Abstract: An apparatus helps to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen that is positioned rearward of an occupant facing surface of the instrument panel and that extends vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes an airbag configured to have a stored condition in which the airbag is rolled and/or folded and positioned within the instrument panel at a location below the display screen. The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source. The airbag is configured to deploy in an upward direction through a space between the occupant and the instrument panel to a position in which the airbag is positioned between the display screen and the occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus helps to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen that is positioned rearward of an occupant facing surface of the instrument panel and that extends vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes an airbag configured to have a stored condition in which the airbag is rolled and/or folded and positioned within the instrument panel at a location below the display screen. The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source. The airbag is configured to deploy in an upward direction through a space between the occupant and the instrument panel to a position in which the airbag is positioned between the display screen and the occupant.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable to a position between a side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) includes an inflatable main portion (50) inflatable to cover a portion of the vehicle side structure (16) including a front side window (40) and a rear side window (42). The main portion (50) has an upper edge (70) and a lower edge (72) extending along the length of the main portion and front and rear portions (74 and 76) spaced apart along the length of the main portion. The main portion (50) comprises overlying panels (52) that are interconnected to form a seam (58) extending along the upper and lower edges (70 and 72) and along the front and rear portions (74 and 76). The inflatable curtain (14) also includes an extension portion (100) comprising a separate panel (102) interconnected with the main portion (50) along the seam (58). The extension portion (100) covers an additional portion of the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (12, 112) for helping to protect an occupant (30, 130) of a seat (14, 114) of a vehicle (10, 110) includes a sensor (36, 200) responsive to at least one of a side impact event or a rollover event for providing a crash event signal. A first vehicle occupant protection device (94, 210) is inflatable into a first position located beside the seat (14, 114). A second vehicle occupant protection device (50, 150) is inflatable into a second position located forward of the seat (14, 114). A controller (44, 144) is responsive to the crash event signal for immediately inflating the first vehicle occupant protection device (94, 210) and, a predetermined time after inflating the first vehicle occupant protection device (94, 210), inflating the second vehicle occupant protection device (50, 150).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that has an inflatable volume (34). A first fill tube (42) has a portion positioned in a first portion (50) of the inflatable volume (34). A second fill tube (44) has a portion positioned in a second portion (52) of the inflatable volume (34). An inflation fluid distribution manifold (70) is connectable with an inflator (40). The manifold (70) includes a first flow orifice (196) that directs inflation fluid to flow into the first fill tube (42) at a first flow rate. The manifold (70) includes a second flow orifice (198) that directs inflation to fluid flow into the second fill tube (44) at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate.