Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition. An inflator (32) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A retainer (70) has an opening (78) for receiving the inflator (32). The retainer (70) includes a base portion (72) and an annular wall (74) that extends transversely from the base portion (72). The annular wall (74) has a deflector portion (88) and a retaining portion (86). The deflector portion (88) is positioned radially outward from the retaining portion (86) and extends substantially orthogonal to the base portion (72) to direct inflation fluid from the inflator (32) into the protection device (14) in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis (37) of the inflator (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable protection device (14) having an upper portion (60) and a lower portion (62) and an inflator (32) having inflation fluid outlets (33). The inflator (32) is actuatable to inflate the protection device (14). A retainer (70) includes a base portion (72) for clamping the inflator (32) to a support member (34). The retainer (70) further includes a cover portion (74) that has a deflector portion (86) and a top portion (88). The deflector portion (86) directs inflation fluid from the inflator (32) into the protection device (14) in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis (37) of the inflator (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition. An inflator (32) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A retainer (70) has an opening (78) for receiving the inflator (32). The retainer (70) includes a base portion (72) and an annular wall (74) that extends transversely from the base portion (72). The annular wall (74) has a deflector portion (88) and a retaining portion (86). The deflector portion (88) is positioned radially outward from the retaining portion (86) and extends substantially orthogonal to the base portion (72) to direct inflation fluid from the inflator (32) into the protection device (14) in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis (37) of the inflator (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (14) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) inflatable between a steering wheel (30) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (14). A housing (26) helps support the protection device (22) on the steering wheel (30). A cover (40) helps conceal the protection device (22) in a stored condition on the steering wheel (30). The housing (40) includes a retainer element (132) that extends from a side wall (124) of the housing. The retainer element (132) includes a base portion (232) and a head portion (234). The cover (40) includes a retainer aperture (230) through which the head portion (234) is extendable to help secure the cover to the housing (26). The head portion (234) has a dimension that is greater than a diameter of the retainer aperture (230).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (14) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) inflatable between a steering wheel (30) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (14). A housing (26) helps support the protection device (22) on the steering wheel (30). A cover (40) helps conceal the protection device (22) in a stored condition on the steering wheel (30). The housing (40) includes a retainer element (132) that extends from a side wall (124) of the housing. The retainer element (132) includes a base portion (232) and a head portion (234). The cover (40) includes a retainer aperture (230) through which the head portion (234) is extendable to help secure the cover to the housing (26). The head portion (234) has a dimension that is greater than a diameter of the retainer aperture (230).

Abstract: A steering wheel for motor vehicles is provided and has a horn switch that is disposed thereon as well as an air bag device that has a receiving chamber for receiving a gas generator as well as an air bag that is folded therein. The opening of the receiving chamber is closed off by a protective cover that has a predetermined breaking point and that can be opened when the device is activated by the inflating air bag. To carry out a honking function, the protective cover is disposed so as to be relatively movable. The receiving chamber for the air bag is closed off by a hold-down part that absorbs the packing pressure, is held in place on the receiving chamber, and opens as a consequence of the inflating air bag. To be able to open, the hold-down part is provided with a predetermined breaking point.

Abstract: An emergency locking retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a spool rotatably mounted on a frame, primary locking means arranged to block rotation of the spool relative to the frame and secondary locking means for actuating the primary locking means. The secondary locking means including an inertia sensor and a pawl pivotally mounted on a carrier which is movable relative to the frame, the pawl being movable by the inertia sensor into simultaneous engagement with a stop member on the carrier and a ratchet wheel coupled to the spool so that subsequent rotation of the spool of the belt protraction direction causes movement of the carrier which in turn actuates the primary locking means. The stop member is so positioned relative to the pivotal mounting thereof that the pawl comes into abutment with the stop member before its pawl tip abuts against the periphery of the ratchet wheel between adjacent teeth thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning a strap of a vehicle safety belt system, comprises a cylindrical drum, a first roller journaled on a stationary axis parallel to that of the drum and spaced radially outwardly from the surface thereof, a second roller mounted with its axis parallel to the axis of the drum at a radius between that of the surface of the drum and the first roller, and pyrotechnically powered means for causing angular movement of the second roller about the axis of the drum. Guide means are located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the drum than the second roller and oriented so that, prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the angular position of the second roller about the axis of the drum is between the first roller and the additional guide means. The strap passes between the second roller and the surface of the drum but radially outwardly of the first roller. Prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the strap does not touch the surface of the drum.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioning system for a motor vehicle comprises a locking retractor for a seat belt and a pre-tensioning device for pre-tensioning the seat belt, the pre-tensioning device comprising mounting means for mounting the retractor on a fixed mounting member, the mounting means permitting movement of the retractor in a direction opposite to the protraction direction of the belt. Such movement of the retractor may be caused by a cable coupled to the front bumper of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for rolling up a belt of a safety belt assembly for automobiles or the like of the kind employing a locking wheel on the reel spindle for the belt. The locking wheel is moved axially into engagement with a set of teeth on the housing to stop the reel spindle rotatably mounted in said housing. A locking member on the locking wheel first engages another set of teeth on the housing in response to accelerations of the belt in the withdrawal direction to bring the locking wheel to a stop in one of a limited number of known angular positions, whereupon it is moved axially to engage the first mentioned housing teeth with no risk of those teeth coming into tip-to-tip engagement. The locking member may be an inertia body and/or acted on by a separate inertia body, which may be a ring.