Abstract: An airbag module comprising an airbag (50) having a passive adaptive vent on a rear panel of the airbag, the vent having a movable vane which when moved causes the vent (200) to change state from open to closed or from closed to open, the airbag further including a main tether (100) secured to a face panel (54) of the airbag, the main tether moving with the face panel, the main tether having an opening (130) into which is threaded a portion of a control tether (80), the control tether is connected to the vane (210) and to the face panel, wherein movement of the end of the control tether in a first direction generally that of the inflating air bag causes the other end of the control tether secured to the vane to be moved in a direction different than the first direction.

Abstract: An airbag module comprising an airbag (50) having a passive adaptive vent on a rear panel of the airbag, the vent having a movable vane which when moved causes the vent (200) to change state from open to closed or from closed to open, the airbag further including a main tether (100) secured to a face panel (54) of the airbag, the main tether moving with the face panel, the main tether having an opening (130) into which is threaded a portion of a control tether (80), the control tether is connected to the vane (210) and to the face panel, wherein movement of the end of the control tether in a first direction generally that of the inflating air bag causes the other end of the control tether secured to the vane to be moved in a direction different than the first direction

Abstract: A curtain airbag (10A-10F) for a vehicle (2) has an inflatable cushion. The cushion (10A-10F) has one or more side inflatable portions extending along one side of the interior of the vehicle (2) adjacent the interior door or doors on the one side and an inflatable frontal portion (12) projecting inwardly directionally toward the interior of the vehicle positioned in front of a seated occupant (1) and between the occupant (1) and an instrument panel or dash of the vehicle. Preferably, the inflatable frontal portion (12) is positioned between the occupant (1) and the steering wheel (4) wherein the frontal portion (12) laterally juts into the passenger compartment forming an inflatable barrier between a front pillar (60) of the vehicle (2) and the occupant (1).

Abstract: A ramp deflector mechanism (50) for attachment to a vehicle frame (20) has a metal housing (52) having a first wall or plate (54), a second wall or plate (56), a hinge (58) and an articulated third wall or plate (60); an inflatable member (70) situated in the housing (52); an inflator (72) operatively connected between the first wall or plate (54) and the inflatable member (70); and wherein the inflation of the inflation member (70) causes the articulated wall (60) to rotate outwardly to absorb crash energy and slow down the accident.

Abstract: A curtain airbag (10A-10F) for a vehicle (2) has an inflatable cushion. The cushion (10A-10F) has one or more side inflatable portions extending along one side of the interior of the vehicle (2) adjacent the interior door or doors on the one side and an inflatable frontal portion (12) projecting inwardly directionally toward the interior of the vehicle positioned in front of a seated occupant (1) and between the occupant (1) and an instrument panel or dash of the vehicle. Preferably, the inflatable frontal portion (12) is positioned between the occupant (1) and the steering wheel (4) wherein the frontal portion (12) laterally juts into the passenger compartment forming an inflatable barrier between a front pillar (60) of the vehicle (2) and the occupant (1).

Abstract: A ramp deflector mechanism (50) for attachment to a vehicle frame (20) has a metal housing (52) having a first wall or plate (54), a second wall or plate (56), a hinge (58) and an articulated third wall or plate (60); an inflatable member (70) situated in the housing (52); an inflator (72) operatively connected between the first wall or plate (54) and the inflatable member (70); and wherein the inflation of the inflation member (70) causes the articulated wall (60) to rotate outwardly to absorb crash energy and slow down the accident.

Abstract: An airbag (10) has an inflatable chamber (301) defined by a main front panel (12) and a pair of side panels (24), (26). The airbag (10) has a vertically oriented recessed portion (20) on the main panel (12) located on a lower portion of an airbag (10), preferably vertically at or below a gas inlet passageway (30). The recessed portion (20) divides the airbag (10) into two lower lobe portions (40, 42) on each side of the recessed portion (20). Upon inflation an internal tether (50) is attached to the recessed portion (20) and is anchored at or adjacent to the gas inlet passageway (30) thereby limiting forward movement of the recessed portion (20) upon inflation. The airbag (10) is useful as a frontal airbag, particularly a passenger frontal airbag.

Abstract: An air bag assembly (20) comprising: an air bag (24) and means for inflating the air bag, and a partial hood or tether (40) for causing the air bag to inflate in an asymmetric manner during inflation, the hood or tethers operatively disengageable from the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag pack including an inflator and folded air bag is disclosed; the air bag is capable of inflating upon receipt of inflation gas and includes a tether having a first portion fixedly attached in relation to one of the air bag and the inflator, the tether including a second portion, which is loosely positioned relative to the first portion.

Abstract: An air bag assembly (20) comprising: an air bag (24) and means for inflating the air bag, and a partial hood or tether (40) for causing the air bag to inflate in an asymmetric manner during inflation, the hood or tethers operatively disengageable from the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising: an air bag pack including an inflator and folded air bag, the air bag capable of inflating upon receipt of inflation gas and a tether having first portion fixedly attached in relation to one of the air bag and the inflator, the tether includes a second portion, which is loosely positioned relative to the first portion.