Abstract: An airbag tether retainer is disclosed that is of minimal size to accommodate vehicle safety and styling requirements and yields to conform to contours of a vehicle pillar. The tether retainer is interchangeable with left or right vehicle pillars thus reducing fabrication costs. The tether retainer imposes minimal stress on a worker attaching the retainer. In certain embodiments, the tether retainer includes a body and one or more tabs and corresponding tab locks which extend from the body. An airbag tether is positioned on the body and each tab is looped around the tether and secured to the body by a corresponding tab lock. The body may then be secured to a vehicle pillar.

Abstract: An air-bag (1) has a primary gas flow duct (11) leading from a gas generator to one or more zones within the air-bag which are to be inflated. The air-bag has a separate inner gas flow duct (12) mounted within the outer gas flow duct. The inner gas flow duct (12) and the outer gas flow duct (11) have areas (22 and 23) thereof secured together in the region that is to be connected to the gas generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for tethering that may be used to keep a cushion properly positioned for side impact protection, particularly in vehicles in which space rearward of the cushion is limited. A tether attachment assembly according to the invention may include a tether attached to the cushion and to an anchoring point within the vehicle. An intermediate portion of the tether may pass within a tether restraint assembly that includes a tether restraint member attached to a vehicle surface. The tether restraint member may be a flexible strap, rigid bar, or the like. When the cushion deploys, the tether slides along the tether restraint member such that the tension exerted by the tether on the cushion is in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An airbag tether retainer is disclosed that is of minimal size to accommodate vehicle safety and styling requirements and yields to conform to contours of a vehicle pillar. The tether retainer is interchangeable with left or right vehicle pillars thus reducing fabrication costs. The tether retainer imposes minimal stress on a worker attaching the retainer. In certain embodiments, the tether retainer includes a body and one or more tabs and corresponding tab locks which extend from the body. An airbag tether is positioned on the body and each tab is looped around the tether and secured to the body by a corresponding tab lock. The body may then be secured to a vehicle pillar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for tethering that may be used to keep a cushion properly positioned for side impact protection, particularly in vehicles in which space rearward of the cushion is limited. A tether attachment assembly according to the invention may include a tether attached to the cushion and to an anchoring point within the vehicle. An intermediate portion of the tether may pass within a tether restraint assembly that includes a tether restraint member attached to a vehicle surface. The tether restraint member may be a flexible strap, rigid bar, or the like. When the cushion deploys, the tether slides along the tether restraint member such that the tension exerted by the tether on the cushion is in the longitudinal direction.