Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag configured to be mounted to a support structure of the vehicle. The airbag is inflatable to deploy from a stored condition away from the support structure toward a vehicle seat in which the occupant is seated to one of a first deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat, and a second deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a reclined condition of the vehicle seat. The airbag is configured to deploy to the first deployed condition in response to determining a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat and to the second deployed condition in response to determining a reclined condition of the vehicle seat.

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: A method of initiating and controlling electroless nickel plating on copper substrates carried into a plating bath on a continuous stainless steel web where the copper is electrically bussed or in physical contact with the steel is described. A bias current is applied to the plating bath and a feedback loop is established to determine initiation of plating as well as to ramp down the biasing current to prevent electro- or electroless plating of the web.

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 (28) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) configured to be inflated and deployed between a side structure (16) of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. A deployment sleeve (50) encircles a portion of the protection device. The deployment sleeve (50) includes a rupturable tear seam (54) that absorbs the initial break-out forces of the protection device (14) during the initial stages of inflation and deployment. The tear seam (54) is adapted to rupture after the deployment sleeve (50) absorbs the break-out forces and release the protection device (14) to inflate and deploy to a fully inflated and 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: A vehicle safety system (10) includes an oblique air bag (150) configured to be mounted at a mounting location in the vehicle (12). The oblique air bag (150) is configured to be inflated between an instrument panel (64) of the vehicle and an occupant (14) of a front driver side seat (20) of the vehicle. The oblique air bag (150) includes a support leg (160) that extends away tram the mounting location along the instrument panel (64) and has a portion positioned behind a steering wheel (72) of the vehicle. An occupant cushioning leg (170) is configured to extend rearward in the vehicle from the support leg (160) on an inboard side of the vehicle steering wheel (70). The cushioning leg (170) extends adjacent a steering wheel mounted frontal air bag (100) and extending rearward in the vehicle beyond the rearward extent of 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: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) for being inflated between an instrument panel (36) and a seat (22) of the vehicle (12) is provided. The protection device (14) includes a front portion (70) that has a panel (72) presented towards the vehicle seat (22), a rear portion (76) adjacent the instrument panel (36), and top and bottom portions (90, 92) interconnecting the front portion (70) and the rear portion (76) to define an inflatable volume (54). A pocket (100) defines an uninflated volume (102) outside of the inflatable volume (54). The pocket (100) is defined by a single panel (180) of the protection device (14). The panel (100) extends along a centerline (162) and includes an extension (180) of material on each side of the centerline (162). The extensions (180) overly one another and are interconnected along a seam (106) to form the pocket (100).

Abstract: Methods for producing flexible circuits can include creating treating a surface of the flexible circuit with at least one of an atmospheric plasma and a beam of ions. The atmospheric plasma is formed by directing a flow of gas between an electrode and the surface of the flexible circuit and generating a voltage between the electrode and the flexible circuit to create a plasma from the gas. A mean ion energy of the ions in the ion beam ranges from about 500 electron volts to about 1,500 electron volts.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) configured to be inflated and deployed between a side structure (16) of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. A deployment sleeve (50) encircles a portion of the protection device. The deployment sleeve (50) includes a rupturable tear seam (54) that absorbs the initial break-out forces of the protection device (14) during the initial stages of inflation and deployment. The tear seam (54) is adapted to rupture after the deployment sleeve (50) absorbs the break-out forces and release the protection device (14) to inflate and deploy to a fully inflated and deployed condition.

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 (110) has at least one opening (114) for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (110) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A guide tether (113) is connected to the vent door (120). A vent tether (112) is connected to the protection device (14) and includes a guide (123) connected to the guide tether (113) such that the guide (123) and guide tether (113) are slidable relative to one another. Tension on the vent tether (112) applies tension to the guide tether (113) for actuating the vent (110).

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 inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is provided for being inflated with inflation fluid towards a seat (22) of the vehicle (12). The protection device includes a front portion (70) presented towards the vehicle seat (22) and helping to define an inflatable volume (54). The front portion (70) includes a pair of extensions (344, 444) overlaid on one another and interconnected to form a pocket (100) defining a collapsed volume (120) outside the inflatable volume (54). The pocket (100) extends horizontally across the front portion (70) and towards the inflatable volume (54). A tether (500) has a first end portion (502) secured to both interconnected extensions (344, 444) and a second end portion (504) secured to a portion of the protection device such that the size of the pocket (100) remains larger than a predetermined amount when the protection device is fully inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) including a protection device (14) has a front panel (74) presented towards an occupant (20, 20a) and is inflatable between a vehicle surface (36, 38) and the occupant (20, 20a). A vent (100) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (100) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition prior to deployment of the protection device (14). A vent tether (154, 168) has a first end secured to the vent (100) end a second end having a releasable connection (153) with the protection device (14). A trigger tether (152,162) has a first end connected to the front panel (74) and a second end connected to the protection device (14) at the releasable connection (158). The trigger tether (152,162) Is slackened when the protection device (14) deploys less than a predetermined degree such that the releasable connection (158) remains intact to allow the vent tether (154,168) to place the vent (100) in the actuated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant. The protection device includes a front panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition. A vent includes at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether has a first end connected to the vent for actuating the vent and a second end connected to the protection device. A guide member connected to the front panel slidably receives a portion of the tether between the first and second ends. First and second portions of the guide member are releasably connected together to define a slackened portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant. The protection device includes a front panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition. A vent includes at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether has a first segment connected to the vent and the front panel of the protection device for actuating the vent and a second segment connected to the front panel and a rear portion of the protection device. Tear stitching connects portions of the second segment of the tether to form a slackened portion of the tether. The tear stitching remains intact such that the first segment is slackened and the vent in the non-actuated condition in response to initial deployment of the protection device below a predetermined degree.

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 (110) has at least one opening (114) for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (110) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A guide tether (113) is connected to the vent door (120). A vent tether (112) is connected to the protection device (14) and includes a guide (123) connected to the guide tether (113) such that the guide (123) and guide tether (113) are slidable relative to one another. Tension on the vent tether (112) applies tension to the guide tether (113) for actuating the vent (110).