Abstract: An airbag can include active vents to manage the pressure within the airbag when deployed. The active vent can be at least partially controlled by using a tether. A tether separator can be configured to separate the tether. The tether separator can include an explosive. The tether separator can be operatively positioned relative to the tether such that, when the tether separator is activated, the explosive produces shockwaves and/or heat energy. The shockwaves and/or the heat energy can cause the tether to be separated into two pieces. In some instances, a portion of the tether can be held in tension to facilitate the separation of the tether.

Abstract: An airbag can include active vents to manage the pressure within the airbag when deployed. The active vent can be at least partially controlled by using a tether. A tether separator can be configured to separate the tether. The tether separator can include an explosive. The tether separator can be operatively positioned relative to the tether such that, when the tether separator is activated, the explosive produces shockwaves and/or heat energy. The shockwaves and/or the heat energy can cause the tether to be separated into two pieces. In some instances, a portion of the tether can be held in tension to facilitate the separation of the tether.

Abstract: A driver's side airbag module for a vehicle. The airbag module includes an upper panel, a lower panel, and an extension panel. The extension panel has a varying width. A lateral tether restrains the extension panel in the lateral direction when the airbag module is deployed. The extension panel and the lateral tether create an oblong shaped airbag cushion. The airbag module also includes a lower tether that connects the lower panel and the bottom of the upper panel so that the upper panel is held on the bottom portion during deployment.

Abstract: A driver's side airbag module for a vehicle. The airbag module includes an upper panel, a lower panel, and an extension panel. The extension panel has a varying width. A lateral tether restrains the extension panel in the lateral direction when the airbag module is deployed. The extension panel and the lateral tether create an oblong shaped airbag cushion. The airbag module also includes a lower tether that connects the lower panel and the bottom of the upper panel so that the upper panel is held on the bottom portion during deployment.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly (10) contains a dampening system for mitigating vibrations transferred from a vehicle to the steering wheel assembly (10). A plurality of damper spring elements or grommets or damper spring elements (22) are each retained within a corresponding steering wheel support member (330). An air bag module (14) is fixed to a steering wheel (18) while resting upon the damper spring elements (22) for eliminating and/or reducing lateral displacement/vibrations normally attendant to vehicle operation. A horn switch (16) containing a plurality of annular support members (76, 176) may be positioned over the damper spring elements (22), wherein each annular support member (76, 176) is coaxially aligned and positioned over a corresponding grommet (22) to also manage vertical displacement; the air bag module (14) is then fixed over the horn switch 16 and to the steering wheel (18). Movement of the airbag module can actuate the horn switch.

Abstract: An information processing and display system comprising steering wheel (10) having a rim (12) and at least one spoke (14), and a plurality of sensors (102, 106, 108) placed about one or both of the rim and the spoke, each sensor selectively actuable due to the proximity of a finger, fingers, a hand or hands of a driver; and a processor, logic device or computer (120) in communication with each sensor and capable of detecting specific hand or finger movements corresponding to specific desirable functions.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly (10) contains a dampening system for mitigating vibrations transferred from a vehicle to the steering wheel assembly (10). A plurality of damper spring elements or grommets or damper spring elements (22) are each retained within a corresponding steering wheel support member (330). An air bag module (14) is fixed to a steering wheel (18) while resting upon the damper spring elements (22) for eliminating and/or reducing lateral displacement/vibrations normally attendant to vehicle operation. A horn switch (16) containing a plurality of annular support members (76, 176) may be positioned over the damper spring elements (22), wherein each annular support member (76, 176) is coaxially aligned and positioned over a corresponding grommet (22) to also manage vertical displacement; the air bag module (14) is then fixed over the horn switch 16 and to the steering wheel (18). Movement of the airbag module can actuate the horn switch.

Abstract: An information processing and display system comprising steering wheel (10) having a rim (12) and at least one spoke (14), and a plurality of sensors (102, 106, 108) placed about one or both of the rim and the spoke, each sensor selectively actuable due to the proximity of a finger, fingers, a hand or hands of a driver; and a processor, logic device or computer (120) in communication with each sensor and capable of detecting specific hand or finger movements corresponding to specific desirable functions.

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 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 seat assembly for supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement of the seat back about a first pivot axis relative to the seat cushion. A head restraint support assembly is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement with the seat back about the first pivot axis and independent pivotal movement relative to the seat back about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: A method for designing automobile seat assemblies in which a sled test is run on a prototype seat assembly in order to obtain the necessary data to model the seat assembly with simulation software. A basic model of the surface of the seat assembly is built utilizing simulation software and tests are run on various parameters to determine those that are most significant to the desired objective of the design process. Thereafter, the software is used to build a detailed model of the seat assembly and all its elements and the significant parameters are tested further to determine those that are again most significant to achieving the desired outcome. Once optimization ranges for those most significant parameters are chosen, the prototype seat assembly is modified accordingly. A final sled test is run on the modified prototype to verify the results and compare those results with the original sled test results.

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement of the seat back about a first pivot axis relative to the seat cushion. A head restraint support assembly is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement with the seat back about the first pivot axis and independent pivotal movement relative to the seat back about a second pivot axis.