Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable occupant protection device (12) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle. The apparatus also comprises an inflator (14) for providing inflation fluid to the inflatable device (12) to inflate the inflatable device. The apparatus further comprises a heater (30) with an electrically energizable heating element (32) for controlling the temperature of the inflator (14). Preferably, an adhesive material (40) secures the heating element to the inflator. Alternatively, or additionally, the heater (30) is flexible and conforms to a surface (22) of the inflator (14).

Abstract: A system (10) for controlling a vehicle occupant protection device (52) associated with a vehicle seat (12) includes a weight sensor (40) operative to sense a weight condition of an occupant (26) of the vehicle seat (12) and provide a weight sensor signal. A second sensor (50) is operative to sense a second condition of the occupant (26) and provide a second sensor signal. A controller (34) receives the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The controller (34) analyzes the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal to determine inconsistencies between the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal and enables actuation of the occupant protection device (52) if the weight sensor signal and the second sensor signal are inconsistent.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) has a panel structure (52). The panel structure (52) has an open end portion (70) that is axially separated from a portion for attaching a body structure (50). At least one pair of axially aligned apertures (72 and 74) extends through the panel structure (52). The apparatus (10) further comprises a retainer (60) for supporting the open end portion (70) of the panel structure (52) of the protection device (14). The panel structure (52) is coiled around the retainer (60) such that the axially aligned apertures (72 and 74) become aligned on a same side of the retainer (60).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device (8) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) containing gas. The container (12) includes a rupturable wall (24) which is rupturable when the pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level. An igniter (46) spaced from the rupturable wall (24) produces a shock wave in the gas which ruptures the rupturable wall (24) prior to the gas pressure in the container (12) reaching the predetermined level.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for use in a vehicle (16) includes a webbing guide (30) for guiding movement of seat belt webbing (14) in the vehicle (16), a fastener (70), a resilient cover (80), and an energy absorbing structure (100). The fastener (70) mounts the webbing guide (30) in position in the vehicle (16) and includes a head portion (76) and a longitudinal axis (75). The resilient cover (80) includes a cover portion (82) covering the head portion (76) of the fastener (70) and at least a portion of the webbing guide (30). The energy absorbing structure (100) is insertable between the webbing guide (30) and the resilient cover (80). The energy absorbing structure (100) is a part separate from the resilient cover (80) and has ribs (110, 120) that deform to absorb energy from an impact to an outer surface portion (96) of the resilient cover (80). Preferably, the energy absorbing structure (100) includes multiple ribs (110, 120) that intersect each other and extend transversely to each other.

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 vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable from a stored position 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 inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a guide (90) connected to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a flexible elongated member (70) that extends through the guide. The flexible elongated member (70) has a first end (72) connected to the vehicle (12) at a first location (76) and an opposite second end (74) connected to the vehicle at a second location (82).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (56) having a deflated condition stored in an instrument panel (24) of a vehicle. The device (56) has an inflated condition extending out of the instrument panel (24) for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. A door (62) connected with the vehicle instrument panel (24) is movable between a closed condition covering the inflatable device (56) when in the deflated condition and an open condition. A knee bolster (20) is supported on the vehicle instrument panel (24) for movement in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent to the instrument panel of the vehicle to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. The knee bolster (20) when in the stored position helps to maintain the door (62) in the closed condition.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes an inflatable bladder (40) contained within an outer shell (42) and completely unattached to the outer shell. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable bladder (40). The inflatable bladder (40) is made of gas impermeable material having overlying portions (48) that are sealed together in an airtight manner by a radio frequency weld (50). The outer shell (42) provides structural support for the inflatable bladder (40).

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 inflatable 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 inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). A plurality of arc-shaped connections (60) define a plurality of arc-shaped chambers (70) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. Each of the arc-shaped chambers (70) includes an arc-shaped upper side wall defined by one of the arc-shaped connections (60) and an arc-shaped lower side wall defined by another of the arc-shaped connections.

Abstract: An apparatus (22) includes a webbing roller (32), a brake structure (80), and a support structure (62, 62). The roller (32) includes a spool (50) and a pair of axially opposite spindle structures (52) centered on an axis of rotation (53). A rotatable outer surface (54) of the spool (50) is configured to engage seat belt webbing (16). The support structure (62, 62) is configured to support the roller (32) in an ordinary operating position in which the outer surface (54) of the spool (50) is spaced radially from a braking surface (82) on the brake structure (80). The support structure (62, 62) is further configured to support the roller (32) for movement under the influence of tension in the seat belt webbing (16). Such movement of the roller (32) includes uniform movement radially from the ordinary operating position to a restrained position in which the outer surface (54) of the spool (50) engages the braking surface (82) on the brake structure (80).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a retainer ring configured to overlie an edge portion (52) of an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) adjacent to an opening (53) defined by the edge portion (52). A mounting stud projects from the retainer ring. In a one embodiment, the mounting stud (64) has a central axis (71) and a free end (72) spaced from the retainer ring (54) along the axis (71). The peripheral size and shape of the mounting stud (64) are uniform fully between the retainer ring (54) and the free end (72). The mounting stud (64) further has an axially extending bore (85) configured to receive a screw-threaded fastener (66). In an additional embodiment, the mounting stud (124) is receivable through an aperture (76) in a reaction structure (28). The mounting stud (124) and a key (140) are configured to snap together into an interlocked condition in which the key (140) blocks withdrawal of the mounting stud (124) from the aperture (76) in the reaction structure (28).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes structure (96, 98) for sensing and responding to vehicle acceleration by providing an electrical actuation signal. The apparatus further includes a blocking device (36) which is responsive to the electrical actuation signal to block at least a portion of a vehicle seat frame (18) from moving under the influence of vehicle crash forces upon the occurrence of the crash-indicating acceleration. The sensing and responding structure (96, 98) is operative so as not to provide the electrical actuation signal if the crash-indicating acceleration is below or within a specified range of intermediate levels that indicate crashes having corresponding intermediate levels of severity. The sensing and responding structure (96, 98) is further operative to provide the electrical actuation signal if the crash-indicating acceleration has a relatively high level above the specified range of intermediate levels.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflator (12) and an air bag (20). The air bag (20) comprises a front panel (50) and a back panel (52) having generally circular outer peripheral portions (54, 56) sewn to each other. The front panel (50) of the air bag (20) has a retainer portion (60) defining a central opening (62) through which the inflator extends. The retainer portion (60) of the air bag (20) has a plurality of fastener openings (66) spaced apart around the central opening (62) of the retainer portion. A tether (70) extends inside the air bag (20) between the front panel (50) and the back panel (52). The tether (70) has opposite front and back end portions (76, 96). The front end portion (76) of the tether (70) has a configuration extending around the central opening (62) of the front panel (50) and around the inflator (12). The front end portion (76) of the tether (70) has an opening (78) through which the inflator (12) extends.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable in a first direction away from the roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). An element (54) is connected to a C pillar (56) of the vehicle (12) and is movable in the first direction along the C pillar. The element (54) is connected to the vehicle occupant protection device (14) and is movable with the vehicle occupant protection device in the first direction. A latch (110) blocks movement of the element (54) in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (32) comprises a container (20) defining a gas storage chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the gas storage chamber. An opening (40, 42) in the container (20) enables fluid flow from the gas storage chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32). A rupturable burst disk (60, 62) extends across the opening (40, 42). An assembly (80) in the gas storage chamber (14) is provided for producing combustion products for heating and pressurizing the inflation fluid (66). The assembly (80) includes a housing (82) and a separator (100) in the housing defining first and second chambers (112, 114). A first pyrotechnic charge (122) in the first chamber (112) has a first burn rate. The housing (82) has first fluid outlets (96) for enabling flow of combustion products from the first chamber (112) to the gas storage chamber (14).

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 vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable 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. The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), when inflated, has a bottom edge (52) spaced apart from the vehicle roof (18) and front and rear bottom corners (60 and 62). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a flexible elongated member (70) that has a first end (72) connected to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) at a first location (76). The flexible elongated member (70) also has an opposite second end (74) connected to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) at a second location (82).

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) has a stored position extending along the side structure (16) adjacent to the roof (18) of the vehicle (12). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) has first and second portions (34 and 40) inflatable into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The second portion (40) is folded and overlies the first portion (34). An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The second portion (40) when inflated unfolds into a position overlying a pillar (60) of the vehicle (12) and covering at least a portion of the pillar (60).

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 vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable 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 inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises overlying panels (40 and 42) connected together along a perimeter (48) of the panels to define an inflatable volume and a connection (60) that interconnects the overlying panels within the perimeter. The connection (60) comprises a plurality of linear segments (62a, 62b, 62c) that extend in a generally horizontal direction and are spaced vertically apart.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (14) comprises a seat (12) for the vehicle occupant. The seat (12) includes a seat frame member (20) having at least one mounting opening (60). The mounting opening (60) has an elongate configuration including a first portion (62) and a second portion (64). The apparatus (10) also comprises an air bag module (70) that has at least one mounting pin (80). The mounting pin (80) is insertable into the first portion (62) of the mounting opening (60) and is movable along the opening from the first portion to the second portion (64) of the opening. The mounting pin (80) and the seat frame member (70) have cooperating portions (92, 46, 48) that secure the mounting pin in the second portion (64) of the mounting opening (60) to secure the module (70) to the seat frame member.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) comprises a first steering column member (40) rotatable about a first axis (26) and a steering wheel (20) mounted on the first steering column member. A second steering column member (100) is connected with the first steering column member (40) so that rotation of the first steering column member about the first axis (26) causes rotation of the second steering column member. The first and second steering column members (40 and 100) have a telescoping relationship and have axially overlapped portions (70, 108). An air bag module (30) is mounted on the steering wheel (20) and includes an inflatable air bag (32). An actuatable device (90) emits gas which causes the first and second steering column members (40 and 100) to telescope together and causes at least a portion of the air bag module (30) to move away from the vehicle driver as the air bag (32) is inflated.