Abstract: An inflatable safety restraint assembly for a vehicle having a front instrument panel and a side pillar. The inflatable safety restraint assembly includes an inflator device and a gas flow control structure connected in gas flow communication to the inflator device to receive inflation gas supplied by the inflator device. The inflatable safety restraint assembly also includes an airbag cushion that is connected in gas flow communication to the gas flow control structure. Upon activation of the inflator device, initial deployment of the airbag cushion occurs from a lower portion of the side pillar. The initial deployment of the airbag cushion occurs in a cross-vehicle direction toward a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Abstract: Folding methods and patterns for folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion for use in vehicles are provided. The folding patterns and methods of the invention assist in preventing failure of inflatable curtain airbag cushions by reducing the stress placed on specific regions of the longitudinal fill chambers of the cushions. These methods result in proper airbag deployment with reduced rates of cushion failure, thus providing reliable protection to vehicle occupants.