Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid ( ) to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid ( ) to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid ( ) to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid ( ) to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a storage container (30), a primary inflation fluid under pressure in a gaseous state in the container, and a secondary inflation fluid under pressure in the container. The container (30) is openable to enable the primary inflation fluid to flow out of the container into the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device (14). At least a portion of the secondary inflation fluid is in a non-gaseous state in the container (30) during flow of the primary inflation fluid into the inflatable device. The portion of the secondary inflation fluid in the non-gaseous state thereafter changing to the gaseous state and flowing into the inflatable device to maintain the inflatable device in the inflated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle seat (10) having a tubular seat frame (60) defining a fluid manifold (66). The apparatus also includes at least two deployable vehicle occupant protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) for helping to protect a vehicle seat occupant from injury in the event of a vehicle collision. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are spaced apart from each other. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66) and are deployable by fluid directed into the protection devices from the fluid manifold. A single actuatable device (150) provides pressurized fluid for deploying one or more of the protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142). The actuatable device (150) is in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a frame structure (32) defining a deployment opening (40), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) aligned with the deployment opening (40), and a deployment structure (24) extending across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) has first and second locking portions (70, 72) in releasably interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32) at locations spaced apart across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) is configured to undergo non-rupturing deflection under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (14). Such non-rupturing deflection of the deployment structure (24) moves the first locking portion (70) partially out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32), and moves the second locking portion (72) fully out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (22) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and for maintaining the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in an inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator (22) contains a stored inflation fluid under pressure. The inflation fluid consists essentially of helium.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining first and second combustion chambers (100, 120). A first inflation fluid source (140) in the first combustion chamber (100) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A first initiator (112) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the first inflation fluid source (140). A second inflation fluid source (150) in the second combustion chamber (120) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A second initiator (124) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the second inflation fluid source (150). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of one or both of the inflation fluid sources (140, 150). The housing (20), after deforming, has a fluid passage (90) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The flow area of the fluid passage (90) varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing (20).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a pivotal deployment door (82) and a decorative emblem structure (52) having an installed position on the deployment door (82). The deployment door (82) is configured to open under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) further includes a first fastener structure (110) on the deployment door (82) and a second fastener structure (114) on the emblem structure (52). The fastener structures (110, 114) are configured to snap together to establish a mechanical interlock between the deployment door (82) and the emblem structure (52) upon movement of the emblem structure (52) to the installed position on the deployment door (82).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a seat (11) for a vehicle occupant (18), a support (20) for the seat (11), and an actuator mechanism (40). The seat (11) has a forward position in the vehicle (12) and a rearward position in the vehicle (12). The support (20) enables the seat (11) to move on the support (20) from the forward position to the rearward position in the vehicle (12) during a frontal vehicle collision (13). The actuator mechanism (40), when actuated, moves the seat (11) from the forward position to the rearward position in a first stage of movement and raises a front portion (14) of the seat (11) in a second stage of movement subsequent to the completion of the first stage.

Abstract: An initiator (50) for rupturing a burst disk (36) in an air bag inflator (10) includes a body of ignitable material (112) for, when ignited, generating combustion products. A base (52) supports the body of ignitable material (112), and an electrically energizable member (80) for igniting the ignitable material, on the inflator (10). The initiator (50) also includes a cap (90) sealed to the base (52). The cap (90) encloses the ignitable material (112) and maintains the ignitable material in position on the base (52). At least a first portion (94) of the cap (90) is releasable from the base (52) under the force of the combustion products of the ignitable material (112) to enable movement of at least the first portion of the cap away from the base and into engagement with the burst disk (36) to rupture the burst disk.

Abstract: A circuit chip (64) contains a semi-conductor bridge circuit (“SCB”) (66). The SCB (66) initiates an actuatable device, such as an occupant protection device (16A). The circuit chip (64) also contains a memory (68) that holds an identification (70A) of the actuatable device (16A). Preferably, the circuit chip (64) is part of a vehicle occupant protection system (12). Within the system (12) is a controller (14) and a communication interconnection (44) that permits communication between the controller (14) and the device (16A) to control actuation of the device. The controller (14) includes a theft deterrent function (78) to discern the identity of the device (16A) held within the memory (68). The theft deterrent function (78) also makes a determination as to whether the discerned identity of the device corresponds to a predetermined identity and provides a signal indicative of the determination.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises an inflator structure (14) defining a chamber (50) for containing a quantity of inflation fluid (52) under pressure. The inflator structure (14) has a rupturable wall portion (60) blocking fluid flow out of the chamber (50). An actuatable initiator (74) is connected with the inflator structure (14) for generating combustion products. The initiator (74) has a central axis (80). A spherical projectile (76) is supported adjacent to the initiator (74) and is movable away from the initiator under the force of the combustion products of the initiator into engagement with the wall portion (60) to rupture the wall portion. The apparatus (10) includes a focusing sleeve (78) for constraining the spherical projectile (76) to move in a predetermined direction from the initiator (74) to the wall portion (60). The focusing sleeve (78) has an axis (142) located on the axis (80) of the initiator (74).

Abstract: A safety apparatus (12) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a side structure (16) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having an inflated condition disposed between the vehicle occupant and the side structure. The safety apparatus (12) also comprises an inflator assembly (10) for inflating the protection device (14) and for maintaining the protection device in the inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator assembly (10) includes at least one container (30) having gas (52) stored under pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the inflator assembly (10) comprises a primary outlet passage (70) connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid (52) from the inflator assembly at a relatively high rate over a relatively short period of time. The inflator assembly (10) also preferably has a secondary outlet passage (90) connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid from the inflator assembly at a relatively low rate for about five to ten seconds.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes seat (11) for a vehicle occupant (15) and a support (20) for the seat (11). The seat (11) has a forward position in a vehicle (12) and a rearward position in the vehicle (12). The support (20) enables the seat (11) to move, relative to the support (20), from the forward position to the rearward position in the vehicle (12) during a frontal vehicle collision (13). The seat (11) moves from the forward position to the rearward position due to a force transmitted to the seat (11) through the legs (16) of the vehicle occupant (15).

Abstract: A headrest apparatus (10) for a vehicle seat (14) includes first and second relatively movable cushion portions (18a, 18b). An outer covering (16) for the first and second cushion portions has a head engaging portion (19) for engaging the head (21) of a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) further includes actuatable means (36) located within the outer covering (16) which, upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash event, moves the head engaging portion (19) of the outer covering (16) and one (18a) of said cushion portions relative to the other cushion portion (18b) in a direction toward the head (21) of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect the lower extremities (44) of an occupant (40) of a vehicle (12) includes a sheet member (50) for extending along the floor (14) of the vehicle. The sheet member (50) has a surface (58) extending under the occupant's lower extremities between opposite first and second end portions (54, 52) of the sheet member. The sheet member (50) has a first condition in which the sheet member is spaced from the vehicle floor (14) by a first distance. The apparatus (10) includes an actuatable power source (84) for pulling at least the first end portion (54) of the sheet member (50) to tension the sheet member between the first end portion and the second end portion (52). The apparatus (10) also includes a vehicle crash sensor (80) for actuating the power source (84) in the event of a vehicle collision to tension the sheet member (50) and move the sheet member from the first condition to a second condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a container (14) defining a chamber (40). The container (14) has a portion (36) which is rupturable to form an opening in the container. A quantity of inflation fluid (42) is stored under pressure in the chamber (40). An electrically actuatable initiator (50) is connected with the container (14) for rupturing the rupturable portion (36) of the container to enable flow of inflation fluid (42) out of the inflator (10). The initiator (50) comprises an ignitable primary charge (90) and electrically energizable means (60) for igniting the primary charge. The initiator (50) further comprises a secondary charge (100) ignitable by the primary charge (90). The secondary charge (100) comprises an ignitable metal in solid form which liquefies when ignited by the primary charge (90).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (28) into a position along the vehicle side structure (16) between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). A flexible elongated member (54) resists movement of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) away from the vehicle side structure (16) when the vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. A tensioning member (52) is movable a given distance upon inflation of the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The tensioning member (52) retracts a length of the flexible elongated member (54) equal to at least approximately twice the given distance when the tensioning member (52) moves the given distance.