Abstract: A collapsible storage system attachable to an exterior or an interior of an automobile. The storage system may include a front primary panel pivotally connected to a central primary panel at one end of the central primary panel, and a rear primary panel pivotally connected to the central primary panel at an opposite end of the central primary panel. The front, rear and/or central primary panels may include pivotally connected secondary side panels. The front and rear primary panels may be pivotally movable relative to the central primary panel and the secondary side panels may be pivotally movable laterally relative to the front, rear and/or central primary panels in predetermined directions to place the storage system in an assembled configuration, and may be movable in predetermined opposite directions to place the storage system in a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement in the form of inflatable curtain (1) has a plurality of inflatable regions (12, 19, 25) spaced from the front of the inflatable curtain to the rear of the inflatable curtain. The rear-most inflatable region (25) is connected by a gas flow passage (23) to the lower-most part of an inflatable chamber (22) forming part of the next forward inflatable region (19) at a point remote from the point where a gas flow duct (8) associated with a gas generator (7) injects gas into that chamber (22). The rear-most inflatable region (25) of the inflatable element does not inflate until after the two forward regions (12, 19) have inflated, and possibly does not open until the region (19) connected to the gas flow passage(23) has been struck by the head of an occupant. An occupant in a rear-most row of seats is normally spaced further from the inflatable curtain than a more forwardly positioned occupant, and thus the rear-most chamber (25) will be inflated before being struck by a rear occupant.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement in the form of inflatable curtain (1) has a plurality of inflatable regions (12, 19, 25) spaced from the front of the inflatable curtain to the rear of the inflatable curtain. The rear-most inflatable region (25) is connected by a gas flow passage (23) to the lower-most part of an inflatable chamber (22) forming part of the next forward inflatable region (19) at a point remote from the point where a gas flow duct (8) associated with a gas generator (7) injects gas into that chamber (22). The rear-most inflatable region (25) of the inflatable element does not inflate until after the two forward regions (12, 19) have inflated, and possibly does not open until the region (19) connected to the gas flow passage(23) has been struck by the head of an occupant. An occupant in a rear-most row of seats is normally spaced further from the inflatable curtain than a more forwardly positioned occupant, and thus the rear-most chamber (25) will be inflated before being struck by a rear occupant.

Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes a deployment door which snap-fittingly engages the module's container through mating hooks and slots without the need for accessory fastening devices. The deployment door includes a pair of legs which extend along-side the container and exhibits a plurality of tabs which are biased into engagement with the container to releasibly secure the deployment door on the container.

Abstract: A air bag module for use in an automobile supplemental passenger restraint system. The air bag module includes a housing serving as a reaction device that contains an inflator, an air bag retainer engaging the inflator, and a folded air bag cushion connected to the air bag retainer. The housing is closed by a cover that serves as a deployment door for the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A passive restraint load limiting steering column support assembly for a motor vehicle which, in effect, provides a fuse in the primary collapsible steering column assembly for allowing the system to accept impact loads greater than the design impact load and those which impact the system in a direction other than that for which it was designed. The system includes a collapsible energy absorbing steering column assembly having upper and lower column tubes telescopically engaged within one another, the steering shaft rotatably suspended within the upper and lower column tubes and the steering wheel secured to the rearward end of the steering shaft. A primary energy absorbing system is affixed to the steering column assembly and secures it to a steering column support member, with the primary energy absorbing system allowing the upper column tube to collapse upon the lower column tube over a predetermined distance in a controlled manner to absorb an impact load of a first predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: An airbag for an automotive inflatable occupant restraint system includes a valve for controlling the discharge of inflating gas from the airbag. The valve includes pivotally mounted flaps defining a discharge orifice variable in size in response to gas pressure and flow.

Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicular steering column assembly (10) including telescopically engaged upper and lower column tubes (16,17). The upper column tube (16) being mounted to a steering column support member (12) at its rearward end by a break-away coupling member or bracket (20) affixed to the upper column tube and having shear modules (44) forming a portion of the bracket, thus allowing it to break-away from the steering column support member upon driver impact. The remainder of the steering column assembly including means (22) for absorbing impact loads through a plastic deformation as the column tubes move together axially during a collision, and a pair of axially oriented relatively non-deformable plate-like slide members (60) secured to the steering column support member (12) and positioned between the break-away coupling and the steering column support member and on which a portion (42) of the break-away bracket or coupling member may slide as the upper column tube is collapsing.