Abstract: An air bag assembly comprising: an inflator for providing a source of inflation gas, and an air bag having a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, the air bag configured to have a first inflatable chamber proximate the first end, a second inflatable chamber proximate the second and a non-inflatable region therebetween; the air bag including an inlet communicated with the inflator, the air bag further including a plurality of joints or seams, which connect selective regions of the first and second sides together thereby controlling the inflatable volume of the air bag, a top portion of each of the plurality of joints or seams located a determinable distance from a top of the air bag to form within the air bag an integral gas flow path or channel, the inlet generally positioned spaced from a top of the air bag and generally located between the first inflatable chamber and second Inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A side impact or rollover protection restraint system (20) is presented having an air bag (22) which upon inflation is of sufficient height to extend from proximate a seat (25) of a vehicle to a location generally adjacent the shoulder of a 50th percentile sized seated occupant such that the inflated air bag will lie between the occupant and a side portion of the vehicle. The air bag including a first and a second panel (24a,24b) of material that are joined together to create a pair of inflatable volumes (36,38) and an internal tether (30) for forming a corresponding bridge between predetermined regions of each of the first and second panel (24a, 24b) such that upon inflation of the air bag these regions are spaced from one another by at least one internal tether, wherein the air bag includes more than one inflatable volume, wherein each volume includes corresponding internal tethers or separator means.

Abstract: A side curtain air bag provides a region to assist a slower region to unfold at a faster rate during air bag deployment. A first region is relatively uninflatable compared to a second inflatable region. The inflatable second region is generally located between the first region and an upper end portion of the air bag. The first region includes two end points and the inflatable second region provides a way for increasing the deployment rate of the first region by extending between the two end points. The inflatable second region height is at least 40% of a height of the air bag to ensure adequate assistance to the first region in unfolding. A gas distribution hose and vent allow inflation gas to flow through and into the inflatable second region to increase the deployment rate of the second region.

Abstract: An air bag inflator structure comprises a container with gas dispensing nozzles, a lining disposed inside the container adjacent the nozzles, a gas generating assembly disposed within the lining, and means for closing the container to the gas generating assembly within the lining. The air bag inflator is formed by inserting the lining into the container, inserting the gas generating assembly into the lining, and coupling a closure to the container in a manner which closes the container and seals the gas generating assembly within the lining.

Abstract: An air bag module structure comprises a pair of subassemblies which are coupled together to form the module. The subassemblies comprise an air/bag cover subassembly and an inflator/reaction device subassembly. The air bag cover has an air bag cavity, a folded air bag disposed within the cavity, and a rim surroudning an access opening that communicates with the access opening. The air bag has a gas inlet opening surrounded by a border portion of the air bag, which is adapted to be secured to the rim of the cover. The inflator/reaction device subassembly has an inflator housing with gas dispensing nozzles, a gas generating composition within the housing, and an integral reaction device extending outward of the inflator housing. The reaction device is secured to the rim of the cover, and couples the inflator/reaction device subassembly with the air bag/cover subassembly. When the subassemblies are coupled together, the gas dispensing nozzles are in fluid communication with the air bag gas inlet opening.