Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) has a deflated condition and has an inflated condition in which the protection device is inflated between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The safety apparatus (10) also comprises an inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14), and a fill tube (20) for directing inflation fluid into the protection device. The apparatus further comprises a support (60) for supporting the inflator (22) and the fill tube (20) relative to each other. The support (60) has a fluid flow passage (210) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator (22) to the fill tube (20). In a preferred embodiment, the support (60) comprises a clamp having a first portion clamped on the inflator (22) and a second portion clamped on the fill tube (20).

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: An air bag module (14) includes an air bag (12) and an inflator structure (20) with a mounting stud (32). The air bag (12) has a compartment (63) for the inflator structure (20), and has a wrapped condition in which it retains the inflator structure (20) within the compartment (63). The air bag (12) includes first and second panels (72,74). An aperture (94) formed in the first panel (72) communicates with the compartment (63). The first panel (72) is fixed to the second panel (74) at a seam (134) located between the aperture (94) and an end (66) of the first panel (72). Another aperture (88) extends through the first panel (72) at a location between the seam (134) and the end (66) of the first panel (72). The apertures (94, 88) are aligned to receive the mounting stud (32) on the inflator structure (20) when the air bag (12) is in the wrapped condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming an air bag assembly 20 including a receptacle 28, an air bag 26, a continuous frame 62, and fastening elements 150. The receptacle 28 has walls 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 defining an internal cavity 46 in which the air bag 26 is disposed in a folded form and a front opening 48 through which the air bag 26 is deployed. At least some of the walls of the receptacle 28 have a series of holes 142 adjacent the front opening 48. The air bag 26 has a mouth which forms a gas inlet opening and the continuous frame 62 is incorporated into the air bag mouth and secures the air bag 26 to the receptacle 28. The continuous frame 62 is disposed inside the front opening 48 within the internal cavity 46 and includes a series of holes 140 positioned to align with the series of holes 142 in the walls of the receptacle.

Abstract: An air bag module construction, and several new and useful components are provided for forming an air bag module. One of the new components comprises a receptacle with a specially designed reaction device which (i) is adapted physically to separate the receptacle into distinct compartments for an inflator and an air bag, and (ii) reinforces an open end of the receptacle in the areas most prone to deformation during deployment of the air bag. Another new and useful component comprises a prepackaged air bag unit which is loaded into and fastened to the receptacle as a prepackaged unit. The prepackaged air bag unit maintains the air bag in a predetermined folded configuration (i) before the air bag is coupled to the receptacle, (ii) while the air bag is being coupled to the receptacle, (iii) while the remainder of the module is being assembled, and (iv) after the module is installed in a vehicle.