Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail, a bumper, and an impact absorber. The rail defines a keyed orifice. The impact absorber has a primary tube secured to the rail and bumper. The impact absorber also has a secondary tube that is rotatably secured and concentric to the primary tube. The secondary tube has a radially extending protrusion. The secondary tube is configured to slide into the orifice during an impact when the protrusion and orifice are aligned and to engage the rail during an impact when the protrusion and orifice are not aligned.

Abstract: An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that is connected to the first cushion portion and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion, and the second cushion portion can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion. A one-directional valve permits inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that is connected to the first cushion portion and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion, and the second cushion portion can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion. A one-directional valve permits inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A structural joint configuration is formed in an automotive frame in which the frame members are bent into an angular orientation and joined together to form a structural joint in the automotive frame in which loads imposed on any of the frame members forming the joint will be transferred to and shared with the other frame members in the joint. The structural joint can be configured with as many legs as needed to conform to the number of frame members entering the joint. The frame members can be formed with any cross-sectional shape and from any conventional material or combination of materials. Joining the frame members at the structural joint can be accomplished by welding or by applying adhesives. Load distribution through the frame members forming the structural joint enables the joint to withstand an application of high loads without major cracks or bending at the structural joint.

Abstract: A structural joint configuration is formed in an automotive frame in which the frame members are bent into an angular orientation and joined together to form a structural joint in the automotive frame in which loads imposed on any of the frame members forming the joint will be transferred to and shared with the other frame members in the joint. The structural joint can be configured with as many legs as needed to conform to the number of frame members entering the joint. The frame members can be formed with any cross-sectional shape and from any conventional material or combination of materials. Joining the frame members at the structural joint can be accomplished by welding or by applying adhesives. Load distribution through the frame members forming the structural joint enables the joint to withstand an application of high loads without major cracks or bending at the structural joint.

Abstract: An air bag for a motor vehicle. The air bag includes a rear chamber, a front chamber disposed adjacent to and having a lower pressure than the rear chamber, and a separator disposed between the front and rear chambers that is adapted to communicate an inflation gas from the rear chamber to the front chamber. A seat occupant contacts the rear chamber before contacting the front chamber when a vehicle seat is displaced by a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: An air bag for a motor vehicle. The air bag includes a rear chamber, a front chamber disposed adjacent to and having a lower pressure than the rear chamber, and a separator disposed between the front and rear chambers that is adapted to communicate an inflation gas from the rear chamber to the front chamber. A seat occupant contacts the rear chamber before contacting the front chamber when a vehicle seat is displaced by a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: A side impact air bag for a motor vehicle. The air bag includes a plurality of chambers. Each chamber is associated with a head, shoulder, thorax, or pelvic region of a seat occupant. A separator is disposed between adjacent chambers. The chambers may be inflated to different pressures and in various sequences.