Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Matthew C Bollaert

Steven W Maurer

Jeffrey C Synor

Louis R Brown

Edward J Burley

Edward F Elmer

Russel E Stein

Matthew J Ferguson

A deployment structure (32) encloses and conceals an inflator (20) and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) in a vehicle. The deployment structure (32) is a unitary plastic part defining a deployment door (86) having a Class A surface (76). The unitary plastic part further defines a mounting flap (114) having an aperture (126), and another mounting flap (116) having another aperture (128). The mounting flaps (114 and 116) are movable relative to one another to positions in which the apertures (126 and 128) are aligned to receive a mounting stud (36) which supports the inflator (20) and the protection device (12) in the vehicle.

Vehicle occupant protection apparatus

An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a first fabric panel (60), a second fabric panel (62), and a seam (64) at which the fabric panels (60,62) are fastened to each other. The restraint (12) further includes a vent opening (128) which interrupts the seam (64) to direct inflation fluid to exit the restraint (12) between the fabric panels (60,62). The restraint (12) is inflated between a vehicle seat (16) and an adjacent vehicle door (18) upon the occurrence of a side impact collision, and protects an occupant of the seat (16) from being forcefully struck by the door (18). The vent opening (128) directs the inflation fluid to exit the restraint (12) in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction in which the door (18) is moved toward the seat (16) by the side impact collision. As a result, the flow of inflation fluid which is directed from the restraint (12) through the vent opening (128 ) is directed away from the occupant and is not blocked or impeded substantially by the seat (16) or the door (18).

Side impact inflatable restraint with vent openings

An air bag (10) for use with an inflation fluid source (34) includes a body portion (170) defining an inflation fluid volume (172) into which inflation fluid is directed to inflate the body portion. A mouth portion (160) of the air bag (10) is connected with the body portion (170). The mouth portion (160) defines an inflation fluid opening (176) in fluid communication with the inflation fluid volume (172). The inflation fluid opening (176) is defined in part by opposite fabric material panels (40, 42). Each panel (40, 42) comprises at least two layers (130, 132, 140, 142) of fabric material in abutting engagement with each other. At least two layers (130, 132, 140, 142) of fabric material encircle a retaining ring (174) for attaching the air bag mouth portion (160) to the inflation fluid source (34).

Inflatable occupant restraint

A tether assembly (10) for an inflatable restraint (16) such as an air bag includes a tether strap (30) and first and second intermediate pads (32, 34). A first end portion (42) of the tether strap is joined to the first intermediate pad (32) by a circular first stitching section (54). The first intermediate pad (32) is joined to a first panel (12) of the air bag by a circular second stitching section (56) which is disposed laterally outside of the tether strap first end portion (42). A second end portion (44) of the tether strap is joined to the second intermediate pad (34) by a circular first stitching section (66). The second intermediate pad (34) is joined to a second panel (14) of the air bag by a circular second stitching section (68) which is disposed laterally outside of the tether strap second end portion (44). The second stitching sections (56, 68) are larger in diameter than the first stitching sections (54, 66).

Air bag tether assembly

An inflatable air bag (10) for restraining an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14) has a deflated, folded condition and an inflated, unfolded condition. The air bag has layers (20, 22) defining between them an inflation volume into which gas is directed to inflate the air bag. The air bag when in the inflated and unfolded condition has upper and lower sections (30, 40). The air bag when in the deflated and folded condition has a lower end portion (60) of the air bag disposed between the layers at a location adjacent an upper end portion (50) of the air bag. The lower section of the air bag is turned inside out and located inside the upper section of the air bag. The lower section of the air bag is the final portion of the air bag to unfold when the air bag is inflated.

Growing community of inventors

Capac, MI, United States of America

Matthew C Bollaert