Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between the vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) defines an inflatable volume (58) that includes a forward portion (64) and a rearward portion (66). An inflation fluid source (24) is in fluid communication with a fill tube (22) and provides helium inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). The fill tube (22) includes outlet apertures (100) that direct the inflation fluid into the inflatable volume to inflate the device (14) initially to a first pressure and maintain the device inflated above a second pressure for a predetermined time. The inflation fluid directed into the inflatable volume (58) has a temperature and a pressure that are generally the same in the forward and rearward portions (64 and 66) during initial inflation of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A vent member (30) includes at least one vent opening (62) for venting the inflation fluid. A vent cover (100) has a closed condition for blocking fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (62) and an open condition for permitting fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The vent cover (100) includes a side wall (110) that has at least one portion (134, 372) that projects from the side wall into the vent member (30) to help maintain the vent cover in the closed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A vent member (30) includes at least one vent opening (62) for venting the inflation fluid. A vent cover (100) has a closed condition for blocking fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (62) and an open condition for permitting fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The vent cover (100) includes a side wall (110) that has at least one portion (134, 372) that projects from the side wall into the vent member (30) to help maintain the vent cover in the closed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14). The inflator (14) has a cylindrical configuration and a plurality of inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has an annular vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition removed at least partially from the vent wall and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) on the vent cover (100) has an unactuated condition maintaining the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the vent cover for movement to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a sensor (86) for sensing a vehicle crash. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) has a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (38) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid under pressure from the inflation fluid source (38) toward the inflatable device (12) upon actuation of the inflation fluid source. The housing (16) has at least one burst panel (44) attached to the housing. Initiating means (76), when actuated, enables the at least one burst panel (44) to detach from the housing (16) to a condition spaced apart from the housing to enable flow of inflation fluid out of the housing through an opening (74) in the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a sensor (86) for sensing a vehicle crash. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) has a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (38) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid under pressure from the inflation fluid source (38) toward the inflatable device (12) upon actuation of the inflation fluid source. The housing (16) has at least one burst panel (44) attached to the housing. Initiating means (76), when actuated, enables the at least one burst panel (44) to detach from the housing (16) to a condition spaced apart from the housing to enable flow of inflation fluid out of the housing through an opening (74) in the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The device (14), when inflated, has a perimeter (48) at least partially defined by upper and lower edges (50 and 52) if the device. The device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) interconnected to form a perimeter connection (46) extending along said perimeter (48) and defining an inflatable volume (60), and points of connection (82) defining inflatable chambers (400) of the device. The points of connection (82) include at least one of round connections (84) and line connections (90).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus 10 includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device 14, an inflator 12, a retainer 100, a reaction plate 70, and a fastener 110. The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device 14 has a portion 41 defining an inlet opening 144. The inflator 12 has a housing 60 and a mounting flange 64 that projects from the housing 60. The housing 60 extends through the inlet opening 144 into the vehicle occupant protection device 14. The retainer 100 is located in said vehicle occupant protection device 14 and extends circumferentially around the housing 60. The reaction plate 70 has a base portion 72 and at least one spring finger 80 attached to the base portion 72. The spring finger 80 has a support surface 82 for engaging a first side 68 of the mounting flange 64. The fastener 110 secures the retainer 100, the protection device 14, and the reaction plate 70 together as an assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between the vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) defines an inflatable volume (58) that includes a forward portion (64) and a rearward portion (66). An inflation fluid source (24) is in fluid communication with a fill tube (22) and provides helium inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). The fill tube (22) includes outlet apertures (100) that direct the inflation fluid into the inflatable volume to inflate the device (14) initially to a first pressure and maintain the device inflated above a second pressure for a predetermined time. The inflation fluid directed into the inflatable volume (58) has a temperature and a pressure that are generally the same in the forward and rearward portions (64 and 66) during initial inflation of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a retainer structure (80), a reaction structure (28), and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The retainer structure (80) has a first clamping surface (92). The reaction structure (28) has a second clamping surface (112). The protection device (14) includes a pair of adjacent fabric panels (60, 62) that are clamped between the clamping surfaces (92) and (112). The panels (60, 62) are joined along a seam (68) which is thicker than the panels (60, 62). At least one of the clamping surfaces (92, 112) is discontinuous across the seam (68) to define a gap (114) through which the seam (68) extends. This arrangement provides clearance between the retainer structure (80) and the reaction structure (28) for the thickness of the seam (68).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for covering an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) includes a cover (70) including a portion (82) movable upon inflation of the inflatable device from a closed condition to an open condition. A membrane switch (100) underlying the cover (70) is in an electric circuit for actuating an electrically actuatable device (102) of the vehicle. The cover (70) is engageable by the vehicle occupant to operate the membrane switch (100) and thereby to actuate the electrically actuatable device (102). The apparatus (10) includes a back plate (110) for the membrane switch (100). The back plate (110) has a plurality of fastener openings (120). The cover (70) has a plurality of projections (90) extending with an interference fit through the fastener openings (120) in the back plate (110) to secure the back plate to the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for covering an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) includes a cover (70) including a portion (82) movable upon inflation of the inflatable device from a closed condition to an open condition. A retainer (50) supports the inflatable device (40) on a portion of the vehicle. A membrane switch (100) in an electric circuit for actuating an electrically actuatable device (102) of the vehicle is movable with the movable portion (82) of the cover (70) from the closed condition to the open condition. The cover (70) has a portion engageable by the vehicle occupant to operate the membrane switch (100) and thereby to actuate the electrically actuatable device (102). The apparatus (10) includes a rigid back plate (110) for the membrane switch (100), and fasteners (90, 120) for connecting the back plate with the movable portion of the cover (70).

Abstract: An air bag module (16) includes an inflator (12) and a reaction plate (60). A fastener (66) interconnects the inflator (12) and the reaction plate (60). The air bag module (16) further includes a cover (50) and a clip (70). The cover (50) defines a pivotal deployment door (52), and has a side wall (150) spaced from the fastener (66). The clip (70) is attached to the reaction plate (60) by the fastener (66), and extends from the fastener (70) to the side wall (150) of the cover (50). The clip (70) engages the side wall (150) of the cover (50) to interconnect the cover (50) and the reaction plate (60).

Abstract: In a method of folding an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), such as an air bag, the protection device (14) is initially placed in a square configuration. The square configuration is bounded by four side edges (60,62,64,66) of a square panel layer (56) which overlies an inlet opening (46) in the protection device (14). Next, four corner portions (90) of the protection device (14) are pivoted inward about four corresponding fold lines (80,82,84,86). This places the protection device (14) in a smaller square configuration which is bounded by the four fold lines (80-86). The pivoting step is repeated to place the protection device (14) in a successively smaller square configuration each time that step is repeated.