Zf Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC

Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

T K Holdings, Inc.

David Ryan Varcoe

Douglas M Gould

Jason Carl Lisseman

Valerie D Gardner

Gabriela Diaz

Kurt F Fischer

Hylus Ranjit Raj Jayakar

Joseph C Popek

Tobias Klenk

Uriah Horton

Jason Bare

Diaz Gabriela

Navin Chopra

Kiran Mohan Veepuri

Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.

Steering grip light bar systems

An apparatus for helping to protect occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision includes a deployable restraint having a stored, predeployment condition in a vehicle floor. The restraint is deployable from the floor to restrain the feet and/or lower legs of an occupant from swinging forward and upward in response to a vehicle collision. In one configuration, the deployable restraint can include a module comprising an airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag. The module can include a door that opens in response to deployment of the airbag and that serves as a reaction surface for the airbag. In another configuration, the deployable restraint can include a restraining panel configured to move to a deployed position extending above the vehicle floor adjacent the occupants lower leg and feet.

Apparatus and method for floor-mounted passenger lower leg protection

An apparatus includes an airbag configured to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle and deployable downward from the vehicle roof. The airbag has a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated and concealed behind a vehicle headliner. The airbag has an inflated and deployed condition in which a first portion is configured to extend along a portion of a windshield, a second portion is configured to extend rearward from the first portion toward an occupant, and a third portion is configured to extend downward from the second portion and to be positioned between the occupant and a display screen. A deployment tether is configured to initially delay deployment of the second portion of the airbag while the third portion deploys. The deployment tether is configured to rupture after the initial delay so the second portion can fully inflate and deploy.

Roof mounted frontal airbag with display screen protection

An adaptor for connecting a fill tube to an inflator includes a sleeve configured to fit over a discharge end portion of the inflator and to be connected to the inflator. The adaptor also includes an end portion comprising a nipple configured to receive and connect with the fill tube, wherein the sleeve is configured to direct inflation fluid discharged from the inflator toward the nipple, and the nipple is configured to direct the inflation fluid into the fill tube.

Fill tube adaptor for inflator

An apparatus helps to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen that is positioned rearward of an occupant facing surface of the instrument panel and that extends vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes an airbag configured to have a stored condition in which the airbag is rolled and/or folded and positioned within the instrument panel at a location below the display screen. The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source. The airbag is configured to deploy in an upward direction through a space between the occupant and the instrument panel to a position in which the airbag is positioned between the display screen and the occupant.

Frontal occupant protection from display screen

A roof airbag module includes an airbag configured to inflate and deploy away from a vehicle roof toward a vehicle seat. The airbag module also includes an airbag housing configured to support the airbag in a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated and at least one of rolled and folded. The airbag module also includes an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the airbag to inflate the airbag. The airbag module further includes a module cover connected to the airbag housing and configured to conceal the airbag in the stored condition. The module cover includes a deployment door having an interior surface facing an interior of the housing and engaging the airbag in the stored condition, and an opposite exterior surface comprising a class A surface configured to be in direct view from the passenger compartment. The interior surface of the deployment door comprises one or more tear seams configured to rupture in response to airbag inflation, which opens the deployment door and releases the airbag to inflate and deploy.

Roof mounted airbag module

An apparatus, system, and method for helping to protect occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision. The apparatus comprising an inflatable tube having a first and second end connected to the floor of the vehicle and a middle portion therebetween and an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the inflatable tube in response to a vehicle collision. The inflatable tube is configured to inflate and deploy from the vehicle floor in response to receiving inflation fluid from the inflator. The middle portion extends from the floor and forms an arch into which the lower legs and/or feet of the occupant can move into in response to a collision and be restrained.

Leg restraining airbag

A module for a vehicle including a roof and a cabin includes a housing defining a chamber and having an opening in fluid communication with the chamber. The housing is configured for placement in the roof. An airbag is provided in the chamber and is inflatable to a deployed condition extending through the opening into the cabin. A door pivotably connected to the housing closes the opening. The door is pivotable away from the roof in response to deployment of the airbag to provide a reaction surface for the deploying airbag. The door has a first length while closing the opening and a second length greater than the first length when pivoted away from the roof.

Growing community of inventors

Bruce Township, MI, United States of America

David Ryan Varcoe