Abstract: An instrument panel assembly (22) comprises a structural carrier member (30) which is formed as one piece and has a first section (40) defining a first chamber (54) for receiving and supporting a first component (110). The structural carrier member (30) has a second section (80) defining a second chamber (92) for receiving and supporting a second component (130). The first component (110) comprises a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (114) received in the first chamber (54). The structural carrier member (30) further defines a deployment opening (55) through which the first protection device (114) is inflatable from the first chamber (54). The second component (130) comprises an occupant knee protection device (132) received in the second chamber (92) for helping to protect the vehicle occupant's legs in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for providing fluid under pressure for actuating a vehicle occupant protection device comprises an electrically actuatable initiator (80) having terminal pins (100). A hermetically sealed metal propellant container (130) contains a propellant (82) ignitable by the initiator (80) to produce fluid under pressure. The propellant container (130) is secured to the initiator (80) by crimping. The apparatus (10) also comprises a member (86) electrically insulating between the metal propellant container (130) and the terminal pins (100) of the initiator (80) to isolate the initiator electrically from the propellant container.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable protection device (32). The apparatus (10) also comprises an actuatable inflator (30) remote from the protection device (32) for providing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating the protection device. The apparatus (10) further comprises a conduit (48) connected in fluid communication between the inflator (30) and at least a portion of the protection device (32) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator to the protection device. The conduit (48) includes at least one quick disconnect coupling (50) through which inflation fluid flows from the inflator (30) upon actuation of the inflator.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle seat (10) having a tubular seat frame (60) defining a fluid manifold (66). The apparatus also includes at least two deployable vehicle occupant protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) for helping to protect a vehicle seat occupant from injury in the event of a vehicle collision. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are spaced apart from each other. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66) and are deployable by fluid directed into the protection devices from the fluid manifold. A single actuatable device (150) provides pressurized fluid for deploying one or more of the protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142). The actuatable device (150) is in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66).

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. The apparatus (10) also includes a plastic housing (26) for storing the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) in a stored position. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). A fill tube (22) directs the inflation fluid into the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The fill tube (22) is connected to the housing (26) by plastic connection portions (160) of the housing that have a surface (162) in continuous engagement with portions of an outer surface (164) of the fill tube.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a canister (30) and an inflatable device (80) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. The inflatable device (80) has a first portion (82) fixed in the apparatus (10) and also has a second portion (86). The apparatus (10) includes an inflation fluid source (96) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (80). A cover (50) for covering at least a portion of the canister (30) has a first portion (54) and a second portion (52). The first portion (54) of the cover (50) moves upon inflation of the inflatable device (80) to provide an opening (60) through which the second portion (86) of the inflatable device is deployed. The first portion (82) of the inflatable device (80) engages and is fixed to the second portion (52) of the cover (50) by structure (100) free of a retaining ring inside the canister (30) when the inflatable device is deflated and when the inflatable device is inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (22) of a vehicle (10) comprises a first steering column part (32), a second steering column part (34), and supporting structure (46) supporting the first steering column part and the vehicle steering wheel for movement relative to the second steering column part. An energy absorbing device (20) is interposed between the first steering column part (32) and the second steering column part (34) for resisting movement of the first part relative to the second part. The energy absorbing device (20) comprises a fluid (50) having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The energy absorbing device (20) also comprises at least one orifice (76) through which the fluid (50) flows upon movement of the first part (32) relative to the second part (34).

Abstract: An apparatus (60) for association with an electrical connector (68) includes an igniter (62) actuatable to initiate actuation of an inflator (10) in response to receiving an electrical signal. The igniter has a pair of electrical terminals (64, 66) for electrical contact with the electrical connector (68). The apparatus (60) includes a retainer (70) for supporting the igniter (62) adjacent the inflator (10). The retainer (70) has a recess (94). The apparatus (60) includes a shorting clip (100) for maintaining the electrical connector (68) in electrical contact with the electrical terminals (64, 66) and for establishing a short circuit between the electrical terminals when the electrical connector is not in electrical contact with the electrical terminals. The shorting clip (100) includes a main body portion (102) and at least one locking foot (140, 150) movable relative to the main body portion and into the recess (94) in the retainer (70) for attaching the shorting clip to the igniter (62).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (48) for inflation fluid flow from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (48). A support (62) has a tubular portion (64) with a first end (67) spaced apart from the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12) and a second end (68) opposite the first end. The burst disk (52) deforms into contact with the first end (67) due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). An actuatable igniter assembly (60) bursts the burst disk (52) to enable fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (48). The second end (68) of the tubular portion (64) engages the igniter assembly (60).

Abstract: A shorting clip (100) for establishing a short circuit between first and second electrical terminals (64, 66) of an air bag inflator initiator (62) includes a body of electrically insulating material (102) having portions engageable with the initiator for connecting the shorting clip to the initiator. The body of electrically insulating material (102) has first and second contact portions (140, 142) engageable with the first and second electrical terminals (64, 66) of the initiator (62) when the shorting clip (100) is connected to the initiator. The shorting clip (100) also comprises an electrically conductive plating (152, 154) on each one of the contact portions (140, 142) for establishing electrical contact between the shorting clip and the first and second terminals (64, 66) of the initiator (62).

Abstract: An initiator (10) comprises first and second coaxial terminals (70, 80) engageable by an electrical connector (40) to connect the terminals electrically with vehicle circuitry. Electrical insulation (100) electrically insulates between the first and second terminals (70, 80). The initiator (10) also comprises a spring (150) made of an electrically conductive material. The spring (150) has a first portion (156) electrically connected with the first terminal (70). The spring (150) has a first condition, when the first and second terminals (70, 80) are not connected with the electrical connector (40), in which a second portion (160) of the spring is in electrical contact with the second terminal, thereby shorting the initiator (10). The spring (150) has a third portion (162) which is engageable by the electrical connector (40) upon connection of the electrical connector with the first and second terminals (70, 80).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) and first and second electrically actuatable devices (30, 32) for, when actuated, effecting flow of inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The apparatus (12) further includes an electrical connector (10) electrically connected with the first and second actuatable devices (30, 32) for supplying electric current to the first and second electrically actuatable devices. The electrical connector (10) includes electrical components, such as diodes, (80, 82) responsive to the direction of current flow through the electrical connector for actuating a selected one of the first and second actuatable devices (30, 32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) for storing a quantity of inflation fluid (78) under pressure. First and second outlet passages (60, 62) in the container (12) can each direct flow of fluid (78) out of the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (36) for inflating the inflatable device. The first outlet passage (60) has a first flow area. The second outlet passage (62) has a second flow area less than the flow area of the first outlet passage (60). A first burst disk (70) on the container (12) blocks the first outlet passage (60). A second burst disk (72) on the container (12) blocks the second outlet passage (62). The apparatus (10) includes means (80) for rupturing the first burst disk (70) to direct flow of fluid out of the chamber (14) through the first outlet passage (60) without rupturing the second burst disk (72).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) for use with an inflation fluid source (16) includes an air bag (14) having a mouth portion (90) and having a body portion (100) extending from the mouth portion. The mouth portion (90) has a first opening (94). A retaining ring (22) for connecting the air bag (14) with the inflation fluid source (16) has a second opening (72). The air bag (14) and the retaining ring (22) have a first condition with the retaining ring disposed inside the air bag. The air bag (14) and the retaining ring (22) have a second condition in which the body portion (100) of the air bag is inverted and extends through the first opening (94) in the mouth portion (90). The mouth portion (90) of the air bag (14) is wrapped around the retaining ring (22) and extends through the second opening (72) in the retaining ring. In assembly of the vehicle safety apparatus (10), the retaining ring (22) is moved through the first opening (94) from a position outside the air bag (14) to a position inside the air bag.