Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraining system is inflatable from a folded to an inflated state in case of an accident. The gas bag includes a gas bag wall which is defined by several fabric layers being superposed in the inflated state. The gas bag has at least one discharge opening with a cross section. The fabric layers have openings which overlap each other to define the discharge opening and can be displaced relative to each other dependent on the internal gas bag pressure to vary the cross section of the discharge opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air bag for occupant restraint systems of motor vehicles, which air bag is automatically inflated by means of a gas generator in the event of an accident. In order subsequently to allow slackening of the air bag, a kidney-shaped or crescent shaped zone of the air bag cover, which is arranged at a greater distance from and approximately centrally to a central region of the air bag facing the occupant, is produced from gas-permeable fabric. Due to the specified shape and arrangement of this zone, the necessary load-bearing capacity of the air bag remains guaranteed.

Abstract: An airbag module providing adaptive performance. The module includes a housing defining an interior. At least an inflator is received within the housing, and preferably the folded, uninflated cushion, also. Various arrangements are provided to selectively block, or create, a vent extending through the housing. This vent, when open, permits the inflation gas provided by the inflator to exit the housing without entering the cushion. The vent may be initially open, and blocked by a sliding cover block, may be initially closed and opened by movement of a slide plug, or may be initially closed and opened by deformation of a portion of the housing. The venting of the inflation gas will at least slow the rate of inflation of the cushion, and may reduce the final pressure within the cushion. As such, the housing will be vented for less severe collisions, and will not be vented for more severe collisions.

Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicular occupant restraint system comprises a wall defining an interior space of the gas bag intended to be filled with pressurized gas. A plurality of curved nicks is provided in the wall of the gas bag. Each of the curved nicks determines an emission orifice for the pressurized gas.

Abstract: There is described a synthetic yarn fabric for the gas-releasing part of an airbag. The synthetic yarn is a synthetic high-tenacity multifilament yarn having a filament linear density of less than 4 dtex and a yarn count within the range from 250 to 550 dtex. The fabric itself is in a crepe or modified huckaback weave. In contradistinction to the conventional polyamide fabrics, it is uncoated and is preferably woven from unsized yarns. The fabric need not be calendered. It has been found that this fabric of fine-filament, high-tenacity polyester yarn, although uncoated, does meet the airbag fabric requirements such as readily preselectable air permeability, low fabric weight and low fabric thickness and also high fabric strength.

Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraining system, which is adapted to be unfolded from a folded state into a deployed state by gases led into the interior of the gas bag, comprises at least one fabric part having edges which are connected together along at least a part of their length by a seam. This seam is formed by a plurality of stitches and at least one thread. The length of the stitches and the tension of the thread is so set that, in the deployed state of the gas bag, a plurality of discharge openings are formed between respectively adjacent stitches between two edges sewn together. A controlled discharge of the gases takes place through the discharge openings.

Abstract: An airbag module (10) employing a deflagration venting system (40) for adaptively changing the level of venting provided during airbag inflation is disclosed. The adaptively controlled airbag system (10) includes an airbag (12) in fluid communication with an airbag inflator (18). A manifold (16) is provided for directing the output of the airbag inflator (18) into the airbag (12), and a reaction canister (22) houses the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), and the manifold (16). A deflagration device (40) is provided for selectively venting the airbag module (10). The deflagration device (40) may be activated for creating at least one variable shaped vent (50, 52) for regulating output from the airbag inflator (18) and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pretensioning seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) includes a housing (70) having a fluid chamber (90) and an actuatable pyrotechnic device (150) in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. An actuatable venting mechanism, such as a pyrotechnic plug (160), when actuated, opens a vent opening (96) to enable venting of fluid from the fluid chamber (90). A controller (190) is operatively connected to the pyrotechnic device (150) and to the venting mechanism (160) for controlling the actuation of the pyrotechnic device and of the venting mechanism. The controller (190) actuates only the pyrotechnic device (150) to provide a first pretensioning output level and, alternatively, actuates both the pyrotechnic device (150) and the venting mechanism (160) to provide a second pretensioning output level.

Abstract: A system (20) for controlling the effective rate at which an air bag (24) is filled comprising: a housing (22) operatively communicated with the air bag such that as the air bag is pressurized by inflation gas such gas enters the housing increasing its internal pressure, the housing (22) including: variable vent (54, 50, 52) for defining an opening through which a quantity of inflation gas is controllably diverted from the air bag to thereby reduce its rate of inflation from that rate which is achieved when the vent means is closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for discharging gas from a bottle of compressed gas include a compressed gas release having on that bottle a compressed gas outlet having a closed position and an alternative open position. A shuttle has a first position spaced from that compressed gas outlet before and after opening of such compressed gas outlet and has a second position at such compressed gas outlet. The shuttle includes a temporary compressed gas flow restriction at the compressed gas outlet in the alternative open position of such compressed gas outlet. A system for discharging gas from a bottle of compressed gas closes such bottle with a burst diaphragm, subsequently penetrates such burst diaphragm, momentarily reduces flow of compressed gas from the bottle at the penetrated burst diaphragm, and thereafter removes the reduction of flow of compressed gas from the bottle at the penetrated burst diaphragm.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method of and a system for taking digital measurements of vehicle air bag deployment characteristics versus time in which the key parameter measured is air bag envelope throw, outboard from the storage canister from which envelope leading edge velocity is derived. Also measured are squib voltage, squib current, and exhaust gas temperature. Envelope throw is recorded on three axes, the central, left diagonal and right diagonal, which are instrumented on a checkerboard target containing photo-transistors at the checkerboard intersections. The photo-transistors are connected to a stepped voltage ladder, and conduct when they are illuminated, causing their respective output voltages to be low. When illumination is interrupted, the photo-transistors turn off, and allow the output of a voltage which is proportional to position on the checkerboard. Before the air bag is fired, all photo-transistors are illuminated, keeping all outputs low.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag (10) inflates to restrain a vehicle occupant (13) during a vehicle collision. The air bag has an opening (16) for venting inflation fluid from the interior (14) of the air bag. A panel (20) lies on an outer surface (40) of the air bag and is fixedly secured to the outer surface of the air bag. The panel comprises a single continuous piece of elastic material overlying at least a part of the opening. The elastic material is stretchable from an unstretched condition in which a central portion (36) of the elastic material blocks at least a part of the opening to a stretched condition in which the central portion of the elastic material is stretched and moved away from the opening to unblock the opening. When the opening is unblocked, inflation fluid is vented through the opening.

Abstract: In a vehicle air bag system for restraining a vehicle occupant under a high deceleration situation, a retainer for retaining the air bag is provided with vent holes, and an inflator for inflating the air bag is initially placed over the vent holes. The inflator is attached to the retainer or to the air bag via a flexible member so that as the air bag is deployed, the inflator is lifted away from the vent holes, thereby allowing the gas inside the air bag to be expelled. Thus, the air bag is not required to be provided with an opening for deflating the air bag after restraining the vehicle occupant, and the produced gas can be efficiently used for inflating the air bag. Because the vent holes are formed in the fixed retainer, and its effective size remains fixed, as opposed to the case of forming a vent hole in the air bag itself, it is possible to control the time sequence of inflating and deflating the air bag in a highly accurate manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filter fabric consisting of a core yarn having a reversible elongation of at least 20 to 50%, the fabric being intended for use in the manufacture of airbags for vehicles. The yarn consists of a thermally stable thermoplastic core filament yarn (1) round which is braided or spun a heat-resistant outer layer (2) or which is coated, or coated by vapor deposition, with a heat-resistant layer (2).

Abstract: An occupant restraint system composed of a compact air cushion module containing a rotating vent ring which creates a variable venting system for inflation of an air cushion. The rotating vent ring moves to open one or more vents of different flow areas which allows inflation gas to vent to the atmosphere thereby controlling the pressure with which the inflatable air cushion fills. The rotating vent ring has a neutral or non-rotated position wherein the venting is minimized such that the inflatable air cushion fills with a maximum pressure. The rotating vent ring is rotated to a variety of positions in response to one or more changing environmental conditions within the vehicle. Such conditions may include occupant position, seat belt usage, occupant weight, ambient temperature or any other relevant environmental factor.

Abstract: An airbag for use in a vehicle occupant protection system has a venting mechanism which allows inflation gas to vent from an inflation chamber through an expandable venting member. The expandable venting member has an inner surface defining an extension of the inflation chamber. The venting member is formed of a gas permeable material and is expandable from a first compressed configuration to a second expanded configuration in response to the inflation pressure in the inflation chamber. While in the compressed configuration the venting member is retained by a retaining member that is not permeable to the inflation gas and has a frangible portion. When the inflation pressure in the airbag reaches a preselected level the frangible portion of the retaining member breaks and the venting member is expanded through the broken portion of the retaining member by the inflation gas. In the expanded configuration the venting member allows the inflation gas to vent to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflator-containing inflatable restraint system is a multipiece reaction canister wherein pieces of the canister are normally secured together by thermally degradable joining members which degrade at a temperature greater than the ambient temperature to which the reaction canister is normally subjected and less than the temperature at which the inflator autoignites, to permit separation of the reaction canister pieces and provide venting of pressure that can build-up within the reaction canister. As a result of alleviating concerns such as of material fragmentation when exposed to extreme heat conditions, e.g., a fire, the invention allows the more widespread use of light weight, temperature sensitive materials in reaction canister constructions.

Abstract: A variable mass flow airbag module includes a housing having gas discharge ports in direct communication with an airbag to be inflated for rapidly inflating the airbag and adapted to receive gas from a pyrotechnic inflator, stored gas or hybrid inflator, or other type of inflator. The housing has a vent opening which is controlled by a valve to vent a controlled variable amount of gas to achieve a desired mass flow of gas into the airbag to provide a desired level of energy absorption capability for optimizing occupant protection.

Abstract: An air bag module with adjustable cushion inflation is provided by including a valve member in the module which is movable to change the size of an inflation outlet through which inflation fluid flows into an air cushion while simultaneously changing the size of a vent outlet which enables inflation fluid to be vented to the ambient atmosphere. The valve member is positioned by a control unit which receives input from various sensors within the vehicle regarding such factors as ambient temperature, occupant position, occupant weight, seat belt usage, etc to produce an optimum cushion inflation based upon these factors.

Abstract: An airbag for use in an occupant protection system has a venting mechanism which allows inflation gas to vent from the airbag only after a predetermined inflation pressure is attained. The venting mechanism includes a ventilation opening and a sealing member overlying the opening which inhibits the venting of the inflation gas. The sealing member has a frangible region which remains intact below the predetermined inflation pressure, but which breaks open when the predetermined inflation pressure is exceeded.

Abstract: An efficient, light-weight airbag inflation filter includes a gas-permeable, substantially rigid support tube having a plurality of uniform perforations therethrough. A filtering element formed from a continuous inorganic ceramic yarn or roving is helically cross-wound around the support tube to form one or more layers covering the perforations of the support tube. A wire screen, having openings therethrough smaller than the perforations in the support tube, is disposed between the filtering element and the support tube to act as a gas diffusion layer for the gases passing through the inflation filter.

Abstract: An air bag module (12) includes an inflator (18) that is actuatable to supply inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16). A housing (14) directs the inflation fluid from the inflator (18) toward the inflatable device (16). At least one vent opening (40) is formed in the housing (14) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. A door panel (70) is movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (14) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The door panel (70), when in the closed position, is biased toward the open position. In one embodiment, the door panel (70) is resiliently deformable. In another embodiment, a spring (71a) is connected with a door (70a) and biases the door toward the open position.

Abstract: Material, such as catalysts, absorbents, and adsorbents, are disposed within an automotive airbag so as to contact airbag inflation gases passing therethrough and remove undesirable gases therefrom.

Abstract: The actuation of autoignition material in an airbag inflation device is facilitated by providing ports in the module can or housing of the airbag inflation device, and filling the ports with plugs of a fusible, low-melting material, so that when exposed to bonfire conditions, the plugs melt and the ports provide access to the autoignition material.

Abstract: An air bag cushion with a controlling doubler to provide occupant protection during both normal and out of position deployment has an enlarged gas permeable area for venting inflation gases. An obstruction to full deployment, such as a person against the steering wheel, causes venting through the enlarged area to be maintained thereby to prevent a full pressure build up which may cause injury to such person as he is pushed out of the way as the cushion deploys. Displacement of the face panel beyond a predetermined position releases a hinge mounted flap of gas impermeable material which seals off that portion of the gas permeable area that is in excess of the venting needed for a normal deployment. The flap is propelled to a closing position by the inflation gas during deployment.

Abstract: An air bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises several sewn fabrics parts. All fabric parts consist of fabric which has the same fiber density and filament yarn. The gas permeability curve of the entire gas bag increases as a function of the internal gage pressure. At a gage pressure of approximately 10 kPa the permeability is at a value between approximately 0.4 and approximately 1.0 m.sup.3 /s. On further increases in gage pressure to values between approximately 10 kPa and approximately 20 kPa, the gas permeability of the air bag reaches a maximum and then decreases when the gage pressure is above approximately 20 kPa to at least approximately 40 kPa. This form of the gas permeability curve means that hardness of the air bag is automatically regulated in order to provide low hardness during the initial pressure build up.

Abstract: An automotive airbag module housing contains an inflator and a cushion to be inflated. When excessive pressure develops in the module housing, it is relieved through ports in the module housing. The ports are covered with a thin membrane or foil which ruptures before the excessive pressure can damage the airbag cushion during deployment, thereby relieving the pressure in the module housing and in the airbag and avoiding injury to the occupant of the automotive vehicle. The present invention is applicable to any airbag module in which an inflator is completely enclosed within the module housing. It is particularly applicable to passenger side airbag modules.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant (14) includes woven air bag material defining a chamber (20) into which inflation fluid is directed to inflate the air bag (10). The air bag material (10) has an opening (30) for venting fluid from the chamber (20). Reinforcement material (36) is fixedly secured to the air bag (10) and surrounds the opening (30) in the air bag material (10). The reinforcement material (36) has a weave orientation (52) that extends at an angle to a weave orientation (50) of the air bag material (10). Orientation means (40, 42) on the air bag (10) and the reinforcement material (36) help ensure that the weave orientations extend at an angle to each other.

Abstract: A cover for covering an air bag in a motor vehicle has a thin elastic plastic skin, a rigid substrate and an intermediate layer of soft plastic foam. The skin has a tear seam and the substrate includes a door that is impacted by the inflating air bag and presses outward against the foam layer and the skin to tear the foam layer and the tear seam and then swing outward with a torn section of the foam layer and skin to form an opening in the cover for deployment of the air bag into the passenger space in the vehicle. The tear seam in the skin is formed with extremely small laser machined holes that are not observable to a person of normal vision when viewed from a normal viewing distance in the passenger compartment by having a maximum hole size dimension at the outer side of the skin that does not exceed about 0.0005 inches.

Abstract: An air bag cushion having improved frangible vent coverings. The cushion includes one or more vent openings which will permit the inflation gas to exit the cushion and provide the proper pressure reduction for preventing injury to the passenger. Each of the vent openings includes a frangible covering associated therewith. The coverings include a main body have a peripheral shape and size to extend beyond the edge of the vent opening. the main body overlies and completely covers the vent opening. The periphery of the covering is frangibly secured to the cushion, such as by a tear seam. The covering also includes a tab extending outward from the main body, and also overlying the cushion. The tab is permanently secured to the cushion, such as by a permanent seam. The tear seam is designed to release when the pressure in the cushion, acting upon the portion of the covering overlying the vent, exceeds a predetermined pressure which is known to be associated with compression of the cushion by the passenger.

Abstract: The invention is a combination of an air bag device and a vehicle. An air bag for the air bag device for a passenger seat or a rear seat is structured by superposing a lower panel and an upper panel and sewing up the peripheral portions of the panels. The lower panel is longer than the upper panel. Portions of the lower panel are superposed each other and extended out of the air bag so as to form elongated portions. A protrusion of the air bag is formed by sewing up side edges of the elongated portions with threads.

Abstract: A side impact head air bag (50), when inflated, has a C-shaped body portion (160) which includes side sections (172, 174) and an end section (176). A channel portion (170) of the air bag (50) extends into the body portion (160) and has a terminal outlet (202) disposed between an inflation fluid inlet (200) and an outer end portion (190) of the body portion. The side sections (172, 174) are folded under the channel portion (170) and the air bag (50) is thereafter rolled into a compact shape when deflated. The channel portion (170) unrolls and inflates before the body portion (160) inflates.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of a reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a conventionally extruded one-piece canister structure body part having first and second opposite side walls and a bridging portion joining the first and second opposite side walls. In the body part, at least one of the bridging portion, first side wall and second side wall includes a tear seam adapted to tear under the influence of a build-up of pressure thereagainst to provide venting of such pressure. As a result of alleviating concerns such as of material fragmentation when exposed to extreme heat conditions, e.g., a fire, the invention allows the more widespread use of light weight, temperature sensitive materials in reaction canister constructions.

Abstract: An air bag cushion having variable volume. The air bag includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of both an intermediate rear wall and an outer rear wall. Both of these rear walls are operatively connected to the gas generator, but the outer rear wall has a larger area than the intermediate rear wall. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and intermediate wall. The intermediate wall, however, is connected to the gas generator in a manner which permits its release upon exceeding a predetermined pressure within the bag. Above this pressure the intermediate wall is released and the gas inflates the larger volume defined between the front wall and the outer rear wall. As such, if a small amount of gas is produced, such as for a minor collision or due to reduced ambient temperature, the smaller volume is inflated to the proper pressure.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for protecting a vehicle occupant during a side collision provides airbags laterally adjacent to the head and torso portions of the occupant. The airbags are fillable with propellant gas by at least one gas generator contained in the same unit as the airbags in response to a signal from a collision sensor connected to a control unit. To permit the airbag arrangement to be as small in volume as possible, the airbags may be combined in one unit. The airbags are deployable forwardly in the direction of view of the occupant and, when filled, have a substantially C-shaped contour in side view. The unit containing the airbags and the gas generator may be mounted either in a vehicle component or on a structural part of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag including a first panel of calendered uncoated fabric with a permeability of less than approximately 2 CFM at a pressure drop of 0.5 inches of water and at least one second panel of calendered uncoated fabric of the same yarn and weave type as the first panel operatively associated with the first panel. The at least one second panel has a permeability of greater than approximately 2 CFM at a pressure drop of 0.5 inches of water. At least one of the panels is constructed of a fabric having been processed to a controlled higher permeability subsequent to calendering.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflatable air bag with a plurality of air valves and at least one internal, gas-operated extension member for deploying the bag, with three such members being preferred. The extension members are generally tubular, being inside the bag. Each is attached at its first, base end to a gas source, its second end being free. Prior to deployment of the air bag, the extension members are compactly within the bag. On demand, a gas source is activated to inflate the extension members, straightening each quickly into a substantially straight, elongated pressurized tube expanding the bag. Ambient air from the passenger compartment of the vehicle flows rapidly into the bag as it expands to create an impact-absorbing cushion.

Abstract: Collision-protection devices for vehicle passengers, are disclosed which include a gas cushion which is connected to a gas generator and inflates under sensor control in the event of an accident and hence protects the body of a vehicle passenger from a collision causing injury, e.g., against the instrument panel or windscreen. The gas cushion has, in this instance, one or more escape openings. According to the invention, the escape opening points towards an open cover flap when the gas cushion is inflated, which cover flap, in the closed state, covers the folded-up gas cushion. Only once a predetermined pressure has been exceeded does the cover flap free the escape opening to enable gas to be discharged in an escape flow distributed over an area of the gas cushion surface.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a first fabric panel (60), a second fabric panel (62), and a seam (64) at which the fabric panels (60,62) are fastened to each other. The restraint (12) further includes a vent opening (128) which interrupts the seam (64) to direct inflation fluid to exit the restraint (12) between the fabric panels (60,62). The restraint (12) is inflated between a vehicle seat (16) and an adjacent vehicle door (18) upon the occurrence of a side impact collision, and protects an occupant of the seat (16) from being forcefully struck by the door (18). The vent opening (128) directs the inflation fluid to exit the restraint (12) in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction in which the door (18) is moved toward the seat (16) by the side impact collision.

Abstract: An air bag structure for restraining a vehicle occupant comprises air bag material (10) having first and second portions. A rectangular vent opening (16) is defined in the air bag material (10). The rectangular vent opening (16) is defined by folded edges (42) of four triangular flaps (20) of the first portion of air bag material folded over and onto the second portion of air bag material. The flaps (20) are secured in the folded position to the second portion of the air bag material. Preferably, the flaps (20) are secured in the folded position using stitches (22) which extend around the periphery of the rectangular vent opening (16).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable air bag (16). When the air bag (16) is inflated to a predetermined pressure, a vent valve assembly (26) opens and vents fluid from the air bag. The vent valve assembly (26) connects the air bag (16) with a support structure. In one embodiment, the vent valve assembly connects the air bag with a door (14) of a vehicle. The vent valve assembly includes a base (46) which extends through an opening (34) in the air bag (16) and through an opening (36) in an inner panel (32) of the vehicle door (14). The base (46) clamps the air bag against the inner panel (32) of the vehicle door (14). The vent valve assembly (26) includes a metal valve element (50) which is plastically deformed by fluid pressure in the air bag (16) to enable fluid to flow from the air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant shoulder restraint (51) is located on a vehicle door (16) and is inflatable from a stored condition on the door to an inflated condition between the door and the shoulder area of an occupant. When inflated, the occupant shoulder restraint (51) engages the shoulder of the occupant. A vehicle occupant upper rib restraint (52, 53) is located on the vehicle door (16) and is inflatable from a stored condition on the door to an inflated condition between the door and the upper rib area of the occupant. When inflated, the shoulder restraint (51) extends further into the vehicle passenger compartment than the upper rib restraint (52, 53). When inflated, the occupant rib restraint (52, 53) engages upper the rib area of the occupant. A vehicle occupant head restraint (210) is located on the vehicle door (16) and is inflatable from a stored condition on the door to an inflated condition between the door and the head of the occupant.

Abstract: A valve is provided in an automotive airbag module housing to relieve any excessive pressure in the module housing as may occur during deployment of an airbag. The valve is formed entirely from material in the housing by punching out openings in the housing material. The invention is applicable to airbag inflating devices in which the inflator is enclosed entirely within the module housing and is particularly useful in passenger side airbag inflation devices.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having a dynamic burn vent wherethrough inflation gas can be appropriately vented therefrom. Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint has particular application for side impact restraint systems wherein increased venting by the dynamic vents occurs subsequent to full deployment of the inflatable restraint.

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 thin plastic film is used to make the airbag of this invention. A preferred embodiment uses multiple thin film airbags which are inflated and confined to act together through the use of a surrounding net. In another embodiment, multiple layers of anisotropic film are joined together to form an airbag which is resistant to tearing. The inflator, which is typically of the aspirated type, fills the airbags through a manifold in a controlled sequence until each bag is filled to a specific pressure indicative of either being fully inflated or of interaction with an occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with an inflatable air cushion in which an air cushion module comprising the inflatable air cushion and a gas generator for inflating the air cushion is mounted to a hollow member of the seat frame. The gas generator is substantially contained within the seat frame to minimize the packaging space required for the air cushion module. In addition, back pressure release gas from the gas generator is directed into the hollow interior of the frame to avoid the discharge of hot gas directly into the seat foam where the foam may be damaged by the heat.

Abstract: The invention is an airbag having two modes of deployment. In the normal mode, with a driver in the normal seated position, the airbag is fully deployed and inflated to attain its full normal reach and provide a cushion for protection of the driver in a collision. In the other mode, when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision, the airbag will deploy only to a shorter reach and thus protect the too-close driver from being forcibly pushed backwards by the airbag inflating to its full normal reach. In the mode for normal deployment an inner flap covers gas exhausting structure on the rear panel of the airbag to prevent escape of inflation gas from the airbag during inflation. But when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision the inner flap is held away from the gas exhausting structure, keeping such structure uncovered for escape of inflation gas which would otherwise fully inflate the airbag.

Abstract: A particulate impingement device is carried by the air bag and has an impingement surface overlying the vent hole at a spaced relationship away from the vent hole so that the inflation gas exiting the air bag through the vent hole impinges on the impingement surface to deposit particulate by-products within the inflation gas upon the impingement surface.

Abstract: An improved air cushion restraint system utilizes a gas flow-regulating valve having an inner membrane, an outer membrane, a pucker formed therebetween, and a flow passage from the air bag inflation chamber to the pucker for expulsion through an outer membrane aperture. The inner membrane is extensible in response to occupant impact with the air bag which exceeds a threshold value such that the inner membrane extends in response to such load where it is brought into nested engagement with the outer membrane pucker which flow restricts the aperture and stiffens the air bag.