Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Autoliv Development Ab

Francis Joseph Holmes

Barry C Worrell

James Lloyd Webber

Joseph M Johnson

Robert Raymond Niederman

George Frank Richards

Mark Thomas Winters

Michael Joseph Vendely

Brian Thomas Finnigan

David Scott Weckesser

Harold W Morgan

Troy A Augustine

David G Greensien

Dan J Lestingi

A cover for a driver's side airbag module is provided, the cover having a central body portion with an opening disposed therein, the central body portion having a predetermined tear seam for defining a pair of deployable doors, the predetermined tear seam extending through the opening. The cover also includes a horn switch assembly inserted into the opening; and a tether secured to the horn switch assembly, the tether retaining the horn switch assembly with the cover after deployment of the pair of deployable doors along the predetermined tear seam, wherein the horn switch assembly is dislodged from the opening when the pair of deployable doors deploy along the predetermined tear seam.

Airbag module cover

A gear system for coupling a steering wheel to a steering wheel shaft, comprising: a first gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel, wherein rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the first gear; a second gear engaged to the first gear and configured to rotate about another axis when the steering wheel is rotated, wherein the another axis is displaced from the first axis; and a housing disposed about the gear system, wherein the housing remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel.

Static driver airbag module using steering wheel mounted gears

In an automotive steering wheel-airbag module assembly a gear system is coupled to a steering wheel and to a steering shaft or column for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel directly to the steering shaft or column. An airbag module is positioned within the diameter of the steering wheel, wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel.

A mounting mechanism for an inflatable restraint system includes a spring housing having a spring cavity and a plurality of first apertures extending therethrough. The spring housing is adapted to be disposed adjacent and connected to a support structure and aligned with a plurality of second apertures extending through the support structure. The mounting mechanism also includes a spring disposed in the spring cavity and extending across the first apertures and adapted to retain a plurality of mounting members of an inflatable restraint module extending through the first apertures and the second apertures to the support structure. The spring includes at least one torsion coil to reduce a bending moment of the spring when deflected by the mounting members of the inflatable restraint module.

Mounting mechanism for inflatable restraint system

A driver air bag module is provided that is attachable to the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle and includes dual cylindrical inflators mounted to a base plate to which an air cushion enclosing cover is attached. The inflators are retained in recesses defined between an inflator retainer and the base plate which provide means for directing gas from the inflators into the air cushion. The assembly utilizes relatively inexpensive cylindrical inflators which may be operated together for maximum pressure inflation of the air cushion or singly for a lesser pressure inflation where operation of the air cushion at a lower pressure is desired.

Driver air bag module

An air bag module and steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module and a steering wheel. The air bag module includes a base plate and an air bag. At least one mounting member extends from the base plate and through the air bag to attach the air bag to the base plate. A cover has at least one vertically extending side wall including at least one cover slot in which the air bag and base plate are loosely seated therein while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate. The air bag is trapped in the cover slot between side wall and the base plate. The steering wheel has a receiving area for receiving the module therein for attachment to the steering wheel. An upstanding capture plate forms a vertically extending wall generally surrounding the receiving area. The capture plate engages the side wall of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and captures the side wall of the cover and the air bag between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover and the air bag are anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.

Air bag module and steering wheel assembly

An air bag module and steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module and a steering wheel. The air bag module includes a base plate, an air bag attached to the base plate, and a cover having downwardly extending side walls loosely connected to the base plate while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate, yet being sufficiently sturdy for transporting and storing of the module. The steering wheel includes an upstanding capture plate forming a vertically extending wall surrounding a receiving area. The capture plate engages the side walls of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and captures the side walls of the cover between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.

An arrangement of a supplemental inflation restraint for an automotive vehicle is provided including an elongated inflator having a main axis and also having first and second ends, and a housing for mounting within the vehicle which has a first end joined to and spaced from a second end. The housing first end has spring fingers for compliantly spheroidically mounting the first end of the inflator. The housing second end has an opening large enough for passage of the inflator first end. The housing also has a twist lock connection with the second end of the inflator to prevent the inflator from exiting the housing when the inflator is activated.

Fastenerless supplemental inflation restraint mounting

A hybrid air bag inflator is provided including an elongated first pressure chamber storing a compressed gas with first and second apertures; a first membrane sealing the first aperture; a second membrane for sealing the second aperture; a tube fluidly connecting with the first aperture and extending a substantial portion of the length of the first pressure chamber; a second pressure chamber mounted adjacent the first pressure chamber exposed to the first membrane; an igniter within the second chamber; a pyrotechnic material packaged within the second pressure chamber; a piston with a first end mounted in the tube and a second end for puncturing the second membrane, the piston being held in position within the central opening of the diffuser cap by a rupturable retainer; and a deflector ring mounted on the piston and encircling the same.

Growing community of inventors

Beavercreek, OH, United States of America

Francis Joseph Holmes