Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A vent member (30) includes at least one vent opening (62) for venting the inflation fluid. A vent cover (100) has a closed condition for blocking fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (62) and an open condition for permitting fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The vent cover (100) includes a side wall (110) that has at least one portion (134, 372) that projects from the side wall into the vent member (30) to help maintain the vent cover in the closed condition.

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 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 housing (26) for storing the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) in a stored position extending along the vehicle side structure (16) adjacent the vehicle roof (18). The housing (26) includes a portion that forms an interior trim piece (190) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) also includes at least one grab handle (34) and at least one connector (200) that extends through the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), the housing (26) and the grab handle.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A vent member (30) includes at least one vent opening (62) for venting the inflation fluid. A vent cover (100) has a closed condition for blocking fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (62) and an open condition for permitting fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The vent cover (100) includes a side wall (110) that has at least one portion (134, 372) that projects from the side wall into the vent member (30) to help maintain the vent cover in the closed condition.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (18) toward the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a vent opening (30) in the housing (16) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) also includes a member (50) movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (16) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable fastener (12) for holding the member (70) in the closed position. The actuatable fastener (12) comprises an air bag inflator initiator (100).

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 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 housing (26) for storing the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) in a stored position extending along the vehicle side structure (16) adjacent the vehicle roof (18). The housing (26) includes a portion that forms an interior trim piece (190) of the vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) also includes at least one grab handle (34) and at least one connector (200) that extends through the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), the housing (26) and the grab handle.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14). The inflator (14) has a cylindrical configuration and a plurality of inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has an annular vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition removed at least partially from the vent wall and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) on the vent cover (100) has an unactuated condition maintaining the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the vent cover for movement to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (18) toward the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a vent opening (30) in the housing (16) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) also includes a member (50) movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (16) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable fastener (12) for holding the member (70) in the closed position. The actuatable fastener (12) comprises an air bag inflator initiator (100).

Abstract: A headrest apparatus (10) for a vehicle seat (14) includes first and second relatively movable cushion portions (18a, 18b). An outer covering (16) for the first and second cushion portions has a head engaging portion (19) for engaging the head (21) of a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) further includes actuatable means (36) located within the outer covering (16) which, upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash event, moves the head engaging portion (19) of the outer covering (16) and one (18a) of said cushion portions relative to the other cushion portion (18b) in a direction toward the head (21) of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable curtain (14). The curtain (14) is inflatable in a first direction away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain (14) when inflated extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (16) of the vehicle. First and second inflatable members (52 and 54) connect the inflatable curtain (14) to the vehicle (12). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable curtain (14) and the first and second inflatable members (52 and 54). The first and second inflatable members (52 and 54) are inflatable to resist movement of the inflatable curtain (14) away from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) when the inflatable curtain is inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat back (20) and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) supported on the seat back (20) for deployment upward from the upper end (62) of the seat back (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a backing member (70) supported on the seat back (20) for movement from a retracted position to a deployed position under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (18). When the backing member (70) is in the deployed position, it projects upward from the upper end (62) of the seat back (20) at a location behind the protection device (18). The backing member (70) is non-deflectable under the influence of the inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (18).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle seat (10) and an actuating assembly (80). The seat (10) has a wing (34) which is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position. When the wing (34) is in the deployed position, it projects adjacent to an occupant the seat (10) to restrain movement of the occupant off the seat (10). The actuating assembly (80) moves the wing (34) from the retracted position to the deployed position upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash.

Abstract: A one-piece construction airbag cushion retainer having an annular ring and a plurality of integral fasteners. The annular ring is fabricated of reinforced plastic and has a bottom surface. The plurality of fasteners each have heads insert-molded or welded into the annular ring and studs extending from the bottom surface of the annular ring for securing an airbag cushion to an airbag module assembly.

Abstract: An airbag module cover having a floating membrane horn switch freely retained within a positive gap formed between the airbag module cover and a horn switch backing plate attached thereto. The switch backing plate is supported by a spacer substantially surrounding the horn switch to provide the positive gap, which accommodates the switch without sandwiching the switch between the cover and backing plate prior to actuation by the driver. Force concentrators extending from the cover towards the switch are also provided to reduce the amount of driver applied force necessary to actuate the horn switch.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced pairs of stakes are molded on the back of an airbag module cover. A horn switch assembly which is to be mounted on the back of the airbag module cover has a plurality of spaced pairs of openings along the perimeter thereof which are complementary to and are adapted to receive the spaced pairs of stakes on the cover. Subsequent to the positioning of the pairs of stakes in the complementary pairs of openings, the distal ends of the stake pairs are formed into a unitary bridge by heating. The bridge shaped heat staking thus employed thereby locks the horn switch on the back of the airbag module cover to prevent separation of the switch and cover on the deployment of the airbag and provide a much stronger attachment than standard methods of heat staking.

Abstract: A closure element for an air bag deployment opening of an inflatable restraint system is provided. The closure element includes tear ways defining one or more doors which permit an air bag to deploy therethrough. The closure element includes at least one integral retention bridge joining such a door with the remainder of the closure.