Abstract: Airbags and airbag assemblies are disclosed that include passive adaptive venting. The disclosed embodiments include an airbag cushion to define an inflation chamber and that include a set of vents. The set of vents is disposed through a panel of the airbag cushion. The set of vents allow egress of inflation gas from the inflation chamber and to be in an open state when a degree of compression of the airbag cushion is below a threshold level. The set of vents is configured to be in a closed state and/or obstructed by a vehicle surface of a vehicle structure when the degree of compression of the airbag cushion exceeds the threshold level.

Abstract: A thermostat-containing assembly for use in a heated steering wheel assembly. The thermostat-containing assembly includes a retainer device having a shaped body including a thermostat retention aperture and at least one wiring retention channel. The body is shaped to conform to a retainer-accepting region in the peripheral portion of the steering wheel. A thermostat is disposed within the thermostat retention aperture and includes a thermostatically sensitive portion in thermal contact with a heating element. Electrical wiring is disposed within the wiring retention channel and operationally joins the thermostat with an electric power source and the heating element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network enabled multi-user configurable optical storage server. The device is easy to install and does not require client or server software. The server can be configured across a network through a series of HTML based web pages, or graphical user interfaces (GUI) provided by the server. The server can be accessed across a network by one or more users, terminals, or other network attached devices for substantially concurrent read/write access to one or more optical storage media. The server supports a comprehensive set of networking protocols and operating systems simultaneously. The server may support from one to hundreds of CD/DVD-ROMS. In an embodiment of the invention the server includes two stages of writing prior to committing to a write to the physical medium. This speeds both read and write access to the disk, allows concurrent user access to the disk, and greatly simplifies the mapping and file structures on the disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt apparatus having a webbing which traverses an occupant's body. The webbing includes two lap belts which are secured at their ends to a lap belt retractor. The lap retractor is secured below the seat and in a forward position relative to the seat. The lap belt retractor is configured to simultaneously retract the lap belts to thereby retain the position of the buckle assembly over the mid abdomen section of an occupant. The opposing ends of the lap belts are secured in a fixed manner to a lap belt anchor. The lap belt anchor is secured below the seat and in a rearward position relative to the seat. The lap belt anchor may further incorporate a pretensioner which pulls the lap belts rearward and downward. The lap belts slidably engage a buckle assembly along a mid section of the lap belts. The webbing further includes shoulder belts which are secured at their ends to shoulder belt retractors.

Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.

Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.

Abstract: Breakaway web stops are provided which are employed in seat belt systems for restraining an occupant. In one such seat belt system, the seat belt webbing passes diagonally across the torso of the occupant, through a latch plate, and then across the lap of the occupant. To ensure that the latch plate stays in the correct position, web stops are placed on the seat belt webbing both above and below the correct position of the latch plate, allowing the latch plate to freely move between the two web stops, but not permitting it to move outside this range. In an accident, the breakaway web stop below the latch plate is configured to separate from the seat belt webbing, permitting the tension from the torso portion of the seat belt webbing to transfer to the lap portion of the seat belt webbing, providing additional and safety-enhancing restraint to the occupant, and, in particular, to the occupant's legs and lower body.

Abstract: A multi-chamber airbag venting system which provides for channeling of inflation gas, simple internal tethers, and prevents pre-mature venting. The system includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a middle panel. The middle panel is located between the front and rear panels. The middle panel divides the interior of the airbag into a first chamber between the middle panel and the rear panel, and second chamber between the middle panel and the front panel. The panels are connected to each other along their respective circumferential peripheries. The rear panel includes an airbag mouth to allow gas to enter the airbag. The rear panel further includes a vent hole. The middle panel includes a vent hole connected to the vent hole of the rear panel to form a vent passage. The middle panel includes a middle panel passage hole positioned in the middle panel such that gas entering the airbag through the airbag mouth is channeled from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt apparatus having a webbing which traverses an occupant's body. The webbing includes two lap belts which are secured at their ends to a lap belt retractor. The lap retractor is secured below the seat and in a forward position relative to the seat. The lap belt retractor is configured to simultaneously retract the lap belts to thereby retain the position of the buckle assembly over the mid abdomen section of an occupant. The opposing ends of the lap belts are secured in a fixed manner to a lap belt anchor. The lap belt anchor is secured below the seat and in a rearward position relative to the seat. The lap belt anchor may further incorporate a pretensioner which pulls the lap belts rearward and downward. The lap belts slidably engage a buckle assembly along a mid section of the lap belts. The webbing further includes shoulder belts which are secured at their ends to shoulder belt retractors.

Abstract: A multi-chamber airbag venting system which provides for channeling of inflation gas, simple internal tethers, and prevents pre-mature venting. The system includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a middle panel. The middle panel is located between the front and rear panels. The middle panel divides the interior of the airbag into a first chamber between the middle panel and the rear panel, and second chamber between the middle panel and the front panel. The panels are connected to each other along their respective circumferential peripheries. The rear panel includes an airbag mouth to allow gas to enter the airbag. The rear panel further includes a vent hole. The middle panel includes a vent hole connected to the vent hole of the rear panel to form a vent passage. The middle panel includes a middle panel passage hole positioned in the middle panel such that gas entering the airbag through the airbag mouth is channeled from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: Breakaway web stops are provided which are employed in seat belt systems for restraining an occupant. In one such seat belt system, the seat belt webbing passes diagonally across the torso of the occupant, through a latch plate, and then across the lap of the occupant. To ensure that the latch plate stays in the correct position, web stops are placed on the seat belt webbing both above and below the correct position of the latch plate, allowing the latch plate to freely move between the two web stops, but not permitting it to move outside this range. In an accident, the breakaway web stop below the latch plate is configured to separate from the seat belt webbing, permitting the tension from the torso portion of the seat belt webbing to transfer to the lap portion of the seat belt webbing, providing additional and safety-enhancing restraint to the occupant, and, in particular, to the occupant's legs and lower body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network enabled multi-user configurable optical storage server. The device is easy to install and does not require client or server software. The server can be configured across a network through a series of HTML based web pages, or graphical user interfaces (GUI) provided by the server. The server can be accessed across a network by one or more users, terminals, or other network attached devices for substantially concurrent read/write access to one or more optical storage media. The server supports a comprehensive set of networking protocols and operating systems simultaneously. The server may support from one to hundreds of CD/DVD-ROMS. In an embodiment of the invention the server includes two stages of writing prior to committing to a write to the physical medium. This speeds both read and write access to the disk, allows concurrent user access to the disk, and greatly simplifies the mapping and file structures on the disk.

Abstract: Vehicular restraint systems and associated fittings adapted for pivotal mounting onto a vehicle and for the guiding of an inflatable torso safety belt therethrough are provided. The fitting includes a clearance opening of selectively changeable thickness wherethrough the inflatable torso safety belt is passed to permit slidable movement thereof even when the inflatable safety belt is in an at least partially expanded or inflated state.