Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a housing (12) and an inflation fluid source (34) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator (38) is connected with the housing (12) for actuating the inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry (37) for actuating the initiator (38) to actuate the inflation fluid source (34) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device (36) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) (52) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source (34). Means (40) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) has an opening (14) for ingress to and egress from a passenger compartment (12) in the vehicle. A door (16) has a closed position blocking the opening (14) and an open position enabling ingress and egress through the opening. A structure (22, 60) assists in maintaining the door (16) in the closed position. An actuatable device (30, 74), when actuated, renders the structure unable to assist in maintaining the door in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (22) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and for maintaining the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in an inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator (22) contains a stored inflation fluid under pressure. The inflation fluid consists essentially of helium.

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 vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a seam (60) extending in a spiral-like manner from a location (64) within the boundaries of the vehicle occupant protection device to define a spiral-like chamber portion (80) of the vehicle occupant protection device (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from a vehicle roof (18) between a vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) further comprises an anchoring device (70) that comprises a track (72) and an element (74) that is slidable along the track. The track (72) is connected to the side structure (16) and has a wall (82, 200) comprising a smooth uninterrupted surface (94, 202). The element (74) is connected to the device (14) and has a surface (130, 242) that is in continuous engagement with the surface (94, 202) of the wall (82, 200). The device (14) applies a first force to the element (74) which causes the element to slide in a first direction along the track (72). The element (74) is urged to slide along the track (72) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, when a second force is applied to the element.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (14) that has a first slot (30) extending through the member within the periphery (32) of the member. The first slot (30) has opposed spaced surfaces (34) that define a gap (40) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member (14) includes first and second portions (42 and 44) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a sensor (16) that has a first end (100) connected to the first portion (42) on one side of the first slot (30) and an opposite second end (102) connected to the second portion (44) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus (10) further includes a fastener (20) for fixedly connecting the second portion (44) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion (42).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an actuatable inflator (14). A retainer (40) is connected with the protection device (12). The retainer (40) has a fixed portion (46) and a movable portion (48). The movable portion (48) is movable between a first condition and a second condition to vent inflation fluid from the protection device (12). The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (80) to release the movable portion (48) of the retainer (40) for movement from the first condition to the second condition. The apparatus (10) also includes vehicle electric circuitry (120) including a sensor (132) for sensing at least one occupant condition or vehicle condition and a controller (130) responsive to the sensor for controlling the electrically energizable mechanism (80).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises a steering column (18) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle steering wheel (14). The steering wheel (14) comprises a hub (16), a rim (22), and at least one spoke (24) extending from the hub to the rim. The steering wheel hub (16) supports the steering wheel (14) on the steering column (18) for rotation about an axis (20). The spoke (24) moves through a path of movement (30) as the steering wheel (14) rotates about the axis (20). The apparatus (10) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (44) is supported below the spoke (24) and for rotation with the steering wheel (14) about the axis (20). The protection device (44) is inflatable through the path of movement (30) of the spoke (24) to an inflated condition to help protect a driver of the vehicle (12).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12) that includes a base (28), a latch (42), a Hall effect device (60), and a pair of magnets (68) and (74). The base (28) defines a passage (32) into which the lockable element (16) is insertable. The latch (42) is made of a ferromagnetic material and is movable from a non-locking position to a locking position in which it engages the lockable element (16). The Hall effect device (60) is disposed between the magnets (68) and (74). The magnetic fields of the magnets (68) and (74) oppose each other. In the locking position, the magnets (68) and (74) provide a net magnetic field of a first magnitude that acts on the Hall effect device (60). In the non-locking position, the magnets (68) and (74) provide a magnetic field of a second magnitude acting on the Hall effect device (60) that is different than the net magnetic field of a first magnitude.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision comprises a steering wheel (11) including a steering wheel armature (12). The steering wheel armature (12) has a centrally located hub portion (20), a circumferentially extending rim portion (22), and at least one spoke (24, 46) extending between the rim portion and the hub portion. At least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134) is mounted on the steering wheel armature (12). An actuatable inflator (100), when actuated, inflates the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134). The inflator (100) forms at least a portion of the at least one spoke (24, 46) of the steering wheel armature (12).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device (34) comprises a vessel (12) containing stored gas (54) and ignitable material (62). The vessel (12) has a portion (30) that provides a first opening for fluid to flow from the vessel when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined pressure. The inflator (10) also comprises an igniter (72) for igniting the ignitable material (62) and increasing the pressure in the vessel (12). The inflator (10) also comprises a control part (40) upstream of the portion (30) for controlling fluid flow to the first opening. The control part (40) defines a second opening (46) that increases in size as the pressure in the vessel (12) increases.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (18) toward the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a vent opening (30) in the housing (16) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) also includes a member (50) movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (16) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable fastener (12) for holding the member (70) in the closed position. The actuatable fastener (12) comprises an air bag inflator initiator (100).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (11) in the event of a side impact to the vehicle comprises a vehicle door (30) for location adjacent to and outboard of a vehicle seat (38). An air bag module (12) mounted in the door (30) includes an air bag (14) and an actuatable inflator (16) for inflating the air bag from a deflated condition stowed in the door to an inflated condition extending inboard from the door. The vehicle door (30) comprises a structural door panel (32), at least one exterior skin panel (36) supported on the structural panel, and at least one interior trim panel (34) supported on the structural door panel. The structural door panel (32) is formed as one piece and has module portions (50) disposed between the interior trim panel (34) and the exterior skin panel (36). The module portions (50) define a recess (52) in the structural door panel (32) for receiving and supporting the module (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicled. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) having a retainer portion (22). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) inflates in a primary direction toward a vehicle occupant. A reaction can (12) has an opening (13) through which the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) inflates. The reaction can (12) further has at least one channel portion (60). The channel portion (60) secures the retainer portion (22) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) against movement in the primary direction. A cover (14) closes the opening (13). The cover (14) has at least one projection (90). The projection (90) defines a chamber (99) that receives the retainer portion (22) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The projection (90) of the cover (14) and the retainer portion (22) are located in the channel portion (60) of the reaction can (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (20) and a refrigerant under pressure in the container (20) in a liquid state. The container (20) is openable to enable the refrigerant to flow out of the container into the inflatable device (14). At least a portion of the refrigerant that flows from the container (20) vaporizes to a gaseous state to help inflate the inflatable device (14). The apparatus (10) includes an aspiration passage (42) enabling aspiration of ambient air into the inflatable device (14) with the refrigerant to help inflate the inflatable device. At least a portion of the refrigerant that flows from the container (20) is located in the inflatable device (14) in a liquid state. That portion of the refrigerant thereafter changes from the liquid state to the gaseous state while in the inflatable device to help maintain the inflatable device in the inflated condition.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a housing (26). The protection device (14) is inflatable away from a vehicle roof (18) between a vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant (182). The housing (26) includes an elongated channel portion (80) having first and second longitudinal edges (94 and 96) defining a chamber (82). A closure flap (100) extends from the first edge (94) and has an end releasably connected to the second edge (96) to enclose the protection device (14) in the chamber (82). A deployment flap (120) overlies the closure flap (100). The deployment flap (120) is adapted to move into a position overlying a side trim piece (150) and direct the protection device to inflate between the occupant (182) and the trim piece when the protection device is inflated.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable into a position between a side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (252). The protection device (14) includes a forwardmost inflatable chamber (122). The protection device (14) is rolled up in an outboard direction into a stored position. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14) for at least five seconds. The device (14) is adapted to inflate and unroll in a downward direction away from the vehicle roof (18). A first portion (270) is adapted to engage an occupant's head (250) positioned against the side structure (16). The first portion (270) moves the occupant's head (250) laterally in the vehicle (12) away from the side structure (16) and inflates between the side structure of the vehicle and the occupant's head.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) and a source (22) of inflation fluid for inflating the device between the side structure (16) a vehicle occupant. The device (14) includes a perimeter (48) at least partially defined by upper and lower edges (50 and 52) and front and rear portions (62 and 64) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) also includes at least one connection (70) within the perimeter (48). The connection (70) helps to define at least one inflatable front chamber (120) located in the front portion (62), at least one inflatable rear chamber (150) located in the rear portion (64) and at least one inflatable middle chamber (100) located between the front and rear chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable between the side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) includes a triangular front portion (64) and an main portion (62) positioned rearward of the front portion. The front portion (64) includes a forward edge (72), a rear edge (76), and a bottom edge (74). The front portion (64) is connected to the main portion (62) via a first inflation fluid passage (106) positioned adjacent the bottom edge (74). The front portion (64) includes a plurality of inflatable chambers (120) that have a tapered configuration with a narrow end (134) and an opposite wide end (136) positioned near the bottom edge (74). An inflation fluid source (30) when actuated directs inflation fluid into the main portion (62). The first inflation fluid passage (106) directs inflation fluid from the main portion (62) into the front portion (64).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable device (14), when inflated, has a perimeter at least partially defined by an upper edge (50), a lower edge (52), and front and rear portions (54 and 56) spaced apart horizontally along the upper and lower edges. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (14). A flexible elongated member (70) has a first end (72) connected to the inflatable device (14) at a first location (74) on the inflatable device (14) and an opposite second end (80) connected to the vehicle side structure (16) at a second location (82).