Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

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 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. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises first and second gas impermeable panels (40 and 42). Stitching (44) extends into the first and second panels (40 and 42) and secures portions of the panels together. A first gas impermeable piece (70) is secured to the first panel (44) in a position overlying the stitching (44) in the first panel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The vehicle occupant protection device (14), when inflated, has an outer panel (47) positioned adjacent to the side structure (16) and an opposite inner panel (48). Apertures (70) are spaced in a row and extend through the device (14). First and second flexible elongated members (80 and 82) have respective first ends (84 and 94) and opposite second ends (86 and 96) connected to the side structure (16). The first and second flexible elongated members (80 and 82) extend through the apertures (70) and have respective first and second portions (102 and 110) which extend along respective first and second parts (104 and 112) of the outer panels (47) and then along respective first and second parts of the inner panels (48).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (18) and a roof (28) includes a non-inflatable curtain (14). The non-inflatable curtain (14) is deployable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The non-inflatable curtain (14), when deployed, extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (18) of the vehicle. An inflatable device (16) is inflatable into a position between the side structure (18) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. First and second tethers (68 and 72) connect the inflatable device (16) to the non-inflatable curtain (14). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (16). The inflatable device (16), when inflated, tensions the first and second tethers (68 and 72) to deploy the non-inflatable curtain (14) in the first direction.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a panel (56) and a patch (80) attached to the panel (56). The panel (56) has slits (62) defining inflation fluid vents. The patch (80) has slits (84) defining inflation vents in series with the vents in the panel (56).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes an air bag (16), a mounting plate (14) for mounting the air bag in the vehicle, and a retaining ring (18). The air bag (16) is clamped between the retaining ring (18) and the mounting plate (14). A recess (130) is formed on a first one of the retaining ring and the mounting plate (14). A projection (100) on a second one of the retaining ring (18) and the mounting plate (14) forces a portion of the air bag (16) into the recess (130) to resist movement of the air bag relative to the retaining ring and the mounting plate.