flexible tube having a first end connected to the cushion pack and a second end connected to the inflator. The flexible tube is adjustable to provide a number of orientations between the cushion pack attached to the A-pillar and the inflator attached to the vehicle body other than the A-pillar.

Abstract: A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Abstract: An air restraint system has an airbag which is deployable between an instrument panel and an occupant seat within an automotive vehicle. The airbag includes first and second air chambers which are separated to restrict flow therebetween by a single panel member. The first and second chambers of the airbag are selectively pressurizable with a gaseous fluid which is distributed from an inflator through a plurality of passages, and the flow therein is controlled by a valve member. The valve member is operable to distribute the pressurized fluid to one chamber, both of the chambers of the airbag or to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An inflatable safety restraint assembly is provided and methods are provided for installing such an inflatable safety restraint assembly into a vehicle. The inflatable safety restrain assembly comprises a cushion pack configured for attachment to an A-pillar of the vehicle and an inflator configured for attachment to a body structure of the vehicle other than the A-pillar. The inflatable safety restraint assembly further comprises a flexible tube having a first end connected to the cushion pack and a second end connected to the inflator. The flexible tube is adjustable to provide a number of orientations between the cushion pack attached to the A-pillar and the inflator attached to the vehicle body other than the A-pillar.

Abstract: An air restraint system has an airbag which is deployable between an instrument panel and an occupant seat within an automotive vehicle. The airbag includes first and second air chambers which are separated to restrict flow therebetween by a single panel member. The first and second chambers of the airbag are selectively pressurizable with a gaseous fluid which is distributed from an inflator through a plurality of passages, and the flow therein is controlled by a valve member. The valve member is operable to distribute the pressurized fluid to one chamber, both of the chambers of the airbag or to the atmosphere.

Abstract: This present invention provides an air bag assembly for use in a vehicle having a front structural member which preferably comprises an A-pillar of the vehicle. The air bag assembly comprises an inflator for generating gas and an air bag cushion deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag cushion is preferably stored along a length of the front structural member while the inflator is preferably located at a position remote from the front structural member. The air bag assembly further includes a gas conduit which provides a gas path for transferring the gas from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The gas conduit comprises an expandable member extending along at least a length of the front structural member which permits the gas conduit to be packaged within the A-pillar structure underneath interior trim molding used to cover the A-pillar.

Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to a pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a trim molding covering the air bag and mounted to the pillar. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended downward and sideways in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle.

Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and a frontal air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to an A-pillar and header of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a wrap air bag at least partially continuous with the frontal air bag. The frontal air bag and the wrap air bag are mounted to an A-pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag and the wrap air bag are inflated by the inflator and the frontal air bag is extended downward and in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle and the wrap air bag is extended above the frontal air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle has an upper front interior corner and at least one seating position for a vehicle occupant. An air bag assembly includes an inflator for generating gas; and an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag is stored in the upper front interior corner of the vehicle, and the air bag is a single integral air bag having a frontal portion and a side portion. The frontal portion and the side portion are in fluid communication with each other. Upon air bag deployment, the frontal portion deploys downwardly and in front of the vehicle occupant and the side portion deploys downwardly and to the side of the vehicle occupant such that the air bag wraps around the occupant during deployment. Preferably, the frontal portion and the side portion are generally 90 degrees relative to each other. Also preferably, the vehicle has air bag assemblies in opposite front upper interior corners that are mirror images of each other for commonization of parts.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) has a lower seat frame (14) and a seat back (16) pivoted about a recliner axis (20). An occupant (22) restraining shoulder belt (26) has an upper attachment point provided by a sliding belt guide (40) fixed to the top of a resilient, flexible elongated tower (36) attached to one side of the seat back (16). The tower (36) is normally unflexed, with the same orientation as the seat back (16), but is capable of bending with the belt guide (40) down and forwardly relative to the seat back and closer to the recliner axis (20) when a forward and downward force is applied to the belt guide (40). An inertially locking belt retractor (24) is rigidly fixed to the seat (10) below the belt guide (40). The retractor (24) provides a reserve length of belt (50) that extends up along the back of the tower (36) and over the belt guide (40) and then continues into the shoulder belt (26).