Abstract: An airbag assembly with a reduced-cost knee airbag cushion and internal tethers can be formed from a single rectangular panel of material so that there is very little material waste. A pleat can be formed in a rear face so that the combination of tethers and pleat help the cushion deploy with favorable characteristics and adopt an arced shape when inflated. The cushion can have apertures for inserting an inflator with mounting stems partially within the cushion so that the mounting stems can be used to couple the cushion to an airbag housing. The assembly can also have a bag strap formed from a single piece of fabric that can wrap around a rolled and/or folded cushion. The assembly can also have a stabilizer strap that can be coupled to the cushion and to the airbag housing so that during deployment, the cushion does not skew or twist.

Abstract: An airbag assembly with a reduced-cost knee airbag cushion and internal tethers can be formed from a single rectangular panel of material so that there is very little material waste. A pleat can be formed in a rear face so that the combination of tethers and pleat help the cushion deploy with favorable characteristics and adopt an arced shape when inflated. The cushion can have apertures for inserting an inflator with mounting stems partially within the cushion so that the mounting stems can be used to couple the cushion to an airbag housing. The assembly can also have a bag strap formed from a single piece of fabric that can wrap around a rolled and/or folded cushion. The assembly can also have a stabilizer strap that can be coupled to the cushion and to the airbag housing so that during deployment, the cushion does not skew or twist.

Abstract: An airbag assembly with a reduced-cost knee airbag cushion and internal tethers can be formed from a single rectangular panel of material so that there is very little material waste. A pleat can be formed in a rear face so that the combination of tethers and pleat help the cushion deploy with favorable characteristics and adopt an arced shape when inflated. The cushion can have apertures for inserting an inflator with mounting stems partially within the cushion so that the mounting stems can be used to couple the cushion to an airbag housing. The assembly can also have a bag strap formed from a single piece of fabric that can wrap around a rolled and/or folded cushion. The assembly can also have a stabilizer strap that can be coupled to the cushion and to the airbag housing so that during deployment, the cushion does not skew or twist.

Abstract: A restraint system that evaluates factors such the type of collision an automotive vehicle is experiencing and then, based on that evaluation, deploys a knee airbag and/or a head/torso airbag. A knee airbag is also disclosed with an upper portion and a lower portion.

Abstract: A knee airbag system for a vehicle is disclosed. The knee airbag system may include a reaction plate having a plurality of apertures. The knee airbag system may include an airbag. The airbag may have a plurality of locations that are disposed to correspond to the plurality of apertures if the airbag is positioned for attachment to the reaction plate. The knee airbag system may also include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may extend through the plurality of apertures for securing the reaction plate to the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag assembly and attachment mechanism is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the airbag assembly may include a snap attachment or catch mechanism to couple the airbag module to an instrument panel without the aid of fasteners. The catch mechanism may utilize a spring wire clip that is engaged by brackets extending from both the instrument panel and the airbag module housing.

Abstract: An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a supply of gas generant material disposed within a sealed chamber, and an initiator device in reaction initiation combination with the supply of gas generant material. A venting orifice connects the chamber to the surrounding ambient environment, and a rupturable seal seals the venting orifice. Upon reaction initiation of the gas generant material to produce inflation gas, the rupturable seal ruptures to vent the chamber to the ambient environment. A valve assembly can be disposed adjacent the venting orifice. A moveable valve piston, in combination with an actuator device, can block the venting orifice as needed to close the venting orifice and stop inflation gas venting. An optional tether release mechanism can be used in combination with the valve assembly to release a cushion tether upon closing of the venting orifice.

Abstract: The application provides non-circular steering wheel designs and steering wheel-mounted airbag housings, cushions, and modules for use in vehicles using non-circular steering wheels. The airbag housings and modules of the invention provide supplemental reaction surfaces to support an airbag cushion mounted on a non-circular steering wheel. Airbag cushions of the invention utilize the steering wheel, steering column or steering wheel shroud as a partial reaction surface to support an airbag cushion.

Abstract: An airbag module has a rigid cushion with an integrated inflator. The cushion has a rear cushion panel and the inflator may have a front inflator plate attached to the rear cushion panel. A rear inflator plate is optionally provided and may be positioned within the cushion or outside the cushion. A pyrotechnic may be disposed within the space between the front inflator plate and the rear cushion panel and/or the rear inflator plate. An initiator may be seated in the rear inflator plate and/or the rear cushion panel to initiate combustion of the pyrotechnic. Instead of the front inflator plate, the inflator may have an expanse of tape that secures the pyrotechnic and/or the initiator to the interior of the cushion. The pyrotechnic may be sealed by the tape or by a foil pouch. The initiator may be secured by the tape or by a rear inflator plate.

Abstract: A safety device for use in an automobile that comprises a bolster and a telescoping mechanism. The telescoping mechanism extends when pressurized by the rapid introduction of a fluid. Following extension, the telescoping mechanism vents the fluid to allow the device to be retracted.

Abstract: A knee airbag system for a vehicle is disclosed. The knee airbag system may include a reaction plate having a plurality of apertures. The knee airbag system may include an airbag. The airbag may have a plurality of locations that are disposed to correspond to the plurality of apertures if the airbag is positioned for attachment to the reaction plate. The knee airbag system may also include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may extend through the plurality of apertures for securing the reaction plate to the airbag.

Abstract: A restraint system that evaluates factors such the type of collision an automotive vehicle is experiencing and then, based on that evaluation, deploys a knee airbag and/or a head/torso airbag. A knee airbag is also disclosed with an upper portion and a lower portion.

Abstract: An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a supply of gas generant material disposed within a sealed chamber, and an initiator device in reaction initiation combination with the supply of gas generant material. A venting orifice connects the chamber to the surrounding ambient environment, and a rupturable seal seals the venting orifice. Upon reaction initiation of the gas generant material to produce inflation gas, the rupturable seal ruptures to vent the chamber to the ambient environment. A valve assembly can be disposed adjacent the venting orifice. A moveable valve piston, in combination with an actuator device, can block the venting orifice as needed to close the venting orifice and stop inflation gas venting. An optional tether release mechanism can be used in combination with the valve assembly to release a cushion tether upon closing of the venting orifice.

Abstract: A glove box airbag system is disclosed that may be used to protect the knees and/or legs of a vehicle occupant during a crash. The airbag assembly includes a glove box and a housing that encases a knee airbag. The housing is positioned below the glove box. The entirety of the housing may be positioned below the entirety of the glove box. The airbag assembly also has a front member that covers the glove box and the housing. The front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an airbag door that covers the housing. Alternatively, the front member may be a glove box door that covers both the housing and the glove box. Further, the front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an aperture that is positioned in front of the housing. A hinge and/or a latch mechanism that allow the glove box door to move between a closed position and an open position may also be added.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pelvic airbag. The pelvic airbag has a front panel and a rear panel that is attached to the front panel. The airbag is made of metal, plastic, or combinations of metal and plastic and is configured such that it may be retained in a vehicle door between the inner skin and the trim panel. The airbag is further constructed such that when it is in the uninflated configuration, the thickness of the airbag is between about 2 to about 25 millimeters. An attachment mechanism may also be attached to the airbag. The attachment mechanism is designed to attach the airbag to the vehicle door. Additionally, an inflator housing may be attached to the rear panel. The inflator housing houses an inflator that is designed to inflate the airbag in the event of an accident or crash.

Abstract: A load distributing airbag module having an airbag, a load plate, and a fastener is disclosed. The airbag has an airbag mount and the load plate has a load plate attachment member. The fastener may define a generally enclosed shape to capture the airbag mount and the load plate attachment member. To capture the airbag mount and the load plate attachment member, the fastener has an unfastened and fastened state. In the unfasten state, the fastener may be a “U” shaped channel. In the fastened state, the fastener is generally box shaped.

Abstract: A glove compartment assembly incorporates a compact airbag module with a cushion constructed at least partially of a rigid material. The cushion may be sandwiched between front and rear door covers so that inflation of the cushion moves the front door cover toward the knees of a vehicle user to provide antisubmarining protection. The cushion may incorporate the front door cover as a portion of its inflation gas-containing membrane. The glove compartment assembly may utilize a uniquely designed latching system, such as an electric latching assembly, a latching assembly disposed generally off the door, or a break-away latching assembly disposed generally on the front door cover, to permit motion of the front door cover away from the instrument panel without interfering with the airbag module.

Abstract: A module configured to be mounted in a vehicle instrument panel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the module has a reaction plate and a plurality of snap locking fasteners that extend from the reaction plate and are engagable to a vehicle mounting member. The module may be used to attach an airbag to an instrument panel. The module provides for a module cover without fastener openings or holes. The invention also includes a module having a mounting bracket that is pivotally attachable to a vehicle mounting member. The pivotal attachment may include tongue and groove members.

Abstract: An inflatable rigid knee airbag system for assisting in positioning and decelerating a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The system includes an inflatable knee airbag having a front panel, an annular, accordion-folded bellows panel, and a rear panel having an inflation orifice and mounting brackets; and a pyrotechnic inflator. The system helps to improve the kinematics of a vehicle occupant in relation to a primary airbag cushion by bolstering the knees of the occupant. The system of the invention may be mounted in a vehicle in a panel under the steering column, in the door of a glove box, or in the lower section of the instrument panel of the vehicle directly in front of the occupant's lower legs.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion for protecting occupants of a vehicle in a side impact, rollover, or other crash situation is presented. The airbag cushion has at least two inflatable protection zones. Each protection zone is configured to protect an occupant in a different seat of the vehicle. An inflation channel receives pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas and directs the gas into the inflatable airbag. Each protection zone is separated from any adjacent protection zones by a connection zone. At least one communication channel allows the pressurized gas to flow between the protection zones. The gas flow between protection zones allows the pressure within the separate protection zones to equalize. The airbag cushion may have three protection zones and is configured to protect an occupant of a vehicle having pillars A through D. The first, second, and third protecting zones for protecting an occupant seated in the front, middle, and rear seats of the vehicle respectively.