Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (14) and an inflation fluid source (12) that is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a conduit (34) for directing a flow of inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (12) to the inflatable occupant protection device (14). The conduit (34) is formed from a flexible plastic material that enables the conduit (34) to be folded.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) that is inflatable to a deployed position between a side structure (32) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant (34, 36). An inflation fluid source (20) provides inflation fluid for inflating portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) includes a base panel (60) and an attachment panel (62) connected to the base panel. The base panel (60) has a first size. The attachment panel (62) has a second size that is smaller than the first size and a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) that are to be inflated.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes (a) a three-dimensionally shaped edible candy including chocolate; and (b) a hollow container including a wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollow portion having a shape which substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the candy for releasably securing the candy within the hollow shape of the container, wherein the container includes at least two portions removably secured to one and the other for releasably securing the candy, and further wherein the container includes a plastic material, such as a thermoformed plastic material.

Abstract: A laboratory test for general tire durability can produce results comparable to the GM-ATE road test. A passenger tire is mounted in a test machine and run at approximately 50 mph (80 kph), at maximum rated inflation pressure, with at least 100% maximum rated radial load, with approximately 25% of the test duration being performed with lateral force comprised of approximately equal portions of right and left steering, the remainder of the test being performed without lateral force (straight portions). A test segment comprises repeating a loading cycle a plurality of times until approximately 5000 miles have accumulated, and multiple test segments are performed until 16,000 miles have been accumulated. The test is paused and the tire is visually inspected several times during the test segments, including at the end of the test.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (20) energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device (20) is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (12). The apparatus (10) may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices (20) individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

Abstract: A gum packaging design that utilizes two separate compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Each of the compartments may be formed from a separate paperboard blank. The blanks are folded to form the compartments and then the lower compartment is adhered to the upper compartment in a fashion that allows the lower compartment to be later separated therefrom by tearing along a perforation after the lower compartment is emptied. A cover flap on the upper compartment can be used to hold the package in a compact, closed position by folding the compartments to face each other and tucking an end into a receiving slot formed in the back panel of the lower compartment. Once the lower compartment is separated from the upper compartment, the same cover flap can be used to close the remaining package by tucking the same end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in a front panel of the upper compartment.

Abstract: A gum packaging design that utilizes two separate compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Each of the compartments may be formed from a separate paperboard blank. The blanks are folded to form the compartments and then the lower compartment is adhered to the upper compartment in a fashion that allows the lower compartment to be later separated therefrom by tearing along a perforation after the lower compartment is emptied. A cover flap on the upper compartment can be used to hold the package in a compact, closed position by folding the compartments to face each other and tucking an end into a receiving slot formed in the back panel of the lower compartment. Once the lower compartment is separated from the upper compartment, the same cover flap can be used to close the remaining package by tucking the same end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in a front panel of the upper compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle steering wheel (12) including an armature (14). The armature (14) has a base portion (16), a circumferentially extending rim portion (18), and at least one spoke (20) extending between the rim portion and the base portion. The base portion (16) includes oppositely disposed first and second surfaces (22 and 24) and a plurality of openings (30) extending between the first and second surfaces. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) abuts the first surface (22). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) comprises an inflatable air bag (42) and an actuatable inflator (44) for, when actuated, inflating the air bag. The inflator (44) has a radially outwardly extending flange (60). The flange (60) includes a plurality of apertures (66). A plurality of one-piece locking members (100) secure the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) to the armature (14).

Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes an assembly (31) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (30) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly (31) further comprises a sensor mechanism (60) for sensing a condition of the inflator (10) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices (30) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant (52) includes an inflatable device (20). The apparatus (10) also includes a primary inflation fluid source (32) and a secondary inflation fluid source (34) that are actuatable independently of each other. The apparatus (10) includes means (60, 70, 80, 90, 100) for actuating the primary inflation fluid source (32) to inflate the inflatable device (20) to help protect the vehicle occupant (52) without actuating the secondary inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also includes means (60, 70, 80) for sensing the position of the vehicle occupant (52) subsequent to actuation of the primary inflation fluid source (32) and for providing an output signal (64, 71, 82). The apparatus 10 further includes means (100, 38) for actuating the secondary inflation fluid source (34) in response to the output signal.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (16) has a seat back portion (24) for engaging an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). A length of seat belt webbing (18) extends around a portion of the occupant (12). A seat belt retractor (44) biases the length of seat belt webbing (18) in a belt retraction direction. The seat belt retractor (44) allows the length of seat belt webbing (18) to move in a belt withdrawal direction, opposite the belt retraction direction, when a predetermined force is applied to the length of seat belt webbing (18). A blocking mechanism (70) blocks movement of the length of seat belt webbing (18) in the withdrawal direction. The blocking mechanism (70) is actuated upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. A portion of the length of seat belt webbing (18) restrains movement of the seat back portion (24) relative to the vehicle during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (20) energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device (20) is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (12). The apparatus (10) may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices (20) individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes an assembly (31) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (30) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly (31) further comprises a sensor mechanism (60) for sensing a condition of the inflator (10) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices (30) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a housing (12) and an inflation fluid source (34) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator (38) is connected with the housing (12) for actuating the inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry (37) for actuating the initiator (38) to actuate the inflation fluid source (34) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device (36) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) (52) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source (34). An autoignition mechanism (40) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable between the side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) includes at least one inflatable front chamber (120), rear chamber (150), and middle chamber (100). The front chamber (120) and the rear chamber (150) each have an inflation fluid inlet (122 and 152) near an upper edge (50) of the device (14) and an inflation fluid outlet (124 and 154). The middle chamber (100) has at least one inflation fluid inlet (102, 104) near the lower edge (52) and is free from inlets near the upper edge (50). Inflation fluid enters the front and rear chambers (120 and 150) through the inlets (122 and 152) and exits through the outlets (124 and 154) into the inflation fluid inlets (102, 104) of the middle chamber (100) to inflate the middle chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (16) has a seat back portion (24) for engaging an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). A length of seat belt webbing (18) extends around a portion of the occupant (12). A seat belt retractor (44) biases the length of seat belt webbing (18) in a belt retraction direction. The seat belt retractor (44) allows the length of seat belt webbing (18) to move in a belt withdrawal direction, opposite the belt retraction direction, when a predetermined force is applied to the length of seat belt webbing (18). A blocking mechanism (70) blocks movement of the length of seat belt webbing (18) in the withdrawal direction. The blocking mechanism (70) is actuated upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. A portion of the length of seat belt webbing (18) restrains movement of the seat back portion (24) relative to the vehicle during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a housing (12) and an inflation fluid source (34) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator (38) is connected with the housing (12) for actuating the inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry (37) for actuating the initiator (38) to actuate the inflation fluid source (34) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device (36) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) (52) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source (34). Means (40) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source.

Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).