Abstract: A vehicle airbag system includes an airbag having a cushioning surface configured to be contacted by a user to cushion the user after inflation of the airbag. The airbag also includes at least one cushioning surface positioning vent coupled to the cushioning surface. The at least one cushioning surface positioning vent is actuatable to direct a flow of gas exiting an interior of the airbag so as to produce a reaction force which moves the cushioning surface in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A single-piece foldable cargo area liner includes a floor portion, a front wall portion foldably connected to the floor portion, and a first sidewall portion foldably connected to the floor portion. A first foldable intersection portion has a first section and a second section foldably connected to the first section. The first section is foldably connected to the first sidewall portion, and the second section is also foldably connected to the front wall portion. The first foldable intersection portion is structured to facilitate folding of the first and second sections with respect to each other so as to form a first flap extending between the front wall portion and the first sidewall portion. The first flap is structured to be rotatable to enable contact between the first flap and any of the front wall portion and the first sidewall portion.

Abstract: An airbag for a vehicle including a main bag body and a tail bag body is provided. The tail bag body extends forward from the main bag body in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The airbag is operable between an undeployed state and a deployed state such that, when the airbag is in the deployed state, the tail bag body extends into a cavity of an instrument panel defined by an upper wall, a front wall, and a lower wall. When in the deployed state, the tail bag body contacts at least one of the upper wall, the front wall, and a lower wall in order to inhibit movement of the main bag body in a vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: A single-piece foldable cargo area liner includes a floor portion, a front wall portion foldably connected to the floor portion, and a first sidewall portion foldably connected to the floor portion. A first foldable intersection portion has a first section and a second section foldably connected to the first section. The first section is foldably connected to the first sidewall portion, and the second section is also foldably connected to the front wall portion. The first foldable intersection portion is structured to facilitate folding of the first and second sections with respect to each other so as to form a first flap extending between the front wall portion and the first sidewall portion. The first flap is structured to be rotatable to enable contact between the first flap and any of the front wall portion and the first sidewall portion.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system includes an airbag having a cushioning surface configured to be contacted by a user to cushion the user after inflation of the airbag. The airbag also includes at least one cushioning surface positioning vent coupled to the cushioning surface. The at least one cushioning surface positioning vent is actuatable to direct a flow of gas exiting an interior of the airbag so as to produce a reaction force which moves the cushioning surface in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle including an airbag stored in a folded state in a portion of a vehicle body and an inflator that provides a gas for inflating the airbag. The airbag including a main chamber and a delay chamber. The main chamber operable to be inflated earlier than the delay chamber. The delay chamber including an opening through which the gas passes from the main chamber to the delay chamber; and the delay chamber further including a weakened portion having less strength than the opening.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle including an airbag stored in a folded state in a portion of a vehicle body and an inflator that provides a gas for inflating the airbag. The airbag including a main chamber and a delay chamber. The main chamber operable to be inflated earlier than the delay chamber. The delay chamber including an opening through which the gas passes from the main chamber to the delay chamber; and the delay chamber further including a weakened portion having less strength than the opening.

Abstract: A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.

Abstract: A method and system for deforming a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod deformation member. The drive rod deformation member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod deformation member impacts and deforms the drive rod. The deformation of the drive rod can correspond to a compression of the door and the door can be opened by actuating the door handle. However, the deformation of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker through compression of the door.

Abstract: A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other means of disengagement. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.

Abstract: A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod guiding member. The drive rod guiding member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod can be disengaged from the door handle or the latching system. The drive rod guiding member guides the drive rod away from the door handle or the latching system. By guiding the drive rod away the door handle or the latching system, the drive rod guiding member can prevent the drive rod from re-engaging with the door handle or the latching system. This maintains the door in the closed position instead of the open position.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for deforming a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. The present invention can include an automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod deformation member. The drive rod deformation member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod deformation member impacts and deforms the drive rod. The deformation of the drive rod can correspond to a compression of the door and the door can be opened by actuating the door handle. However, the deformation of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker through compression of the door.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for guiding a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. The present invention includes an automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod guiding member. The drive rod guiding member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod can be disengaged from the door handle or the latching system. The drive rod guiding member guides the drive rod away from the door handle or the latching system. By guiding the drive rod away the door handle or the latching system, the drive rod guiding member can prevent the drive rod from re-engaging with the door handle or the latching system. This maintains the door in the closed position instead of the open position.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. The present invention includes an automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or any other means. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.