Abstract: A seatbelt airbag is formed of a flexible fabric seat belt tube the first end of which is attached to the floor of the vehicle and the second end of which is wound over a conventional seatbelt retractor. In the uninflated condition, the fabric tube forms a flat belt that passes in a conventional manner through a slotted eyelet in a tongue member that is engaged in a conventional floor-mounted seatbelt buckle to form a conventional 3-point restraint having a lap portion and a torso portion. An inflatable airbag member is disposed within the flexible fabric tube extending from the fixed end of the fabric tube to a location past the tongue fitting into the torso portion of the seatbelt. The airbag member is encased for part of its length within a reinforcing sleeve that extends part way into the torso section.

Abstract: A seatbelt airbag is formed of a flexible fabric seat belt tube the first end of which is attached to the floor of the vehicle and the second end of which is wound over a conventional seatbelt retractor. In the uninflated condition, the fabric tube forms a flat belt that passes in a conventional manner through a slotted eyelet in a tongue member that is engaged in a conventional floor-mounted seatbelt buckle to form a conventional 3-point restraint having a lap portion and a torso portion. An inflatable airbag member is disposed within the flexible fabric tube extending from the fixed end of the fabric tube to a location past the tongue fitting into the torso portion of the seatbelt. The airbag member is encased for part of its length within a reinforcing sleeve that extends part way into the torso section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle steering wheel (10) for attachment to a vehicle steering column (12). The steering wheel (10) is rotatable and has a hub (130) for non-rotatable attachment to an end (162) of the steering column (12) so that the steering column rotates about an axis (B) upon rotation of the steering wheel. The hub (130) has a first surface (138) defining a first passage (140) for receiving the end (162) of the steering column (12) and a second surface (152) defining a second passage (150) extending transverse to the first passage and partially intersecting the first passage. A hollow cylindrical member (200) blocks axial movement of the hub (130) relative to the steering column (12). The hollow cylindrical member (200) is radially contractible for insertion into the second passage (150) and is radially expandable into contact with the second surface (152) and the steering column (12).

Abstract: An air bag module (22) is supported by a vehicle steering wheel (20) and includes an inflatable air bag (24). A rupturable cover (40) is supported by the steering wheel (20) to conceal the air bag (24) when the air bag is uninflated. A vehicle horn switch (60) is located between the cover (40) and the air bag (24) and includes a first conductor (80) connectable with one of a vehicle horn (62) and a source of electrical power (64). A second conductor (82) extends substantially parallel to and is spaced from the first conductor (80). The second conductor (82) is electrically connectable to the other of the source of electrical power (64) and the vehicle horn (62). The second conductor (82) is deflectable to contact the first conductor (80) to actuate the horn (62). A film structure (84, 86) encloses the first and second conductors (80, 82). First projections (100) are attached to the film structure (86).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering wheel unit (12) for use with a vehicle steering column (14). The steering wheel unit (12) has parts which are interconnected separately from the steering column (14). The interconnected parts of the steering wheel unit (12) include a steering wheel structure (40,190), an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (22), an inflator housing (160), and a cover (30) for covering the restraint (22) and the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40,190). The steering wheel structure (40,190) includes a rim (42), at least one spoke (44), and a hub plate (190) which supports the rim (42) and the spoke (44) for rotation about an axis (45). The hub plate (190) further functions as a reaction plate for supporting the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus includes a housing assembly (24) which is mounted on a steering wheel (22) of a vehicle. The housing assembly (24) encloses an air bag (38) and an inflator (44). In addition, the housing assembly (24) encloses a horn switch (58). The housing assembly (24) includes an inner cover (34) which is secured to a base (28) and an outer cover (36) which at least partially encloses the inner cover. The horn switch (58) is disposed between the inner and outer covers (34 and 36). The horn switch (58) is formed as a unit and includes a pair of electrically conductive layers (134 and 136) of material which are enclosed by an envelope (142) of electrically insulating material. The horn switch (58) has a unitary construction which facilitates installation of the horn switch between the inner and outer covers (34 and 36) and, if necessary, removal of a defective horn switch.

Abstract: An air bag module cover assembly incorporates a horn blowing switch. The air bag module comprises a container holding an inflator and a folded air bag. The cover assembly comprises a closure which closes the container, and a horn blowing switch subassembly which is attached to the container. Access to the horn blowing switch subassembly is possible without disturbing the container or removing the module from the vehicle. Moreover, the horn blowing switch subassembly is located for convenient operation by a vehicle operator. It is also adapted to remain integrally connected with a structural portion of the container during deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: A cover member for an air bag installation, includes a shaped cap-link member of soft urethane molded directly onto and in covering relation to a pair of thermoplastic, L-shaped, angle members, the urethane adhering to the thermoplastic and operating to prevent inadvertent release of the urethane during deployment of the bag.