Abstract: A passive restraining system for an automobile provides a means, in the event of an automobile accident, for inflating an air bag system on the driver's side at a lower threshold speed if the driver is not wearing a seat belt, and at a higher threshold speed if the driver is wearing a seat belt. This system, however, allows a second air bag system to inflate for protecting the front seat passenger in the event of an accident, at the lower threshold speed, regardless of whether the passenger is wearing a seat belt or not.

Abstract: Tripping apparatus in vehicles for an occupant protection apparatus in impact restraining systems is provided with a test circuit which permits a testing of the evaluation circuit and of the switching stage of the tripping apparatus by means of an alternating voltage signal without interrupting the functional readiness of the apparatus. The test circuit consists of a series arrangement of a filter, a maximum value rectifier and an integrator and is inserted between the output of the switching stage and the input of the evaluation circuit.

Abstract: A gas cushion on the passenger side for motor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicles, includes two mutually oppositely disposed approximately trapezoidally shaped surface or boundary areas. The unique shape of the cushion provides a particularly safe protection effect in the critical upper impact area without increase of the overall volume of the gas cushion. One of the trapezoidally shaped boundary areas serves as impact surface facing the passenger while the other trapezoidally shaped boundary area includes at least one opening serving the gas admission. The gas cushion is so arranged in the motor vehicle that the trapezoidally shaped boundary areas taper from top to bottom.

Abstract: A covering for a folded gas cushion which is adapted to fold open by pivoting down, and which is provided with a reinforcement embedded in a padding layer; the reinforcement consists of a very strong synthetic plastic fabric that, prior to the foaming of the padding layer, is connected, for example, by gluing with a deformable lower fastening part; an anchoring for the covering is produced by a groove- and spring-like cooperation of at least one section of a boundary edge of the covering with an adjoining fixed vehicle part.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device constructed as a hollow body member and extending in a vehicle transverse direction within in an impact area of knees of a driver and co-driver of a motor vehicle. The impact absorbing device has an impact engaging surface facing the knees, with the surface having a rounded-off cross sectional profile and vertically extending corrugations so that the member yields only locally upon engagement by the knees.

Abstract: An airbag system for protecting the occupants of an automotive vehicle during collisions, the airbag system including airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, and a sensor system for detecting the increase in deceleration of the vehicle during a collision and for triggering controlled inflation of the airbags in accordance with the detected increase in deceleration. The airbag associated with the front-seat passenger being inflatable in two stages, the first inflation stage being triggerable in response to an output signal from the sensor system generated when the detected increase in deceleration is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and the second inflation stage being triggerable in response to an output signal from the sensor system generated when the detected increase is equal to or greater than a second threshold value which is higher than the first threshold value.

Abstract: An inflatable impact cushion for passengers of a motor vehicle, which in case of an accident is adapted to be selectively filled with the available gas by the increasing pressure by means of several sequentially triggerable ignition stages depending on the strength of the deceleration; in the starting condition, a portion of the protective cushion is separated off by a seam or the like, while the seam or the like is destroyed by the increasing pressure in such a manner that in the end condition the entire volume of the protective cushion is available.

Abstract: A guide installation for a belt-band adapted to be wound-on and wound-off a magazine roll of a safety belt system which is arranged within the area of an after-connected deflection fitting; the guide installation is claw-shaped and thereby surrounds the deflection web of the deflection fitting with a spacing for passage of the belt-band over a portion of the circumference of the deflection web, whereby the spacing is smaller than twice the thickness of the belt band; at least the inlet portion of the guide installation pointing in the direction toward the magazine roll also includes a section that extends essentially parallel to the extension direction of the associated belt-band.

Abstract: An upper fitting of a shoulder belt which is arranged displaceable in height within a body hollow space; the outlet opening for the belt band out of the hollow space is covered off by a shield which in its turn is provided with an aperture for the belt band, whereby the position of the aperture is adapted to be matched to the height adjustment of the fitting.

Abstract: A sensor triggerable by deceleration forces, especially in motor vehicles, which accommodates within a housing a mass that is held with prestress; when deflected the mass is received by the bottom of the housing interior, whereby the interior space of the housing is subdivided into chambers by means of upwardly projecting partition walls which hold fast the deflected mass.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for maintaining the pressurized gas source at a desired temperature in an inflatable, vehicle passenger, safety cushion system. The gas source is heated by a heating source such as the engine cooling water, air heated by the exhaust, or electrical energy, for example. A control system enables heating when the temperature of the gas source is below the desired temperature and disables heating when the gas source temperature is above the desired temperature.