United States Patent
`
`I191
`
`[H1
`
`3,897,961
`
`Leising et a1.
`1451 Aug. 5, 1975
`
`1541
`
`INFLATABLE RESTRAINT APPARATUS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Maurice B. Leising, Clawson; John
`J. Lenosky, East Detroit, both of
`Mich.
`
`[73] Assignee: Chrysler Corporation, Highland
`Park, Mich.
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`May 2, 1973
`
`[2]] Appl. No.: 356,643
`
`[S2] U.S. Cl ....... .. 280/150 AB; 5/348 R; 280/150 B
`[51]
`Int. Cl." ........................................ ., B60R 21/08
`[581
`Field of Search ................ .. 280/150 AB. 150 B;
`5/348 R
`
`[56]
`
`2,741,780
`'.’.806,737
`2,834.606
`2.834.609
`2,931,665
`3.197.234
`3,510,150
`3.588,142
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`Kimbrig ............................ .. 5/348 R
`4/1956
`9/1957 Maxwell .... ..
`280/150 AB X
`5/1958
`Bertrand ..................... .. 280/150 AB
`5/1958
`Bertrand ..................... .. 280/150 AB
`4/1960
`Sandor...
`280/150 AB
`7/1965
`Bertrand.
`280/150 AB
`5/I970 Wilfertm.
`280/150 AB
`6/1971
`Cuormunu.
`. ............. .. 280/150 AB
`
`
`
`3.687.485
`3.690.695
`3.703.313
`3,731,949
`3.753.576
`3.762.741
`3,774,936
`
`Campbell ................... .. 280/150 AB
`8/1972
`Jones ........ ..
`\ 280/150 AB
`9/1972
`Schiesterl
`. 280/150 AB
`11/1972
`Radke ...... ..
`. 280/151) AB
`5/1973
`8/1973 German ...................... .. 280/150 AB
`10/1973
`Fleck .......................... .. 280/150 AB
`11/1973
`Barnett ....................... .. 380/150 AB
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
`1.392.677
`2/1965
`France ........................ .. 280/150 AB
`
`Primary E.t'anu'ner--David Schonberg
`Axsistarzt E.t'uminer——J0hn P. Silverstrim
`Attorney, Agent. or Firm—Ta1burtt & Baldwin
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Inflatable restraint apparatus for automotive vehicle
`occupants including an inflatable torso bag structure
`adapted to be deployed from the roof of the vehicle by
`one or more filler tubes extending from the roof to the
`inflated bag.
`Inflatable side curtains also deployed
`from the roof are provided. The side curtains and in-
`flated torso restraining bag may be interconnected to
`facilitate positioning or filling of the inflated struc-
`tures.
`
`10 Claims. 1] Drawing Figures
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`PATENTEIJ AUB 5 I375
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`PATENTED AUG
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`51975
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`3. 8 97. 961
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`PATENTED AUG
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`51975
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`887. 961
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`PATENTEDAUB 51975
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`PATENTEU AUG
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`PATENTEI] AUG
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`1
`INFLATABLE RESTRAINT APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to inflatable restraint appara-
`tus, and more particularly to inflatable restraint devices
`for use in automotive vehicles for restraining move-
`ment of an occupant or occupants in the vehicle during
`an accident.
`
`Inflatable restraint devices for restraining the move-
`ment of a vehicle occupant in the event of an accident
`are well known. These devices are adapted to be de-
`ployed and inflated when the vehicle is involved in an
`accident, the deployed and inflated devices providing
`a cushioning and restraint for the occupants of the ve-
`hicle. Most of these deployable inflatable restraints are
`stored in the area of the instrument panel in front of the
`occupant. Some are deployed from below the instru-
`ment panel to engage the occupant’s knees and others
`are deployed from the headliner area of the vehicle
`down in front of the torso of the occupant for restrain-
`ing the same against forward movement. One of the big
`concerns regarding the foregoing types of restraint sys-
`tems is their ability to restrain the occupants satisfacto-
`rily under various impact conditions, such as frontal
`collisions,
`lateral collisions and roll-over conditions.
`The present invention relates to inflatable devices of
`the type which are deployed from the roof of the vehi-
`cle and are directed to restraining the occupants under
`various accident situations.
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`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Briefly, this invention comprises inflatable restraint
`apparatus having a torso restraining bag section con-
`nected to the roof and to a source of gas by one or more
`tubes or other inflatable elements, and also having a
`side curtain portion inhibiting an occupant’s egress
`from the vehicle through a door or side window.
`One of the primary objects of this invention is to pro-
`vide an inflatable restraint device which provides occu-
`pant restraint under frontal and lateral collisions. as
`well as under roll-over conditions, thus providing pro-
`tection under all impact modes.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a re-
`straint system which keeps an occupant’s head from
`going through a side window or side window opening,
`and from engaging a side roof rail of the vehicle.
`A further object of this invention is to provide a re-
`straint system of the type described which tends to hold
`the occupants down against the seat portion of the seat
`as well as against the back portion of the seat.
`Still another object of this invention is to provide a
`restraint apparatus such as described which provides
`protection against occupant head to A-pillar impacts.
`A further object of this invention is to provide a re-
`straint device of the class described which is adapted to
`provide cushioning and containment of the occupants
`during side impacts.
`A further object of this invention is to provide a re-
`straint device of the type described adapted to relieve
`the pressure inside the restraint when it tends to rise
`above a predetermined value,
`thereby reducing re-
`bound velocity.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a re-
`straint device of the class described which is aestheti-
`cally pleasing and is adapted to be deployed from the
`roof of the vehicle.
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`Another object of this invention is to provide an in-
`flatable restraint device of the type described which
`does not necessarily restrict the vision of the occupant
`even though the device is deployed from the roof of the
`vehicle.
`
`A further object of this invention is to provide an in-
`flatable restraint device of the type described which is
`adapted to collapse a certain amount if the occupant's
`head engages therewith during an accident, while at the
`same time providing restraint for the head as well as for
`the torso.
`
`Another object of this invention is to provide an in-
`flatable restraint device of the class described which is
`adapted to position itself between the instrument panel
`and a passenger sitting in a conventional upright posi-
`tion and provide cushioning for forward impacts.
`A further object of this invention is to provide an in-
`flatable restraint device such as described which is op-
`erable to restrain an out-of-position occupant. ie, if
`the occupant is in a forward position, for example, the
`restraint is adapted to be deployed in such a manner
`that the passenger is held against the instrument panel
`during the accident.
`A further object of this invention is to provide an in-
`flatable restraint device of the type described wherein
`the side curtain and torso portions of the inflatable re-
`straint device may be coupled together to facilitate de-
`ployment.
`A further object of this invention is to provide locater
`means which place the torso bag in the appropriate po-
`sition and also provide an accommodation for locating
`the bag even though the seat of the vehicle may be in
`various forwardly and rearwardly positions.
`Another object of this invention is to provide an in-
`flatable restraint device of the class described which is
`simple and economical in construction. yet effective in
`operation.
`Other objects and advantages of this invention will be
`made apparent as the description progresses.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`in which several of
`In the accompanying drawings,
`various possible embodiments of this invention are il-
`lustrated,
`FIG. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a re-
`straint system constructed in accordance with this in-
`vention, shown in a deployed condition;
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 showing the vehicle
`in broken lines;
`FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along line 4-4
`of FIG. 1;
`
`FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section, generally similar to
`FIG. 3 showing the deployment of the restraint appara-
`tus for an out-of-position occupant;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken along line 6-6 of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the tube shown in FIG.
`6 with an occupant’s head engaged therewith to illus-
`trate a feature of the restraint apparatus;
`FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of a side curtain
`forming part of this restraint apparatus;
`FIG. 9 is a section taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section, similar to
`FIG. 9, illustrating a side curtain in an inflated condi-
`tion; and
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`FIG. 11 is a fragmentary section taken through the
`mid portion of the curtain shown in FIG. 10.
`Like parts are shown by corresponding reference
`characters throughout the several views of the draw-
`ings.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawings, and in particular
`FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 1 generally denotes a ve-
`hicle having a body 3 which includes a roof 5, a front
`window 7 and a floor 9. Longitudinally extending rails
`11 are provided at the edges of the roof 5, with a front
`rail 13 extending between the front ends of the side
`rails above window 7. An instrument panel 15 is also
`provided at the forward end of a passenger compart-
`ment 17 formed by the roof, front window, floor and
`side windows 19.
`
`As shown, the passenger compartment 17 includes an
`occupant seat 21 having an upright back portion 23
`and seating portion 25. Occupants 27, 29 and 31 are
`shown seated in seat 21.
`
`The apparatus of this invention includes at least one
`gas source 33 for supplying gas to the inflatable re-
`straints. The gas source may be of various types, such
`as the gas generating types, or the gas storage or reser-
`voir type. As shown, a reservoir type 35 is shown lo-
`cated rearwardly of the passenger compartment. The
`reservoir 35 is connected by a collapsible flexible tube
`or conduit 37 extending along the roof to a housing
`area 39 located in the roof over the front seat area.
`Tube 37 is connected to an inflatable side curtain 41
`
`and to an inflatable torso restraining bag 43. A Y-
`shaped section 45 and tube 47 connect tube 37 to an-
`other portion of torso bag 43. More specifically, tube
`37 extends into an inturned sleeve 49 of the side cur-
`
`tain 4l. The tube‘37 includes a plurality of openings 51
`through which the gas may pass. The side curtain 41 is
`normally maintained in a folded condition in the hous-
`ing area 39, but when filled with gas is adapted to ex-
`tend acrossdthe side window 19 and inhibit movement
`of the passenger therethrough or against the roof rail.
`The side curtain 41 is maintained in a generally flat
`condition upon inflation by means of a plurality of re-
`straining webs 53 spaced apart from one another in a
`longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The side curtain,
`in between the webs 53, tends to assume a cylindrical
`configuration, but the over-all generally flat configura-
`tion is maintained. Each web has an elongated notch or
`recess 55 at the upper and lower ends thereof for per-
`mitting -suchupper and lower ends to expand outwardly
`into a larger volumetric space as shown in FIG. 10. This
`enlarged upper section provides additional cushioning
`between the occupant’s head and the roof rail. More-
`over, the strain on the corinection between the ends of
`the webs and the curtain walls, whether adhesive or
`sewing or any other type, is lessened because of the use
`of the notches.
`The forward end of the tube 37 extends into an in-
`turned sleeve 57 which, as shown, is joined by a con-
`nector 59 to one of two filler tubes 61 and 63 for torso
`
`bag 43. Filler tube 61 is a flexible fabric or the like tube
`which is normally folded, along with bag 43, and stored
`in storage area 39. More specifically, the tube 61 in-
`cludes a spring biased blow-off or relief valve shown di-
`agrammatically at 65 for permitting gas to escape if the
`pressure in the tube exceeds a predetermined amount.
`
`Tube 61 also has a ring portion 67 folded or rolled back
`upon itself as shown at 69 in FIG. 6 which, as made ap-
`parent hereinafter, provides an expansible section to
`permit head penetration. A cover tear-away strip 7]
`having perforation 73 therearound is adapted to rip to
`permit unfolding of folded ring portion 67. Tube 6] is
`adapted, when inflated, to extend from the roof down
`to the torso bag, and will function as a strut or brace for
`holding the torso bag against the occupants‘ laps. Tube
`63 is of the same construction as tube 6] and is con-
`
`nected to the Y-shaped section 45 by tube 47.
`The side curtain 41 is connected to the torso bag 43
`by two straps 75 and 77 in a manner which effects
`proper deployment and positioning of the curtain rela-
`tive to the torso bag. It will be understood that the con-
`nection between the side curtain and the torso bag,
`both at the passage means for the gas and at the point
`at which the straps 75 and 77 are located could be dif-
`ferent than shown. For example, the side curtain and
`torso bag could be formed integrally with one or more
`openings at the forward end of the curtain providing
`the gas passages and the bags could be integrally sewn
`or formed together adjacent the bottom of the curtain.
`The torso bag 43 may be provided with two inflatable
`positioning stubs or locaters 79 and 81 extending for-
`wardly from the torso bag 43. These stubs cause the
`torso bag 43 to push the bag toward and into engage-
`ment with the torso of the occupant.
`Driver protection is provided by a driver bag 83
`adapted to be stored in a housing area 85 in roof 5. A
`filler tube 87 generally similar to tubes 61 and 63 con-
`nects the driver bag to the supply of gas. As shown, a
`gas generator or storage bottle 89 is provided in the for-
`ward portion of the vehicle with a tube 91 extending up
`the A-pillar to the tube 87. A relief or blow-off valve
`65 is also provided in the tube 87 to permit the escape
`of gas if the pressure in the tube and bag exceeds a pre-
`determined amount. A branch tube 93 extends from
`tube 91 to a side curtain 95 generally similar in con-
`struction to said curtain 41. However, curtain 95 is
`shaped differently than curtain 41 as shown. While a
`separate gas source is shown for the driver bag 83 and
`side curtain 95, it will be understood that both bags 43
`and 83 and both of the side curtains could be con-
`nected to the same gas source.
`Assuming that occupants are in the position shown in
`FIGS.
`1 and 2, operation and deployment of the appa-
`ratus is as follows:
`
`The gas for inflating the torso bag 43 and side curtain
`41 is generated or supplied to the area of the housing
`or reservoir 35 and immediately is forced into the filler
`tube 61 and then through openings 51 into side curtain
`4]. Gas is also supplied to tube 63 through tube 47. As
`the gas fills the filler tubes the bag 43 is thrown into the
`laps of the center and right side occupants to form a
`generally U-shaped restraint. Also, the curtain 41 is
`pulled down by means of the connection straps 75 and
`77. As the gas continues to flow through the filler tubes
`61 and 63 into the bag section 43 the latter is filled and
`generally assumes the shape shown in FIGS. 1-3, with
`the stubs 79 and 81 engaging the instrument panel and
`forcing the bag against the torso of the occupants. The
`inflated tubes or struts and torso bag tend to keep the
`occupants engaged thereby in their seated position with
`their legs held against the seat portion. At the same
`time, the side curtain 33 is inflated into and pulled into
`its side position on the outside of the occupants and is
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`inflated to provide a cushion. If either of the passengers
`moves forward and his head engages the filler tube 61
`or 63, the perforations 73 in the cover 71 give away and
`permit the tube to unfold and expand in that area,
`thereby permitting the occupant’s head to move for-
`wardly to the position shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, a
`resilient restraint is provided for the head. The stubs 79
`and 81 will probably collapse as the occupants move
`forward into engagement with the bag section 43. How-
`ever, as noted previously, the purpose of the stubs is
`primarily to position the bag against the occupant’s
`torso during the initial deployment.
`It will be seen that the bag section 43, by coming
`down in front of the occupants, effectively prevents
`substantial forward movement of the occupants. If the
`accident had occured when an occupant were in a for-
`ward position, such as generally shown in FIG. 5, the
`torso bag, on being deployed, would engage the back
`of the occupant and form a brace between the back 23
`of seat 21 and the back of the occupant. Thus, the oc-
`cupant would be held in the forward position generally
`against the instrument panel. This position may be as
`desirable during an impact as having the bag section 43
`located between the torso and the instrument panel. In
`either event the passenger or occupant is restrained
`from substantial forward movement after the bag is de-
`ployed.
`The driver bag 83 and side curtain 95 are also de-
`ployed simultaneously with the bag 43 by means of the
`tube 91 and gas source 89. The driver bag is adapted
`to be deployed into the space between the steering
`wheel and the driver’s torso as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and
`4. The side curtain 95 extends downwardly between the
`driver and the door.
`
`In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the inflat-
`able restraint apparatus of this invention is adapted to
`be conveniently and aesthetically stowed in the vehicu-
`lar roof structure, thus avoiding the necessity of tearing
`up the instrument panel to provide storage space for
`the bag apparatus. Moreover, the torso bag 43 is thrust
`downwardly toward the laps of the occupants, if the lat-
`ter are in an upright position, and then are filled to pro-
`vide the restraint for the occupants. The pusher stubs
`79 and 81 engage the instrument panel and force the
`inflated section toward the occupants. The stubs also
`provide an accommodation for various seat positions,
`ie., if the seat is in a forward position the stubs obvi-
`ously do not become fully inflated and extended. How-
`ever, if the seat is in a rearwardly position the stubs will
`fully inflate and move the bag back into engagement
`with the occupants. If the occupants are in an out-of-
`upright position the bag 43 still functions effectively to
`hold the occupants in a position against the instrument
`panel
`It will also be understood that the bags and side cur-
`tain provide protection in frontal, lateral and roll-over
`conditions. Protection is provided to the occupant’s
`heads against engagement thereof with the A-pillar and
`with the side roof rails.
`
`In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the other
`objects and advantages of this invention are achieved.
`Although only one embodiment of the invention has
`been disclosed and described, it is apparent that other
`embodiments and modifications of the invention are
`possible.
`We claim:
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`1. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant
`compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said
`instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable
`bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for hold-
`ing said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition,
`said inflatable bag means comprising a laterally extend-
`ing bag portion and a plurality of tube means spaced
`apart from each other and connecting said portion to
`said source of gas, said tube means and portion of said
`bag means being inflated by the passage of gas through
`said tube means into said portion of said bag means,
`said portion of said bag means when inflated, being
`spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said
`tube means, said tube means and said one portion of
`said bag means providing an open space located above
`said one portion of said bag means, between said
`spaced tube means and below said roof and at least one
`inflatable stub-shaped projection extending forwardly
`from said portion for engaging said instrument panel
`whereby said bag means provides a downward and
`rearward force on said occupant
`.
`2. Restraint apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein
`said tube means comprises two tubes spaced apart from
`one another to form a generally U-shaped inflatable
`bag means, said tubes being connected together at one
`end by said roof and at the other end by said one por-
`tion of said bag means, said tubes being otherwise free
`of one another, said tubes, said one portion of said bag
`means and said roof forming the perimeter of said open
`space.
`3. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel, and an occupant
`compartment having a seat under said roof and rear-
`wardly of said panel, comprising a source of gas, an in-
`flatable torso bag, storage means adjacent said roof for
`holding said torso bag in a collapsed condition, at least
`one flexible inflatable filler means connecting said
`source of gas to said bag and stored in a collapsed con-
`dition in said storage means. said filler means, when gas
`is supplied thereto from said source, becoming ex-
`tended and moving said bag downwardly from said roof
`towards said seat, said bag being inflated by gas passing
`through said filler means and when inflated, being
`spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said
`filler means,
`said filler means providing restraint
`against movement of the head of an occupant, seated
`in said seat, forwardly against said instrument panel,
`said filler means having a folded portion extensible in
`response to an impact thereon by the head of an occu-
`pant, said bag providing a downward force on an occu-
`pant and having at least one stub-shaped projection ex-
`tending forwardly therefrom for engaging the instru-
`ment panel, said projection being inflatable.
`4. Restraint apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further
`including an inflatable side curtain, said side curtain
`being connected to said torso bag for deployment
`therewith.
`5. Restraint apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further
`including a plurality of restraining webs within said side
`curtain connecting opposite sides of said side curtain
`for maintaining the latter in a generally flat condition
`upon inflation.
`6. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant
`compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said
`instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable
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`connected to said side curtain for guiding the deploy-
`ment of said side curtain, said guide means including a
`plurality of connectors extending between said one
`portion of said inflatable bag means and opposite sides
`of said side curtains.
`
`9. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant
`compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said
`instrument panel, comprising a source of gas. inflatable
`bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for hold-
`ing said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition,
`tube means connecting one portion of said bag means
`to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condi-
`tion in said storage means, said tube means and portion
`of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas
`through said tube means into said portion of said bag
`means, said portion of said bag means when inflated,
`being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom
`by said tube means, said tube means and said one por-
`tion of said bag means providing an open space located
`above said one portion of said bag means and below
`said roof, said bag means further including a side cur-
`tain held in said storage means in a collapsed condition,
`said side curtain adapted, when inflated,
`to extend
`downwardly from said roof, along one side of said vehi-
`cle, and at least one flexible connector member joining
`said side curtain and said one portion of said bag means
`for facilitating the deployment and placement of said
`one portion of said bag means and said side curtain.
`l0. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant
`compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said
`instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable
`bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for hold-
`ing said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition,
`spaced tube means connecting one portion of said bag
`means to said source of gas and located in a collapsed
`condition in said storage means, said tube means and
`portion of said bag means being inflated by the passage
`of gas through said tube means into said portion of said
`bag means, said portion of said bag means when in-
`flated, being spaced from said roof and held away
`therefrom by said tube means, said tube means and said
`one portion of said bag means providing an open space
`located above said one portion of said bag means and
`below said roof, said tube means including an extensi-
`ble portion adapted to permit said tube means to yield
`upon impact by a passenger, said extensible portion
`comprising a portion of said tube means folded upon
`itself. said extensible portion remaining in its folded
`condition upon inflation of said bag means until said
`passenger engages said tube means in the area of said
`extensible portion. *
`*
`lit
`>|K
`*
`
`bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for bold-
`ing said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition,
`tube means connecting one portion of said bag means
`to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condi-
`tion in said storage means, said tube means and portion
`of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas
`through said tube means into said portion of said bag
`means, said portion of said bag means, when inflated,
`being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom
`by said tube means, inflatable positioning means on
`said one portion of said bag means, said positioning
`means being at least one inflatable stub which extends
`forwardly from said one portion of said bag means, said
`stub being adapted upon inflation to engage said instru-
`ment panel for positioning said one portion of said bag
`means with respect to said instrument panel.
`7. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant
`compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said
`instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable
`side curtain means, storage means adjacent said roof
`for holding said inflatable means in a collapsed condi-
`tion, means connecting one portion of said inflatable
`means to said source of gas, said side curtain means
`being adapted, when inflated, to extend downwardly
`from said roof along one side of said vehicle, a plurality
`of restraining webs within said side curtain connecting
`opposite sides of said side curtain means for maintain-
`ing the latter in a generally flat condition upon infla-
`tion. each of said restraining webs having an elongated
`recess in at least one end thereof forming web portions,
`said web portions being adapted to diverge to lessen the
`strain on the connection between the end of the web
`and the sides of the side curtain means.
`
`8. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle
`having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant
`compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said
`instrument panel, comprising a source of gas. inflatable
`bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for hold-
`ing said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition,
`tube means connecting one portion of said bag means
`to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condi-
`tion in said storage means, said tube means and portion
`of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas
`through said tube means into said portion of said bag
`means, said portion of said bag means when inflated,
`being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom
`by said tube means, said tube means and said one por-
`tion of said bag means providing an open space located
`above said one portion of said bag means and below
`said roof, said bag means further including a second
`portion held in said storage means in a collapsed condi-
`tion, said second portion comprising a side curtain
`adapted, when inflated,
`to extend downwardly from
`said roof along one side of said vehicle, guide means
`
`l0
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`l5
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`60
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`65
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`Page 11 of 11
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`KSS 1009
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`Page 11 of 11
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`KSS 1009