Abstract: Airbags for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an airbag can deploy from a structure forward of a seated occupant at a generally upward angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The distal end portion of the airbag can include a recessed impact surface portion configured to receive the head and/or neck of the seat occupant.

Abstract: A computer method of material modeling for crash test dummy finite element models includes the steps of making a material card for the material, applying the material card to validate a finite element model of a crash test dummy component, determining whether the finite element model is acceptable, ending the method if the finite element model is acceptable, and adjusting a relative volume (J) range for the material to make the material soft or stiff if the finite element model is not acceptable.

Abstract: A computer method of material modeling for crash test dummy finite element models includes the steps of making a material card for the material, applying the material card to validate a finite element model of a crash test dummy component, determining whether the finite element model is acceptable, ending the method if the finite element model is acceptable, and adjusting a relative volume (J) range for the material to make the material soft or stiff if the finite element model is not acceptable.

Abstract: An air bag (100) has an inflatable chamber (101, 301) defined by a main front panel (102, 212) and a pair of side panels (104a, b; 224, 226). The air bag (100) has a vertically oriented recessed portion (110, 220) spanning along most of the length of the main panel or a limited section thereof. The recessed portion (110, 220) divides the air bag (100, 210) into two lower lobe portions (112a, b, 240, 242) on each side of the recessed portion. Upon inflation an internal tether (180, 250) is attached to the recessed portion and is anchored at or adjacent to the gas inlet passageway thereby limiting forward movement of the recessed portion upon inflation. The air bag is useful as a frontal air bag, particularly a passenger frontal air bag.

Abstract: An air bag (100) has an inflatable chamber (101,301) defined by a main front panel (102, 212) and a pair of side panels (104a, b; 224, 226). The air bag (100) has a vertically oriented recessed portion (110, 220) spanning along most of the length of the main panel or a limited section thereof. The recessed portion (110, 220) divides the air bag (100, 210) into two lower lobe portions (112a,b, 240, 242) on each side of the recessed portion. Upon inflation an internal tether (180, 250) is attached to the recessed portion and is anchored at or adjacent to the gas inlet passageway thereby limiting forward movement of the recessed portion upon inflation. The air bag is useful as a frontal air bag, particularly a passenger frontal air bag.

Abstract: An air bag (100) having a main panel (102) having face panel portion (103) configured to face an occupant when the air bag is inflated, the main panel in the vicinity of the face panel portion including an opening (130, 130a, 130b), the opening having an edge (140). A cup-shaped structure (149,150,152,160) of material is fitted within the opening and sewn or secured to the edge (140) of the main panel opening (130); the cup-shaped structure is located within the air bag below the exterior surface of the main panel. A tether anchored at one end and having a second end secured to a portion of the cup-shaped structure, the length of the tether configured to prevent the cup-shaped structure from moving beyond the exterior surface of the main panel, the cup-shaped structure and remaining parts of the air bag forming opposing lobes (112a, 112b) upon inflation, wherein the cup-shaped structure forms a groove or depression (110) between the lobes.

Abstract: An airbag (10) has an inflatable chamber (301) defined by a main front panel (12) and a pair of side panels (24), (26). The airbag (10) has a vertically oriented recessed portion (20) on the main panel (12) located on a lower portion of an airbag (10), preferably vertically at or below a gas inlet passageway (30). The recessed portion (20) divides the airbag (10) into two lower lobe portions (40, 42) on each side of the recessed portion (20). Upon inflation an internal tether (50) is attached to the recessed portion (20) and is anchored at or adjacent to the gas inlet passageway (30) thereby limiting forward movement of the recessed portion (20) upon inflation. The airbag (10) is useful as a frontal airbag, particularly a passenger frontal airbag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety restraint design controller for controlling the design of a safety restraint system so that a predetermined desired level of an occupant's response is produced. The controller has a database for storing a occupant restraint factor response model. The model interrelates at least one predetermined restraint factor with the occupant response; the restraint factors having a level which is indicative of setting values for controlling the safety restraint design. A database engine connected to the database determines a level for the occupant response based upon the model and upon a first level of the restraint factors.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an inflator (350) having at least one exit port located on one side of a body, wherein inflation gas exiting the at least one exit port includes an axial component of flow, which exits the exit port in an axial direction; and an air bag assembly (200) comprising an outer air bag (202) and an inner air bag (300), the inner air bag disposed about the inflator to receive inflation gas before the inflation gas can substantially affect a trajectory of the inflating outer air bag (202), the inflation gas flowing within the inner air bag in at least the axial direction, the inner air bag including a first and second opening (306) to direct inflation gas into the inner bag with components of gas flow exiting the second opening(s) at at least a skewed angle while a portion of the gas flow may optionally flow in a vertical up and down direction, the inner bag also including a third opening (320) disposed near a remote side of the inner bag for directing inflation gas into the outer bag in a