Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16), a roof (18), and A, B, C, and D pillars (22, 24, 26, 28) includes a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (50) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (50), when inflated, is positioned generally between only the C pillar (26) and the D pillar (28) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) also includes an inflation fluid source (52) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (50).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16), a roof (18), and A, B, C, and D pillars (22, 24, 26, 28) includes a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (50) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (50), when inflated, is positioned generally between only the C pillar (26) and the D pillar (28) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) also includes an inflation fluid source (52) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (50).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for inserting into and covering an opening (22) of an instrument panel (12) comprises an air bag module (14). The air bag module (14) has an air bag (50), which is inflatable through the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12) for protecting a vehicle occupant during a crash condition. The apparatus (10) further comprises a door (16) for covering the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12). The door (16) is attached to the air bag module (14) and is movable relative to the air bag module (14) to locate the door (16) relative to the instrument panel (12). The door (16) and the instrument panel (12) have respective interlocking portions (34 and 90), which snap together to attach the door (16) to the instrument panel (12). The interlocking portions (34 and 90) snap together when the air bag module (14) is inserted into the opening (22) in the instrument panel (22) and the door (16) is moved relative to the air bag module (14) into a position to cover the opening (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having an instrument panel (12) includes a knee bolster (30) movable in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent the instrument panel to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. The knee bolster (30) has at least one fastener opening (62) and a tear seam (70) extending around the fastener opening. The tear seam (70) defines and encloses a securing portion (72) of the knee bolster (30). A fastener (76) releasably maintains the knee bolster (30) in the stored position adjacent to the instrument panel (12). The fastener (76) extends through the fastener opening (62) in the knee bolster (30) and overlies the securing portion (72) of the knee bolster. The knee bolster (30) ruptures at the tear seam (70) in response to movement of the knee bolster from the stored position to the blocking position.