Abstract: A side safety barrier device to protect occupants of a vehicle includes a crash sensor to generate at least one actuator signal when a crash having predetermined properties is sensed. A safety barrier is normally stored in the headliner of the vehicle in a first or stored position and selectively deployable to a second or deployed position by the safety barrier deployment assembly when signaled by the crash sensor to separate or isolate the side of the vehicle on which the side safety device is disposed from the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat structure has a device which acts to reduce the interaction between the lower extremities of a vehicle occupant and the vehicle interior. The seat structure also reduces the interaction between the vehicle occupant's legs and the instrument panel by limiting the forward travel of the lower torso. The seat structure may employ an airbag, a mechanical device or a pyrotechnic device, which elevates only the front part of the seat cushion to remove the leg and foot from the path of the intruding or reactive structure, and to minimize the travel of the lower torso into the instrument panel. A crash sensor activates the device when the crash sensor senses a crash of a selected severity.

Abstract: A passive two stage passenger side inflator is disposed in a module funnel coupled to an airbag. The two stage inflator provides a gentle onset during the initial deployment to help protect out-of-position passengers. The second rapid stage is ignited passively by hot gas communication from the first stage. The inflating gases from both stages flow through a module funnel into the airbag. Openings in the module funnel permit pressure relief venting of the airbag to further protect out-of-position passengers even if the bag has not yet unfolded. Preferably the module is mounted such that the funnel vent openings direct the vented gas into the instrument panel, thus minimizing the particulate released into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A retrofit steering wheel assembly having an air bag assembly comprises an armature including a casting and an insert in the casting for coupling with a steering wheel column, with different inserts being used for different columns peculiar to different model vehicles. An inflator adapter is coupled with the casting and adapted to mount an inflator and has a hole to receive a pin of an air bag module, the adapter defining with the casting an opening through which surfaces of the inflator are adapted to travel to mount the inflator and arm a sensor. A biased arm closes the hole and is adapted to be moved to an open position at which the pin is adapted to penetrate the hole only when the inflator is properly mounted. An inflator having a radially extending lug adapted to engage the biased arm to move the arm to permit the pin to penetrate the hole to anchor the inflator in its properly mounted position.

Abstract: In an automobile, a knee bolster is provided, with either an airbag or shoulder belt, for capturing and absorbing the translational kinetic energy of the occupant's lower torso, for prevention of submarining, and for controlled rebound. The bolster includes a member for capturing and dissipating a portion of the kinetic energy of an occupant during a collision, and a member for storing another portion of said kinetic energy. A collision between the lower portion of the body of the occupant and the bolster tends to restore the body in such a way that the rebound impact against the seat is applied to the occupant's back rather than his head or neck.