Abstract: The present invention relates to air bag tethers and to a pattern-wise arrangement of such tethers in relation to air bag panels on a fabric blank, thus resulting in increased fabric utilization per tether and an overall cost savings per finished air bag. The air bag tether system of the present invention is comprised of two congruent tether panels that are joined to one another and to a respective air bag panel. In a preferred embodiment, the tether panel that is attached to the face panel of the air bag is cut in alignment with the warp and the fill of the fabric blank, while the rear tether panel that is attached to the rear panel of the air bag is cut on the bias with respect to the warp and the fill of the fabric blank. The two tether panels are then connected to one another to form a functional tether system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air bag tethers and to a pattern-wise arrangement of such tethers in relation to air bag panels on a fabric blank, thus resulting in increased fabric utilization per tether and an overall cost savings per finished air bag. The air bag tether system of the present invention is comprised of two congruent tether panels that are joined to one another and to a respective air bag panel. In a preferred embodiment, the tether panel that is attached to the face panel of the air bag is cut in alignment with the warp and the fill of the fabric blank, while the rear tether panel that is attached to the rear panel of the air bag is cut on the bias with respect to the warp and the fill of the fabric blank. The two tether panels are then connected to one another to form a functional tether system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a panel together) in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These correlated elements are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive cushion must have at least one substantially straight seam and must possess an effective seam usage factor of less than about 0.11. A cushion exhibiting such a low seam usage factor and also comprising an integrated looped pocket for the disposition of an inflator can is also provided as well as an overall vehicle restraint system comprising the inventive airbag cushion.

Abstract: The invention relates to inflatable fabrics which comprise two separated and distinct fabric layers in discrete areas of such fabrics as well as C-shaped seam-producing materials to which such fabric layers are attached. The resultant inflatable fabric composite this includes inflatable areas separated, at least partially, by seamed barrier areas. This configuration will form “pillowed” structures within the target fabric upon inflation. Such seam-producing materials are incorporated within the two-layer structure as C-shaped peel seams in relation with the individual fabric layers. Upon inflation, the seams then act as shear seams which greatly increases the overall strength of the two-layer inflatable fabric. These shear seams thus provide a relatively effective manner of reducing air permeability within the entire fabric article. Such a fabric may be utilized in numerous and various applications wherein fabric inflation is desired or necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle restraint system which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a mouth (looped pocket) for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system is provided which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a looped pocket for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle restraint system which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a mouth (looped pocket) for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag fabric which is woven in such a manner as to possess a cover factor of less than about 1900 but which simultaneously, through the presence of a film (laminate) or coating, possesses an extremely low air permeability. The utilization of such a loosely constructed fabric within airbag cushions has heretofore not been possible, even with the application of standard airbag coatings (such as silicones) over the fabric surface since such coatings with not easily remain in contact over the loosely constructed fabric surface (i.e., the coating would leak through the fabric). The coupling of a low cover factor fabric with a laminate film (or with a coating wherein the cover factor is at least 1600), however, solves such a problem and permits the utilization of inexpensively produced woven fabrics within airbag applications.

Abstract: A polygon-shaped air bag comprised of fabric for use in vehicle restraint systems is disclosed. The air bag is constructed from fabric panels in the shape of congruent, n-sided equiangular polygons, where n may be between five and eleven, but is preferably six or eight. The individual panels may be in the form of a single polygon, or in the form of two abutting polygons. The use of polygon-shaped panels allows for economical fabric utilization and increased fabrication efficiency, compared with panels having a circular shape.

Abstract: An elongated substantially rectangular nylon 6,6 air bag blank which allows an operator to produce a one piece air bag with four straight seams without undue manipulation during production thereof. The blank has notches in the two upper corners with an elongated notch centrally between the notches in the corners thereof in the long side of the blank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which simultaneously exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a single panel together) as well as a very low amount of fabric utilized to produce the target airbag cushion, both in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These two separate, but correlated factors, one based on an effective seam usage index are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume) and the other based on an effective fabric usage index (being the quotient of the amount of fabric utilized in the construciton of the airbag cushion and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive airbag cushion must possess an effective seam usage factor of at most 0.11 and an effective fabric usage factor of at most 0.0330.

Abstract: An airbag cushion for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The airbag cushion is formed from two body panel sections of substantially similar straight line geometry which are joined to one another by two substantially straight seams along corresponding lateral boundary edges. The upper boundary edges of the body panels which are not joined to one another are joined around the perimeter of a rectilinear center panel by a series of substantially straight seams. A method of forming the cushion according to the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint cushion for use in transportation passive restraint systems is provided. The inflatable restraint cushion according to the invention is of a foldable construction having two panels. The first panel is of generally a pyramidal configuration while the second panel is of an elongated rectangular configuration joined to and extending from the apex of the first panel. The first panel is divided into right and left segments along a center fold line. The right and left segments each contain corresponding depressed sections. The right and left segments of the base are folded towards one another and are seamed together. The second panel is thereafter folded in loop fashion towards the first panel and a single seam is used to join the mating edges of the first and second panels. The presence of the depressed sections results in a cushion configuration having a depressed lower profile which is capable of engulfing the instrument panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A coated base fabric for use in an automotive airbag is provided. The coated base fabric includes a substrate of woven nylon or polyester which is overcoated with a porosity blocking layer of polyamide material. The porosity blocking layer of polyamide material is present at a level of about 0.6 ounces per square yard or less. A method for producing the coated fabric of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint cushion for use in transportation passive restraint systems is provided. The inflatable restraint cushion according to the invention is of a foldable construction having two panels with generally straight line geometric profiles. The first panel is of generally a pyramidal configuration while the second panel is of an elongated rectangular configuration joined to and extending from the apex of the first panel. Mouth forming slits are cut into the base of the first panel, thereby dividing the base into right and left segments. The right and left segments of the base are folded towards one another and are seamed together. The second panel is thereafter folded in loop fashion towards the first panel and a single seam is used to join the mating edges of the first and second panels.