Abstract: An airbag device may include: an airbag cushion part inflated by operating gas introduced thereto; a vent part formed through the airbag cushion part, and configured to discharge the operating gas within the airbag cushion part; a cord movement prevention part mounted on one side of the vent part; and one or more tether cord parts mounted on the other side of the vent part, and configured to tighten and close the vent part while passing through the cord movement prevention part, when the airbag cushion part is deployed.

Abstract: An airbag assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes a housing coupled to the support structure of a vehicle. An airbag module is coupled to and supported by the housing. The airbag module includes an airbag deployable from an undeployed condition to a deployed condition, and an inflator configured to inflate the airbag from the undeployed condition to the deployed condition. An air duct that is configured to transmit an airflow is at least partially integrally coupled to the housing.

Abstract: An airbag device includes: an inflator generating gas; a bag-shaped airbag configured to be inflated and deployed, the airbag having a vent hole through which the gas is discharged; and a gas flow adjustment member including: a gas receiving part covering the vent hole; an opening edge portion formed at a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the gas receiving part; and an attachment edge portion for attaching the outer peripheral edge except the opening edge portion to the airbag, the attachment edge portion having an opposite portion which is opposite to the opening edge portion, in which the gas flow adjustment member is provided with at least one pleat portion formed such that a fold extends from the opening edge portion toward the opposite portion, and the at least one pleat portion is configured such that the fold is kept folded at the attachment edge portion.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag having a knee chamber and an upper chamber. A wall fluidly isolates the knee chamber and the upper chamber. A sleeve extends from the knee chamber through the wall to the upper chamber and fluidly communicates the knee chamber and the upper chamber. A one-way vent is in the sleeve. The one-way vent allows for the knee chamber and the upper chamber to be maintained at different relative pressures.

Abstract: An airbag device for preventing a collision between passengers may include: a base mounted in a vehicle; a cushion mounted on the base, and deployed between passengers when a vehicle collision occurs; and a cover mounted on the base, configured to cover the cushion, and broken when the cushion is deployed.

Abstract: A vent for an inflatable chamber, such as an airbag cushion, can include a first flap and a second flap. The first flap and second flap can be opposing and/or overlapping. The first flap and the second flap impede fluid flow through the vent when the vent is in a closed state. Free ends of the first flap and the second flap can be positioned at an exterior of the inflatable chamber when the vent is in the open state.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle, having an instrument panel upper part and a frame-like basic body, which can be mounted on a transverse mounting bar of the vehicle body, which basic body has receptacles for equipping with functional elements, for example radio, glove box, etc., and delimits at least one air channel of a vehicle ventilation system, in particular a defrost channel extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle along the windshield, wherein on the passenger side of the instrument panel an airbag arrangement is integrated which has a firing channel reaching to the instrument panel upper part and an airbag module mounted on a firing channel wall. According to the invention the basic body has at least one supporting section on which the firing channel wall is supported.

Abstract: Provided is an airbag apparatus in which a discharge rate of gas discharged from an airbag is adjusted. To this end, the airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag which has a vent hole through which gas is discharged; and a vent rate adjusting member which is coupled to the airbag while covering the vent hole, and adjusts a discharge rate of gas discharged through the vent hole, in which the vent rate adjusting member is folded and coupled to the airbag, and has a communicating hole, such that the communicating hole comes into communication with the vent hole when the vent rate adjusting member is unfolded by expansive force of the airbag.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein that can provide crash protection for occupants seated in an upright position while not injuring or striking occupants in the brace position. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include an airbag configured to deploy through an opening of a housing during a crash event. The housing can be affixed to a seat or other interior portion (e.g., a fixed portion) of an aircraft forward of a passenger seat. The airbag can initially deploy in a direction away from an occupant in the seat and then move into position between a potential strike hazard and the occupant such that the airbag system can be used to protect occupants seated in an upright position while not injuring occupants in the brace position.

Abstract: An airbag can include a panel that defines at least a portion of an inflatable chamber. The airbag can also include a slit vent that is at least partially defined by the panel. One or more seams can encompass the slit vent and can permit the slit vent to naturally be in a closed orientation.

Abstract: A gasbag for a pedestrian protection system, when in the inflated state encompasses a first, oblong central section and end sections angled away from the ends of the first central section. At least one first and one second membrane with differing permeability values are distributed over the sections in such a way that an average permeability of the end sections is lower than an average permeability of the first central section.

Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle, having a housing and at least one restraining element, which has at least one receptacle space for a gaseous medium, in particular air, and which can be moved, in the case of an accident-induced application of force to the motor vehicle, into a restraining position by the flowing of medium into the receptacle space from a storage position within the housing. At least one wall of the housing has at least one inflow opening for the medium.

Abstract: An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A restraint system for a motor vehicle unfolds from a storage position to a restraint position. The unfolding is carried out by at least one supporting structure that can be inflated by a gas pressure source; and in the restraining position, the occupant is provided with a carrier volume for restraining the occupant in the displacement position, whereby the carrier volume is enclosed by at least one carrier structure. The dimension of the restraint system is adapted to the respective load condition, and the flexible carrier structure is fixed for enclosing the carrier volume by inflating the supporting structure.

Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle includes a support structure moveable from a storage position into a restraint position and a covering by means of which a restraint volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position is surrounded. The covering is formed as an element separate from the support structure and having passage regions in which the covering is at least substantially permeable to air in at least one direction of flow, and connecting regions that are reinforced relative thereto, in which the covering is connected to the support structure.

Abstract: One variation includes a product including actuator system including an actuator connected to a shield; a control module for selectively actuating or deploying the actuator wherein the actuator may be moved from a first position to a second position in which the shield is extended a distance away from the first position.

Abstract: Aspirator for an airbag deploying into a vehicle passenger compartment in order to protect a driver of the vehicle during an accident, includes a housing having an innermost and an outermost wall and defining an outlet at a distal end leading to an airbag and coaxial flow passages between the innermost and outermost walls into which air from a passenger compartment flows to inflate the airbag. An aspiration system is coupled to the housing and configured to direct gas into the flow passages to mix with the air from the passenger compartment in the flow passages. The aspiration system includes openings on an inner side of the outermost wall and on an outer side of the innermost wall. These openings are configured such that the gas is directed therefrom into the flow passages in a direction substantially parallel to a flow direction of air into the flow passages.

Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle includes a support structure moveable from a stowage position into a restraint position and a covering that surrounds a restraint volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position. The covering is an element that is separate from the support structure and joined to the support structure.

Abstract: Low cost airbag system (1) for a vehicle that deploys to protect a driver and optionally a passenger during a crash involving the vehicle. The airbag system includes a crash sensor system (2) that detects a crash involving the vehicle, a driver side airbag module (40) mounted to a steering wheel and including a driver side airbag (42) that inflates to protect the driver and a gas generator (108) that generates inflation medium to inflate the driver side airbag (42). A control module (6) is coupled to the crash sensor system (2) and gas generator (108) and initiates generation of inflation medium by the gas generator (108) based on detection of a crash by the crash sensor system (2). A similar system is provided for the passenger side airbag module (20).

Abstract: An airbag with a valve device for a gaseous medium includes at least one textile layer and at least one foil that at least partially covers the textile layer such that due to the valve device at least one area of the airbag permeable by the medium can be at least partially opened when the valve device is in an open position and can be at least substantially sealed when the valve device is in a closed position.

Abstract: An airbag has a fabric enclosure, a vent in the fabric enclosure, and a flow control device made up of a flexible membrane fastened around part of a periphery thereof to the fabric enclosure adjacent to the vent. The membrane defines a flow passage having a free end through which inflation gas is vented to atmosphere and has a tongue extending away from the free end. The tongue has a pre-deployment position in which it overlies an inner surface of the fabric enclosure and a distal end of the tongue extends past an end of the vent closest to the free end. A first distance from the distal end of the tongue to a closest end of the vent may be shorter than a second distance from the distal end of the tongue to a closest end of fastening between the periphery of the membrane and the fabric enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a passenger airbag apparatus that can suppress the deployment pressure of an airbag cushion when the airbag cushion and a passenger are excessively close to each other and maintain the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion and the passenger keep an appropriate distance from each other.

Abstract: An airbag with a bent head portion and a repeated sealing and filling effect comprises a bag body formed of buffer air columns, and heat-sealing nodes formed on the air column, such that the air column is bent when passing the node. A containing groove is formed in the bag body, and the bag body includes a bag mouth interconnected to the containing groove; a plurality of inflatable extended-section air columns arranged on a side of the external periphery of the bag mouth, and a non-inflatable protruding plate is arranged at an edge of the extended-section air column; an extended-section plate, disposed on the other side of the bag mouth, and a disposing entrance is formed between the extended-section plate and the protruding plate for a repeated use of the airbag. The airbag and its manufacturing method overcome the problem of the conventional packaging bag that cannot be used repeatedly.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying power to a system includes a first electric drive unit constructed to supply mechanical power to or receive mechanical power from a first coupled system of machines and a second electric drive unit constructed to supply mechanical power to or receive mechanical power from a second coupled system of machines. The first and second coupled system of machines are constructed to receive mechanical power or mechanical energy or to supply mechanical power or mechanical energy. The arrangement further includes a first kinetic energy storage device having a first electrical energy exchange machine which is electrically connected to the first electric drive unit, and a second kinetic energy storage device having a second electrical energy exchange machine which is electrically connected to the second electric drive unit. The first kinetic energy storage device is coupled to the second kinetic energy storage device.

Abstract: An airbag is composed a first airbag which is formed in a manner that a plurality of frame bodies of a substantially same triangle ring shape are horizontally aligned with respective central space portions of the frame bodies communicated with each other and connected with no gap, and a second airbag which is formed in a manner that the central space portions of the air bag body are blocked with blocking members. When the first airbag is deployed and inflated with gas generated by an inflator in a triangle ring shape upon a collision, air from the atmosphere is taken in to the central space portions of the first airbag from check valves and intake-exhaust holes, and the second air bag is deployed and inflated by using the airbag body as an outer frame and retaining the air inside thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that includes a first panel (160) with at least one first vent opening (142). A second panel (144) secured to the first panel (160) includes a base portion (150) and a door portion (156). The base portion (150) includes at least one second vent opening (200) and is folded to position the door portion (156) between the first panel (160) and the base portion (150). The door portion (156) has an open condition positioned away from the vent openings (142, 200) permitting inflation fluid to vent through the vent openings. The door portion (156) has a closed condition positioned between the first and second vent openings (142, 200) blocking inflation fluid from venting through the first and second vent openings. The door portion (156) is movable to the closed condition when the protection device (14) deploys.

Abstract: An inflator capable of directing inflation gas into the cushion of an airbag module is thrust neutral during shipping, handling and installation. The inflator's thrust-neutral feature can be rendered inoperable for use with the airbag module. A thrust-balancing portion of the inflator has a circumferentially continuous sidewall that encloses an elongated passageway and has a proximal end configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and a distal end configured to release a primary portion of the inflation gas into the cushion. In the event of unintended discharge during shipping or handling, an elongated secondary discharge aperture formed through the sidewall releases to the exterior of the thrust-balancing portion a secondary portion of the inflation gas that imposes thrust on the inflator directed oppositely from thrust imposed by release of the primary portion of the inflation gas stabilizing the inflator during shipping, handling and installation.

Abstract: A method for disposing of a pyrotechnic safety device includes providing an electronic control unit having a primary control unit and an auxiliary control unit. The auxiliary control unit includes a safing mode and a scrap mode, and operates in the safing mode in an initial state. The auxiliary control unit is switched from the safing mode to the scrap mode when the primary control unit sends a first predetermined signal. The auxiliary control unit is armed only if it receives a second predetermined signal from the primary control unit while the auxiliary control unit is operating in the scrap mode. The primary control unit sends the first and second predetermined signals to the auxiliary control unit based on signals the primary control unit receives from an external source. The primary control unit then disposes of a pyrotechnic safety device (PSD) by sending a deployment signal to the PSD based on another signal received from the external source.

Abstract: A drier installation (1) for drying web (2), more particularly paper, which installation is provided for drying a maximum web width, the installation (1) comprises gas-heated radiant elements (3) for radiating the web, arranged according to at least one row (4) stretching out in the transversal (5) direction over the substantially entire maximum web width. The installation (1) comprises at least a transversal convective system (7, 36) equipped with suction and blowing devices (8) for sucking at least part of the combustion products produced by the radiant elements (3) by means of a suction duct (13) and for blowing this pa o the combustion products towards the web (2) by means of a blowing duct (14). Both suction (13) and blowing (14) ducts stretch out in the transversal (5) direction of the web (2).

Abstract: Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, a flexible housing, and a gas generating system for generating gas which is directed from the housing to the interior of the airbag. The housing may be made by an extrusion process to provide it with its flexible cl of plastic. An aspirating structure or nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, which nozzle is varied as a function of temperature. The aspirating structure or arrangement enables air from the passenger compartment of the vehicle to mix with the generated gas prior to being directed into the airbag.

Abstract: Airbag module mounted in connection with a steering wheel includes an inflator for generating gas and arranged on the steering wheel assembly, a conduit between the inflator and the interior of the airbag, and an aspirating structure arranged in connection with the conduit for enabling air from a passenger compartment to flow into the conduit and thus into the interior of the airbag. The airbag may be housed in a housing in a middle of the steering wheel. The aspirating structure may include one or more nozzles and/or one or more valves to allow for air flow from the passenger compartment into the conduit and prevent reverse flow. The inflator may include propellant distributed around an outer wall of the inflator.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: Airbag deployment system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment includes airbags arranged to substantially fill the passenger compartment upon deployment, an inflator system for inflating the airbags and a crash sensor system coupled to the inflator system for directing the inflator system to inflate the airbag. Multiple housings may be arranged around the passenger compartment, each including at least one airbag. Some of the airbags may be interconnected to provide a primary airbag and at least one secondary airbag extending from the primary airbag. The inflator system may be an aspirated inflator system. The crash sensor system may be an anticipatory sensor system. The airbags may be film airbags. One-way valves may be arranged between adjacent airbags.

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes a container (12) having a chamber (120). An exit opening (48) is provided in the container (12) and is connected to the chamber (120). A substance (122, 180) is stored in the chamber (120) and is responsive to heat for providing inflation fluid. An igniter (130) is associated with the container (12) and is actuatable to provide combustion products for heating the substance (122, 180). A nozzle (80) is interposed between the igniter (130) and the chamber (120). A passage (90) extends from the igniter (130) and through the nozzle (80). The passage (90) includes a divergent portion (110) for focusing a flow of combustion products from the igniter (130) into the chamber (120).

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag arrangement, comprising a gas bag, a gas generator for inflating the gas bag, a flexible chamber arranged within the gas bag, into which the gas from the gas generator flows, at least one outlet opening through which the gas is led into the gas bag in order to inflate the same and at least one ventilating opening, through which gas can escape into the environment. According to the invention, the ventilating opening (E) is arranged such that gas from the flexible chamber (2) can reach the ventilating opening (E) without passing through the outlet opening of the flexible chamber (2).

Abstract: A side airbag apparatus is provided with an airbag which is stored within a vehicle seat. A rear portion of the airbag is fixed to the vehicle seat. Further, the side airbag apparatus is provided with an inflator which is arranged within a rear portion of the airbag and is fixed to the vehicle seat. The side airbag apparatus jets out gas from the inflator in correspondence to an impact applied to a vehicle from a side direction, and inflates and deploys the airbag between a body side portion and the vehicle seat. Further, a vent hole for discharging the gas within the airbag is provided between a gas outlet of the inflator and at least one of an upper end and a lower end of a rear portion of the airbag. Further, the airbag is folded in such a manner as to start and finish an inflation of the airbag finally in the vicinity of the vent hole between the vent hole and the gas outlet.

Abstract: A housing structure of an airbag includes: an airbag housing body having an airbag therein and vent holes formed therein; a partitioning plate installed to the airbag housing body and rotatable in an inward or an outward direction of the vent hole; a cover plate provided inside a slot hole formed along the width of the airbag housing body, and has a size large enough to be able to cover perforated regions of the vent holes and; a diffuser in which the first end is fixed to an outer end portion of the airbag housing body and extends along the inner surface of the airbag housing body and the second end of the diffuser being connected to the cover plate, thereby allowing gas to be generated in an inflator to push the cover plate forward.

Abstract: An outwardly deploying airbag system can maintain the internal pressure of an airbag for a required period without vainly increasing the maximum internal pressure of the airbag during inflation. When a sensor detects a collision with a pedestrian, an inflator performs a first gas injection step. An airbag is thereby deployed into a final deployment shape. Subsequently, when the internal pressure of the airbag falls to a predetermined pressure because of leakage of gas through vent holes, and a sensor predicts or detects a collision with a pedestrian, the inflator performs a second gas injection step. Consequently, the internal pressure of the airbag remains high for a long period, and the airbag sufficiently absorbs an impact whenever the pedestrian hits the airbag. The pressure and amount of gas injected in the first gas injection step can be made smaller than in related art, and the required airbag strength is reduced.

Abstract: An airbag ECU includes a communication bus connection circuit for connecting communication buses to communication circuits. A central control circuit connects some of the communication buses to the communication circuits with the communication bus connection circuit and sets addresses for some of slave sensor devices. When those addresses are set, the other communication buses are connected to the communication circuits by the communication bus connection circuit, and addresses for the other slave sensor devices are set. Thus, a circuit can be made simpler without any influence on address setting, thus reducing cost and size of an airbag apparatus.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes an airbag, a tether, a vent mechanism and an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a portion of the tether is retained by a movable member of the actuator to reduce the degree of protrusion of the airbag while the vent mechanism is released from the movable member to open up a vent opening and increase emission of inflation gas. When the actuator is inactive, the portion of the tether is detached from a position where the portion would otherwise be retained by the movable member to increase the degree of protrusion of the airbag while the vent mechanism is retained by the movable member to close off the vent opening and reduce the emission of gas. Further, the actuator may be activated at a delayed timing to open up the vent opening to increase the gas emission after the tether is configured to increase the protruding degree of the airbag.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for cutting one or more tethers connected with an airbag cushion and simultaneously, or sequentially, closing one or more vent openings. In one embodiment, an airbag module is provided that includes a tether opening and at least one vent opening. The tether may extend through the tether opening adjacent to a cutter. The cutter may be configured to cut the tether upon deployment of an actuator. A vent door configured to block the vent opening(s) upon deployment of the actuator may also be provided. This embodiment may therefore provided for simultaneous, or sequential, cutting of the tether and closing of the vent opening(s) with a single actuator.

Abstract: Method for inflating an airbag in a vehicle to protect an occupant in the event of a crash involving the vehicle in which an inflator having a propellant is arranged in the vehicle, the propellant is ignited after determination of a crash involving the vehicle to generate gas therefrom, the gas is directed into an airbag and pressure in the airbag is controlled based on the occupant by varying the flow of gas into the airbag. Variation in the flow of gas into the airbag may be obtained by varying a flow of aspirating gas into a mixing chamber in which the aspirating gas mixes with gas generated from the propellant.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes an airbag provided with a flap element for opening and closing an exhaust hole. The flap element includes a flap and an adjusting belt. The leading end region of the adjusting belt is sewn to the flap by a generally straight sewn seam and acts as a joint portion to the flap. The root region of the adjusting belt is joined to an open/close mechanism. A first terminal of the sewn seam disposed proximate a root region of the joint portion is located farther away from the open/close mechanism relative to a second terminal disposed proximate a leading end of the joint portion. The sewn seam is configured rupturable from the first terminal when the airbag inflates with the adjusting belt engaged with the open/close mechanism to separate the joint portion of the adjusting belt from the flap body so the flap uncovers the exhaust hole.

Abstract: Airbag module mounted in connection with a steering wheel includes an inflator for generating gas and arranged on the steering wheel assembly, a conduit between the inflator and the interior of the airbag, and an aspirating structure arranged in connection with the conduit for enabling air from a passenger compartment to flow into the conduit and thus into the interior of the airbag. The airbag may be housed in a housing in a middle of the steering wheel. The aspirating structure may include one or more nozzles and/or one or more valves to allow for air flow from the passenger compartment into the conduit and prevent reverse flow. The inflator may include propellant distributed around an outer wall of the inflator.

Abstract: An inflating device has a casing, an air bag tray, an gas generating device and a check valve. The gas generating device is mounted on the casing and has a tube, an gas generator and a guiding plate. The tube extends into the casing and has an air channel and vents. The gas generator is attached to one end of the tube and has a housing, a chemical holder and an igniting device. The chemical holder is mounted inside the housing to contain chemicals. The igniting device is attached to housing and extends into the chemical holder to ignite the chemicals. The guide plate is mounted inside the casing and corresponds to the vents. The check valve is mounted in the casing and corresponds with and closes an inlet of the casing.

Abstract: An airbag device for a vehicle includes an airbag that can be inflated to restrain an occupant of the vehicle against the impact of a collision, an inflator for generating gas to inflate the airbag, and a guide passage provided between the inflator and the airbag for guiding the gas into the airbag. The airbag has at least one opening formed therein to provide a fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the airbag, the opening being disposed near the guide passage to perform an aspiratory function efficiently.

Abstract: The airbag includes a bag-shaped circumferential wall formed of base cloths, and a lap portion. In the lap portion, a terminal portion of a downstream side base cloth, which is located in downstream of inflation gas, is superposed on a terminal portion of an upstream side base cloth, which is located in upstream of inflation gas. Then the lapping terminal portions are joined to each other at both sides thereof in a direction extending along edges of the terminal portions, thereby providing the lap portion. A communication port communicating inside and outside of the airbag is provided between the joined portions and between the terminal portions of the upstream and the downstream side base cloths.

Abstract: An airbag module is provided. The module includes a housing, an inflator, an inflatable cushion, a vent aperture defined in the housing, and a gas deflecting member. The vent aperture places the interior of the housing in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing. The vent aperture is offset from exhaust ports of the inflator. The gas deflecting member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first portion of the deflecting member deflects a first amount of the inflation gas to the exterior of the housing. In the second position, a second portion of the deflecting member deflects the inflation gas towards the inflatable cushion. A second amount of the inflation gas is ventable from the housing through the vent aperture when the deflecting member is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus intended to reduce or eliminate human tissue damage caused by under- or over-inflation of air-filled bodily support cushions by sensing the internal air pressure and alerting the user to that pressure. The apparatus uses a simple, inexpensive, analog or digital gauge connected to the exterior of cushions, such as those cushions used on the seats of wheelchairs. It can also use an audible warning activated by the gauge, indicating cushion pressure outside a pre-set range of values. The apparatus also includes a valve that can be used to release or add pressure to the cushion. Further, the length of the apparatus can be varied so that the outlet valve can be easily accessed and/or the gauge can be easily viewed.