Abstract: A seat assembly that may include a seat back, an airbag module having an airbag, and a reinforcement chute. The seat back may have a seat back frame that may have a side member. The reinforcement chute may be fixedly coupled to the side member above and below the airbag module.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over the seat pad with the cover having a release seam, and an air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag. In accordance with this embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an air bag guide associating the air bag assembly with the release seam, with one of the air bag guide and the air bag having rear ends connected to opposite sides of the other of the air bag guide and the air bag.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over at least part of the seat pad with the cover having a release seam, and an air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag. In accordance with an embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an air bag guide associating the air bag assembly with the release seam, the air bag guide comprising a panel having an intermediate portion that wraps around the air bag assembly, a first end secured to the trim cover on a first side of the release seam and a second end secured to the trim cover on the first side of the release seam spaced a predetermined distance from the first end, the first end having a first width, the second end having a second width and the intermediate portion having a third width, with the sum of the first and second widths being equal to or greater than the third width.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over at least part of the seat pad with the cover having a release seam, and an air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag. In accordance with an embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an air bag guide associating the air bag assembly with the release seam, the air bag guide comprising a panel having an intermediate portion that wraps around the air bag assembly, a first end secured to the trim cover on a first side of the release seam and a second end secured to the trim cover on the first side of the release seam spaced a predetermined distance from the first end, the first end having a first width, the second end having a second width and the intermediate portion having a third width, with the sum of the first and second widths being equal to or greater than the third width.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over the seat pad with the cover having a release seam, and an air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag. In accordance with this embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an air bag guide associating the air bag assembly with the release seam, with one of the air bag guide and the air bag having rear ends connected to opposite sides of the other of the air bag guide and the air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag, a housing that receives the air bag, and a flexible member disposed in the housing and having an end. The seat assembly may further include a seat pad disposed outside the housing. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the flexible member is configured to extend outside the housing such that the end extends between a portion of the seat pad and the air bag.

Abstract: A side air bag restraint sub-assembly is disposed in a cavity in a vehicle seat. A reinforcement panel is secured to either the inflator bolts or the seat fame on one edge. The opposite edge of the reinforcement panel is sewn to a hem on one side of a tear seam.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a frame for mounting the seat to a vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat pad located proximate the frame. A trim cover is disposed over the seat pad, and includes a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad. An airbag assembly, which includes an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, is also part of the seat assembly. A force concentrator covers at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting the pad during deployment of the airbag. The force concentrator includes an inner panel attached to the airbag assembly and an outer panel attached to the frame. The panels form a deployment channel for the airbag, and thereby inhibit contact of the airbag with the seat pad as the airbag deploys.

Abstract: A side air bag restraint sub-assembly is disposed in a cavity in a vehicle seat. A reinforcement panel is secured to either the inflator bolts or the seat fame on one edge. The opposite edge of the reinforcement panel is sewn to a hem on one side of a tear seam.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a frame for mounting the seat to a vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat pad molded from a polymeric material and located proximate the frame. A trim cover is disposed over the seat pad, and includes a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad. An airbag assembly, which includes an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, is also part of the seat assembly. A force concentrator covers at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting it during deployment of the airbag. The force concentrator includes inner and outer panels which form a deployment channel for the airbag, and thereby inhibit contact of the airbag with the seat pad as the airbag deploys.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag, a housing that receives the air bag, and a flexible member disposed in the housing and having an end. The seat assembly may further include a seat pad disposed outside the housing. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the flexible member is configured to extend outside the housing such that the end extends between a portion of the seat pad and the air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a frame, a seat pad, and an air bag assembly housing an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam when the air bag seam is in an opened position. The vehicle seat assembly has an improvement comprising a tear strap secured to the frame and a second end portion secured to the release seam, a guide member through which the tear strap may slidingly pass; and a tether having a first stationary end secured to the frame and a second end that engages the guide member so that movement of the guide member is constrained thereby. The tear strap is movable in response to inflation of the air bag with sufficient force to rupture the release seam, thereby allowing the tear seam to open and allowing the air bag to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a frame for mounting the seat to a vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat pad molded from a polymeric material and located proximate the frame. A trim cover is disposed over the seat pad, and includes a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad. An airbag assembly, which includes an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, is also part of the seat assembly. A pad shield covers at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting it during deployment of the airbag. The pad shield includes inner and outer panels which form a deployment channel for the airbag, and thereby inhibit contact of the airbag with the seat pad as the airbag deploys.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a frame, a seat pad, and an air bag assembly housing an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam when the air bag seam is in an opened position. The vehicle seat assembly has an improvement comprising a tear strap secured to the frame and a second end portion secured to the release seam, a guide member through which the tear strap may slidingly pass; and a tether having a first stationary end secured to the frame and a second end that engages the guide member so that movement of the guide member is constrained thereby. The tear strap is movable in response to inflation of the air bag with sufficient force to rupture the release seam, thereby allowing the tear seam to open and allowing the air bag to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a frame, a seat pad, and an air bag assembly housing an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam when the air bag seam is in an opened position. The vehicle seat assembly has an improvement comprising a tear strap secured to the frame and a second end portion secured to the release seam, a guide member through which the tear strap may slidingly pass; and a tether having a first stationary end secured to the frame and a second end that engages the guide member so that movement of the guide member is constrained thereby. The tear strap is movable in response to inflation of the air bag with sufficient force to rupture the release seam, thereby allowing the tear seam to open and allowing the air bag to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle seat component includes a side air bag module mounted on a frame within a trim cover that also covers a seat pad. An air bag guide includes flexible inner and outer panels that extend between a release seam of the trim cover and the air bag module to provide a guiding function to an inflating air bag. An inner extremity of the flexible outer panel is secured to frame by a connector including at least one lace secured to a single connection location of the frame. One embodiment has a single lace and another has a plurality of laces, specifically three, that converge toward the single connection location.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat body and a headrest subassembly connected to the seat body. The headrest subassembly has a front surface, a backstop member and a first cushion adjacent the backstop member. The first cushion is positioned between the front surface and the backstop member. The first cushion is configured to collapse against the backstop member in response to a force applied by a human head to the headrest subassembly during a vehicle collision. The first cushion remains collapsed while the head is disposed adjacent the headrest subassembly subsequent to the collision.

Abstract: A vehicle seat component (18) includes a side air bag module (18) mounted on a frame (24) within a trim cover (30) that also covers a seat pad (26). An air bag guide (44) includes flexible inner and outer panels (46,48) that extend between a release seam (32) of the trim cover (30) and the air bag module (18) to provide a guiding function to an air bag (36) upon inflation so as to project outwardly through the release seam (32) for use. An inner extremity (52) of the flexible inner panel (46) of the air bag guide (44) has a grommet (58) that is secured to a frame (24) by a threaded stud (38) and a nut (40) that also mount the air bag module on the frame, and the inner extremity (56) of the flexible outer panel (48) is secured in any suitable manner to the seat component.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly 10 with a frame 26, a seat pad, and an air bag assembly housing, an inflator, and a folded air bag that is inflated to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through an air bag release seam 28 when the seam is ruptured. The vehicle seat assembly has a spinnaker-shaped reinforcement panel 56 with a leading nose 49 secured to the release seam 28 and an anchored end edge 52 that is secured to the frame 26 or to a trim cover 18. The spinnaker-shaped reinforcement panel 56 is movable in response to inflation of the air bag with sufficient force to puncture the release seam 28, thereby allowing the tear seam 28 to open and allowing the air bag to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a back panel. The back panel is configured to flex to create a gap through which an air bag is deployed.