Disclosed is a fastener for securing a retaining element on a support, wherein the fastener is formed like a retaining clip and has at least one leg and at least one engaging section, wherein the engaging section extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the fastener and is designed to engage with the retaining element. The leg has at least one latching section for retaining the retaining element on the support at an opening of the support, wherein the fastener has a channel for a section of the retaining element, wherein the fastener has at least one contact region for the retaining element that is positioned at least partially within the channel, and the contact region is functionally connected to the engaging section via a connecting section, wherein the contact region has an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the channel.

Disclosed is a fastener for securing a retaining element on a support, wherein the fastener is formed like a retaining clip and has at least one leg and at least one engaging section, wherein the engaging section extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the fastener and is designed to engage with the retaining element. The leg has at least one latching section for retaining the retaining element on the support at an opening of the support, wherein the fastener has a channel for a section of the retaining element, wherein the fastener has at least one contact region for the retaining element that is positioned at least partially within the channel, and the contact region is functionally connected to the engaging section via a connecting section, wherein the contact region has an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the channel.

The present disclosure describes a module base element for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising at least one module carrier for receiving at least one airbag module wherein the airbag module comprises at least one airbag and the airbag is connected to a gas source, especially a gas generator, and comprising a hinged arm having at least one hinged element so that the module carrier can be moved from an idle position to an operating position and from an operating position to an idle position, and comprising a lap restraint element. The present disclosure further describes a vehicle occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat comprising at least one restraint element, wherein at least one restraint element of the vehicle occupant protection system is disposed in a module base element according to the present disclosure.

The present disclosure describes a module base element for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising at least one module carrier for receiving at least one airbag module wherein the airbag module comprises at least one airbag and the airbag is connected to a gas source, especially a gas generator, and comprising a hinged arm having at least one hinged element so that the module carrier can be moved from an idle position to an operating position and from an operating position to an idle position, and comprising a lap restraint element. The present disclosure further describes a vehicle occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat comprising at least one restraint element, wherein at least one restraint element of the vehicle occupant protection system is disposed in a module base element according to the present disclosure.

Inflatable airbag assemblies and methods are disclosed for a vehicle seating position having a utility component or occupant accessory that at least partially extends over a seat of the vehicle seating position. The utility component/occupant accessory may be stowable, and may be adjustable upward-downward, fore-aft, rotationally, etc. The utility component/occupant accessory may house an inflatable airbag cushion of the inflatable airbag assembly, which may deploy in a collision event so as to be disposed between the utility component/occupant accessory and the vehicle seating position.

Inflatable airbag assemblies and methods are disclosed for a vehicle seating position having a utility component or occupant accessory that at least partially extends over a seat of the vehicle seating position. The utility component/occupant accessory may be stowable, and may be adjustable upward-downward, fore-aft, rotationally, etc. The utility component/occupant accessory may house an inflatable airbag cushion of the inflatable airbag assembly, which may deploy in a collision event so as to be disposed between the utility component/occupant accessory and the vehicle seating position.

A vehicle has an automatically tiltable seat, a plurality of seat actuators fully supporting the automatically-tiltable seat to enable the automatically tiltable seat to pitch or roll to compensate for motion of the vehicle, and a processor to predict the motion of the vehicle and to control the plurality of seat actuators. The plurality of seat actuators automatically adjust the pitch or roll of the automatically tiltable seat in response to the motion of the vehicle. The seat actuators also provide shock absorption.

A vehicle has an automatically tiltable seat, a plurality of seat actuators fully supporting the automatically-tiltable seat to enable the automatically tiltable seat to pitch or roll to compensate for motion of the vehicle, and a processor to predict the motion of the vehicle and to control the plurality of seat actuators. The plurality of seat actuators automatically adjust the pitch or roll of the automatically tiltable seat in response to the motion of the vehicle. The seat actuators also provide shock absorption.

An occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant sitting in a seat includes a seatbelt that includes a lap belt for arresting the pelvis of the occupant, and an airbag disposed in the lap belt. The airbag is coupled to the lap belt in such a manner as to be movable relative to the lap belt in a left and right direction, and includes a main inflatable portion that is deployable in front of upper body of the occupant, and a positioning inflatable portion that protrudes from a lower end region of the main inflatable portion. The positioning inflatable portion includes a contact surface that contacts and is supported by an environmental member which is disposed in a circumference of the lap belt at airbag deployment, whereby helps align a center in the left and right direction of the main inflatable portion generally with that of the upper body.

A hollow article such as an active bolster for an automobile is formed of an injection molded panel having a ridge and furrow adjacent a panel perimeter and an injection molded sheet having a bonding section at a sheet outer periphery, wherein the bonding section is within the furrow. An injection molded bond is formed between the bonding section and furrow, wherein a compression area where the sheet overlies a region of the panel adjacent the furrow is configured to constrain the bond to the furrow. An associated process and system facilitates mold alignment, part alignment, material strength, design adaptability, efficient processing, reduced labor, increased production rates, reduced energy consumption per part, aesthetically pleasing surfaces, and reduces or eliminates the need for a separate welding operation.