Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (20, 24) of a vehicle (12) that has an instrument panel (70) and a side structure (82, 122). The apparatus (10) includes a frontal air bag (30, 100) inflatable from a stored position rearward in the vehicle (12) to a deployed position between the instrument panel (70) and the vehicle occupant (20, 24). The apparatus (10) also includes a side air bag (60, 130) inflatable from a stored position in the instrument panel (70) to a deployed position between the side structure (82, 122) and the vehicle occupant (20, 24). A first inflator (34) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the frontal air bag (30, 100). A second inflator (104) is separate from the first inflator (34) and is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the side air bag (60, 130).

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) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) that is inflatable to a deployed position between a side structure (32) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant (34, 36). An inflation fluid source (20) provides inflation fluid for inflating portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) includes a base panel (60) and an attachment panel (62) connected to the base panel. The base panel (60) has a first size. The attachment panel (62) has a second size that is smaller than the first size and a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) that are to be inflated.

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 protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes a first portion (80) including at least one inflatable chamber (114). The first portion (80) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (20). The apparatus (10) also includes a second portion (100, 102) that includes at least one inflatable chamber. The second portion (100, 102) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (20). The second portion (100, 102) when inflated extends below the first portion (80) and adjacent a thorax (152) of a vehicle occupant (20) when inflated. Fluid communication between the chambers of the first portion (80) and second portion (100, 102) is substantially blocked.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (152) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection device (14) deployable away from the vehicle roof (18) into engagement with the occupant's head (150) positioned against the side structure (16) to move the occupant's head laterally away from the side structure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes a first chamber (166) inflatable between a thorax (122) of the occupant (20) and a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The protection device (14) also includes a second chamber (162) inflatable between a head (100) of the occupant (20) and the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) further includes an inflation fluid source (22) for inflating the first chamber (166) to a first pressure and for inflating the second chamber (162) to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure.

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 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 (74). The inflatable device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that are interconnected along at least a portion of a perimeter (48) of the inflatable device to define an inflatable volume of the inflatable device. The inflatable device (14) when inflated has a predetermined thickness measured between overlying points on the overlying panels (40 and 42) at a location where the head of an occupant may contact the inflatable device. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device (14) for inflating the inflatable device.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition to a deployed position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) includes an upper edge (50), an opposite lower edge (52), and inflatable front and rear portions (64 and 66) and an inflatable main portion (62) positioned between the front and rear portions. The main portion (62) is rolled up into a rolled condition extending along the intersection of the side structure (16) and the roof (18) when in the stored condition. The front portion (64) is folded into a folded condition extending along the A pillar (22) when in the stored condition. The rear portion (66) is folded into a folded condition extending along the C pillar (26) when in the stored condition.

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: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable to a position between a side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) includes an inflatable main portion (50) inflatable to cover a portion of the vehicle side structure (16) including a front side window (40) and a rear side window (42). The main portion (50) has an upper edge (70) and a lower edge (72) extending along the length of the main portion and front and rear portions (74 and 76) spaced apart along the length of the main portion. The main portion (50) comprises overlying panels (52) that are interconnected to form a seam (58) extending along the upper and lower edges (70 and 72) and along the front and rear portions (74 and 76). The inflatable curtain (14) also includes an extension portion (100) comprising a separate panel (102) interconnected with the main portion (50) along the seam (58). The extension portion (100) covers an additional portion of the vehicle side structure (16).

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) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that has an inflatable volume (34). A first fill tube (42) has a portion positioned in a first portion (50) of the inflatable volume (34). A second fill tube (44) has a portion positioned in a second portion (52) of the inflatable volume (34). An inflation fluid distribution manifold (70) is connectable with an inflator (40). The manifold (70) includes a first flow orifice (196) that directs inflation fluid to flow into the first fill tube (42) at a first flow rate. The manifold (70) includes a second flow orifice (198) that directs inflation to fluid flow into the second fill tube (44) at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate.

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: 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) that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14), when inflated, has a perimeter (44) and front and rear portions (58 and 60) spaced apart horizontally along the protection device. The protection device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that define an inflatable volume and at least one connection (80) within the perimeter (44) at which the overlying panels are interconnected. The at least one connection (80) defines inflatable chambers (100) of the protection device (14) that extend between the front and rear portions (58 and 60) in a generally horizontal direction when the protection device is inflated.

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 vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14), when inflated, has a perimeter (44) and front and rear portions (58 and 60) spaced apart horizontally along the protection device. The protection device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that define an inflatable volume (46) and at least one connection (80) within the perimeter (44) at which the overlying panels are interconnected. The at least one connection (80) defines inflatable chambers (100) of the protection device (14) that extend between the front and rear portions (58 and 60) in a generally horizontal direction when the protection device is inflated.