Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Kathleen K Stawara

Kurt F Fischer

Carl M Petersen, Iii

Gary M Ray

Paul M Lange

Paul R Walsh

An occupant safety apparatus (10) is for mounting on an instrument panel (20) of a vehicle (12) which extends generally rearward in the vehicle from the vehicle windshield (22) and which defines a deployment opening (60). The safety apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (44) having an uninflated condition and an inflated condition. The safety apparatus (10) also comprises an inflator (46) for, when actuated, inflating the protection device (44). A door (70) covers substantially the entire deployment opening (60). The door (70) has a first edge portion (72) disposed closer to the vehicle windshield (22) and a second edge portion (74) disposed farther from the vehicle windshield. A hinge (76) is connected to the second edge portion (74) of the door adjacent the instrument panel (20). The hinge (76) supports the door (70) on the instrument panel (20) for pivotal movement about the hinge between a closed condition covering substantially the entire deployment opening (60) and an open condition in which the second edge portion (74) of the door remains connected with the hinge and adjacent the instrument panel and the first edge portion (72) of the door is spaced farther from the instrument panel than in the closed condition.

Deployment door for air bag module

A height adjuster (10) for a shoulder belt (26) includes a base (20) which is mountable on a vehicle body and has a plurality of apertures (58). A carriage mechanism (80) is slidable along the base (20) and carries a belt guide (82). A latch mechanism (84) also is carried on the carriage mechanism (80). The latch mechanism (84) includes a latch member (190) which is pivotable about a first axis (210) relative to the carriage mechanism (80). The latch member (190) has an end portion (196) receivable in one of the apertures (58) for blocking movement of the carriage mechanism (80) relative to the base (20). At least one manually engageable release lever (240) is carried on the carriage mechanism (80) and is pivotable about a second axis (264) transverse to the first axis (210). The release lever (240) has a first portion (254) engageable with the latch member ( 190) for pivoting the latch member (190) about the first axis (210) to remove the end portion (196) of the latch member (190) from the one of the apertures (58) to release the carriage mechanism (80) for sliding movement relative to the base (20). The release lever (240) has a manually engageable second portion (248) for pivoting the release lever (240) about the second axis (264).

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Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Kathleen K Stawara