Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (40) to a position between the windshield (50) and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes overlying panels (80 and 82) interconnected to define an inflatable volume (110) of the windshield curtain. The windshield curtain (14) includes a pleated portion in which at least one of the panels (80 and 82) has portions folded over to form at least one pleat (150) in the panel. In one embodiment, the windshield curtain (14) includes connections (154 and 180) that interconnect overlying folded portions of the at least one panel (80 and 82) along the at least one pleat (150). Portions of the at least one pleat between the connections (150 and 180) are unfoldable to allow expansion of the pleated portion upon inflation of the windshield curtain (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant (74) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (14) and an occupant compartment (70). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (100) that has a first portion (102) when inflated extending along the side structure (14) and a second portion (108) when inflated extending inboard from the side structure at or near a rear corner (112) of the occupant compartment (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a windshield (70) and a roof (40) including a front header (54). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (80) inflatable away from the roof (40) to a position between the windshield (70) and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (80) has a stored condition in which the windshield curtain is positioned in a recess (90) that extends into a forward facing surface (92) of the front header (54).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (70). The protection device (14) is inflatable from a stored position along a forward edge (62) of a vehicle roof (40) to a deployed position overlying the windshield (50). The protection device (14) while in the deployed position covers the windshield (50) from an A pillar (30) on a driver side (20) of the vehicle (12) to an A pillar of a passenger side (22) of the vehicle and from an upper edge (56) of the windshield to a position near a lower edge (58) of the windshield. The protection device (14) while deployed also covers the driver and passenger side A pillars (30).

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 curtain (14). The inflatable curtain (14) includes a front portion (74) and a rear portion (76). The inflatable curtain (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle 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). The fill tube (22) has a portion (38) that extends into one of the front and rear portions (74 and 76) and terminates in the one of the front and rear portions. The fill tube (22) also has an open end portion (110) for directing inflation fluid to flow axially from the fill tube into the inflatable curtain (14) and at least one aperture (112) for directing inflation fluid to flow generally radially from the fill tube into the inflatable curtain.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a windshield (70) and a roof (40) including a front header (54). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (80) inflatable away from the roof (40) to a position between the windshield (70) and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (80) has a stored condition in which the windshield curtain is positioned in a recess (90) that extends into a forward facing surface (92) of the front header (54).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (70). The protection device (14) is inflatable from a stored position along a forward edge (62) of a vehicle roof (40) to a deployed position overlying the windshield (50). The protection device (14) while in the deployed position covers the windshield (50) from an A pillar (30) on a driver side (20) of the vehicle (12) to an A pillar of a passenger side (22) of the vehicle and from an upper edge (56) of the windshield to a position near a lower edge (58) of the windshield. The protection device (14) while deployed also covers the driver and passenger side A pillars (30).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (40) to a position between the windshield (50) and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes overlying panels (80 and 82) interconnected to define an inflatable volume (110) of the windshield curtain. The windshield curtain (14) includes a pleated portion in which at least one of the panels (80 and 82) has portions folded over to form at least one pleat (150) in the panel. In one embodiment, the windshield curtain (14) includes connections (154 and 180) that interconnect overlying folded portions of the at least one panel (80 and 82) along the at least one pleat (150). Portions of the at least one pleat between the connections (150 and 180) are unfoldable to allow expansion of the pleated portion upon inflation of the windshield curtain (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering shaft (12), a mounting member (14), a locking pin (16), and a nut (120). The vehicle steering shaft (12) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (22) to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft (12) has a first locking pin passage (92) extending through the steering shaft (12) and transverse to the longitudinal axis (22). The first locking pin passage (92) is defined in part by first (94) and second (96) tapered surface portions. Each of the first (94) and second (96) surface portions tapers from a first circumference to a second, smaller circumference in a direction toward the longitudinal axis (22). The first (94) and second (96) tapered surface portions taper in opposite directions. The mounting member (14) is receivable on the steering shaft (12) and has a second locking pin passage (72).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a canister (14), an inflator (18), and a restraint assembly (20). The canister (14) has a plurality of tabs (58), a chamber (70), a side opening (62), and a deployment opening (72). The inflator (18) is movable to an installed position in the chamber (70) in a first direction through the side opening (62). The restraint assembly (20) includes an air bag (22) which is expandable from the deployment opening (72) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction upon inflation of the air bag (22) when the restraint assembly (20) is in an installed position engaged with the canister (14). Cooperating structures (48, 50, 52, 54) guide movement of the restraint assembly (20) to its installed position in sliding contact with the canister (14) in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. A closure wall (140) has a closed position blocking movement of the inflator (18) and the restraint assembly (20) from their installed positions.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (18) has a stored condition and an inflated vehicle occupant restraining position. A support member (16) at least in part defines an opening (19) through which the vehicle occupant restraint (18) is deployed when inflated. A deployment door member (12) closes the opening (19). The support member (16) supports the deployment door member (12) at a first side of the opening (19) for pivotal movement relative to the support member upon inflation of the vehicle occupant restraint (18). The deployment door member (12) has a plurality of slots (95). The support member (16) includes a plurality of shear tabs (54) located at a second side of the opening (19) opposite the first side. Each shear tab (54) extends through a respective one of the slots (95) in the deployment door member (12).

Abstract: An air bag subassembly has a specially designed continuous frame retainer incorporated into an air bag to enable the air bag to be coupled to the walls of an air bag container. The continuous frame retainer is configured to enable the retainer to be located inside the walls of the container. The continuous frame retainer comprises a plurality of frame components which are coupled with each other. A portion of each of the frame components has a tubular configuration with fastening structure which enables the continuous frame retainer to be fastened to the walls of the container. The frame components are formed of high carbon steel. Such material, and the tubular configuration of the portions of the frame components, provide high resistance to "fishmouthing" of the walls of the container during deployment of the air bag.