Abstract: An air bag for protecting the side and head of an occupant during a side impact collision including: a first side panel (42a) joined to a second panel (42b) and having a neck portion (52) for receipt of inflation gas for a cooperating inflator (30). The air bag characterized in that its upper portion is pressurized to a greater level than a lower portion. A corresponding upper portion of each panel may be coated or alternatively the air bag may include a separator (46) or seam (46,66) to divert a predetermined amount of inflation gas into one of the other chambers.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: an inflator (20) for providing inflation gas, including a cylindrical body (22, 44) having at least one exhaust port (42a,b) located on a wall thereof through which a stream of inflation gas (40) exits, and a retainer (140) for securing the inflation means, including a hollow cylindrical retainer body for receipt of the inflation means and for diverting the inflation gas stream into a diffuser. The diffuser (210) comprises an inflatable gas permeable portion (212) for receiving the inflation gas stream such that when the inflation gas exits the gas permeable portion such inflation gas is generally uniformly distributed therethrough and communicated to an air bag. The diffuser includes a first portion (216a,b) attached the gas permeable portion and secured to the retainer. The air bag (230) is secured about the diffuser, for receipt of the inflation gas exiting the diffuser.

Abstract: A reaction can (40) formed from a light weight typically non-structural material, comprising: a housing (42) comprising sides (24a, b, 26a, b) defining an open mouth and a bottom (28) generally opposite the mouth; and a reinforcement collar the sides, about the mouth to reinforce the housing.