Abstract: A method of disposing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10b) in a stored condition adjacent a retainer (212) to which the protection device (10b) is connected and an associated apparatus are provided. During the method, a bottom portion (252) of the protection device (10b) is packed. Parts of first and second side portions (254 and 256) of the protection device (10b) are disposed in a stack (276) with the bottom portion (252) so that the stack (276) includes three layers (280, 282, and 284). A first side surface (290) of the stack (276) is positioned adjacent the retainer (212). A flap (302) is formed from a top portion (250) of the protection device (10b). The flap (302) is extended from the retainer (212) and over a second side surface (292) of the stack (276).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10c) has an inflatable occupant protection device (12c) and a support member (20c) having a vent opening (44c). A vent member (46c) is associated with the vent opening (44c). A tether (50c) extends between the protection device (12c) and the vent member (46c). The vent member (46c) is initially in a first condition closing the vent opening (44c). The vent member (46c) is moved to a second condition spaced apart from the vent opening (44c) and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening (44c) upon initial inflation of the protection device (12c). The vent member (46c) is moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether (50c) that results from inflation of the protection device (12c) away from the support member (20c) by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) has a vent panel (40) defining a first vent opening (42) for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of the device. A vent strap (60) has a second vent opening (72) movable relative to the first vent opening (42). The vent strap (60) has opposite ends (62, 66) that are fixed when the protection device (10) is in the deflated condition. The vent strap (60) has slack (80) due to the length of the strap being greater than the distance between the locations where its opposite ends (62, 66) are fixed. One of the ends (66) of the vent strap (60) moves as the protection device (10) is inflated to remove the slack (80) and move the second vent opening (72) relative to the first vent opening (42).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) comprises an instrument panel (30) for a vehicle (10), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (60), and a deployment door (68). A portion (44) of the instrument panel (30) includes a rearwardmost point (54) of the instrument panel (30). The deployment door (68) includes a panel (72) that moves between a closed position and an open position on inflation of the protection device (60). An end (86) of the panel (72) is connected with the portion (44) of the instrument panel (30). The end (86) of the panel (72) is spaced from a farthest point on an end (84) of the panel (72) by a first distance (E). The rearwardmost point (54) is located in an imaginary vertical plane that is spaced horizontally from the end (86) of the panel (72) of the deployment door (68) by a second distance (D) that is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A method of folding an air bag (10) includes locating the air bag in a first configuration with front and back parts (140, 142) overlying each other and with a side part (70) folded and extending outwardly from the front and back parts. First and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) are on opposite sides of a top to bottom centerline (154). A retainer (114) is located adjacent the top edge (144) of the configuration. The air bag (10) is folded from bottom to top to a second configuration in which it overlies and has a height corresponding to the height of the retainer (114). The first and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) have portions (151, 153) that project laterally beyond the sides (124, 126) of the retainer (114). The laterally projecting portions (151, 153) are moved laterally inward to overlie the retainer (114), and the air bag (10) has a width corresponding to the width of the retainer.

Abstract: An air bag (12) is inflatable by inflation fluid. A support member (20) has a first vent opening (44) for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12). A vent member (46) is movable relative to the first vent opening (44) between a first condition in which the vent member does not close the opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12) and a second condition in which the vent member at least partially blocks the flow of inflation fluid through the opening and away from the bag. A tether (50) has a first portion (52) connected for movement with the bag (12) as the bag is deployed. The tether (50) is associated with the vent member (46) and causes it to move relative to the opening (44) from the first condition to the second condition as the bag (12) is deployed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a vent opening (44) for directing flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device. A vent member (46) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. A member (50) is operative to move the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition in response to deployment of the protection device (12). Latching means (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for preventing the vent member from remaining in the closed condition. Control means (102) is operative to actuate the latching means (48) selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: An air bag (10) has a deflated condition stored in a container (40) in a vehicle and has an inflated condition. The air bag (10) when in the inflated condition has lower and upper sections (64, 74). The air bag (10) has a first portion (60) forming the lower section (64) of the air bag, and a second portion (70) forming the upper section (74). The air bag (10) includes a back panel (82) disposed farthest from a vehicle occupant (22) and a front panel (80) disposed closest to the occupant. The first portion (60) of the air bag (10) is folded into a compact shape and stored in a lower portion (62) of the container (40). The second portion (70) of the air bag (10) is rolled into a compact shape and stored in an upper portion (72) of the container (40). The second portion (70) inflates upward and unrolls in a direction away from the occupant (22) so that the front panel (80) is presented toward the occupant. The first portion (60) of the air bag (10) inflates before the second portion (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20), an inflator (30), and a cover (40). The inflator (30) inflates the protection device (20). The cover (40) includes a center section (155) interposed between first and second side sections (151, 152). The cover (40) has a strong tear seam (170) and a weak tear seam (160). The weak tear seam (160) releases when subjected to a first force by the protection device (20). The strong tear seam (170) releases after the weak tear seam (160) releases. The protection device (20), while being inflated, releases the weak tear seam (160) and moves at least one of the side sections (151, 152) away from the center section (155). The protection device (20) deploys through a first area provided by moving the side section (151, 152). The protection device (20) urges a vehicle occupant (15) away from the center section (155).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) has a vent panel (40) defining a first vent opening (42) for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of the device. A vent strap (60) has a second vent opening (72) movable relative to the first vent opening (42). The vent strap (60) has opposite ends (62, 66) that are fixed when the protection device (10) is in the deflated condition. The vent strap (60) has slack (80) due to the length of the strap being greater than the distance between the locations where its opposite ends (62, 66) are fixed. One of the ends (66) of the vent strap (60) moves as the protection device (10) is inflated to remove the slack (80) and move the second vent opening (72) relative to the first vent opening (42).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises a seat belt system (50) having a buckled condition and an unbuckled condition, and a sensor (56) for determining the buckled condition of the seat belt system. An inflatable occupant protection device (12) has a deflated condition and an inflated condition. An inflator (32) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). The protection apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (44) for venting inflation fluid from the protection apparatus (10). Electric circuitry (40) is responsive to a determination of the buckled condition of the seat belt system (50) and the inflated condition of the inflatable device (12), for actuating the electrically energizable mechanism (44) to vent inflation fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (14) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition. A support structure (18) secures a portion of the inflatable device (14). A plurality of tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) extend between the support structure (18) and the inflatable device (14). At least one sensor (62, 64, 66, or 68) senses a vehicle occupant condition and generates an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition. A control module (72) receives the occupant condition signal and determines a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device (14). The control module (72) determines which of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) to release for inflating the inflatable device (14) to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiates the release of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) from the support structure (18).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflator (14) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (12). A retainer (40) is connected with the protection device (12). One of the inflator (14) and the retainer (40) is movable between a first condition blocking venting of inflation fluid from the apparatus (10) and a second condition venting inflation fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (80) to release the one of the inflator (14) and the retainer (40) for movement from the first condition to the second condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant (36) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) having a stored, deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the occupant. An inflator (46) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (44). The apparatus (10) also includes a flap (80) made of fabric material. The flap (80) is stored with the protection device (44). The flap (80) is deployed by inflation of the protection device (44) into a position engaging and covering a head (38) of the vehicle occupant for guiding deployment of the protection device (44) over the head of the occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) comprises an instrument panel (30) for a vehicle (10), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (60), and a deployment door (68). A portion (44) of the instrument panel (30) includes a rearwardmost point (54) of the instrument panel (30). The deployment door (68) includes a panel (72) that moves between a closed position and an open position on inflation of the protection device (60). An end (86) of the panel (72) is connected with the portion (44) of the instrument panel (30). The end (86) of the panel (72) is spaced from a farthest point on an end (84) of the panel (72) by a first distance (E). The rearwardmost point (54) is located in an imaginary vertical plane that is spaced horizontally from the end (86) of the panel (72) of the deployment door (68) by a second distance (D) that is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: An air bag (10) has a deflated condition stored in a container (40) in a vehicle and has an inflated condition. The air bag (10) when in the inflated condition has lower and upper sections (64, 74). The air bag (10) has a first portion (60) forming the lower section (64) of the air bag, and a second portion (70) forming the upper section (74). The air bag (10) includes a back panel (82) disposed farthest from a vehicle occupant (22) and a front panel (80) disposed closest to the occupant. The first portion (60) of the air bag (10) is folded into a compact shape and stored in a lower portion (62) of the container (40). The second portion (70) of the air bag (10) is rolled into a compact shape and stored in an upper portion (72) of the container (40). The second portion (70) inflates upward and unrolls in a direction away from the occupant (22) so that the front panel (80) is presented toward the occupant. The first portion (60) of the air bag (10) inflates before the second portion (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20), an inflator (30), and a cover (40). The inflator (30) inflates the protection device (20). The cover (40) includes a center section (155) interposed between first and second side sections (151, 152). The cover (40) has a strong tear seam (170) and a weak tear seam (160). The weak tear seam (160) releases when subjected to a first force by the protection device (20). The strong tear seam (170) releases after the weak tear seam (160) releases. The protection device (20), while being inflated, releases the weak tear seam (160) and moves at least one of the side sections (151, 152) away from the center section (155). The protection device (20) deploys through a first area provided by moving the side section (151, 152). The protection device (20) urges a vehicle occupant (15) away from the center section (155).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (14) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition. A support structure (18) secures a portion of the inflatable device (14). A plurality of tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) extend between the support structure (18) and the inflatable device (14). At least one sensor (62, 64, 66, or 68) senses a vehicle occupant condition and generates an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition. A control module (72) receives the occupant condition signal and determines a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device (14). The control module (72) determines which of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) to release for inflating the inflatable device (14) to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiates the release of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) from the support structure (18).

Abstract: A method of folding an air bag (10) includes locating the air bag in a first configuration with front and back parts (140, 142) overlying each other and with a side part (70) folded and extending outwardly from the front and back parts. First and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) are on opposite sides of a top to bottom centerline (154). A retainer (114) is located adjacent the top edge (144) of the configuration. The air bag (10) is folded from bottom to top to a second configuration in which it overlies and has a height corresponding to the height of the retainer (114). The first and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) have portions (151, 153) that project laterally beyond the sides (124, 126) of the retainer (114). The laterally projecting portions (151, 153) are moved laterally inward to overlie the retainer (114), and the air bag (10) has a width corresponding to the width of the retainer.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) comprises flexible material defining an inflation fluid volume (42) for receiving inflation fluid. The material includes a first panel portion (30) on which is located a set of first points (A-D) and a second panel portion (40) on which is located a set of second points (A′-D′). A rupturable stitching section (50) holds the set of first points (A-D) closely adjacent the set of second points (A′-D′)when the device (10) is in the deflated condition and when the device is in a partially inflated condition. The rupturable stitching section (50) is rupturable in response to the application of a force greater than a predetermined force in response to inflation of the protection device (10). Rupturing of the stitching section (50) enables movement of the first panel portion (30) away from the second panel portion (40).