Inflatable structures for side impact crash protection

An inflatable protective system which provides cushioning and containment of an occupant of a vehicle from side impact of the vehicle by another object, wherein the vehicle has a side panel assembly located adjacent to the end of a seat upon which the occupant to be protected is seated, said side panel assembly containing a window and window opening at the upper end thereof, a window frame and a roof rail adjacent to an upper side of said window, said system comprising

• an inflatable bag foldable into a collapsed, relatively compact configuration and inflatable to form a substantially broad, planar air cushion having dimensions sufficient to extend over the window opening in said side panel assembly;
• means for storing the folded bag within the side panel assembly at a location below said window, with the folded bag being stored in a position facing a flank of the occupant's torso when the occupant is seated on the seat;
• inflator means mounted within the side panel assembly and in flow communication with said bag;
• and
• impact sensor means mounted within said side panel assembly, said sensor means being capable of activating said inflator means to inflate said bag when another object impacts said side panel assembly with a predetermined force, with the inflated bag forming a shock absorbing cushion for the head and upper torso of the occupant and a cushioning barrier to restrain the occupant's head and neck from moving into the window opening or of striking the window frame and roof rail.