Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant. The protection device includes a front panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition. A vent includes at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether has a first segment connected to the vent and the front panel of the protection device for actuating the vent and a second segment connected to the front panel and a rear portion of the protection device. Tear stitching connects portions of the second segment of the tether to form a slackened portion of the tether. The tear stitching remains intact such that the first segment is slackened and the vent in the non-actuated condition in response to initial deployment of the protection device below a predetermined degree.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant (13) of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (310) overlying the side structure (16). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position adjacent the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). A deployment ramp (200) includes a mounting member (202) that helps to support the inflatable curtain (14) in a stored condition. A deployment member (220) helps to direct the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310). A co-extruded joint interconnects the mounting member (202) and the deployment member (220).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for controlling an actuatable restraint (14, 16) in a vehicle (12). An sensor (24) is mounted in the vehicle (12) and outputs an electrical signal having a characteristic indicative of a vehicle event. A discrimination circuit (42) is coupled to the sensor (24) and determines if a predetermined event occurred. A safing circuit (50) is coupled to the sensor (24) signal and sequestered from the discrimination circuit (42) for determining if the predetermined event occurred. An actuation device is actuates the restraint when both the discrimination circuit (42) and the safing circuit (50) determine the predetermined event occurred.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a primary housing, a primary inflation fluid source, a secondary housing, and a secondary inflation fluid source. The primary and secondary housings are constructed from sheet metal by stamping. The primary inflation fluid source is located in the primary housing. The primary inflation fluid source is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device. The secondary housing is disposed within the primary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source is located in the secondary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing has a first portion that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion of the secondary housing when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) for being inflated between an instrument panel (36) and a seat (22) of the vehicle (12) is provided. The protection device (14) includes a front portion (70) that has a panel (72) presented towards the vehicle seat (22), a rear portion (76) adjacent the instrument panel (36), and top and bottom portions (90, 92) interconnecting the front portion (70) and the rear portion (76) to define an inflatable volume (54). A pocket (100) defines an uninflated volume (102) outside of the inflatable volume (54). The pocket (100) is defined by a single panel (160) of the protection device (14). The panel (100) extends along a centerline (162) and includes an extension (180) of material on each side of the centerline (162). The extensions (180) overly one another and are interconnected along a seam (106) to form the pocket (100).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has an instrument panel and a windshield includes an air bag (14) packaged in an air bag module (30). The air bag (14) is inflatable to a deployed position between the instrument panel and a vehicle occupant. A deployment restrictor (100) is secured to the air bag module (30). The deployment restrictor (100) includes a deflector panel (102) secured to the air bag module (30) and having a portion that is positioned between the packaged air bag (14) and the windshield. The deflector panel (102) at least partially covers the packaged air bag (14) so that the deflector panel moves with the deploying air bag toward the windshield. The connection of the deflector panel (102) to the air bag module (30) limits movement of the deflector panel toward the windshield and thereby redirects the air bag to deploy away from where it would otherwise impact the windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has an instrument panel and a windshield includes an air bag (14) packaged in an air bag module (30). The air bag (14) is inflatable to a deployed position between the instrument panel and a vehicle occupant. A deployment restrictor (100) is secured to the air bag module (30). The deployment restrictor (100) includes a deflector panel (102) secured to the air bag module (30) and having a portion that is positioned between the packaged air bag (14) and the windshield. The deflector panel (102) at least partially covers the packaged air bag (14) so that the deflector panel moves with the deploying air bag toward the windshield. The connection of the deflector panel (102) to the air bag module (30) limits movement of the deflector panel toward the windshield and thereby redirects the air bag to deploy away from where it would otherwise impact the windshield.

Abstract: A seatbelt latch circuit can include an illumination source configured to illuminate a seatbelt latch in response to a signal. The seatbelt latch circuit can also include a status sensor configured to output a first current if the seatbelt latch is in a removed state, output a second current if the seatbelt latch is in an inserted state and output a third current if the seatbelt latch has a fault. The seatbelt latch circuit communicates with a vehicle electrical system through only two conductors.

Abstract: A seat belt system (20) includes a manifold assembly (60) having an inner housing (68) and an outer housing (70) which extends at least part way around the inner housing. One of the housings (68 or 70) is movable relative to a vehicle with a portion of the seat belt system. The other housing is connected with a source (54) of inflation fluid. In one specific embodiment of the invention, inner and outer housings (68 and 70) of the manifold assembly (60) extend around a portion of an anchor (36) for a seat belt (40). In this embodiment, the housings (68 and 70) have arcuate configurations and have axes which are coincident with a central axis (84) of the anchor (36). In addition to being pivotal relative to each other, the housings (68 and 70) may be movable transversely to each other. A seal (136) may be provided between the housings.

Abstract: A locking tongue has a base part, a webbing slot in the base part and a locking cam. The locking cam is movable between a rest position and a clamping position. A biasing means biases the locking cam towards the rest position. The locking cam can assume the rest position in which the belt webbing can pass freely through the webbing slot, a clamping position in which the locking cam presses the belt webbing against the clamping edge of the webbing slot, the biasing means being able to return the locking cam from the clamping position into the rest position, and a locking position in which the locking cam locks the belt webbing in the webbing slot, the biasing means not being able to return the locking cam from the locking position towards the rest position.

Abstract: An inflator (40, 40a) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes structure that defines a chamber (120, 120a) and an initiator (200) comprising a shaped charge that is actuatable to rupture the structure to open the chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one panel (212) of material that defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The at least one panel (212) has a portion presented toward the vehicle occupant when in an inflated and deployed condition. The protection device (14) includes at least one pleat (296, 316) formed in the at least one panel (212). The at least one pleat (296, 316) defines a cushioned portion (210) for receiving a portion of the occupant. The at least one pleat (296, 316) reduces fabric tension in the cushioned portion (210) to provide the cushioned portion with a degree of softness that is reduced over remaining areas of the protection device (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. Tear stitching (200a) interconnects portions (220a, 230a) of the protection device (14). The tear stitching (200a) includes first and second stitch lines (300, 320) positioned next to each other. The first stitch line (300) is adapted to rupture in response to tension of a first magnitude exerted on the interconnected portions (220a, 230a) while inflating to an initially deployed condition. The second stitch line (320) is adapted to remain intact and being capable itself of maintaining the protection device in the initially deployed condition subsequent to rupture of the first stitch line (300) and throughout inflation and deployment of the protection device (14).

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a primary housing, a primary inflation fluid source, a secondary housing, and a secondary inflation fluid source. The primary and secondary housings are constructed from sheet metal by stamping. The primary inflation fluid source is located in the primary housing. The primary inflation fluid source is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device. The secondary housing is disposed within the primary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source is located in the secondary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing has a first portion that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion of the secondary housing when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) includes a vent opening with a flow area that can be adjusted to throttle inflation fluid flow through the vent. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) throttles the vent (160). The second connection of the tether is positioned on the protection device (14) such that deployment of the protection device throttles the vent (160) toward an actuated condition, and occupant (20) penetration into the protection device throttles the vent toward a non-actuated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) actuates the vent (160). The vent (160) is initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device (14). Further deployment of the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the actuated condition. Occupant penetration into the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the non-actuated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (14) includes a panel (74) having a portion presented toward the occupant (20) when the protection device is in the inflated condition. A tether (60) has a first connection (78) to a first portion (80) of the panel (74) and a second connection (72) to a second portion (76) of the panel. The tether (60) is operative to limit deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to unrestricted deployment of the first portion (80) of the panel. The tether (60) is also operative to permit further deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to occupant penetration into the first portion (80) of the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. An anchor tether (102) is secured to the vehicle (12). A shaping tether (104) is secured to a first portion (116) of the protection device (14). A releasable connection (132) connects the anchor tether (102) and shaping tether (104). The shaping tether (104) secured to the vehicle (12) via the connection (132) with the anchor tether (102) restricting deployment of the first portion (116) of the protection device (14). The connection (132) is configured to withstand tension between the anchor tether (102) and shaping tether (104) when the protection device (14) is fully pressurized.

Abstract: An 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) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) includes an inflatable main portion (62) having at least one inflatable primary chamber (110) and an inflatable secondary chamber (112). An inflation fluid source (30) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The inflation fluid source (30) when actuated directs inflation fluid into the main portion (62) to inflate the main portion (62). Inflation fluid inlets (152) of the primary chambers (110) direct inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (30) into the primary chambers (110).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a front panel (102) and a rear panel (122) that are interconnected to at least partially define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The rear panel (122) has a conical configuration resulting from portions of the rear panel being interconnected with each other.