Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device with thorax protection

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;
• and
• 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, wherein said first portion is constructed to remain inflated and pressurized to at least a predetermined pressure for at least seven seconds.

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;
• and
• 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, wherein said second portion is constructed to enable inflation fluid to vent from said second portion more rapidly than from said first portion.

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

• an inflatable curtain including at least one inflatable chamber, said inflatable curtain being inflatable away from the vehicle roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
• and
• an air bag including at least one inflatable chamber, said air bag being inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, wherein said air bag when inflated overlies a non-inflatable portion of said inflatable curtain and is free from overlying inflatable portions of said inflatable curtain.

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a side impact to the vehicle and during a vehicle rollover, the vehicle having a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:

• a first portion actuatable away from the vehicle roof and between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant to help protect the vehicle occupant for at least five seconds during a vehicle rollover;
• and
• a second portion for helping to protect an occupant in a vehicle side impact 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 adjacent a thorax of a vehicle occupant, said second portion being inflated and deflated within one second.