Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of bolster upon activation.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a hollow body having a first wall having a central area and a circumferential area surrounding the central area, a second wall opposite the first wall, and an air chamber formed between the first and second walls. The inflatable bolster also comprises an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the air chamber which is mounted to the hollow body. The inflatable bolster also comprises a plurality of concentric extension pleats formed in the first wall. The extension pleats extend around a major part of the circumferential area. The extension pleats contact the second wall at a plurality of contact points which are distributed across the second wall. The plurality of contact points is sufficient in number to at least partially suppress audible vibration of the second wall.

Abstract: Described is an inflatable multilayer bolster for a vehicle passenger compartment including a hollow body with back and front walls, an air chamber formed between them, and an inflator for injecting pressurized fluid to inflate the hollow body. Preferably, both the front and back walls have an inner layer made of a structural deformable material and an outer surfacing layer co-extruded with the inner layer. Also described is a method of manufacturing the multilayer bolster by co-extruding first and second polymers through a die to produce a parison, and then blow-molding the parison to form the hollow body. Thus the front wall and preferably the back wall as well have an inner layer made of the first polymer in a structural deformable condition and an outer surfacing layer made of the second polymer. This co-extruded multilayer constructed bolster allows efficient manufacturing, structural, inflation and aesthetic characteristics.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of bolster upon activation.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation. A bolster is also provided having portions which inflate at differing rates.

Abstract: Described is an inflatable multilayer bolster for a vehicle passenger compartment including a hollow body with back and front walls, an air chamber formed between them, and an inflator for injecting pressurized fluid to inflate the hollow body. Preferably, both the front and back walls have an inner layer made of a structural deformable material and an outer surfacing layer co-extruded with the inner layer. Also described is a method of manufacturing the multilayer bolster by co-extruding first and second polymers through a die to produce a parison, and then blow-molding the parison to form the hollow body. Thus the front wall and preferably the back wall as well have an inner layer made of the first polymer in a structural deformable condition and an outer surfacing layer made of the second polymer. This co-extruded multilayer constructed bolster allows efficient manufacturing, structural, inflation and aesthetic characteristics.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a hollow body having a first wall having a central area and a circumferential area surrounding the central area, a second wall opposite the first wall, and an air chamber formed between the first and second walls. The inflatable bolster also comprises an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the air chamber which is mounted to the hollow body. The inflatable bolster also comprises a plurality of concentric extension pleats formed in the first wall. The extension pleats extend around a major part of the circumferential area. The extension pleats contact the second wall at a plurality of contact points which are distributed across the second wall. The plurality of contact points is sufficient in number to at least partially suppress audible vibration of the second wall.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided having a hollow body, an inflator and an attachment mechanism for attaching the hollow body to the vehicle's mating surface. The attachment mechanism includes a base retained within a molded cavity within the hollow body, and a fastener projection extending outward from both the base and the hollow body. Another attachment mechanism is provided including a dovetail portion which extends outward from the hollow body and engages a slot in the mating surface.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation. A bolster is also provided having portions which inflate at differing rates.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.