Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device includes a first panel having a centerline and first and second openings. A second panel is secured to the first panel to define an inflatable volume. First and second self-adaptive vents are secured to the first panel over the first and second openings on opposite sides of the centerline for selectively releasing inflation fluid from the inflatable volume in response to penetration of the occupant into the protection device. A first reinforcing stitching extends through the first panel and around a portion of the first self-adaptive vent. A second reinforcing stitching extends through the first panel and around a portion of the second self-adaptive vent. Each of the first and second reinforcing stitchings is spaced entirely from the respective first and second self-adaptive vents.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of vehicle (12) having a seat (16 or 22) for receiving the occupant (20) includes an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition in the vehicle (12) adjacent a reaction surface (19, 23, 36) to a deployed condition between the reaction surface and the vehicle occupant (20). The protection device (14) includes a front portion (62) presented toward the seat (22) and an inflatable volume for receiving a penetrating occupant (20?) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition. A rear portion (64) connected to the front portion (62) has an inflatable volume spaced from the front portion (62) by a space (110). The front portion (62) is positioned between the vehicle occupant (20) and the rear portion (64) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety system helps protect front seat occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision that results in oblique forward occupant movement. The safety system includes a frontal air bag inflatable between on instrument panel end the front seat vehicle occupant, and a central air bag inflatable adjacent and inboard of the frontal air bag. The frontal air bag can be configured and positioned to receive and cushion the vehicle occupant moving in an oblique direction in the vehicle as the result of a vehicle collision. The central air bag can be configured and positioned to support an inboard portion of the frontal airbag against flattening out in response to receiving the obliquely moving occupant, and to engage the obliquely moving occupant's head and resist rotation of the vehicle occupant's head resulting from moving obliquely into engagement with the frontal air bag.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) having a seat (16 or 22) for receiving the occupant (20) includes an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition in the vehicle (12) adjacent a reaction surface (19, 23, 36) to a deployed condition between the reaction surface and the vehicle occupant (20). The protection device (14) includes a front portion (62) presented toward the seat (22) and an inflatable volume for receiving a penetrating occupant (20?) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition. A rear portion (64) connected to the front portion (62) has an inflatable volume spaced from the front portion (62) by a space (110). The front portion (62) is positioned between the vehicle occupant (20) and the rear portion (64) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of vehicle (12) having a seat (16 or 22) for receiving the occupant (20) includes an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition in the vehicle (12) adjacent a reaction surface (19, 23 36) to a deployed condition between the reaction surface and the vehicle occupant (20). The protection device (14) includes a front portion (62) presented toward the seat (22) and an inflatable volume for receiving a penetrating occupant (20?) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition. A rear portion (64) connected to the front portion (62) has an inflatable volume spaced from the front portion (62) by a space (110). The front portion (62) is positioned between the vehicle occupant (20) and the rear portion (64) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) having a seat (16 or 22) for receiving the occupant (20) includes an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition in the vehicle (12) adjacent a reaction surface (19, 23, 36) to a deployed condition between the reaction surface and the vehicle occupant (20). The protection device (14) includes a front portion (62) presented toward the seat (22) and an inflatable volume for receiving a penetrating occupant (20?) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition. A rear portion (64) connected to the front portion (62) has an inflatable volume spaced from the front portion (62) by a space (110). The front portion (62) is positioned between the vehicle occupant (20) and the rear portion (64) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: The fluid collection assembly includes a pan that may be positioned beneath a vehicle. A funnel is coupled to the pan. The funnel is positionable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The funnel collects the fluid. The fluid is directed into the pan.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an air bag (16) inflatable between the occupant's head/torso and an instrument panel (36) of the vehicle (12). A knee bolster (18) is inflatable between the occupant's legs/pelvis and the instrument panel (36). A flexible housing (32) supports both the air bag (16) and the knee bolster (18) within the instrument panel (36).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has an instrument panel and a windshield includes an air bag (14) packaged in an air bag module (30). The air bag (14) is inflatable to a deployed position between the instrument panel and a vehicle occupant. A deployment restrictor (100) is secured to the air bag module (30). The deployment restrictor (100) includes a deflector panel (102) secured to the air bag module (30) and having a portion that is positioned between the packaged air bag (14) and the windshield. The deflector panel (102) at least partially covers the packaged air bag (14) so that the deflector panel moves with the deploying air bag toward the windshield. The connection of the deflector panel (102) to the air bag module (30) limits movement of the deflector panel toward the windshield and thereby redirects the air bag to deploy away from where it would otherwise impact the windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has an instrument panel and a windshield includes an air bag (14) packaged in an air bag module (30). The air bag (14) is inflatable to a deployed position between the instrument panel and a vehicle occupant. A deployment restrictor (100) is secured to the air bag module (30). The deployment restrictor (100) includes a deflector panel (102) secured to the air bag module (30) and having a portion that is positioned between the packaged air bag (14) and the windshield. The deflector panel (102) at least partially covers the packaged air bag (14) so that the deflector panel moves with the deploying air bag toward the windshield. The connection of the deflector panel (102) to the air bag module (30) limits movement of the deflector panel toward the windshield and thereby redirects the air bag to deploy away from where it would otherwise impact the windshield.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one panel (212) of material that defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The at least one panel (212) has a portion presented toward the vehicle occupant when in an inflated and deployed condition. The protection device (14) includes at least one pleat (296, 316) formed in the at least one panel (212). The at least one pleat (296, 316) defines a cushioned portion (210) for receiving a portion of the occupant. The at least one pleat (296, 316) reduces fabric tension in the cushioned portion (210) to provide the cushioned portion with a degree of softness that is reduced over remaining areas of the protection device (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) includes a vent opening with a flow area that can be adjusted to throttle inflation fluid flow through the vent. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) throttles the vent (160). The second connection of the tether is positioned on the protection device (14) such that deployment of the protection device throttles the vent (160) toward an actuated condition, and occupant (20) penetration into the protection device throttles the vent toward a non-actuated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (14) includes a panel (74) having a portion presented toward the occupant (20) when the protection device is in the inflated condition. A tether (60) has a first connection (78) to a first portion (80) of the panel (74) and a second connection (72) to a second portion (76) of the panel. The tether (60) is operative to limit deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to unrestricted deployment of the first portion (80) of the panel. The tether (60) is also operative to permit further deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to occupant penetration into the first portion (80) of the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) actuates the vent (160). The vent (160) is initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device (14). Further deployment of the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the actuated condition. Occupant penetration into the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the non-actuated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to control deployment of an inflatable protection device (14) includes a tether (150) having a first connection with a first portion (100, 104) of the protection device and a second connection with a second portion (102) of the protection device. A guide (156) is connected to the protection device (14). The tether (150) extends through the guide (156). The tether (150) is configured to move through the guide (156) in order to translate movement of the first portion (100, 104) of the protection device (14) in a first direction to movement of the second portion (102) of the protection device in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. An anchor tether (102) is secured to the vehicle (12). A shaping tether (104) is secured to a first portion (116) of the protection device (14). A releasable connection (132) connects the anchor tether (102) and shaping tether (104). The shaping tether (104) secured to the vehicle (12) via the connection (132) with the anchor tether (102) restricting deployment of the first portion (116) of the protection device (14). The connection (132) is configured to withstand tension between the anchor tether (102) and shaping tether (104) when the protection device (14) is fully pressurized.

Abstract: Tear stitching (100) for interconnecting portions (130, 140) of an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes first and second end portions (102, 104) having curled configurations and a central portion (110) extending between the end portions. The central portion (110) includes leg portions (112, 114) that converge at an angle and intersect a break point (116). The tear stitching (100) exhibits a comparatively high rupture strength in response to tension forces applied to the interconnected portions (130, 140) that act on the end portions (102, 104) of the tear stitching (100). The tear stitching (100) exhibits a comparatively low rupture strength in response to tension forces applied to the interconnected portions (130, 140) that act on the break point (116) of the tear stitching (100).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprising a panel (114) that at least partially defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. A vent (100) includes a sidewall that extends through the panel (114) and defines a passage (134) for venting inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (54). The vent (100) includes a first portion (102) extendable inside the inflatable volume (54) and an opposite second portion (104) extendable outside the inflatable volume. The vent (100) has an open condition in which the first portion (102) is maintained inside the inflatable volume (54) and thereby permits venting of inflation fluid through the passage (134), and a closed condition in which the first portion (102) is inverted and positioned in the second portion (104) thereby blocking inflation fluid from venting through the passage (134).

Abstract: An air bag module (30) includes an air bag (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition and a structure (34) for supporting the air bag. A first tether (106) has a first end connected to the structure via an actuatable fastener (122) and an opposite second end connected to the air bag (14). A second tether (104) having a first end secured to the first tether (106) by a releasable connection (132) at a location between the first and second ends of the first tether. The second tether has a second end connected to a deployable portion of the air bag (14).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one panel (212) of material that defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The at least one panel (212) has a portion presented toward the vehicle occupant when in an inflated and deployed condition. The protection device (14) includes at least one pleat (296, 316) formed in the at least one panel (212). The at least one pleat (296, 316) defines a cushioned portion (210) for receiving a portion of the occupant. The at least one pleat (296, 316) reduces fabric tension in the cushioned portion (210) to provide the cushioned portion with a degree of softness that is reduced over remaining areas of the protection device (14).