Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a seat of a vehicle. The occupant restraint system includes at least a first airbag deployable and at least a first tensioning member. The first airbag is deployable from the seat. The first tensioning member has a first portion for receiving inflation gases and a second portion attachable to the seat at a mounting location. The tensioning member including a least a first webbing elongated between the first portion and the second portion. The first webbing is at least partially constructed of a first inflatable tubular webbing adapted to receive inflation gases for tensioning the tensioning member and delivering inflation gases to the airbag upon airbag deployment.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a seat of a vehicle includes an airbag and an external tensioning member. The airbag is deployable from the seat and includes at least one cushion vent hole for venting inflation gases from the airbag. The tensioning member is attachable to the seat and includes at least a first webbing elongated between a first end and a second end. The first webbing including at least one webbing hole such that each cushion vent hole of the at least one cushion vent hole has a corresponding webbing hole from the at least one webbing hole. A releasable connection releasably connects the first webbing and the airbag to normally maintain alignment between each cushion vent hole and the corresponding webbing hole in response to a predetermined tension in the tensioning member to misalign each cushion vent hole with the corresponding webbing hole.

Abstract: Seatbelt assemblies for motor vehicle occupant restraint providing enhanced frontal impact restraint characteristics. Embodiments illustrated a displacement of the intersection positioned between the lap and shoulder belt portions of an active three-point type belt system. In one set of embodiments particularly useful with dual retractor systems, adaptive positioning provisions allow the point of intersection to initially occur at or near the seatbelt latch plate and when a restraint load occurs components release to allow repositioning of the intersection. In other embodiments best implemented in single retractor systems, a turning loop is provided which displaces the webbing slot separating the lap and shoulder belt sections from the buckle latch plate.

Abstract: Multi-chambered side airbag assemblies are provided. The airbag assemblies can include a housing, an inflator, and a side inflatable cushion. The side inflatable cushion can include multiple chambers, for example, a first inflatable chamber coupled to the housing, a second inflatable chamber coupled to the first inflatable chamber, and a third inflatable chamber coupled to the second inflatable chamber. The side inflatable cushion can also include a connector coupling at least two of the inflatable chambers to each other. In a deployed state, at least a portion of the side airbag may protrude transverse to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle such that a portion of the side airbag is configured to receive a vehicle occupant moving from a vehicle occupant position during a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback, a headrest and an airbag unit. The seatback has a front side and a rear side. The headrest is connected to the seatback by at least one post and is adjustable relative to the seatback in a vertical direction. The airbag unit is carried by the seatback and includes an airbag and an inflator. The airbag is rearwardly deployable from the rear side of the seatback from a stored position proximate an upper end of the seatback. The at least one post is oriented relative to the airbag unit in a position selected from a group consisting of a first position in which the at least one post includes a lower end vertically above the airbag unit with a line along an elongated axis of the at least one post intersecting the airbag unit and a second position on which the at least one post is laterally spaced from the airbag unit.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and an airbag unit. The seatback has a front side and a rear side. The airbag unit includes an airbag and an inflator. The airbag unit is carried by the seatback and includes a first portion and a second portion. In an inflated state free of outside forces, the airbag rearwardly extends from the rear side of the seatback such that the first portion includes a first impact surface defining a first impact plane and the second portion includes a second impact surface defining a second impact plane. The first impact plane is oriented generally vertical and the second impact plane oriented generally horizontal. At least one shape defining member may be provided for maintaining the generally horizontal orientation of the second impact plane.

Abstract: An overhead mountable inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. The disclosed airbag assembly may form a sideways V shape to be supported at the roof by an inflator, housing, or other mounting method, and at or near a lower (distal) end against a portion of an instrument panel or a rear portion of a forward occupant seat. The supported sideways V shape may support the occupant during ride down to provide protection of the occupant. The supported sideways V shape may also reduce the volume of inflation gas required to properly inflate the airbag assembly, and may reduce the overall packaged volume of the airbag assembly.

Abstract: An overhead mountable inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. The disclosed airbag assembly may form a sideways V shape to be supported at the roof by an inflator, housing, or other mounting method, and at or near a lower (distal) end against a portion of an instrument panel or a rear portion of a forward occupant seat. The supported sideways V shape may support the occupant during ride down to provide protection of the occupant. The supported sideways V shape may also reduce the volume of inflation gas required to properly inflate the airbag assembly, and may reduce the overall packaged volume of the airbag assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted to a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system can include an inflatable airbag cushion that can expand and deploy out of a first housing, and an inflatable support member that can expand and deploy out of a second housing. The inflatable support member can contact and urge a portion of the inflatable airbag cushion in a car-rearward direction.

Abstract: Airbag cushion covers and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cover comprising a weakened pattern configured to facilitate separation of the cover during deployment of an airbag cushion. The weakened region may comprise a first tear seam comprising a first shape defined by a first line comprising at least one of regions of curvature and angled regions, and a second tear seam comprising a second shape defined by a second line comprising at least one of regions of curvature and angled regions. In some embodiments, the first shape may overlap and/or intersect with the second shape in a desired pattern to facilitate desired airbag deployment.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback, a headrest and an airbag unit. The seatback has a front side and a rear side. The headrest is connected to the seatback by at least one post and is adjustable relative to the seatback in a vertical direction. The airbag unit is carried by the seatback and includes an airbag and an inflator. The airbag is rearwardly deployable from the rear side of the seatback from a stored position proximate an upper end of the seatback. The at least one post is oriented relative to the airbag unit in a position selected from a group consisting of a first position in which the at least one post includes a lower end vertically above the airbag unit with a line along an elongated axis of the at least one post intersecting the airbag unit and a second position on which the at least one post is laterally spaced from the airbag unit.

Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies are disclosed. The airbag assemblies can include a housing, an inflator assembly, an inflatable cushion, a tether, and a tension control mechanism. The tension control mechanism can include a pretensioning retractor and a load limiting member. The pretension retractor can be configured to apply a retracting tension or load to the tether following deployment of the inflatable cushion. The load limiting member can be configured to control extension of the tether during ride down of the inflatable cushion by applying a load or drag force to the tether.

Abstract: Inflatable harness airbag assemblies are disclosed. The airbag assemblies can include a housing, an inflator assembly, and an inflatable cushion. The inflatable cushion can include a first lateral chamber that is configured to deploy at a first lateral side of a vehicle occupant, and a second lateral chamber that is configured to deploy at a second lateral side of the vehicle occupant. The first and second lateral chambers can be configured to receive at least a portion of a head and a torso of the vehicle occupant during a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted to a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system can include an inflatable airbag cushion that can expand and deploy out of a first housing, and an inflatable support member that can expand and deploy out of a second housing. The inflatable support member can contact and urge a portion of the inflatable airbag cushion in a car-rearward direction.

Abstract: Multi-chambered side airbag assemblies are provided. The airbag assemblies can include a housing, an inflator, and a side inflatable cushion. The side inflatable cushion can include multiple chambers, for example, a first inflatable chamber coupled to the housing, a second inflatable chamber coupled to the first inflatable chamber, and a third inflatable chamber coupled to the second inflatable chamber. The side inflatable cushion can also include a connector coupling at least two of the inflatable chambers to each other. In a deployed state, at least a portion of the side airbag may protrude transverse to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle such that a portion of the side airbag is configured to receive a vehicle occupant moving from a vehicle occupant position during a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies including a housing assembly to be mounted above a vehicle occupant position, an inflator, and an inflatable cushion are provided. The inflatable cushion can include first and second lateral chambers and a frontal chamber disposed between the first and second lateral chambers. Airbag assemblies including a first inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a first lateral side and forward of a vehicle occupant position and a second inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a second lateral side and forward of the vehicle occupant position are also provided.

Abstract: Inflatable harness airbag assemblies are disclosed. The airbag assemblies can include a housing, an inflator assembly, and an inflatable cushion. The inflatable cushion can include a first lateral chamber that is configured to deploy at a first lateral side of a vehicle occupant, and a second lateral chamber that is configured to deploy at a second lateral side of the vehicle occupant. The first and second lateral chambers can be configured to receive at least a portion of a head and a torso of the vehicle occupant during a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and an airbag unit. The seatback has a front side and a rear side. The airbag unit includes an airbag and an inflator. The airbag unit is carried by the seatback and includes a first portion and a second portion. In an inflated state free of outside forces, the airbag rearwardly extends from the rear side of the seatback such that the first portion includes a first impact surface defining a first impact plane and the second portion includes a second impact surface defining a second impact plane. The first impact plane is oriented generally vertical and the second impact plane oriented generally horizontal. At least one shape defining member may be provided for maintaining the generally horizontal orientation of the second impact plane.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies including a housing assembly to be mounted above a vehicle occupant position, an inflator, and an inflatable cushion are provided. The inflatable cushion can include first and second lateral chambers and a frontal chamber disposed between the first and second lateral chambers. Airbag assemblies including a first inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a first lateral side and forward of a vehicle occupant position and a second inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a second lateral side and forward of the vehicle occupant position are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for making an airbag mounting bracket for use with an attachment component of an associated airbag cushion are provided. An opening in a mounting bracket precursor formed of a bracket precursor material is extruded. A rounded surface of the bracket precursor material adjacent the extruded opening is formed. The mounting bracket precursor with the rounded surface is subsequently finalized to form the airbag cushion mounting bracket, wherein the extruded opening provides an airbag attachment engagement opening for passage of the attachment component and the rounded surface provides a load bearing surface of increased area for the attachment component. Also provided are corresponding or associated airbag mounting brackets.