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Trw Limited

Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Kenneth D Brannon

John P O'Loughlin

James K O'Docherty

Timothy A Swann

John P Wallner

Bruce R Hill

David G Magoteaux

Wael S Elqadah

Hiroshi Nemoto

Nathan R Butters

An apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) that has a side structure ( ) and a roof ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device ( ) has a perimeter ( ) defined by an upper edge ( ) positioned adjacent the roof ( ), an opposite lower edge ( ), and front and rear edges ( and ) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device ( ) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter ( ) to define an inflatable volume ( ) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator ( ) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device ( ). A flexible elongated member ( ) extends through the device ( ) and is coiled around a portion ( ) of the inflatable volume ( ) of the device. The member ( ) has a first end ( ) and an opposite second end ( ) fixed to the vehicle side structure ( ). The member ( ) resists movement of the device ( ) away from the vehicle side structure ( ) when the device is inflated.

Inflatable curtain with positioning device

Apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) which has a side structure ( ) and a roof ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). The device ( ) is inflatable into a position between the side structure ( ) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source ( ) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). The device ( ), when inflated, has a perimeter ( ) at least partially defined by upper and lower edges ( and ) if the device. The device ( ) includes overlying panels ( and ) interconnected to form a perimeter connection ( ) extending along said perimeter ( ) and defining an inflatable volume ( ), and points of connection ( ) defining inflatable chambers ( ) of the device. The points of connection ( ) include at least one of round connections ( ) and line connections ( ). The points of connection ( ) are arranged such that a line extending vertically from the upper edge ( ) to the lower edge ( ) at any position along the upper and lower edges intersects at least two of the chambers ( ).

Inflatable side curtain

Apparatus (,) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (,) which has a side structure (,) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (,) that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The vehicle occupant protection device (,) includes an inflatable bladder (,) contained within an outer shell (,) and completely unattached to the outer shell. An inflation fluid source (,) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable bladder (,). The inflatable bladder (,) is made of gas impermeable material having overlying portions (,) that are sealed together in an airtight manner by a radio frequency weld (,). The outer shell (,) provides structural support for the inflatable bladder (,).

Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device

An apparatus (,) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (,) that has a side structure (,) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (,) which is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The vehicle occupant protection device (,), when inflated, has an outer panel (,) positioned adjacent to the side structure (,) and an opposite inner panel (,). Apertures (,) are spaced in a row and extend through the device (,). First and second flexible elongated members (,and,) have respective first ends (,and,) and opposite second ends (,and,) connected to the side structure (,). The first and second flexible elongated members (,and,) extend through the apertures (,) and have respective first and second portions (,and,) which extend along respective first and second parts (,and,) of the outer panels (,) and then along respective first and second parts of the inner panels (,). When the vehicle occupant protection device (,) is inflated, the first and second portions (,and,) move away from each other and tension the first and second flexible elongated members (,and,).

A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes an air bag (16), a mounting plate (14) for mounting the air bag in the vehicle, and a retaining ring (18). The air bag (16) is clamped between the retaining ring (18) and the mounting plate (14). A recess (130) is formed on a first one of the retaining ring and the mounting plate (14). A projection (100) on a second one of the retaining ring (18) and the mounting plate (14) forces a portion of the air bag (16) into the recess (130) to resist movement of the air bag relative to the retaining ring and the mounting plate.

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Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Kenneth D Brannon