Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct. The duct has a duct opening for venting gas. The duct is moveable between a first position where the duct opening is outside the airbag and a second position where the duct opening is inside the airbag. Inflating the airbag moves the duct between the first position and the second position. The airbag is configured to be inflated by a first stream of gas moving from the duct opening to an interior of the airbag and by a second stream of gas moving from an airbag inflator to the interior of the airbag. The first stream of gas is separate from the second stream of gas.

Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct having an opening for venting gas. The duct moves between a first position where the opening is outside the airbag and a second position where the opening is inside the airbag. Inflating the airbag moves the duct between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct. The duct has a duct opening for venting gas. The duct is moveable between a first position where the duct opening is outside the airbag and a second position where the duct opening is inside the airbag. Inflating the airbag moves the duct between the first position and the second position. The airbag is configured to be inflated by a first stream of gas moving from the duct opening to an interior of the airbag and by a second stream of gas moving from an airbag inflator to the interior of the airbag. The first stream of gas is separate from the second stream of gas.

Abstract: An example tethered airbag arrangement includes an airbag movable to an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. An internal tether constrains expansion of the contact face. An external tether system includes tether portions and at least one bridge portion. The tether portions constrain expansion of the contact face. The bridge portion limits separation between one of the tether portions and an adjacent one of the tether portions as the airbag moves to an expanded position.

Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag that moves between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. A tether adjacent an exterior surface of the airbag moves with the airbag between a shorter position and a longer position. The tether remains intact in the shorter position and the longer position. When the tether is in the shorter position, the tether holds the airbag in the expansion-constrained position.

Abstract: An example airbag inflator manifold assembly includes a cap portion establishing a plurality of apertures that are operative to communicate flow from an inflator to an airbag interior. A baffle portion redirects at least some of the flow from the plurality of apertures. A mounting face extends radially from the cap portion and is securable to a flange extending radially from the inflator to hold the cap portion and the baffle portion relative to the inflator.

Abstract: An airbag includes end panels sewn onto opposite ends of the airbag. The end panels include side tabs and a center tab. The side tabs hook onto a retainer. The center tab is sewn to the airbag adjacent the opening in the retainer to pull the airbag against the concave inner surface of the retainer, thereby eliminating bunching and folding of airbag material at the interface of the retainer and inflator.

Abstract: A passenger airbag module includes opposite side walls connected by a rear wall. The side walls each include at least one inward projection that traps a semi-cylindrical retainer between the projections and the rear wall. The retainer holds the inflator and airbag within the housing. End walls connect the side walls with interlocking channels thereby preventing the side walls from releasing the retainer, inflator and airbag.

Abstract: An example tethered airbag arrangement includes an airbag movable to an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. An internal tether constrains expansion of the contact face. An external tether system includes tether portions and at least one bridge portion. The tether portions constrain expansion of the contact face. The bridge portion limits separation between one of the tether portions and an adjacent one of the tether portions as the airbag moves to an expanded position.

Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag that moves between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. A tether adjacent an exterior surface of the airbag moves with the airbag between a shorter position and a longer position. The tether remains intact in the shorter position and the longer position. When the tether is in the shorter position, the tether holds the airbag in the expansion-constrained position.

Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag moveable between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. A tether having a first tether end connected adjacent an upper portion of the contact face and a second tether end anchoring the tether. The tether holds the contact face in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an example airbag moveable between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. A tether has a first end connected to the contact face and a second end anchoring the tether. The tether holds the contact face of the airbag in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes a bracket and a spring. At least one arm of the spring is inserted through a first aperture and a second aperture. The arm extends across a hole for receiving a connection pin of an airbag module. The spring retains itself on the bracket without the need for separate fasteners. In the disclosed embodiment, the spring is U-shaped and includes two such arms, each extending through one of a pair of first apertures and one of a pair of second apertures, each arm extending across one of a pair of holes for receiving a connection pin.

Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct having an opening for venting gas. The duct moves between a first position where the opening is outside the airbag and a second position where the opening is inside the airbag. Inflating the airbag moves the duct between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An airbag module comprising an improved canister, retainer assembly and method of attaching the airbag module to the vehicle is disclosed. The canister includes snap-on end caps, which assemble onto the center section of the canister. A retention mechanism provides the snap-on capability, while a lap joint provides extra security to ensure the end caps remain on the center section during assembly and initiation of the inflator secured within the canister.

Abstract: An air bag module including a canister and a cover coupled to said canister. One of the cover and canister has a projection and the other of the cover and canister has an opening. The projection is disposed in the opening and engages the other of the cover and canister to restrict movement of the cover relative to the canister and create a frictional force acting to resist movement of the cover relative to the canister.

Abstract: A steering wheel subassembly with an armature and a clip. The clip has a first leg disposed in a first slot of the armature, a bend extending from the first leg, and a second leg extending from the bend. The second leg is disposed in a second slot on the armature and the clip is movable between a rest and displaced position. The clip partially obstructs a hole in the armature configured to receive a connecting part such as a pin. The clip legs exert a preload on armature engagement surfaces. The invention is further directed to a method for coupling the clip to the steering wheel armature as well as a steering wheel assembly having the steering wheel subassembly described above. The invention is still further directed to a configuration of a mounting bracket with an airbag subassembly adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel subassembly.

Abstract: A steering wheel subassembly with an armature and a clip. The clip has a first leg disposed in a first slot of the armature, a bend extending from the first leg, and a second leg extending from the bend. The second leg is disposed in a second slot on the armature and the clip is movable between a rest and displaced position. The clip partially obstructs a hole in the armature configured to receive a connecting part such as a pin. The clip legs exert a preload on armature engagement surfaces. The invention is further directed to a method for coupling the clip to the steering wheel armature as well as a steering wheel assembly having the steering wheel subassembly described above. The invention is still further directed to a configuration of a mounting bracket with an airbag subassembly adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel subassembly.

Abstract: A structure for connecting wires in a steering wheel. The steering wheel is mounted on a steering shaft to steer an automobile. The steering wheel includes a frame coupled to the steering shaft. The frame is manipulated to steer the automobile. An electric device is arranged in the steering wheel. A connector provides the electric device with electric power. The connector is manually inserted in the steering wheel during assembly. A mount holds the connector. A hole extends through the shaft frame near the mount. A guide is provided for guiding the connector toward the mount when inserting the connector through the hole. The guide is located between the shaft frame and the main frame. This results in more efficient assembly while limiting the number of parts.

Abstract: A device for mounting an integrally formed steering wheel on the steering shaft of a vehicle. The device includes a boss to couple the steering wheel to the steering shaft on which is rotatably mounted a fastener that is rotated by a drive gear arrangement. The drive gear is on shaft that is rotatably mounted in a housing connected to the boss so that the drive gear that meshes with a complementary drive gear on the fastener to rotate and fasten the steering wheel to the steering shaft. Retainers are used to support the gear shaft to opposing sidewalls of the housing, and include bushings located between the retainer and the gear shaft.