Amsafe, Inc.

Other

Rick A Adkisson

Daniel E Coleman

Michael C Riley

Jack B Meister

Willard F Hagan

Lindsay P Zollinger

George C Crow

Dennis F Farquhar

The present invention relates to a buckle assembly for use in a restraint system for protecting a vehicle passenger during a crash event. The buckle assembly includes a connector, an airbag buckle and a means for ensuring that the connector may only be inserted into an airbag buckle and that the connector may only be inserted into an airbag buckle in a single orientation. The connector includes a mechanical stop with an offset edge. This offset edge must engage within a clearing slot located within the airbag buckle in order for the connector to latch into the airbag buckle. Latching of the connecting element with other non-airbag buckles or with the air bag buckle when the connector is not in the proper orientation is thus prevented.

Airbag buckle assembly

The disclosed invention relates to self-centering airbags, restraint systems that use them and the methods for manufacturing and tuning them. Sculpturing, which includes forming at least one cutout in the airbag, is used to form an airbag that when deployed, has a centerline that is not necessarily centered about the point at which the airbag is fixed to a structure (the fixation point). The self-centering airbag can be used as part of a restraint system, wherein the self-centering airbag is embedded within a structure such as a safety belt. Because the centerline of the self-centering airbag can be adjusted, the self-centering airbag does not need to be embedded in the safety belt in a location that, when worn by a passenger, is central with respect to the relevant part of the passenger's body. The location of the deployed self-centering airbag's centerline can also be adjusted or tuned by varying the distance between the self-centering airbag centerline and the fixation point, the angle at which the self-centering airbag is attached to a structure, and the method by which the self-centering airbag is folded in preparation for deployment.

Self-centering airbag and method for manufacturing and tuning the same

Apparatus for use in passenger inflatable air-bag safety systems for preventing activation of an activator inflator from causing premature activation of any inflator not yet activated by system programming. The apparatus includes structure for isolating the pressure releasing construction from shock waves created when an inflator is activated and takes the form of mechanical barriers that isolate each inflator release structure from exposure to shock waves.

Multiple inflator safety cushion

An apparatus (,) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, includes an inflatable protection device (,) and an inflator (,) for, upon actuation, providing inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device. The apparatus (,) further comprises means (,) for supporting the inflator (,) on a vehicle portion (,) for movement in a first direction (I) relative to the vehicle portion in response to actuation of the inflator. Damping means (,) is connected between the inflator (,) and the vehicle portion (,) for damping movement of the inflator in the first direction (I) relative to the vehicle portion. The damping means (,) comprises a member (,) having an opening (,). The member (,) is crushable in response to movement of the inflator (,) in the first direction (I) to close the opening (,) in the member.

Air bag module

A vehicle passenger safety system for use where independent power is required. The system includes as cooperating elements: an independent source of power; a passenger restraining belt; an inflatable bag stored in the belt; crash event sensors; belt orientating structure; a source of inflating gas; and, in the preferred embodiment programmed electronics that control functioning of the safety system and prolong the service life of the independent power source.

Growing community of inventors

Gilbert, AZ, United States of America

Rick A Adkisson