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 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 (74). The inflatable device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that are interconnected along at least a portion of a perimeter (48) of the inflatable device to define an inflatable volume of the inflatable device. The inflatable device (14) when inflated has a predetermined thickness measured between overlying points on the overlying panels (40 and 42) at a location where the head of an occupant may contact the inflatable device. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device (14) for inflating the inflatable device.

Abstract: A method includes the step providing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) between the side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (74). A thickness of the protection device (14) is determined by measuring between overlying points on overlying panels (40 and 42) of the protection device at location where an occupant's head having a given mass may contact the device. A pressure is determined as a predetermined function of the thickness of the protection device (14) and of a velocity at which the head may impact the protection device. The pressure has a magnitude sufficient to prevent a head having a given mass from striking the side structure (16) through the thickness of the protection device (14) when the head impacts the protection device at and below the velocity. An inflation fluid source (24) is provided to inflate the protection device (14) to at least the determined pressure.

Abstract: A method includes the step providing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) between the side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (74). A thickness of the protection device (14) is determined by measuring between overlying points on overlying panels (40 and 42) of the protection device at location where an occupant's head having a given mass may contact the device. A pressure is determined as a predetermined function of the thickness of the protection device (14) and of a velocity at which the head may impact the protection device. The pressure has a magnitude sufficient to prevent a head having a given mass from striking the side structure (16) through the thickness of the protection device (14) when the head impacts the protection device at and below the velocity. An inflation fluid source (24) is provided to inflate the protection device (14) to at least the determined pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a roof (60) and a side structure (40) includes an inflatable device (16) having a deflated condition and having an inflated condition. In the inflated condition, a head portion (22) of the inflatable device is inflated between the occupant's head and the vehicle roof and a side portion (20) of the inflatable device is inflated between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable inflation fluid source (14) for upon actuation directing inflation fluid into the inflatable device (16) to inflate the inflatable device from the deflated condition to the inflated condition. The head portion (22) of the inflatable device (16) is inflated by inflation fluid flow in a direction transverse to the vehicle side structure (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable in a first direction into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. When inflated, the vehicle occupant protection device (14) extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device. A mechanism (50) causes the vehicle occupant protection device (14) when inflated to be tensioned in the first direction along the fore and aft extent of the vehicle occupant protection device.