Abstract: An occupant restraint system (30) includes first and second lap belts (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap of the occupant (22). First and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) extend over the shoulders of the occupant (22). A buckle assembly (58) interconnects the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The occupant restraint system (30) also includes first and second buckle-lowering belts (94 and 96) attached to the buckle assembly (58) for creating a downwardly acting biasing force on the buckle assembly (58) so as to move the buckle assembly (58) downwardly relative to the seat (10) and towards the lap of the occupant (22).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (14). The windshield curtain (14) is inflatable away from a roof (40) of the vehicle to a position between a windshield (50) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes an inflatable upper portion (190) and an inflatable lower portion (192). The upper portion (190) is inflatable between the roof (40) and an instrument panel (64) of the vehicle (12) and between the windshield (50) and a vehicle occupant. The lower portion (192) is bifurcated and includes a first chamber (194) inflatable against a surface (222) of the instrument panel (64) presented generally toward the vehicle occupant. The lower portion (192) also includes a second chamber (196) inflatable against the windshield (50) and a surface (220) of the instrument panel (64) adjacent the windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (310, 312) overlying the side structure. 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 (180, 270) is movable from a stored position to a deployed position for directing the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310, 312). The deployment ramp (180, 270) has a construction that is sufficiently resilient and rigid to direct the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310, 312). A connector piece (162, 252) connects the deployment ramp (180, 270) to the vehicle (12). The connector piece (162, 252) has a first portion (174, 264) secured to the deployment ramp (180, 270) and a second portion (168, 258) connectable to the vehicle (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (220) overlying the side structure. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) inflatable away from the roof (18) to a position adjacent the side structure (16). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable curtain (14). A fill tube (22) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (24) into the inflatable curtain (14). A bracket (120) connects the fill tube (22) to the vehicle (12). The bracket (120) includes a fill tube support portion (140) connectable with the fill tube (22). A connecting portion (130) is connectable with the vehicle (12). A deployment portion (150) directs the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (220).

Abstract: An inflator (14) includes a structure (50, 70, 90) that helps define a chamber (42) from which inflation fluid flows. The structure (50, 70, 90) includes an end cap (90) having a side wall (92). A closure member (104) is rupturable to release inflation fluid from the chamber (42). An initiator (230) is actuatable to rupture the closure member (104). A filter retainer (170) includes a side wall (172) that defines a cavity (176). The side wall (172) of the filter retainer (170) includes a rim portion (196) that forms a terminal end of the side wall. A filter assembly (120) is positioned in the cavity (176) of the filter retainer (170). First segments (260) of the rim portion (196) are deformed to clamp the filter assembly (120) to the filter retainer (170). Non-deformed second segments (262) of the rim portion (196) engage an inner surface (264) of the side wall (92) of the end cap (90). The second segments (262) help position the end cap (90) and the filter retainer (170) coaxially with each other.

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid ( ) to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid ( ) to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes seat belt webbing (18) and a device (64) coupled to the seat belt webbing (18) for sensing tension in the seat belt webbing (18). The device (64) is decoupled from the seat belt webbing (18) in response to the tension in the seat belt webbing (18) exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An inflator (12) includes structure (40, 50, 82) defining a chamber (130). First and second passages (92 and 116) extend through the structure (40, 50, 82). A burst disk (120) closes the first passage (116). A valve housing (142) is received in the second passage (92) and defines a fill passage (154). A fluid (186) is stored under pressure in the chamber (130). An igniter (70) is actuatable for opening the burst disk (120) for enabling the fluid (186) to flow out of the chamber (130) through the first passage (116). A valve member (144) enables flow of the fluid (186) through the fill passage (154) of the valve housing (142) into the chamber (130) and prevents flow out of the chamber (130) through the fill passage (154).

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 inflator (14) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) has a housing (20). A propellant charge (240) in the housing (20) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the device (12). The housing (20) has an end wall (42) and a side wall (44). The side wall (44) has a fluid passage (55) for directing flow of inflation fluid to the device (12). A flow control member (16) extends over the end wall (42) and the side wall (44) and has a movable portion (300) at least partially blocking the fluid passage (55). The control member (16) has an outlet opening (288) located over the end wall (42). The movable portion (300) moves as the pressure of inflation fluid acting on it increases upon inflator actuation to control the pressure in the housing (20) and to direct inflation fluid toward the outlet opening (288).

Abstract: An inflator (22) includes a structure (30, 32) that defines a first chamber (50) and a second chamber (80). The first chamber (50) contains a volume of fluid under pressure and the second chamber (80) is in fluid communication with an outlet passage (76). The inflator (22) also includes a closure member (90) openable to release the fluid to flow out of the first chamber (50). An initiator (100) is actuatable to open the closure member (90). The inflator (22) further includes a filter (130) disposed in the second chamber (80). The fluid is directed from the first chamber (50) into the second chamber (80) and through the filter (130) into the outlet passage (76) upon opening of the closure member (90).

Abstract: An air bag (12) includes at least one tether (44) and an inflation fluid source (14) having two modes of operation. In the first mode of operation, the inflation fluid source (14) is activated to provide a first inflation fluid pressure in the air bag (12). In the second mode of operation, the inflation fluid source (14) is activated to provide a second inflation fluid pressure in the air bag (12) higher than the first pressure. The tether (44), which helps to control the shape of the air bag (12), tears in response to the second inflation fluid pressure in the air bag.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) is located on a steering wheel (14) and includes a lower portion (28) and an upper portion (26). The upper portion (26) is rolled folded and the lower portion (28) is folded in a star pattern. The roll folded portion (26) has an outside surface formed by a front panel (30) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) that is intended to face the occupant when the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. During inflation, the roll folded portion (26) unrolls such that at least a portion of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflates forward of the steering wheel if the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, while inflating, encounters an obstruction located too far forward relative to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (104) about which seat belt webbing (18) is wound. The spool (104) is supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction and in an opposite belt retraction direction. A vehicle sensitive sensor (180) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for preventing rotation of the spool (104) in the belt withdrawal direction. The retractor (10) also includes a mechanism (200) for controlling the vehicle sensitive sensor (180). The mechanism (200) includes a ring gear (212) and a control lever (246). The ring gear (212) has internal gear teeth (234) and an external surface (236) having a cam profile. The external surface (236) of the ring gear (212) actuates the control lever (246) to enable and disable the vehicle sensitive sensor (180).

Abstract: An air bag (12) is inflatable by inflation fluid. A support member (20) has a first vent opening (44) for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12). A vent member (46) is movable relative to the first vent opening (44) between a first condition in which the vent member does not close the opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12) and a second condition in which the vent member at least partially blocks the flow of inflation fluid through the opening and away from the bag. A tether (50) has a first portion (52) connected for movement with the bag (12) as the bag is deployed. The tether (50) is associated with the vent member (46) and causes it to move relative to the opening (44) from the first condition to the second condition as the bag (12) is deployed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a vent opening (44) for directing flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device. A vent member (46) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. A tether (50), when tensioned, moves the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition. A latch (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for enabling the vent member to move away from the closed condition. A controller (102) is operative to actuate the latch (48). selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (8) includes a seat (10) for an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14). The seat (10) includes a cushion portion (16) and a backrest portion (18). The apparatus (8) also includes an occupant protection device (70) that, when actuated, resists rearward movement of the backrest portion (18) of the seat (10) relative to the cushion portion (16) of the seat (10). A deflection mechanism (72) of the apparatus (8) is located in the backrest portion (18) of the seat (10) and is movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the occupant protection device (70). The deflection mechanism (72) is adapted to move from the first position to the second position without the backrest portion (18) moving significantly relative to cushion portion (16).

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 curtain (14). The inflatable curtain (14) is inflatable away from the roof (18) between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain has an inflatable volume (28). An inflation fluid source (30) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable volume (28) to inflate the inflatable curtain (14). A fill tube (32) delivers the inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (30) to the inflatable curtain (14). The apparatus (10) includes an actuatable apparatus (60) for providing an opening (72, 226) in at least one of the fill tube (32) and the inflatable curtain (14) for directing the inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (28) to deflate the inflatable curtain (14). The actuatable apparatus (60) is actuatable in response to actuation of the inflation fluid source (30).

Abstract: A windshield curtain (14) is inflatable away from a roof (40) of a vehicle (12) to a position between a windshield (50) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant and between an instrument panel (64) of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes a center panel (102) that has a length and opposite first and second side portions (110 and 112) that extend along its length. The windshield curtain (14) also includes first and second side panels (230 and 240), each having a respective periphery (232 and 242). The periphery (232) of the first side panel (230) is interconnected with the center panel (102) along the first side portion (110) of the center panel. The periphery (242) of the second side panel (112) is interconnected with the center panel along the second side portion (112) of the center panel.