Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece woven (OPW) air bag includes providing yarns having a spin finish and warping the yarns on at least one beam of a loom. The yarns are simultaneously woven into a fabric air bag structure having two layer portions defining an inflatable volume and single layer portions forming seams delimiting the inflatable volume. The air bag structure is coated to cover the spin finish. The coated air bag structure is cut to define the one-piece woven air bag.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece woven (OPW) air bag includes providing yarns having a spin finish and warping the yarns on at least one beam of a loom. The yarns are simultaneously woven into a fabric air bag structure having two layer portions defining an inflatable volume and single layer portions forming seams delimiting the inflatable volume. The air bag structure is coated to cover the spin finish. The coated air bag structure is cut to define the one-piece woven air bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (16) of a vehicle safety system as well as to a method of mounting an actuator assembly (10) for activating a tensile means (12) on a module casing (14) of the airbag module (16), comprising the following steps: a) the tensile means (12) is connected to the actuator assembly (10) and is fixed to a mounting element (18) together with the actuator assembly (10) so that the tensile means (12), the actuator assembly (10) and the mounting element (18) constitute a pre-mounted unit (20); the pre-mounted (20) is arranged inside the module casing (14) and is fastened to the module casing (14) by means of the mounting element (18).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a curtain airbag having an upper edge portion for securing to an interior of a vehicle for deployment between a side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. Indicia extends along the length of the curtain airbag for indicating twisting of the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is rolled up along its length. The indicia includes a bar code printed on the airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a curtain airbag having an upper edge portion for securing to an interior of a vehicle for deployment between a side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. Indicia extends along the length of the curtain airbag for indicating twisting of the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is rolled up along its length. The indicia includes a bar code printed on the airbag.

Abstract: A laminate film for a vehicle occupant protection device has at least one copolyester barrier layer and at least one copolyester adhesive layer connected to the at least one barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece woven air bag includes weaving yarns into a one-piece woven fabric air bag structure having single layer portions and two layer portions in which an inflatable volume is defined between the two layer portions and in which the single layer portions are non-inflatable portions that help define the shape and configuration of the inflatable volume. The step of weaving yarns is performed using a water-jet loom.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece woven air bag includes weaving yarns into a one-piece woven fabric air bag structure having single layer portions and two layer portions in which an inflatable volume is defined between the two layer portions and in which the single layer portions are non-inflatable portions that help define the shape and configuration of the inflatable volume. The step of weaving yarns is performed using a water-jet loom.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The inflatable curtain (14) includes a main portion (100) comprising at least one inflatable chamber (52). The inflatable curtain (14) also includes a mounting portion (102) constructed separately from the main portion (100). The mounting portion (102) has a lower edge portion (108) connectable to an upper edge portion (106) of the main portion (100). The mounting portion (102) when connected to the main portion (100) forms an upper edge portion of the inflatable curtain (14) that is connectable with the vehicle (12) to help secure the inflatable curtain in the vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) includes a fabric substrate (12) and a coating (14) provided on a surface (16) of the fabric substrate (12). The coating (14) includes a thermoplastic polyether polyurethane base resin and an antiblocking agent. The base resin is at least about 50% by weight of the coating (14).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a woven panel (41) comprising first and second side panels (40 and 42) positioned overlying each other. The side panels (40 and 42) are not coated or laminated on any surface. Stitching (58) extends through and interconnects the overlying first and second panels (40 and 42). A film layer (75) is laminated onto the woven panel (41) covering an outer surface of the woven panel and the stitching (58).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes strands of material woven together to form both (a) overlying woven panels (40 and 42) and (b) single layer first and second woven seams (120 and 150) that include strands of material from each of the overlying panels. The first and second seams (120 and 150) help define an inflatable volume (60) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) between the overlying panels (40 and 42). The first seam (120) has a weave pattern different than the weave pattern of the second seam (150).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a one piece woven substrate (102) that defines an inflatable volume (60) of the protection device. Permeability reducing layers (100) are applied to an outer surface (110) of the substrate (102). The permeability reducing layers (100) include a first permeability reducing layer (100) comprising an adhesive film (104) extruded onto the outer surface (110) of the substrate (102) and a second permeability reducing layer (106) applied over the adhesive film.

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: 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). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection 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. The apparatus (10) also includes a housing (26) for storing the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) in a stored position extending along the vehicle side structure (16) adjacent the vehicle roof (18). The housing (26) includes a portion that forms an interior trim piece (190) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) also includes at least one grab handle (34) and at least one connector (200) that extends through the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), the housing (26) and the grab handle.

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). The protection 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. The protection device (14) includes first and second overlying panels (40 and 42) that are interconnected to define an inflatable volume (50). The first panel (40) includes a first predetermined number of layers of material (94) and the second panel (42) includes a second predetermined number of layers of material (90 and 92) greater than the first predetermined number of layers.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between a part of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that are secured together. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The panels (40 and 42) include first overlying portions (100) subject to relatively low stress that extend across the inflatable device (14) when inflated. The panels (40 and 42) further include second overlying portions (102) subject to relatively high stress that extend across the inflatable device (14) when inflated. The first portions (100) have a woven construction of a first weave density. The second portions (102) have a woven construction of a second weave density, greater than the first weave density.

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). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection 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. The apparatus (10) also includes a housing (26) for storing the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) in a stored position extending along the vehicle side structure (16) adjacent the vehicle roof (18). The housing (26) includes a portion that forms an interior trim piece (190) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) also includes at least one grab handle (34) and at least one connector (200) that extends through the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), the housing (26) and the grab handle.

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 member (50) is operative to move the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition in response to deployment of the protection device (12). Latching means (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for preventing the vent member from remaining in the closed condition. Control means (102) is operative to actuate the latching means (48) selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between a part of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that are secured together. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The panels (40 and 42) include first overlying portions (100) subject to relatively low stress that extend across the inflatable device (14) when inflated. The panels (40 and 42) further include second overlying portions (102) subject to relatively high stress that extend across the inflatable device (14) when inflated. The first portions (100) have a woven construction of a first weave density. The second portions (102) have a woven construction of a second weave density, greater than the first weave density.