Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and an inflation fluid source (18). The apparatus includes a mechanism (52) for reducing the speed and force of inflation of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16). The apparatus (10) also includes a tether (94) associated with the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and an electrical device (88) associated with the tether. The electrical device (88) is actuated in response to movement of the tether (94) to a predetermined position. Vehicle electric circuitry (80) provides a signal to actuate the mechanism (52) if the electrical device (88) is not actuated by the tether (94) by a predetermined time after actuation of the inflation fluid source (18).

Abstract: An air bag (10) includes first and second panels (31, 32) that are substantially identical to each other and that are secured to each other to define a first bag section (30). The first panel (31) has an inflation fluid inlet (38) and the second panel (32) has an inflation fluid outlet (70). The air bag (10) includes third and fourth panels (93, 94) that are substantially identical to each other and that are secured to each other to define a second bag section (90). The third panel (93) is secured to the second panel (32) and is spaced apart from the first panel (31). The third panel (93) has an inflation fluid opening (106) that is aligned with the inflation fluid outlet (70) of the second panel (32) for enabling flow of inflation fluid from the first bag section (30) into the second bag section (90).

Abstract: A controlled collapse joint includes a piezoelectric coupler that frictionally couples two bodies. The coupler includes concentric inner and outer members mounted for relative motion on cooperating bearing surfaces. The two surfaces engage each other with an interference fit that resists relative motion and frictionally couples the members. One of the surfaces is formed on a piezoelectric component that moves towards or away the other surface when a voltage difference is applied to the piezoelectric component. The coupling of the two members is adjustable by varying the applied voltage difference to increase or decrease the interference fit between the piezoelectric component and the other member.