Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies comprising internal stabilizers and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion comprising a first side and a second side opposite from the first side and a hub comprising a hub opening configured to be coupled with an inflator so as to receive inflation gases during deployment of the airbag cushion through the hub opening. A stabilizer, such as, in some embodiments, a diffuser or another inflatable structure, may be positioned within the airbag cushion and may be non-releasably coupled with the airbag cushion along at least a portion of the first side, along at least a portion of the second side, and adjacent to the hub opening.

Abstract: Airbags and airbag assemblies are disclosed that include passive adaptive venting. The disclosed embodiments include an airbag cushion to define an inflation chamber and that include a set of vents. The set of vents is disposed through a panel of the airbag cushion. The set of vents allow egress of inflation gas from the inflation chamber and to be in an open state when a degree of compression of the airbag cushion is below a threshold level. The set of vents is configured to be in a closed state and/or obstructed by a vehicle surface of a vehicle structure when the degree of compression of the airbag cushion exceeds the threshold level.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies comprising internal stabilizers and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cushion comprising a first side and a second side opposite from the first side and a hub comprising a hub opening configured to be coupled with an inflator so as to receive inflation gases during deployment of the airbag cushion through the hub opening. A stabilizer, such as, in some embodiments, a diffuser or another inflatable structure, may be positioned within the airbag cushion and may be non-releasably coupled with the airbag cushion along at least a portion of the first side, along at least a portion of the second side, and adjacent to the hub opening.

Abstract: An air bag system and method of making the same are provided including a reinforced cover for a vehicle seat having an air bag module hidden therein. The reinforced cover includes cover material that is stretchable and a backing reinforcement material that is stiffer than the cover material. The reinforcement material is attached to the cover material to provide a repeatable deployment path for the air bag as it inflates so that the air bag breaks through the seat cover at a preferred location thereon, e.g. bolster seam. The reinforced cover will not expand as the bag inflates as its stiffness or rigidity as provided by the reinforcement material will cause the bag to seek out the area of greater weakness in the cover at the bolster seam which the reinforcement material does not block.

Abstract: A side impact crash protection and rollover system comprising: a web guide attachable to a pillar of a vehicle; a seat belt system having a shoulder belt portion supported by and extending from the web guide, the shoulder belt portion adapted to be secured about a seated occupant; an air bag assembly including an air bag initially stored in an uninflated or folded condition adjacent the web guide and when inflated is positioned adjacent the pillar, the air bag including a first channel for receiving a portion of the shoulder belt portion.

Abstract: A material cover (27) for a vehicle seat (22), the seat having a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30), the material cover (27) including front (28'), rear (32') and side (30') material panels covering the front, rear and side of the seat back, a reinforcement panel (50,50') secured to an inside surface (31) of the side material (30') for effectively decreasing the elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side material portion (30') to encourage the side material portion to tear along a line proximate a side (52a) of the reinforcement panel when the panel is forced outwardly by the action of an inflating air bag (46).

Abstract: An air bag (24) and method of folding an air bag (24) to protect an occupant during a side impact collision, the air bag being part of an air bag module (23) fitted within an outboard portion of a vehicle seat, the method including the step of folding the air bag (24) into a compact configuration such that when inflation gas is communicated into the air bag a resultant momentum vector, of the unfolding air bag sections, is directed forward of the seat and laterally away from a location of a seated occupant.

Abstract: A side impact air bag (20) comprising: a lower portion for protecting the thorax region of an occupant, the lower portion including a neck portion through which inflation gas is received and a top portion which is sloped relative to a neck portion. An upper portion protects the shoulder and head regions of the occupant and extends generally perpendicularly from the lower portion.

Abstract: A seat-integrated air bag deployment door (10) is provided having a rim (22) which defines a deployment opening. The deployment door (10) is configured for attachment to the seat material (18) of a vehicle seat (14) by sewing or gluing. A door conceals the deployment opening and tears at predetermined locations during deployment of the air bag (102) to allow the air bag to deploy therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system for side impact protection includes an inflatable air bag having first and second chambers separated by a panel having an aperture to permit inflation gas to flow from one chamber to the other. A safety flap is partially secured to the separator panel and has an aperture initially aligned with the aperture of the separator panel. The air bag detects the presence of an out of position seat occupant in which case the safety flap partially breaks away and moves the apertures out of alignment, thereby at least partially limiting the flow of inflation gas through the separator panel.

Abstract: An air bag for installation within a seat of a vehicle to protect an occupant during a side impact collision, the air bag being deployed between the occupant and an adjacent side of the vehicle, including: a three-chambered cushion portion (22), separation panels (56a,b) having inflation gas flow restricting openings (58,58a) therein to control the interchange of inflation gas between the chambers, the cushion, proximate a lower portion (54) of the chambers including a neck portion (44) forming a pocket (94) to receive an inflator and an inlet (44) through which inflation gas enters into the lower chamber and an integral tether for assisting in controlling the deployment trajectory of the air bag.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a seat (20) having a tubular frame part (40a) having a gas flow port (80); and an air bag module (36) comprising an inflator (50), the inflator including at least one exit port (56); wherein the inflator (50) is mounted within the frame part (40a) with the exit port (56) in fluid communication with the flow port (60). In one embodiment the inflator is slid into its desired position through the tubular frame part and in another the inflator (and a manifold 80') is received within an opening in the frame part.

Abstract: An air bag for protecting the side and head of an occupant during a side impact collision including: a first side panel (42a) joined to a second panel (42b) and having a neck portion (52) for receipt of inflation gas for a cooperating inflator (30). The air bag characterized in that its upper portion is pressurized to a greater level than a lower portion. A corresponding upper portion of each panel may be coated or alternatively the air bag may include a separator (46) or seam (46,66) to divert a predetermined amount of inflation gas into one of the other chambers.

Abstract: An air bag (20) formed of a woven panel of material comprising a main panel portion (22) having straight parallel sides (42), a first neck portion (24) extending from a first end (26) of the main panel portion and a second neck portion (28) extending from an opposite or second end (30) of the main panel portion having straight edges, the air bag sewn together using only straight line sew patterns.

Abstract: An air bag (50) comprising: a piece of material (52) suitable for use as an air bag or cushion defining a main panel; the main panel formed with opposing triangular portions (70,72) and a plurality of transition edges (100), wherein adjacent edges of the various triangular portions are sewn together and certain ones of the transition edges are sewn together to yield the assembled air bag.