Inflatable occupant protection device extending adjacent a windshield

An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (32). The vehicle occupant protection device (32) has a stored condition and an inflated condition in which the occupant protection device extends across an upper portion (20) of a vehicle windshield (14). The occupant protection device (32) has first and second end portions (38,40) located adjacent first and second A pillars (18,16) of the vehicle when in the inflated condition. An inflator (34) emits inflation fluid to inflate the occupant protection device (32) from the stored condition to the inflated condition. The inflator (34) is mounted in one of the first and second A pillars (18, 16) of the vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection
 device, and particularly relates to an inflatable vehicle occupant
 protection device that extends across an upper portion of a vehicle
 windshield.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, is
 inflated when a vehicle experiences a crash. Inflation fluid is directed
 to flow from an inflator into the air bag to inflate the air bag. When the
 air bag is inflated, it extends into the vehicle occupant compartment to
 help protect an occupant of the vehicle from a forceful impact with parts
 of the vehicle as a result of the crash.
 The air bag and the inflator are mounted together in the vehicle, such as
 in a steering wheel or in an instrument panel or a dashboard. Furthermore,
 the air bag and the inflator may be mounted in a headliner of the vehicle.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus comprises an
 inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The vehicle occupant
 protection device has a stored condition and an inflated condition. The
 vehicle occupant protection device extends across an upper portion of a
 vehicle windshield when in the inflated condition. The vehicle occupant
 protection device has first and second end portions located adjacent first
 and second A pillars of the vehicle when in the inflated condition.
 An inflator emits inflation fluid to inflate the occupant protection device
 from the stored condition to the inflated condition. The inflator is
 mounted in one of the first and second A pillars of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 An apparatus 10 comprising the present invention is shown in a stored
 condition in a vehicle 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The vehicle 12 has a
 windshield 14 (FIG. 2) extending between A pillars 16 and 18 of the
 vehicle. The windshield 14 has an upper portion 20 adjacent a headliner 22
 and a lower portion 24 adjacent an instrument panel 26. A steering wheel
 28 is located away from the instrument panel 26 toward an occupant 30 in a
 seat 32 of the vehicle.
 The apparatus 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes an inflatable occupant protection
 device, such as a tubular bladder 32, stored in the headliner 22 adjacent
 the upper portion 20 of the windshield 14. The bladder 32 has a stored
 condition, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an inflated condition, shown in
 FIGS. 3 and 4. The bladder 32 has a cylindrical shape when in the inflated
 condition.
 An inflator 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2) produces inflation fluid to inflate the
 bladder 32 from the stored condition to the inflated condition. The
 inflator 34 is mounted in the A pillar 16. The inflator 34 may be secured
 to the A pillar 16 in any manner known in the art.
 The inflator 34 preferably contains a stored quantity of inflation fluid in
 the form of a gas to inflate the bladder 32. The inflator 34 alternatively
 could contain a combination of pressurized fluid and ignitable material
 for heating the inflation fluid, or could be a pyrotechnic inflator which
 uses the combustion of gas-generating material to generate inflation
 fluid.
 The bladder 32 has end portions 38 and 40 located adjacent the A pillars 18
 and 16 when the bladder 32 is in the stored condition (FIG. 1). The end
 portions 38 and 40 are also located adjacent the A pillars 18 and 16 when
 the bladder 32 is in the inflated condition (FIG. 3). The bladder 32
 extends across the upper portion 20 of the windshield 14 between the A
 pillars 16 and 18 when in the inflated condition.
 A tether 42 (FIGS. 1 and 3) extending from the end portion 38 connects the
 end portion 38 to the A pillar 18. The tether 42 is connected to the A
 pillar 18 in any manner known in the art, such as by bolting or otherwise
 securing an end of the tether to the A pillar. A tether 44 (FIGS. 1-4)
 extending from the end portion 40 connects the end portion 40 to the
 inflator 34 and to the A pillar 16. The tether 44 is a tubular member
 which conducts inflation fluid from the inflator 34 to the bladder 32. The
 tether 44 is fixedly connected to the inflator 34 and thus to the A pillar
 16.
 An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag 46, is
 connected with the steering wheel 28 (FIG. 2). An inflator 50 connected
 with the steering wheel 28 produces inflation fluid to inflate the air bag
 46 from a stored condition, shown in FIG. 2, to an inflated condition,
 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, as is well known in the art. The air bag 46
 extends adjacent the lower portion 24 of the windshield 14 when in the
 inflated condition.
 A cover 54 (FIG. 1) covers an air bag 56 (FIG. 3) stored in the instrument
 panel 26, as is well known in the art. An inflator (not shown) produces
 inflation fluid to inflate the air bag 56 from a stored condition to an
 inflated condition. The air bag 56 extends adjacent the lower portion 24
 of the windshield 14 when in the inflated condition.
 Upon the occurrence of an accident requiring inflation of the bladder 32
 and air bags 46, 56, the inflator 34 is actuated to release inflation
 fluid to inflate the bladder 32 from the stored condition to the inflated
 condition. The force of the inflating bladder 32 against the headliner 22
 causes the headliner to break open. The headliner 22 may have a weakened
 area so that the headliner opens when a relatively low force is applied by
 the inflating bladder 32.
 The bladder 32 inflates in a direction toward the upper portion 20 of the
 windshield 14 and away from the occupant 30 of the vehicle 12. The tethers
 42 and 44 pull the bladder 32 toward the windshield 14 and away from the
 occupant 30 as the bladder inflates. When in the inflated condition, the
 bladder 32 extends across the upper portion 20 of the windshield 14 and
 between the A pillars 16 and 18. The bladder 32 helps protect the occupant
 30 from an impact with the upper portion 20 of the windshield 14.
 The inflator 50 is also actuated and inflates the air bag 46. The air bag
 56 also inflates. When in their inflated conditions, the air bags 46 and
 56 extend adjacent to the lower portion 24 of the windshield 14.
 The apparatus 10 is shown in a convertible vehicle 70 in FIGS. 5 and 6. The
 vehicle 70 has a windshield 72 (FIG. 6) extending between A pillars 74 and
 76 of the vehicle. The windshield 72 has an upper portion 78 adjacent a
 headliner 80 and a lower portion 82 adjacent an instrument panel 84. A
 steering wheel 86 is located away from the instrument panel 84 toward an
 occupant 88 in a seat 90 of the vehicle.
 The bladder 32 is stored in the headliner 80 or a storage compartment
 extending from the upper portion 78 of the windshield 72. The inflator 34
 is mounted in the A pillar 74 and fixed connected to the A pillar 74. The
 tether 44 extending from the end portion 40 of the bladder 32 connects the
 bladder to the inflator 34 and thus to the A pillar 74. The tether 44 is a
 tubular member which directs inflation fluid into the bladder 32. The
 tether 42 connects the end portion 38 of the bladder 32 to the A pillar
 76. The tether 42 is connected to the A pillar in any suitable manner.
 An air bag 92 (FIG. 6) is connected with the steering wheel 86. An inflator
 94 produces inflation fluid to inflate the air bag 92 from the stored
 condition, shown in FIG. 6, to an inflated condition, as is well known in
 the art. The air bag 92 extends adjacent the lower portion 82 of the
 windshield 72 when in the inflated condition. Another air bag and inflator
 may be stored in the instrument panel 84.
 Upon the occurrence of an accident requiring inflation of the bladder 32
 and air bag 92, the inflator 34 produces inflation fluid to inflate the
 bladder 32. The bladder 32 breaks open the headliner 80 upon inflation.
 The air bag 92 stored within the steering wheel 86 inflates upon actuation
 of the inflator 94. The bladder 32 extends across the upper portion 78 of
 the windshield 72 between the A pillars 74 and 76. The air bag 92 extends
 adjacent the lower portion 80 of the windshield 72.
 From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will
 perceive improvements, changes and modifications. It is contemplated that
 a seat belt system would be used in conjunction with the bladder and the
 air bags. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of
 the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.