Abstract: An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted at a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes an airbag comprising a center cushion and a pair of side cushions each coupled to the center cushion on opposing sides of the center cushion. The side cushions can each have a triangular shape with an apex extending rearward further than at least a portion of an occupant-facing surface of the center cushion. The side cushions can be oriented with respect to each other at opposing angles relative to the center cushion such that an overall geometrical shape of the airbag is wider at a forward reaction base area of the airbag than at a rearward occupant-receiving area.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted at a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes an airbag comprising a center cushion and a pair of side cushions each coupled to the center cushion on opposing sides of the center cushion. The side cushions can each have a triangular shape with an apex extending rearward further than at least a portion of an occupant-facing surface of the center cushion. The side cushions can be oriented with respect to each other at opposing angles relative to the center cushion such that an overall geometrical shape of the airbag is wider at a forward reaction base area of the airbag than at a rearward occupant-receiving area.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies comprising cushion protective structures and related methods of assembly. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion and a protector or protective structure, such as a protective wrapper, comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be wrapped around the airbag cushion, and the second portion may be positioned adjacent to a deployment side of the airbag cushion such that the protective wrapper is configured to expand upon deployment of the airbag cushion so as to define a pocket for protecting the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the pocket may be configured to enclose the airbag cushion about an entire perimeter of the airbag cushion during deployment.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies comprising cushion protective structures and related methods of assembly. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion and a protector or protective structure, such as a protective wrapper, comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be wrapped around the airbag cushion, and the second portion may be positioned adjacent to a deployment side of the airbag cushion such that the protective wrapper is configured to expand upon deployment of the airbag cushion so as to define a pocket for protecting the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the pocket may be configured to enclose the airbag cushion about an entire perimeter of the airbag cushion during deployment.

Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies having a strap and clamp system to securely hold an inflator relative to a housing. The strap may be attached to an airbag cushion to restrict the movement of the strap or strap may not be attached to the airbag cushion and may move freely while positioned within openings in the housing.

Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies having a strap and clamp system to securely hold an inflator relative to a housing. The strap may be attached to an airbag cushion to restrict the movement of the strap or strap may not be attached to the airbag cushion and may move freely while positioned within openings in the housing.

Abstract: A closure structure for the relief aperture of an airbag cushion inflator includes a closure core having outer and inner surfaces that is disposable into the relief aperture from the exterior of the inflator to fill the relief aperture. A sealing flange continuously secured to the periphery of the outer surface of the closure core abuts the outer surface of the inflator. A temperature-sensitive venting window formed in the closure core precludes the passage of pressurized inflation gas during a predetermined first ambient temperature condition and opens to emit pressurized inflation gas during a second hotter ambient temperature condition. The venting window includes a venting passageway extending between the inner and the outer surfaces the closure core sealingly traversed by a relatively thin venting membrane made of a temperature-sensitive material exhibiting less structural robustness at the second ambient temperature condition than at the first ambient temperature condition.

Abstract: Inflators for safe transport and use with an inflatable airbag cushion and airbag systems include a diffuser comprising a first aperture and at least one vent aperture each disposed in a lateral sidewall of the diffuser. The first aperture and the at least one vent aperture are positioned to face in at least substantially opposite directions in the diffuser. A filter is positioned within the diffuser and includes an outer surface having a lateral extent less than a lateral extent of an inner surface of the lateral sidewall of the diffuser, resulting in a gap between the outer surface of the filter and the inner surface of the lateral sidewall of the diffuser. At least one reaction device is coupled to a longitudinal end of the diffuser. Methods of making such inflators are also included.

Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.

Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber.

Abstract: The methods for folding an airbag cushion into a housing provide for a predetermined deployment trajectory. The airbag cushion is defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.

Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.

Abstract: An airbag module protects a rider in a vehicle from impacting the interior of the occupant enclosure of the vehicle. A rigid support collar is attached to the occupant enclosure proximate an airbag deployment window. An inflatable cushion has a neck portion that accommodates pressurized gas for driving the cushion through the deployment window into an inflated condition in the occupant enclosure. The cushion is attached by the neck portion directly to the support collar, while that substantial balance of the cushion is housed in a compact condition within the support collar. An attachment tab is secured to the exterior of the neck portion of the cushion with a restraining aperture formed therethrough. A cushion hook on the exterior of the support collar extends through the restraining aperture and prevents displacement of the neck portion of the cushion out of the support collar, when pressurized gas inflates the cushion. The cushion includes a flexible packaging cover having opposed first and second edges.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The disclosed airbag assembly adaptively vents gas from the interior of the airbag depending on whether an obstruction is encountered during airbag deployment.

Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising an airbag cushion, a deployment flap and an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, is disclosed. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the airbag assembly may also include a cinch tube arrangement.

Abstract: A passenger airbag module that includes an airbag and a tubular inflator. The tubular inflator produces a quantity of inflation gas sufficient to inflate the airbag. The module also includes a housing that receives the inflator; and a retainer positioned within the airbag. The retainer clamps the airbag and the inflator to the housing, thereby creating a retainer/housing assembly having an annular gap proximate the inflator, the gap allowing the gas to exit the inflator and enter the airbag. In some situations, the gap will gap circumscribe the inflator.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable flap vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered. The airbag cushion also includes a tether for controlling the closeable flap vent.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered. The airbag cushion includes a fold for maintaining the cord in a slack condition.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one laced vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered.