Abstract: A safety arrangement comprising: an inflatable element (1); an inflator to provide a combustible gas to the interior of the inflatable element to inflate the inflatable element at least partially; a flexible member (3) having first and second portions which are respectively connected to first and second attachment sites (4,5), at least one attachment site being on the inflatable element (1), and an igniter (9) connected to the flexible member on inflation of the inflatable element, the distance between the first and second attachment sites increases and when the distance between the first and second portions of the flexible member exceeds a predetermined distance, the igniter is ignited (9), thus igniting the combustible gas within the inflatable element.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed which is configured to be actuated by the supply of gas. The safety device incorporates an outlet vent pipe which is sealed by a releasable clip. The releasable clip has a first elongate main gripping element and a second elongate moveable gripping element. The main gripping element has a retaining element to retain one end of the moveable gripping element. The safety device also includes an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element in a predetermined position such that the clip may grip a fabric tube or the like between the main gripping element and the moveable gripping element. A mechanism is provided which responds to a supply signal to move the other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.

Abstract: An inflator (1) is disclosed for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, for example, for inflating an air-bag. The inflator comprises at least one gas outlet (23) having an initial predetermined gas flow area. The or each gas outlet incorporates a deformable part (41) which is configured to deform, in response to a predetermined gas pressure, so as to increase the gas flow area of the gas outlet. The deformable part (41) may be surrounded by a slot (40) which initially constitutes the outlet. The deformable part includes a neck (42) which bends so that the deformable part (41) opens like a flap. The invention is particularly suited for incorporating in a hybrid multi-stage gas generator comprising two or more pyrotechnic charges that can be actuated in combination or independently. The variable-area gas flow outlet provides an arrangement to vary the cross-section or area of a gas flow passage in response to a high pressure of gas.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed which is configured to be actuated by the supply of gas. The safety device incorporates an outlet vent pipe which is sealed by a releasable clip. The releasable clip has a first elongate main gripping element and a second elongate moveable gripping element. The main gripping element has a retaining element to retain one end of the moveable gripping element. The safety device also includes an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element in a predetermined position such that the clip may grip a fabric tube or the like between the main gripping element and the moveable gripping element. A mechanism is provided which responds to a supply signal to move the other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.

Abstract: An inflator (1) is disclosed for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, for example, for inflating an air-bag. The inflator comprises at least one gas outlet (23) having an initial predetermined gas flow area. The or each gas outlet incorporates a deformnable part (41) which is configured to deform, in response to a predetermined gas pressure, so as to increase the gas flow area of the gas outlet. The deformable part (41) may be surrounded by a slot (40) which initially constitutes the outlet. The deformable part includes a neck (42) which bends so that the deformable part (41) opens like a flap. The invention is particularly suited for incorporating in a hybrid multi-stage gas generator comprising two or more pyrotechnic charges that can be actuated in combination or independently. The variable-area gas flow outlet provides an arrangement to vary the cross-section or area of a gas flow passage in response to a high pressure of gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid-type device for inflating vehicle safety equipment with gas chamber for acceptance of compressed gases and at least two charges for the production of gas. The inflation devices is distinguished in that the two charges each have a mass of at least 5% of the mass of the compressed gas so that each charge can substantially increase the temperature of the gas and in that they are each arranged outside the gas chamber, on different sides thereof They can thus be ignited simply and precisely at predetermined without reciprocal impact.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inflation device for automobile safety equipment with a container in which a charge chamber for acceptance of a gas-producing charge and a discharge chamber with a discharge opening for connection with the safety device are provided, where a separating wall with an inside opening separates the two chambers axially from each other and is connected in a fluid-tight manner with a wall of said container by interlocking connecting means. According to the invention, such an inflation device excels through the fact that the connecting means are formed elastically in the axial direction in such manner that, when a predetermined pressure is reached in the charge chamber, they fail elastically and the separating wall is movable in the axial direction in the discharge chamber. The connecting means are released free of any radial expansion of the container wall.

Abstract: A safety belt for use in an automobile has a retractor reel incorporating a spindle onto which the belt is wound. The spindle can be locked, to prevent rotation of the spindle, in response to predetermined conditions, such as rapid deceleration of the automobile. The retractor reel is mounted on the chassis so that the reel can move relative to the chassis if a large force is applied thereto, by the safety belt, in excess of a predetermined limit. A clamp is also provided, which can clamp the safety belt leaving the reel, the clamp operating in response to movement of the reel as a consequence of the large force. A force limiter is provided to relieve any force exerted by the safety belt in excess of a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A safety belt reel assembly comprises a supporting frame, a safety belt, one end of the safety belt being attached to a spindle which may be rotatably mounted on said frame, an arrangement for automatically winding said belt onto said spindle, and a movable belt guide. The belt guide servies to ensure that the safety belt arrives at the take up point of the belt roll on the spindle in a desired orientation. This is achieved by providing a two component guide, a first component being mounted on the frame of the reel assembly and the second component being rotatably mounted on the first component and defining an elongate slot through which the safety belt may pass. With the second component rotatably mounted on the first component, the longitudinal axis of the slot through which the belt passes may rotate from a position where it lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel spindle to a position where it is no longer parallel to the longitudinal spindle axis.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed which is incorporated in a seat for a motor vehicle. The seat includes a seat frame and is slidably mounted for forward and backward movement. The seat is retained in a predetermined position by retaining means which are adapted to be released when the seat is subjected to predetermined deceleration forces is that the seat may then slide forward. The safety device has actuating means which are adapted to actuate the safety device as the car seat slides forward subsequent to the release of the retaining means.