Abstract: An air bag assembly (20) including air bag (30) having at least a first inflatable region (32) having a plurality of restrictions peripherally located about the inflatable region and configured to restrict the degree of inflation of the air bag proximate the restrictions and configured to permit the first inflatable region of the air bag to achieve its maximum inflation in a region interior to the plurality of restrictions.

Abstract: A side impact air bag curtain apparatus comprising: an inflatable air bag adapted to be installed within a vehicle in a stowed condition proximate the roof rail of a vehicle and when inflated expands from the stowed condition to a deployed condition generally in front of an adjacent side of the vehicle; the air bag including a set of first air bag anchors fixedly connected to a determinable set of fixed first vehicle anchors within the vehicle, the air bag including at least one second air bag anchor at an end of the air bag; and a force-resolving member such as a bent rod or other member fixedly mounted at a determinable orientation within the vehicle and adapted to slidingly receive and support the second air bag anchor. The force-resolving member in concert with the foreshortening of the air bag during inflation causing the second air bag anchor to move to a preferred orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air bag and a method of forming the air bag. The invention comprises the steps of: a) partially constructing the air bag and leaving an opening at a determinable location at or near the periphery of the air bag to provide access to the interior thereof; b) inserting a tether into the interior of the bag through the opening; and c) securing one side of the tether to a first panel of the air bag and securing a second side of the tether to a second panel of the air bag; and closing the access opening.

Abstract: A safety apparatus including a rollover air bag to protect an occupant of a vehicle during the rolling-over of the vehicle, the rollover air bag comprising: first and second panels of woven material that has been coated on at least one side thereof to reduce the porosity of material to substantially zero, the panels sewn together along a first sewn seam to define an inflatable portion of the air bag; seam sealing means for sealing the first sewn seam so that the internal pressure of the air bag at about five (5) seconds from the time the air bag is initially inflated is about 35 Kpa (about 3.5 psi).

Abstract: An air bag and a method of forming the air bag, the invention comprising the steps of: a) partially constructing the air bag and leaving an opening at a determinable location at or near the periphery of the air bag to provide access to the interior thereof; b) inserting a tether into the interior of the bag through the opening; and c) securing one side of the tether to a first panel of the air bag and securing a second side of the tether to a second panel of the air bag; and closing the access opening.

Abstract: A side impact air bag curtain apparatus comprising: an inflatable air bag adapted to be installed within a vehicle in a stowed condition proximate the roof rail of a vehicle and when inflated expands from the stowed condition to a deployed condition generally in front of an adjacent side of the vehicle; the air bag including a set of first air bag anchors fixedly connected to a determinable set of fixed first vehicle anchors within the vehicle, the air bag including at least one second air bag anchor at an end of the air bag; and a force-resolving member such as a bent rod or other member fixedly mounted at a determinable orientation within the vehicle and adapted to slidingly receive and support the second air bag anchor. The force-resolving member in concert with the foreshortening of the air bag during inflation causing the second air bag anchor to move to a preferred orientation.

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (30) comprising a main panel (50) which has a deflated condition and which is inflatable into a position adjacent to an occupant for helping to protect the occupant. The module (10) also includes an inflator assembly (32, 34) actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the main panel (50) of the inflatable device (30). The inflator assembly (32, 34) has at least one fluid outlet (36) disposed within the main panel (50) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator assembly into the main panel. The inflatable device (30) also includes a shield (60) disposed within the main panel (50). The shield (60) overlies the fluid outlet (36) when the inflatable device (30) is in the deflated condition. The shield (60) is rupturable at a predetermined weakened portion (152) in response to the flow of inflation fluid from the fluid outlet (36) to enable flow of inflation fluid into the main panel (50) of the inflatable device (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (20) comprises a housing (22) which includes a main body (24) and two end plates (26, 28) located at opposite ends of the main body to define a chamber (60). An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (42) is located at least partially in the chamber (60). A retainer (44) mounts the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (42) to the housing (22). An inflator (40) is located in the chamber for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (42). Attachment structure on the end plates (26, 28) and the main body (24) attaches the end plates to the main body. The attachment structure comprises an opening (240) in one of the end plates (26, 28) and the main body (24) and a projection (242) on the other of the main body and the end plates. The opening (240) receives the projection (242). Fasteners (282) on the retainer (44) extend through each of the end plates (26, 28) to hold the end plates against the main body (24).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a housing (12) having a main body portion (14) and two end plates (16, 18). A retaining ring (30) is assembled into the housing (12) through a deployment opening (150) in the housing. Fasteners (190-196) on the retaining ring (30), along with fastener (166) on an inflator (20), secure the end plates (16, 18) to the main body portion (14) of the housing (12).

Abstract: An air bag subassembly has a specially designed continuous frame retainer incorporated into an air bag to enable the air bag to be coupled to the walls of an air bag container. The continuous frame retainer is configured to enable the retainer to be located inside the walls of the container. The continuous frame retainer comprises a plurality of frame components which are coupled with each other. A portion of each of the frame components has a tubular configuration with fastening structure which enables the continuous frame retainer to be fastened to the walls of the container. The frame components are formed of high carbon steel. Such material, and the tubular configuration of the portions of the frame components, provide high resistance to "fishmouthing" of the walls of the container during deployment of the air bag.