Apparatus, methods, and systems for repositioning a steering wheel and/or airbag cushion prior to and/or during deployment of the airbag cushion resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments may comprise a steering wheel configured to be positioned between a first, operational configuration and a second, deployed configuration at least in part by a translational movement of the steering wheel. An airbag cushion may be deployable from the steering wheel and may be configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration before or during deployment of the airbag cushion.

An airbag system includes a seat back having a first location and a second location spaced from the first location. The airbag system includes a housing pivotally supported by the seat back at the first location. The airbag system includes a linear actuator including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is fixed to the seat back at the second location. The second end is fixed to the housing.

An assembly includes a base having a pinion. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the base. The assembly includes a rack configured to engage the pinion. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic device configured to move the rack relative to the base and cause the rack to engage the pinion and rotate the base upon actuation of the pyrotechnic device.

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for fastening a gas generator (11) in an oscillatory manner as a vibration damping mass inside an airbag module. A fastening ring (12) provided for fastening the gas generator (11) has at least one elastic section (14) and at least one reinforcement insert (15) for reinforcing the fastening ring (12) and securing the fastening ring (12) to the gas generator. A surface of the reinforcement insert (15) is made at least in part of plastic.

An assembly includes a base having a pinion. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the base. The assembly includes a rack configured to engage the pinion. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic device configured to move the rack relative to the base and cause the rack to engage the pinion and rotate the base upon actuation of the pyrotechnic device.

Apparatus, methods, and systems for repositioning a steering wheel and/or airbag cushion prior to and/or during deployment of the airbag cushion resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments may comprise a steering wheel configured to be positioned between a first, operational configuration and a second, deployed configuration at least in part by a translational movement of the steering wheel. An airbag cushion may be deployable from the steering wheel and may be configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration before or during deployment of the airbag cushion.

An assembly for a vehicle includes a front pillar and a rear pillar. The front pillar and the rear pillar define a door opening. The vehicle includes a first track supported by the front pillar and a second track supported by the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a bar extending from the first track to the second track. The bar is moveable relative to the first track and the second track from a lowered position to a raised position. The bar extends across the door opening in the raised position. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the bar. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position when the bar is in the raised position.

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.

An assembly for a vehicle includes a front pillar and a rear pillar. The front pillar and the rear pillar define a door opening. The vehicle includes a first track supported by the front pillar and a second track supported by the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a bar extending from the first track to the second track. The bar is moveable relative to the first track and the second track from a lowered position to a raised position. The bar extends across the door opening in the raised position. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the bar. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position when the bar is in the raised position.

An adjustable airbag system for a vehicle. The system includes an airbag assembly having an inflatable airbag within a housing, and an airbag housing orientation mechanism operatively coupled to the airbag housing. The airbag housing orientation mechanism is structured to enable control of an orientation of the airbag housing so as to enable deployment of the airbag to cushion an occupant positioned in either one of a driver side or a front passenger side of the vehicle.