Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device with grab handle

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable in a direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprising an inflatable tubular structure that when inflated extends along the side structure of the vehicle between an A pillar and a C pillar of the vehicle;
• a housing for storing said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in a stored position extending along the vehicle side structure adjacent the vehicle roof, said housing including a portion that forms an interior trim piece of the vehicle;
• at least one grab handle;
• and
• at least one connector extending through said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said housing and said grab handle to connect said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said housing and said grab handle to the vehicle.

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, a roof, and a headliner, said apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable away from the vehicle roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
• a housing for storing said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in a stored position;
• at least one grab handle;
• and
• at least one connector extending through said grab handle and said housing to connect said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said housing, and said grab handle to the vehicle, said housing being separate from the headliner and including a portion that forms an interior trim piece for covering a portion of the vehicle side structure not covered by the headliner, wherein said connector extends through a terminal edge portion of the headliner to connect the headliner to the vehicle.

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, a roof, and a headliner, said apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable away from the vehicle roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
• a housing for storing said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in a stored position;
• at least one grab handle;
• and
• at least one connector extending through said grab handle and said housing to connect said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said housing, and said grab handle to the vehicle, said housing being separate from the headliner and including a portion that forms an interior trim piece for covering a portion of the vehicle side structure not covered by the headliner, said portion of said housing forming a trim piece covers a portion of the vehicle side structure extending from a terminal edge of the headliner to a side window seal of the vehicle wherein said grab handle covers the terminal edge of the headliner.

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, a roof, and a headliner, said apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable away from the vehicle roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
• a housing for storing said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in a stored position;
• at least one grab handle;
• and
• at least one connector extending through said grab handle and said housing to connect said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said.housing, and said grab handle to the vehicle, said housing being separate from the headliner and including a portion that forms an interior trim piece for covering a portion of the vehicle side structure not covered by the headliner, wherein said connector clamps a terminal edge portion of the headliner between said grab handle and said housing.