US 7,350,804 B2
Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device with thorax protection
Ali Emam Bakhsh, Rochester Hills, Mich. (US); Ayad G. Nayef, Sterling Heights, Mich. (US); John A. LaFond, Waterford, Mich. (US); and John D. Vaughn, Riverview, Mich. (US)
Assigned to TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Washington, Mich. (US)
Filed on Nov. 08, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/983,867.
Prior Publication US 2006/0097492 A1, May 11, 2006
Int. Cl. B60R 21/16 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 280—730.2 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
a first portion comprising at least one inflatable chamber, said first portion being inflatable away from the vehicle roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
a second portion comprising at least one inflatable chamber, said second portion being inflatable away from the vehicle roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said second portion when inflated extending below said first portion and adjacent a thorax of a vehicle occupant when inflated, fluid communication between said chambers of said first and second portions being substantially blocked; and
a fill tube for delivering inflation fluid into said first portion and said second portion, said fill tube extending through upper end portions of said first and said second portions positioned along the vehicle roof.