Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a stored condition in which the protection device is deflated, rolled up, and positioned extending along the vehicle roof (18). The protection device (16) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a deployed condition positioned between the side structure (16) and the vehicle occupant (28). The apparatus (10) also includes a housing (40) for the protection device (16) when in the stored condition. At least one of the housing (40) and the protection device (16) include a portion (200) for blocking telescoping movement of the protection device (14).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) is inflatable away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14) comprises overlying panels (40 and 42) that define an inflatable volume, and first and second connections (60 and 62) that interconnect the overlying panels. The first connection (60) has a first midpoint (70) and first and second portions (72 and 74) that extend from the first midpoint toward a first end portion (76) of the protection device (14). An angle (A) is formed between the first and second portions (72 and 74).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises overlying panels (40 and 42) connected together along a perimeter (48) of the panels to define an inflatable volume and a connection (60) that interconnects the overlying panels within the perimeter. The connection (60) comprises a plurality of linear segments (62a, 62b, 62c) that extend in a generally horizontal direction and are spaced vertically apart.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (14) comprises a seat (12) for the vehicle occupant. The seat (12) includes a seat frame member (20) having at least one mounting opening (60). The mounting opening (60) has an elongate configuration including a first portion (62) and a second portion (64). The apparatus (10) also comprises an air bag module (70) that has at least one mounting pin (80). The mounting pin (80) is insertable into the first portion (62) of the mounting opening (60) and is movable along the opening from the first portion to the second portion (64) of the opening. The mounting pin (80) and the seat frame member (70) have cooperating portions (92, 46, 48) that secure the mounting pin in the second portion (64) of the mounting opening (60) to secure the module (70) to the seat frame member.

Abstract: A roof (40) and side structure (20) of a vehicle at least partially define a safety apparatus mounting chamber (70). The mounting chamber (70) has an opening (74) defined between an edge portion (68) of a vehicle headliner (58) and the vehicle side structure (20). An inflatable protection device (80) is inflatable between a vehicle occupant and the vehicle side structure (20). A cover (90) at least partially encloses the protection device (80) within the mounting chamber (70) when the protection device is in a deflated condition. The cover (90) has a trim portion (140) which extends from the mounting chamber (70) into the opening (74) and which has an outer surface (144) exposed to the vehicle occupant compartment (72). The trim portion (140) of the cover (90) has a closed condition in which a first edge portion (146) of the trim portion is in abutting engagement with the edge portion (68) of the headliner (58).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) comprises a cushioning device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition in which the cushioning device (14) is inflated between an occupant of a vehicle (12) and the side structure (16) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a fill tube (24) having a portion located in the cushioning device (14) that directs inflation fluid into the cushioning device (14) to inflate the cushioning device (14). A support device (40) has a portion that attaches to the fill tube (24) and supports the fill tube (24) and the cushioning device (14) in the vehicle (12). A fastener (170) fixedly connects the support device (40) and the fill tube (24) to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The fastener (170) has a portion that cooperates with a tool for securing the fastener (170) to the vehicle (12).

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: A side impact air bag module (10) includes an air bag (30) and an inflator (32) which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the air bag. The air bag (30) includes first and second main body portions (70, 120) and a first retainer portion (80) which is disposed between the first and second main body portions. The first retainer portion (80) and the first main body portion (70) of the air bag (30) at least partially define a pocket (200) in the air bag in which the inflator (32) and a diffuser (34) are disposed. Stitching sections (182b, 184b) close two sides of the pocket (200).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes an air bag (30), an inflator assembly (32), and a cover (40). The cover (40) includes first and second cover parts (42, 44) which are releasably interconnected by a rupturable portion (46) of the cover. The cover (40) has a closed condition in which the first and second cover parts (42, 44) enclose the air bag (30) when the air bag is in a deflated condition. The rupturable portion (46) of the cover (40) forms a first hinge about which the cover parts (42, 44) are pivotable relative to each other into the closed position. When the air bag (30) inflates, the rupturable portion (46) of the cover (40) is ruptured and the first and second cover parts (42, 44) move apart from each other to enable the air bag to inflate out of the cover.

Abstract: A diffuser (18) defines a plenum (50) containing an inflator (16). The diffuser (18) has diffuser walls (94,96) with inflation fluid outlet openings (100) extending outward from the plenum (50), and further has first and second clamping walls (110,112) facing in opposite directions across the plenum (50). The first clamping wall (110) is bendable pivotally inward across the plenum (50). A load bearing structure that includes two locking tabs (120,122) and a fastener (126) maintains the first clamping wall (110) under a bending load. The bending load urges the first clamping wall (110) pivotally inward across the plenum (50) so as to clamp and retain the inflator (16) tightly between the clamping walls (110,112).