Abstract: A safety apparatus (12) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a side structure (16) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having an inflated condition disposed between the vehicle occupant and the side structure. The safety apparatus (12) also comprises an inflator assembly (10) for inflating the protection device (14) and for maintaining the protection device in the inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator assembly (10) includes at least one container (30) having gas (52) stored under pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the inflator assembly (10) comprises a primary outlet passage (70) connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid (52) from the inflator assembly at a relatively high rate over a relatively short period of time. The inflator assembly (10) also preferably has a secondary outlet passage (90) connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid from the inflator assembly at a relatively low rate for about five to ten seconds.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (48) for inflation fluid flow from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (48). A support (62) has a tubular portion (64) with a first end (67) spaced apart from the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12) and a second end (68) opposite the first end. The burst disk (52) deforms into contact with the first end (67) due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). An actuatable igniter assembly (60) bursts the burst disk (52) to enable fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (48). The second end (68) of the tubular portion (64) engages the igniter assembly (60).

Abstract: A headrest apparatus (10) for a vehicle seat (14) includes first and second relatively movable cushion portions (18a, 18b). An outer covering (16) for the first and second cushion portions has a head engaging portion (19) for engaging the head (21) of a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) further includes actuatable means (36) located within the outer covering (16) which, upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash event, moves the head engaging portion (19) of the outer covering (16) and one (18a) of said cushion portions relative to the other cushion portion (18b) in a direction toward the head (21) of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect the lower extremities (44) of an occupant (40) of a vehicle (12) includes a sheet member (50) for extending along the floor (14) of the vehicle. The sheet member (50) has a surface (58) extending under the occupant's lower extremities between opposite first and second end portions (54, 52) of the sheet member. The sheet member (50) has a first condition in which the sheet member is spaced from the vehicle floor (14) by a first distance. The apparatus (10) includes an actuatable power source (84) for pulling at least the first end portion (54) of the sheet member (50) to tension the sheet member between the first end portion and the second end portion (52). The apparatus (10) also includes a vehicle crash sensor (80) for actuating the power source (84) in the event of a vehicle collision to tension the sheet member (50) and move the sheet member from the first condition to a second condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a container (14) defining a chamber (40). The container (14) has a portion (36) which is rupturable to form an opening in the container. A quantity of inflation fluid (42) is stored under pressure in the chamber (40). An electrically actuatable initiator (50) is connected with the container (14) for rupturing the rupturable portion (36) of the container to enable flow of inflation fluid (42) out of the inflator (10). The initiator (50) comprises an ignitable primary charge (90) and electrically energizable means (60) for igniting the primary charge. The initiator (50) further comprises a secondary charge (100) ignitable by the primary charge (90). The secondary charge (100) comprises an ignitable metal in solid form which liquefies when ignited by the primary charge (90).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (40) through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (40). A member (80) is disposed adjacent to and on one side of the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12). The burst disk (52) deforms toward the one side due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). The member (80) limits deformation of the burst disk (52) by contacting the burst disk. An actuatable igniter assembly (66), when actuated, moves the member toward the burst disk (52) to rupture the burst disk and enable the inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (28) into a position along the vehicle side structure (16) between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). A flexible elongated member (54) resists movement of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) away from the vehicle side structure (16) when the vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. A tensioning member (52) is movable a given distance upon inflation of the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The tensioning member (52) retracts a length of the flexible elongated member (54) equal to at least approximately twice the given distance when the tensioning member (52) moves the given distance.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is inflatable away from a vehicle roof (28) into a position extending along a vehicle side structure (16) between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflation fluid rotates an impeller (180) which moves a tensioning member (154) in a linear direction. A flexible elongated member (54) has a first end (70) connected to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and an opposite second end (72) connected to the tensioning member (154). The flexible elongated member (54) is connected to the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The flexible elongated member (54) is tensioned by the tensioning member (154) when the tensioning member moves in the linear direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (14, 114). The inflator (14, 114) has a source of inflation fluid (48, 148) in a chamber (46) of the inflator (14, 114) for inflating the protection device (12). The inflator (14, 114) includes a passage (68) through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber (46) into the protection device (12). The inflator (14, 114) also has a burst disk (44) which blocks the passage (68). An actuatable source (90) of laser light, when actuated, emits laser light which impinges on the burst disk (44) to cause the burst disk to rupture and release the inflation fluid from the chamber (46).

Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device 12. An inflator 14 having a source of inflation fluid 48 for inflating the protection device 12 includes a passage 30 through which the inflation fluid 48 flows from the inflator 14 into the protection device 12. A member 60 for regulating the flow of the inflation fluid 48 through the passage 30 defines a first orifice 68, through which inflation fluid 48 flows, of a first fluid flow area when no electric current is applied to the member 60 and defines a second orifice 68a, through which inflation fluid 48 flows, of second fluid flow area larger than the first fluid flow area when electric current is applied to the member 60.

Abstract: An actuatable inflator (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a container (70) having a cup-shaped wall including a base portion (72) and a side wall portion (74). The container (70) is a one-piece structure. The base portion (72) and the side wall portion (74) at least partially define a combustion chamber (84) in the container (70). An ignitable material (110) in the combustion chamber (84), when ignited, rapidly increases the fluid pressure inside the combustion chamber. An electrically actuatable initiator (112) ignites the ignitable material (110). The base portion (72) of the cup-shaped wall includes a predefined rupture portion (90). The rupture portion (90) ruptures when the fluid pressure inside the combustion chamber (84) reaches a predetermined elevated fluid pressure level to form an orifice (120) through which the inflation fluid in the combustion chamber flows.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes a protection device (12) inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect a vehicle occupant. Support structure (22) mounts the protection device (12) on a portion of a vehicle. A cover (30) includes a portion (42) movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of the protection device (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises an emblem (60). The movable cover portion (42) has an opening (50) through which the emblem (60) is visible to the vehicle occupant. The emblem (60) is retained in a position aligned with the opening (50) in the cover portion (42) when the protection device (12) is in the deflated condition. The emblem (60) is movable relative to the cover portion (42) upon inflation of the protection device (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat back (20) and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) supported on the seat back (20) for deployment upward from the upper end (62) of the seat back (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a backing member (70) supported on the seat back (20) for movement from a retracted position to a deployed position under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (18). When the backing member (70) is in the deployed position, it projects upward from the upper end (62) of the seat back (20) at a location behind the protection device (18). The backing member (70) is non-deflectable under the influence of the inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (18).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator structure (12) and a modular valve assembly (18). The inflator structure (12) defines an inflation fluid pressure chamber (15), a fluid exit opening (60), and a fluid flow path (62) extending between the chamber (15) and the exit opening (60). The modular valve assembly (18) has a plurality of parts that are interconnected separately from the inflator structure (12), including a metering member (182) and a tubular valve housing (180) containing and supporting the metering member (182) for movement within the valve housing (180). The modular valve assembly (18) has an installed position in which the valve housing (180) extends longitudinally across the flow path (62) defined by the inflator structure (12). The inflator structure (12) further defines a valve compartment (76) in which the valve housing (180) is receivable and movable longitudinally across the flow path (62) upon movement of the modular valve assembly (18) to its installed position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator structure (12) and a pyrotechnic initiator (80). The inflator structure (12) defines an inflation fluid pressure chamber (15), and includes a closure structure (44) which closes the chamber (15). The closure structure (44) has a rupturable portion (48). A first body of pyrotechnic material (54) is mounted on the rupturable portion (48) of the closure structure (44). The initiator (80) is mounted on the inflator structure (12) separately from the first body of pyrotechnic material (54), and contains a second body of pyrotechnic material (88). When the second body of pyrotechnic material (88) is ignited, it produces combustion products that ignite the first body of pyrotechnic material (54).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a housing (16, 40) defining a chamber (30). An actuatable inflation fluid source (80) in the chamber (30) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (12). A body of plastic material (50) is supported on the housing (40). An electrically energizable initiator (90), when energized, causes inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30). A retainer (120) mounts the initiator (90) to the housing (40). The retainer (120) has a first portion (130) engaging the initiator (90) and securing the initiator to the retainer. The retainer (120) has a second portion (132) engaging the body of plastic material (50) and securing the retainer to the body of plastic material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) for storing a quantity of inflation fluid (78) under pressure. First and second outlet passages (60, 62) in the container (12) can each direct flow of fluid (78) out of the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (36) for inflating the inflatable device. The first outlet passage (60) has a first flow area. The second outlet passage (62) has a second flow area less than the flow area of the first outlet passage (60). A first burst disk (70) on the container (12) blocks the first outlet passage (60). A second burst disk (72) on the container (12) blocks the second outlet passage (62). The apparatus (10) includes means (80) for rupturing the first burst disk (70) to direct flow of fluid out of the chamber (14) through the first outlet passage (60) without rupturing the second burst disk (72).

Abstract: An apparatus (2) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (4) for, when inflated, helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflator (10) is provided having a housing (12) defining a chamber (30). A mixture of gases (32) is stored in the chamber for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (4). A diode (60) is supported by the housing (12) and is exposed to the stored mixture of gases (32) in the chamber (30). An electrical property of the diode (60) is dependent upon the concentration of at least one of the gases in the mixture of gases (32) in the chamber (30). In a preferred embodiment, sensor means (70) is provided for sensing the electrical property of the diode (60). The sensor means (70) provides an output signal when the electrical property of the diode reaches a predetermined threshold indicating a reduction in the concentration of the one gas in the mixture of gases (32). Means responsive to the output signal (74) is provided for affecting vehicle occupant safety.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (20) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator (20) has a wall (32) defining a chamber (40) in the inflator. Inflation fluid is stored at a predetermined pressure in the chamber (40). The apparatus (10) further comprises a first device (102) for generating electrical energy. The first device (102) is located in the chamber (40). A second device (106, 108) senses a change in the predetermined pressure and transmits a signal indicative of the change in the predetermined pressure through the wall (32). The second device (106, 108) is located inside the chamber (40) and is electrically connected to the first device (102). A third device (122, 124) senses the signal. The third device (122, 124) is located outside of the chamber (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a frame structure (32) defining a deployment opening (40), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) aligned with the deployment opening (40), and a deployment structure (24) extending across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) has first and second locking portions (70, 72) in releasably interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32) at locations spaced apart across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) is configured to undergo non-rupturing deflection under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (14). Such non-rupturing deflection of the deployment structure (24) moves the first locking portion (70) partially out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32), and moves the second locking portion (72) fully out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32).