Abstract: A novel safety restraint system especially well suited to protect occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact is described. One or more cushion portions are provided and installed to inflate between an occupant and a lateral surface, such as a door or side window. The cushion portions may be connected to an air source or to each other through the use of sail portions and supply tubes, which may be attached to the cushion portions by chemical bonding, adhesive bonding, sewing, RF welding, or any other suitable method. The cushion portions may have an interior coating of a urethane based substance, mated to a similar substance coating the exterior of a supply tube or sail portion. The cushion portions may then be RF welded to the sail portion or supply tube without restricting gas flow into the cushion portions. The sail portions and supply tubes are preferably fabricated from a material different from that used to form the cushion portions, so as to reduce the cost and weight of the safety restraint system.

Abstract: A novel safety restraint system especially well suited to protect occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact is described. One or more cushion portions are provided and installed to inflate between an occupant and a lateral surface, such as a door or side window. The cushion portions may be connected to an air source or to each other through the use of sail portions and supply tubes, which may be attached to the cushion portions by chemical bonding, adhesive bonding, sewing, RF welding, or any other suitable method. The cushion portions may have an interior coating of a urethane based substance, mated to a similar substance coating the exterior of a supply tube or sail portion. The cushion portions may then be RF welded to the sail portion or supply tube without restricting gas flow into the cushion portions. The sail portions and supply tubes are preferably fabricated from a material different from that used to form the cushion portions, so as to reduce the cost and weight of the safety restraint system.

Abstract: A flexible sheet of material forms an integral airbag module housing enclosing an inflator and inflatable airbag, which cover also acts as a deployment chute guiding the deployment of the inflating airbag to the desired deployment location in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag module including an inflator assembly and an airbag cushion. The inflator assembly has an inflator and at least one fastener for mounting the airbag module within a vehicle. The airbag cushion includes an inboard cushion sheet and an outboard cushion sheet having an outer periphery secured to an outer periphery of the inboard cushion sheet. The outboard cushion sheet defines an open mouth receiving the inflator assembly, and a first tether and a second tether extend between the outboard cushion sheet and the inboard cushion sheet on opposite sides of the open mouth. The first tether and the second tether divide the airbag cushion into a first airbag segment for cushioning a first seat occupant of a vehicle, a central segment containing the inflator assembly, and a second airbag segment for cushioning a second occupant of a vehicle seat occupant, and each of the first and second tethers define at least one inflation gas passage.

Abstract: A compressed gas inflator to be used in passive restraint airbag systems is disclosed. The inflator includes a manifold which discharges the inflation gas in the direction the airbag cushion is intended to inflate, resulting in less damage being inflicted on the airbag cushion during inflation and more consistent airbag inflation performance.

Abstract: A side-impact airbag is essentially tubular and formed from two substantially identical panels. One of the panels is shortened, as by pleating and stitching. The resulting airbag, when inflated, has a unique assymetrical shape which minimizes any tendency to slap against a vehicle's occupant.

Abstract: An airbag module having a cushion with a compression-deployed volume. The module includes an inflator which produces a quantity of inflation gas. This gas inflates only a first volume of the cushion, which is positioned to protect a first portion of a passenger's body. Compression of the first volume by the passenger forces the gas from the first volume into a second volume, to thus inflate the second volume. The second volume is positioned to protect a second portion of the passenger's body. The initial quantity of inflation gas is thus reused, reducing the amount of gas required. This in turn reduces the size and cost of the inflator. The module is preferred for side impact protection, and a fold arrangement suited to accurate deployment is provided. The folded cushion may be secured to the inflator by a frangible film wrap, eliminating the need for an exterior housing. The module is preferably mounted upon the side of the passenger seat back.

Abstract: Assembly is adapted to mount on an internal structural member of a vehicle seat, the seat having a seat body formed with a recess and having a trim cover formed with a frangible opening to said recess. The invention also includes a one-piece resilient plastic deployment door anchored on the structural member and curving over a folded, inflatable airbag cushion and inflator module to comprise a rounded surface smoothly overlayable by the seat trim cover. The door has a distal edge approximately alignable with the frangible access to assist in the opening of the frangible access during deployment of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A flexible sheet of material forms an integral airbag module housing enclosing an inflator and inflatable airbag, which cover also acts as a deployment chute guiding the deployment of the inflating airbag to the desired deployment location in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A cover and housing assembly for a module of a vehicle safety restraint system including a cover having a pairs of doors. Each of the doors has an upper edge and a lower edge, joined by a seam of frangible material. An extruded housing includes a pair of sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having a free edge extending along a length thereof. A plurality of attachment segments are formed integrally with and spaced along a length of each of the doors, so as to form an open section between respective pairs of attachment segments. A plurality of attachment portions are formed integrally with and spaced along a length of each of the sidewalls so as to form a recessed section between respective pairs of attachment portions. Upon assembly of the cover and housing, each of the attachment segments of the doors is received within a respective recessed section of the housing and each of the attachment portions of the housing is received within a respective open section of the cover.

Abstract: A variable mass flow airbag module includes a housing having gas discharge ports in direct communication with an airbag to be inflated for rapidly inflating the airbag and adapted to receive gas from a pyrotechnic inflator, stored gas or hybrid inflator, or other type of inflator. The housing has a vent opening which is controlled by a valve to vent a controlled variable amount of gas to achieve a desired mass flow of gas into the airbag to provide a desired level of energy absorption capability for optimizing occupant protection.

Abstract: A side impact airbag module including an inflator and a folded airbag is formed into a module by means of an extruded cover. The cover encircles the inflator and airbag and incorporates structure for releasing the airbag upon inflation. Optional end caps may be attached to one or both ends of the module.

Abstract: An airbag module and mounting. An inflator is received within the cushion, such that the cushion wraps around the back side of the inflator. The inflator includes an extending fastener, and possibly an extending tab. The inflator, or the tab, is partially retained by a receiving structure on the seat. The fastener extends through another section of the seat, such that securing the fastener secures the entire inflator. Additionally, since the cushion surrounds the inflator, the cushion is also secured. To maintain the cushion in the folded condition, a frangible wrap extends around the cushion and inflator. Upon inflation, the frangible wrap, and the seat covering, are torn by the expanding cushion to permit further expansion. This arrangement eliminates the need for a protective housing for the inflator and cushion. Other mounting arrangements are also provided.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion is attached to the housing of an air bag module by securing a cushion retainer to the inflatable cushion by sliding the retainer into a throat of the cushion. The retainer and cushion assembly is then slid into a pair of channels disposed along a length of the module housing to secure the cushion to the housing. The retainer is a horseshoe-shaped structure having a first and second leg. An end plate attached to the housing includes a pair of slots for receiving the ends of the retainer legs to further secure the retainer and cushion to the housing.

Abstract: An airbag inflator assembly including an airbag inflator and an inflator attachment having a sleeve. The inflator includes an elongated sidewall and an end having a flange stop extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sleeve receives and supports the sidewall of the inflator with the flange stop butting against the sleeve. The sleeve has an inwardly extending resilient tab that faces away from the flange stop and engages a gas exhaust port defined by the sidewall to retain the inflator within the sleeve. At least one stud extends transversely to and outwardly from the sleeve for mounting the inflator attachment and inflator within an airbag module. The inflator attachment further includes at least two spaced-apart pairs of diametrically opposed ribs protruding inwardly from the sleeve and grippingly engaging the sidewall of the inflator. The sleeve also defines gas exhaust outlets, which on different versions of the sleeve may vary to accommodate different types of inflators.

Abstract: An air bag cushion having variable volume. The air bag includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of both an intermediate rear wall and an outer rear wall. Both of these rear walls are operatively connected to the gas generator, but the outer rear wall has a larger area than the intermediate rear wall. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and intermediate wall. The intermediate wall, however, is connected to the gas generator in a manner which permits its release upon exceeding a predetermined pressure within the bag. Above this pressure the intermediate wall is released and the gas inflates the larger volume defined between the front wall and the outer rear wall. As such, if a small amount of gas is produced, such as for a minor collision or due to reduced ambient temperature, the smaller volume is inflated to the proper pressure.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion assembly is provided in which the gas inlet opening of an inflatable cushion is provided with a plurality of retention flaps for insertion into corresponding openings circumferentially disposed about the inlet opening of a housing that stores the cushion. The free ends of the flaps are folded against the exterior of the housing. Some of the flaps may be held in this position by a tab extending from the housing exterior and passing through an aperture in the flap. Others may be held by bolts similarly passing through apertures, with the bolts then securing the housing to an inflator unit, with a diffuser of the inflator extending into the cushion. The system may include a partition disposed at the inlet opening of the cushion housing for receiving the diffuser therein to shield the gas inlet opening and retention flaps of the cushion from the heat and pressure of the inflator gas, and to provide an additional surface for the collection of solid residue.

Abstract: A side impact airbag module assembly adapted to mount on the exterior of the side of a seat back of an automobile seat back having an access opening and receiving means within a internal structural member. The side impact airbag module assembly includes an airbag module frame having a mounting flange adapted to extend through the access opening in the seat cover and having thereon self fasteners that secure the flange in the receiving means of the internal structural member of the seat. An airbag cushion and inflator assembly is secured to the frame, and an airbag module cover is also secured to the airbag module frame to conceal and protect the airbag cushion and inflator assembly and the airbag module frame. The airbag module is provided in one variation with depth limiters that prevent the mounting flange from being inserted too far into the receiving means, and clamp supports which further secure the mounting flange to the internal structural member.

Abstract: A method and assembly resulting in improved cover to housing retention in occupant restraint assemblies is disclosed. The improved retention is realized via the appropriate application and use of a band of heat shrinkable material about the assembly.

Abstract: The invention is an airbag having two modes of deployment. In the normal mode, with a driver in the normal seated position, the airbag is fully deployed and inflated to attain its full normal reach and provide a cushion for protection of the driver in a collision. In the other mode, when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision, the airbag will deploy only to a shorter reach and thus protect the too-close driver from being forcibly pushed backwards by the airbag inflating to its full normal reach. In the mode for normal deployment an inner flap covers gas exhausting structure on the rear panel of the airbag to prevent escape of inflation gas from the airbag during inflation. But when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision the inner flap is held away from the gas exhausting structure, keeping such structure uncovered for escape of inflation gas which would otherwise fully inflate the airbag.