Abstract: A material cover (27) for a vehicle seat (22), the seat having a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30), the material cover (27) including front (28'), rear (32') and side (30') material panels covering the front, rear and side of the seat back, a reinforcement panel (50,50') secured to an inside surface (31) of the side material (30') for effectively decreasing the elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side material portion (30') to encourage the side material portion to tear along a line proximate a side (52a) of the reinforcement panel when the panel is forced outwardly by the action of an inflating air bag (46).

Abstract: A side impact air bag module (10) includes an air bag (30) and an inflator (32) which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the air bag. The air bag (30) includes first and second main body portions (70, 120) and a first retainer portion (80) which is disposed between the first and second main body portions. The first retainer portion (80) and the first main body portion (70) of the air bag (30) at least partially define a pocket (200) in the air bag in which the inflator (32) and a diffuser (34) are disposed. Stitching sections (182b, 184b) close two sides of the pocket (200).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), such as an air bag, includes first and second inflatable structures (72,74). The first inflatable structure (72) has an inflated location between the occupant's thorax and a side portion (20) of the vehicle. A second inflatable structure (74) has an inflated location between the occupant's head and the side portion (20) of the vehicle. A valve (80) increases the pressure of inflation fluid in the second inflatable structure (74) in response to engagement of the occupant's thorax with the first inflatable structure (72) prior to subsequent engagement of the occupant's head with the second inflatable structure (74).

Abstract: An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a body (60) of ignitable gas generating material, an igniter (260) for igniting the body (60) of gas generating material, and a housing (50) having a tubular wall (52) surrounding the body (60) of gas generating material. The tubular wall (52) has a longitudinal central axis (40), a plurality of outlet openings (100) through which gas flows radially outward, and an open end portion (232) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The inflator (14) further includes a circular end cap (56) which is located coaxially within the tubular wall (52). The end cap (56) supports the igniter (260) on the axis (40), and has a peripheral surface portion (216) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The open end portion (232) of the tubular wall (52) closely overlies the peripheral surface portion (216) of the end cap (56).

Abstract: An air bag (10) for use with an inflation fluid source (34) includes a body portion (170) defining an inflation fluid volume (172) into which inflation fluid is directed to inflate the body portion. A mouth portion (160) of the air bag (10) is connected with the body portion (170). The mouth portion (160) defines an inflation fluid opening (176) in fluid communication with the inflation fluid volume (172). The inflation fluid opening (176) is defined in part by opposite fabric material panels (40, 42). Each panel (40, 42) comprises at least two layers (130, 132, 140, 142) of fabric material in abutting engagement with each other. At least two layers (130, 132, 140, 142) of fabric material encircle a retaining ring (174) for attaching the air bag mouth portion (160) to the inflation fluid source (34).

Abstract: A method of making an inflator (10) for an air bag assembly includes the step of providing a first housing member (12) having a recess (22) and a second housing member (14) having a coupling portion (24). One of the housing members, preferably the first housing member (12), includes a container (20). A source of inflation fluid (18) is loaded into the container (20). The second housing member (14) is positioned so that its coupling portion (24) is adjacent to, but outside of, the recess (22). The coupling portion (24) is then mechanically deformed towards the recess (22) to form an integral projection (26) which is tightly received within the recess (22). In this manner, the first housing member (12) is coupled to the second housing member (14) to form a closed chamber (16) containing the source of inflation fluid (18).

Abstract: A tether assembly (10) for an inflatable restraint (16) such as an air bag includes a tether strap (30) and first and second intermediate pads (32, 34). A first end portion (42) of the tether strap is joined to the first intermediate pad (32) by a circular first stitching section (54). The first intermediate pad (32) is joined to a first panel (12) of the air bag by a circular second stitching section (56) which is disposed laterally outside of the tether strap first end portion (42). A second end portion (44) of the tether strap is joined to the second intermediate pad (34) by a circular first stitching section (66). The second intermediate pad (34) is joined to a second panel (14) of the air bag by a circular second stitching section (68) which is disposed laterally outside of the tether strap second end portion (44). The second stitching sections (56, 68) are larger in diameter than the first stitching sections (54, 66).

Abstract: A vehicle air bag assembly includes an air bag container with a special orientation device for orienting and supporting an inflator in the container. The air bag container includes a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls. One of the pair of sidewalls has an opening which is dimensioned to receive an inflator. The orientation device comprises an orientation ring coupled to the one of the sidewalls and located at least partially within the opening in the one of the sidewalls. The inflator is loaded into the container through an opening in the orientation ring. The orientation ring has an internal configuration which (i) requires the inflator to be in an initial orientation as the inflator is loaded into the container, and (ii) engages a portion of the inflator to center and support the inflator in a predetermined final orientation when the inflator is coupled to the container.

Abstract: A housing for an air bag inflator includes a tubular wall and gas dispensing nozzles extending through at least a portion of the wall. The tubular wall defines an inflator cavity for receiving a source of gas. The inflator housing includes a tongue formed in one piece with one end of the housing and projecting outwardly from the housing. The tongue includes a planar surface adapted to be coupled to a planar wall of a reaction device. The inflator housing further includes a sleeve attached to the tubular wall axially spaced from the tongue. The sleeve includes diametrically opposed flanges extending outward from the sleeve. Each of the flanges include a planar surface adapted to be coupled adjacent the planar wall of the reaction device. The tongue includes an alignment device which provides for properly aligning the inflator with the reaction device. According to another aspect of the invention, the inflator housing structure includes a pair of sleeves attached to axially spaced portions of the housing.

Abstract: A device (100) for calibrating load cells is provided. Device (100) features an intermediate chamber (8) providing fluid communication between spaced-apart fluid chambers (4) and (6). Chambers (4) and (6) have respective upper open ends (5) and (7) with chamber (4) connected to a plunger member (12) by a flexible seal (14) and chamber (6) connected to a plunger member (20) by a flexible seal (18) such when dead weights W.sub.1, 2 . . . n are placed upon plunger (12) fluid pressure exerts an upward force (F) against plunger (20) for calibrating a load cell (2) placed between plunger (20) and a rigid frame (21) that is defined by the equation:F=(A.sub.R /A.sub.P)(W.sub.1, 2 . . . n +W.sub.P -S.sub.P)-W.sub.R -S.sub.RWhere:A.sub.R =area of plunger (20)A.sub.P =area of plunger (12)W.sub.P =weight of plunger (12)S.sub.P =resistance force of seal (14)W.sub.R =weight of plunger (20)S.sub.R =resistance force of seal (18).