Abstract:
The application provides a bracket for regulating the deployment characteristics of a deploying airbag cushion. The brackets of the invention provide at least local control over the deployment path of an airbag cushion by rotating at least a portion of the cushion along its length either away from a vehicle occupant, or more generally, away from a structure, person, or object possibly positioned in the path of a deploying airbag cushion. Such brackets may be structured to rotate a deploying cushion in part by providing an additional reaction surface and by partially surrounding the cushion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Safety belts are designed to protect the occupants of a vehicle during events such as automobile collisions. In low-speed collisions, the occupants are generally protected from impact with objects located inside the vehicle such as the windshield, the instrument panel, a door, the side windows, or the steering wheel by the action of the safety belt. In more severe collisions, however, even belted occupants may experience an impact with the car&#39;s interior. Airbag systems were developed to supplement conventional safety belts by deploying into the space between an occupant and an interior object or surface in the vehicle during a collision event. The airbag acts to decelerate the occupant, thus reducing the chances of injury to the occupant caused by contact with the vehicle&#39;s interior. 
   Many typical airbag systems consist of several individual components joined to form an operational airbag module. Such components generally include an airbag cushion, an airbag inflator, a sensor, and an electronic control unit. Airbag cushions are typically made of a thin, durable fabric that is folded to fit into a compartment of a steering wheel, dashboard, interior compartment, roof, roof rail, roof compartment, or other space in a vehicle. The airbag inflator is in fluid communication with the airbag cushion, and is configured to produce a gas to inflate the cushion when it is needed. The sensors detect sudden decelerations of the vehicle that are characteristic of an impact or angular accelerations that are characteristic of a rollover event. The readings taken by the sensors are processed in the electronic control unit using an algorithm to determine whether a collision or rollover has occurred. 
   Upon detection of an impact of sufficient severity, the control unit sends an electrical signal to the inflator. The inflator uses one of many technologies currently known in the art to produce a volume of an inflation gas. The inflation gas is channeled into the airbag, inflating it. Inflation of the airbag causes it to deploy from its stored location, placing it in a position to receive the impact of a vehicle occupant. In primary impact airbag cushions, after contact of the occupant with the airbag and the corresponding deceleration of the occupant, the airbag rapidly deflates. To accomplish this, the inflation gas is vented from openings in the airbag, deflating it and freeing the occupant to exit the vehicle. In airbag cushions such as rollover curtains intended to protect a vehicle occupant during a rollover event, the airbag is not immediately vented. Instead, the airbag is maintained in a sealed condition for a period of time to maintain inflation and cushioning capacity. This period of time may, in some instances be at least six seconds in length. 
   As experience in the manufacture and use of airbags has increased, the engineering challenges involved in their design, construction, and use have become better understood. Most airbag systems are designed to rapidly inflate and provide a cushion in proximity to a vehicle occupant. Inflatable curtain airbag cushions are configured to be rapidly placed alongside a vehicle occupant between the occupant and the side doors, windows, and pillar structures of the vehicle. 
   The placement of inflatable curtain airbag cushions is determined based on carefully-researched and tested presumptions made of the position occupied by a vehicle occupant in a vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. Curtains are configured to deploy into a space not predicted to be occupied and to fill much of that space, preventing interaction of the occupant and the side of the vehicle. As a result, a vehicle occupant generally enjoys optimal protection from a specific airbag when the occupant is in the presumed range of positions when the airbag deploys. 
   In some situations, injuries have been noted to occur when a vehicle occupant is “out-of-position” with regard to the presumed position discussed above. Some such injuries have been attributed to incidents in which vehicle occupants located out-of-position during the deployment of an airbag cushion are located in the path of the inflating cushion. Currently available airbag systems have little ability to regulate the trajectory of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion during deployment. As a result, injuries may occur along the inflation path of the inflatable curtain before it has reached its final position and full inflation. 
   Another issue presented by many specific airbag applications is the need to assure consistent placement of the airbag cushion after deployment. Inflatable curtain airbag cushions face some deployment difficulties as a result of their location in the roof. Improper or incomplete deployment may be caused by curtain becoming tangled in the roof trim or other interior features of the vehicle. Deployment problems may cause poor placement of the inflated curtain, providing less-than-optimal protection to the vehicle occupant. Attempts have been made in currently-used inflatable curtain airbag systems to minimize such problems, but they persist. As a result, it would be beneficial to provide an inflatable curtain airbag system in which the trajectory of the deploying airbag curtain may be modified along its length to enhance the ability of the curtain to predictably exit roof trim, avoid obstacles in potential deployment paths of the curtain, and to deploy away from the predicted position of a vehicle occupant. 
   Accordingly, a need exists for systems for use with inflatable curtain airbag cushions that provide deployment trajectory control for at least a localized portion of the airbag cushion. It would be specifically beneficial to provide an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket capable of providing predictable deployment of an inflatable curtain locally inboard to properly exit roof trim and locally outboard in regions near a vehicle occupant&#39;s predicted position. Such inflatable curtain airbag cushion trajectory regulation devices and methods for their use are provided herein. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The apparatus and method of the present invention have been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available systems and methods for modifying the deployment trajectory of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion. Thus, the present invention provides novel inflatable curtain trajectory brackets for regulating the deployment path of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion along either a portion of its length or along its entire length. 
   In one embodiment, the invention provides a bracket for controlling the inflation trajectory of at least a portion of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion. The bracket generally includes a bracket mounting panel configured to abut a roof rail of a vehicle and a curtain reaction panel extending from the bracket mounting panel in an inboard direction. The curtain reaction panel may generally extend from the bracket mounting panel in an inboard direction downwardly at an angle relative to the mounting panel. The reaction panel then terminates in an inboard edge. This curtain reaction panel is sized to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the inflatable curtain for which trajectory control is desirable. The curtain reaction panel of the bracket serves as a reaction panel for the inflating airbag cushion, and includes at least one curtain pivot to assist in rotating the trajectory of the inflating curtain. The bracket rotates an inflatable curtain deploying from the bracket to control its downward trajectory into the cabin of the vehicle in which it is installed. 
   In some alternate embodiments of the trajectory brackets of the invention, the bracket may further include an inboard reaction panel extending more sharply downwardly in a transverse direction and slightly outwardly in a lateral direction. In these embodiments of the trajectory control brackets of the invention, the cushion pivots may be positioned on the inboard reaction panel instead of the curtain reaction panel to provide additional rotation of the corresponding portion of the inflatable curtain airbag cushion during deployment of the cushion. 
   The brackets of the invention are configured to direct the deployment trajectory of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion by varying the position of the curtain pivot. Generally, the further inboard the curtain pivot is placed on the top or inboard reaction panels of the brackets of the invention relative to the bracket mounting panel of the brackets, the more outboard rotation will be imparted to the corresponding portion of the curtain. Conversely, the closer the curtain pivot is placed to the bracket mounting panel, the less direction of the curtain in an outboard direction. According to the invention, the curtain pivot may be a slot for receiving a portion of the inflatable curtain. Such a slot is configured to receive a tab extending from the airbag curtain upward and to allow the tab to pass through the bracket to allow it to be attached to the vehicle. Alternately, the curtain pivot may be an inboard edge of the curtain reaction panel. 
   In some embodiments of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket of the invention, the mounting panel includes features to aid attachment of the bracket to a vehicle. In some instances, such features may include at least one mounting tab extending from the bracket to a position of the roof rail of the vehicle suitable for attachment of the bracket. The trajectory brackets of the invention may further be sized to correspond to a feature in the vehicle, as briefly discussed above, near which inboard or outboard rotation is desirable. In specific embodiments of the brackets of the invention, the brackets may be sized to correspond to the size of an occupant region of the vehicle such as an area adjoining or over a seat of a vehicle or other position where a vehicle occupant could potentially be present, a trim panel of the vehicle, or a vehicular pillar. 
   The specific configuration of portions of the bracket may be varied within the scope of the invention. In some brackets of the invention, the curtain reaction panel extends from the bracket mounting panel at a substantially perpendicular angle. Similarly, the inboard reaction panel may extend from the curtain reaction panel of the bracket at an angle substantially perpendicular to the curtain reaction panel such that when mounted in a vehicle, the inboard reaction panel is angled downwardly and outwardly. 
   The inflatable curtain trajectory brackets of the invention may be incorporated into inflatable curtain airbag modules. Such inflatable curtain airbag modules may include an inflatable curtain airbag cushion, an airbag inflator, and a curtain trajectory bracket for controlling the inflation trajectory of at least a portion of the inflatable curtain as described briefly above. More specifically, the trajectory bracket may include a bracket mounting panel, a curtain reaction panel, and a curtain pivot, and is sized to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the inflatable curtain such as the size of a feature selected from the group consisting of a vehicle pillar, an occupant region, and a trim panel. The bracket may additionally include an inboard reaction panel. The curtain pivot of the bracket is positioned on either the inboard reaction panel or the curtain reaction panel of the bracket in the form of a slot or edge for receiving tabs extending through the bracket from the inflatable curtain airbag cushion. 
   Inflatable curtain airbag modules according to the invention may include inflatable curtain airbag cushions folded according to a wide variety of patterns. In some embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag cushion may be roll-folded. In others, the inflatable curtain airbag cushion may be pleat-folded. Further, the pleat-folded inflatable curtain airbag cushion may be placed in the module oriented at an angle to a desired direction of curtain deployment. 
   These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle illustrating an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention shown installed in a vehicle in use with a deployed inflatable curtain airbag cushion; 
       FIG. 2  is an isolated perspective view of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket of  FIG. 1  showing the bracket isolated from the vehicle with the inflatable curtain in its stowed configuration; 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket of  FIGS. 1 and 2  taken at line  3 A— 3 A of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 3B  is a view of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket of  FIG. 3A  showing the curtain deployed in an outboard direction as a result of the use of the bracket of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention taken in a position analogous to that of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A and 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment of an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of still another alternate embodiment of an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an isolated perspective view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention showing the bracket isolated from the vehicle with the inflatable curtain in its stowed configuration; 
       FIG. 11  is an isolated perspective view of yet another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention showing the bracket isolated from the vehicle with the inflatable curtain in its stowed configuration; 
       FIG. 12  is an isolated perspective view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention showing the bracket isolated, but including an inflatable curtain in its stowed configuration; and 
       FIG. 13  is an isolated perspective view of still another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket according to the invention showing the bracket isolated with an inflatable curtain installed therein in its stowed configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the inflatable curtain trajectory brackets of the present invention, as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 13 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention. 
   As briefly discussed above, the invention provides a bracket for controlling the trajectory of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion. Such brackets provide the ability to direct the inflation trajectory of at least a portion of an airbag cushion in either an inboard or outboard fashion to help assure proper deployment of the curtain away from vehicle occupants and around obstacles such as trim panels. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle  12  is provided. In this view, an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  10  according to the invention is shown. The bracket  10  is shown installed in the vehicle  12  about a portion of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26  shown deployed. The bracket  10  is mounted to the roof rail  14  portion of the roof  16  of the vehicle  12  in a region above a side window  20  of the vehicle. 
   The bracket  10  is shown to include a bracket mounting panel  40  (shown in phantom), a curtain reaction panel  50 , and an inboard reaction panel  70 . These structures partially encompass a fill channel portion  28  of the cushion  26 . The curtain body portion  30  of the cushion  26  extends downwardly from the fill channel portion  28  of the cushion in a transverse direction. Curtain mounting tabs  32  are shown to extend upward in a transverse direction through curtain pivots  74  of the bracket  10  and then toward the roof rail  14 . The tabs  32  may then be attached to the vehicle  12  by fasteners  38 , which may take the form of bolts, screws, or any of a wide variety of fasteners known in the art. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the curtain tabs  32  are attached to the roof rail  14  with their own fasteners  38 . The curtain tabs  32  may alternatively be configured to be attached to the roof rail  14  of the vehicle  12  using fasteners  38  that also attach the bracket mounting tabs  42  to the roof rail  14  of the vehicle. 
   The inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  10  of  FIG. 1  is also illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 2 , the bracket  10  is shown in an isolated perspective view with the bracket shown isolated from the vehicle  12  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the inflatable curtain  26  is illustrated in its stowed configuration. As discussed above, the bracket  10  includes a bracket mounting panel  40 , a curtain reaction panel  50 , and an inboard reaction panel  70 . The bracket  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is a single unitary structure formed by stamping, folding, molding, and/or cutting a rigid material such as a metal or plastic. In alternative embodiments, the brackets  10  of the invention may instead be constructed of multiple components suitably joined together. In the embodiment of the brackets  10  of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , ribs  54  are shown present on surfaces of structures such as the outboard, top, and inboard reaction panels  40 ,  50 , and  70 . Such ribs  54  may be produced to strengthen the structure of the brackets  10  and may be varied in size, number, and position as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In alternative embodiments, the ribs  54  may be excluded. 
   The bracket mounting panel  40  of the bracket  10  is a substantially flattened structure adapted to be placed against a roof rail of a vehicle and to facilitate attachment of the bracket  10  to a vehicle for use. Accordingly, the bracket mounting panel  40  may include mounting tabs  42   a ,  42   b  configured to assist in attaching the bracket  10  to a vehicle. The shape, size, number, and orientation of the mounting tabs  42   a ,  42   b  may be varied to accommodate varying vehicle geometries. More specifically, as illustrated, mounting tab  42   a  is elongated and extends further upward in a transverse direction  90  than mounting tab  42   b . Such an asymmetrical configuration may be useful in installation of the bracket  10  into vehicles to assure that the brackets  10  are properly oriented in the vehicle. 
   In addition, the variability of the shape, size, number, and orientation of the mounting tabs  42   a ,  42   b  allows the trajectory bracket  10  to be customized to fit a wide variety of vehicle geometries. More specifically, although the bracket  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is illustrated having two asymmetrical mounting tabs  42   a ,  42   b , any number of tabs, symmetrical or asymmetrical in size and/or shape may be used within the scope of the invention. In one example in which the trajectory bracket  10  is mounted high on the roof rails of a vehicle, mounting tabs may be omitted altogether, with fasteners placed through the bracket mounting panel  40  itself. In another example in which it is desirable to control the trajectory of an elongated portion of an inflatable airbag curtain, mounting tabs may be placed along the length of the bracket  10  as well as at its ends. In addition, although  FIG. 1  portrays the bracket  10  as being attached to the vehicle  12  using bolts, screws, or other similar fasteners  38  which pass through bores  44   a ,  44   b , other attachment methods such as snap-in attachment or welding may be used when the bracket  10  is appropriately configured, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such alternate attachment methods may allow the omission of bores  44   a ,  44   b.    
   The bracket  10  of  FIG. 2  further includes a curtain reaction panel  50 . The curtain reaction panel  50  is shown to include a plurality of ribs  54  extending from the bracket mounting panel  40  and continuing onto the inboard reaction panel  70 . As discussed above, the ribs  54  may be used in brackets of the invention to add rigidity and thus prevent deformation of the bracket  10  during deployment of the airbag cushion  26 . The number, placement, and size of the ribs  54  may be varied within the scope of the invention to provide sufficient rigidity for a specific application. The ribs  54  may alternately be excluded altogether. The curtain reaction panel  50  is shown to transition into an inboard reaction panel  70  through a bend  58 . In  FIG. 2 , this bend  58  is illustrated to orient the inboard reaction panel  70  in a manner substantially perpendicular to the curtain reaction panel  50 . Variations in the angle of the bend  58  are encompassed within the scope of the invention, however, such that the inboard reaction panel  70  may be positioned at an angle greater-than or less-than 90°. The placement of this panel  70  may be adjusted to regulate the deployment angle of the inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26 . 
   The bracket of  FIGS. 1 and 2  also features an inboard reaction panel  70  extending from the curtain reaction panel  50 . As illustrated, the inboard reaction panel  70  is illustrated to include ribs  54  extending from the curtain reaction panel  50 , and curtain pivots  74  for receiving curtain tabs  32  from the inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26 . Further, as noted above, the ribs  54  may be omitted. As discussed briefly above and in more detail below, the curtain pivots  74  may be placed in a variety of positions on the top and inboard reaction panels  50 ,  70 . In some embodiments of the bracket  10  of the invention, no inboard reaction panel  70  may be present, thus necessitating placement of the pivot or pivots  74  on the curtain reaction panel  50  or along an edge of the curtain reaction panel  50  (not shown). In addition to this, the curtain pivots  74  may be positioned in a plurality of locations up and down the inboard reaction panel  70  in a transverse direction  90 . 
   In some embodiments of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  10  of the invention, the inboard reaction panel  70  may be substantially flattened, while in others, (as illustrated), the inboard reaction panel  70  may include an additional bend  78 . This bend  78  allows a bottom edge of the inboard reaction panel  70  to provide additional direction to the inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26  during deployment. The degree of the bend  78  may be varied within the scope of the invention, as may the size of the portion of the inboard face  70  positioned below the bend  78  in a transverse direction  90 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 3A , a cross-sectional view of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown taken at line  3 A— 3 A of  FIG. 2 . As above, the bracket  10  includes a bracket mounting panel  40 , a curtain reaction panel  50 , and an inboard reaction panel  70 . The bracket  10  is shown mounted to a roof rail  14  using mounting tabs  42   a ,  42   b  (not shown). The bracket  10  partially encloses an inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26  shown here in its stowed configuration. In this example, the cushion  26  is shown roll-folded and placed into the bracket  10  with a curtain tab  32  extending through a curtain pivot  74  positioned on the inboard reaction panel  70  of the bracket  10 . The curtain tab  32  is then attached to the roof rail  14  by a fastener  38 . 
   In  FIG. 3A , the inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26  is illustrated in its stowed configuration. The cushion  26  is stowed by roll-folding the cushion body  30  of the curtain  26  and pleat-and-wrap-folding the fill channel  28  of the curtain  26  about the roll-folded body  30 . Following these steps, the bracket  10  is placed about a portion of the curtain  26  that is desired to be controlled during deployment. When the curtain  26  begins to deploy, the fill channel  28  is inflated first, expanding to push the roll-folded cushion body  30  out of the bracket  10 . As the fill channel  28  expands, it contacts the interior surfaces of the top and inboard reaction panels  50 ,  70 , which serve as reaction surfaces by supplying a reaction force to the cushion  26 , directing it in an outboard orientation in a lateral direction  92   a  and downward in a transverse direction  90 . The resulting configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 3B , in which a portion of the cushion  26  is shown fully inflated and expanding in a direction indicated by arrow  96 . 
   More specifically,  FIG. 3B  shows the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  10  of  FIG. 3A  showing the curtain  26  deployed in an outboard and downward direction indicated by arrow  96  as a result of the use of the bracket of the invention. As noted above, this deployment direction results from the interaction of the cushion  26  with the inboard reaction panel  70  and the curtain reaction panel  50 . The inflatable curtain  26  interacts with these particular panels  50 ,  70  of the bracket  10  as a result of the placement of the curtain pivot  74  on the inboard reaction panel  70 . This aligns the curtain  26  such that as the fill channel  28  begins to expand during deployment, the inboard and outboard faces  36 ,  34  of the curtain  26  impact the inboard and curtain reaction panels  70 ,  50 , respectively, of the bracket  10 , directing the curtain  26  downwardly in a transverse direction  90  and also in an outboard lateral direction  92   a . Thus, as the fill channel  28  of the curtain  26  expands, it propels the curtain body  30  in the direction  96 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the curtain body  30  is roll-folded toward the outboard face  34  of the curtain  26 , and as a result, the curtain body  30  will unroll toward the side windows or other lateral internal surfaces of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 4  portrays the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  10  of  FIGS. 1–3B  in a cross-sectional view analogous to that of  FIG. 3A . In  FIG. 4 , however, the bracket  10  is installed about an inflatable curtain airbag cushion  26  that is completely pleat-folded. Use of such a folding pattern with the curtain  26  may enhance the ability of the bracket  10  to direct the deployment trajectory of the curtain  26  by allowing the curtain  26  to be at least locally rotated when stored. As above, with this curtain  26 , as the fill channel  28  expands, it will displace the curtain body  30  from the bracket  10 . The fill channel  28  will also contact the inboard reaction panel  70  and the curtain reaction panel  50  and as a result, be directed generally in the direction  96 . The pleat-folded curtain body  30  will not unroll, but expand rapidly in the direction  96  by simply expanding the pleats of the curtain  26 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  110  of the invention is shown taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A and 4 . This embodiment of the bracket  110  of the invention includes a bracket mounting panel  140 , a curtain reaction panel  150 , and an inboard reaction panel  170 . As above, the bracket mounting panel  140  is positioned adjacent the roof rail  14  of a vehicle (not shown) when the bracket  110  is mounted in the vehicle. The curtain reaction panel  150  extends from the bracket mounting panel  140  at an angle through a bend  146 . The bend  146  may place the outboard and curtain reaction panels  140 ,  150  substantially perpendicular to each other. Similarly, the inboard reaction panel  170  is linked to the curtain reaction panel  150  by a bend  158 . This bend  158  may also place the top and inboard reaction panels  150 ,  170  substantially perpendicular to each other. 
   The bracket  110  of  FIG. 5  differs from that originally disclosed in  FIGS. 1–4 . One such difference is the placement of the curtain pivot  174 . More specifically, while the curtain pivot  74  of the bracket  10  of  FIGS. 1–4  is located on the inboard reaction panel  70  of the bracket, the curtain pivot  174  of the bracket  110  of  FIG. 5  is located on the curtain reaction panel  150  of the bracket  110 . As discussed briefly above, the placement of the curtain pivot  174  affects the amount of rotation imparted to the airbag cushion  126  by the bracket  110 . More specifically, using the brackets of the invention, it is generally the case that the further a pivot  174  is placed along the surface of the bracket  110  away from the bracket mounting panel  140 , the more outboard rotation is imparted to the portion of the airbag cushion  126  encompassed by the bracket  110 . In  FIG. 5 , as a result of the placement of the pivot  174  on the curtain reaction panel  150  of the bracket  110  closer to the bracket mounting panel  140 , the airbag cushion  126  is rotated to a lesser degree than the cushion illustrated in  FIGS. 1–4 . 
   A next difference noticeable in the bracket  110  of  FIG. 5  is the orientation of the cushion  126  within the bracket  110 . More specifically, although the cushion  126  is pleat-folded as it is in the previously-discussed Figures, it is rotated within the bracket  10 . This rotation places the cushion  126  in a position such that the body  30  of the cushion  126  does not need to rotate as much from its original angle of placement during deployment. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 6 , a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  210  of the invention is shown taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–5 . The bracket  210  differs from those discussed above in that it includes only a bracket mounting panel  240  and a curtain reaction panel  250 , thus omitting an inboard reaction panel such as  70  of  FIGS. 1–3B . In bracket  210 , the curtain reaction panel  250  and the bracket mounting panel  240  together act as primary initial reaction surfaces for the deploying cushion  226 . 
   The bracket  210  also provides a curtain pivot  274  in the form of a slot positioned on the curtain reaction panel  250 . The amount of outboard curtain rotation provided by the bracket  210  will depend in part on the positioning of the pivot  274  along the curtain reaction panel  250 . More specifically, the nearer the pivot  274  is placed to the outboard bracket  240 , the less outboard roll is imparted to the cushion  226 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of still another alternate embodiment of the inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  310  of the invention taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–6 . This bracket  310  is structurally similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  with the exception that the bracket  310  provides a curtain pivot  374  in the form of the terminal end  384  of the curtain reaction panel  350 . In such a bracket  310 , the amount of outboard rotation imparted to the cushion  326  is regulated by the length of the curtain reaction panel  350 , and thus the position of the terminal end  384  of the curtain reaction panel  350 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 8 , a cross-sectional view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  410  is shown taken at in a position analogous to line  3 A— 3 A of  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 8 , the bracket  410  includes a bracket mounting panel  440 , a curtain reaction panel  450 , and an inboard reaction panel  470 . Unlike the brackets featured in earlier Figures and discussion, the bracket mounting panel  440  of the bracket  410  is angled upwardly such that it may be attached to roof rail  14  at a point above the airbag cushion  426  associated with the bracket  410 . Such a configuration may be useful to accommodate the bracket  410  into the specific mounting structures and space available in a particular vehicle. 
   As in previous brackets discussed above, the inflatable curtain airbag cushion  426  is accommodated within the bracket  410 . In bracket  410 , the cushion  426  is accommodated within a space defined by the top or reaction panel  450  and the inboard panel  470 . Mounting tabs  432  extend from the cushion  426  through curtain pivots  474 , travel about the bend  458 , and are mounted to the roof rail  14  of a vehicle by a fastener  38 . In the use of the bracket  410 , these tabs  432  may be mounted to the bracket mounting panel  440  instead of directly to the roof rails  14  of the vehicle as shown above. Indeed, in some circumstances, the tabs  432  may be mounted to the mounting panel  440  with the same fasteners  38  used to mount the bracket  410  to the vehicle. This could simplify the inflatable curtain installation process are reduce the number of parts needed to install a curtain such as curtain  426  in a vehicle. While this attachment method may be used, it is not required, and thus the tabs  432  may extend beyond the mounting panel  440  and be attached directly to the vehicle using additional fasteners  38 . 
   The bracket  410  is illustrated to encompass an inflatable curtain airbag cushion  426 . The inflatable curtain  426  is here illustrated in a stowed configuration for storage within the bracket  410 , during normal operation of the vehicle. The curtain  426  includes tabs  432  which extend through curtain pivots  474  to be attached to a portion of the vehicle such as the roof rails  14 . In addition, the curtain  426  includes a fill channel  428  near the top of the folded curtain and a cushion body  430  to be positioned near a vehicle occupant. The curtain  426  has an outboard face  434  which deploys facing the side walls and doors of the vehicle and an inboard face  436  which deploys facing the vehicle occupant. In the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the curtain  426  is roll-folded such that when deployed, the curtain  426  drops downwardly into the passenger cabin of the vehicle and unrolls downward as it inflates. In the specific configuration of  FIG. 8 , the curtain  426  is roll-folded such that is oriented toward the vehicle occupant. One of ordinary skill in the art understands alternate folding methods for inflatable curtain airbag cushions such as  426 . One example is roll-folding the cushion  426  toward the outboard face  434  of the curtain  426  such that during deployment it unrolls toward the outer wall of the vehicle. 
   When the curtain  426  of  FIG. 8  is first deployed, the fill channel  428  receives inflation gas or fluid first, and expands to push the roll-folded cushion body  430  out of the bracket  410 . As the fill channel  428  expands, it contacts the interior surfaces of the top and inboard reaction panels  450 ,  470 , which serve as reaction surfaces by supplying a reaction force to the cushion  426 , directing it in an outboard orientation in a lateral direction  92   a  and downward in a transverse direction  90 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  510  according to the invention is shown taken in a position similar to that of  FIGS. 3A–8 . In this Figure, the bracket  510  includes only an outboard bracket mounting panel  540  and top reaction panel  550 . The top panel  550  includes a curtain pivot  574  through which the tabs  532  extend to be attached to the vehicle. As in  FIG. 8 , the tabs  532  may be attached to the vehicle directly, or instead, be attached to the mounting panel  540 . Also as above, the tabs  532  may be attached using fasteners  38  used to attach the bracket  510  to the vehicle roof rail  14 , or using separate brackets. Alternatively, the tabs  532  may instead be attached directly to the vehicle. 
   As in previously-discussed Figures, the airbag cushion  526  has tabs  532 , a curtain fill channel  528 , and a curtain body  530 . The curtain  526  includes an outboard face  534  that deploys such that it faces the side walls and doors of the vehicle. The curtain  526  also includes an inboard face  536  that deploys such that it faces a vehicle occupant. As illustrated, the cushion  526  is shown folded in a stowed configuration. Portions of the fill channel  528  are shown pleat-folded, while the curtain body  530  is shown roll-folded with an orientation toward the occupant face  536  of the curtain  526 . As with previously-discussed curtain brackets of the invention, the bracket  510  may be used to modulate the trajectory of the deploying airbag curtain  526 . As above, the more distal the curtain pivots  574  are positioned to the roof rail  14  of the vehicle the greater the curtain  526  is rotated in an outward lateral direction  92   a.    
     FIG. 10  is an isolated perspective view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  610  according to the invention. This bracket  610 , shown isolated from the vehicle and enclosing a stowed inflatable curtain  626 , illustrates a configuration in which it is desirable to rotate the airbag cushion  626  differentially along the length of the bracket  610 . As with previously discussed brackets, bracket  610  includes a mounting panel  640 , a top bracket reaction panel  650 , and an inboard panel  670  which are combined to enclose the curtain  626 . The top panel  650  has a bend  658 , and the inboard panel  670  has a bend  678 . The bracket  610  may further include mounting tabs  642   a ,  642   b  with bores  644   a ,  644   b . As with previously-described brackets, bracket  610  may optionally include ribs  654  for stability. The curtain  626  includes tabs  632   a ,  632   b  with openings  633 . The tabs  632   a ,  632   b  project through curtain pivots  674   a ,  674   b  to be attached to the vehicle. 
   In the bracket  610 , the curtain pivots  674   a ,  674   b  are placed asymmetrically on the bracket  610 . As described above in detail, the positioning of the curtain pivots  674   a ,  674   b  serves to modulate the rotation of the curtain  626  during deployment. With reference to curtain pivot  674   a , since the tab  632   a  projects through the bracket  610  through pivot  674   a  positioned on the inboard panel  670  of the bracket  610 , a portion of the cushion contiguous to tab  632   a  is directed to deploy in an outboard lateral direction  92   a.  This is at least in part due to the placement of the pivot  674   a  distally to the mounting bracket  640 . Thus, portions of the curtain  626  near tab  632   a  will be rotated laterally in an outboard direction  92   a.  As explained above, this is caused at least in part by the curtain being angled to react against the top panel  650  and the inboard panel  670  during deployment, thus directing inflation outward in a lateral direction  92   a.    
   In contrast, curtain pivot  674   b  is positioned near the mounting panel  640 , where the bracket  610  is mounted to a vehicle. As discussed previously, placement of the curtain pivot  674   b  near the mounting panel  640  of the bracket  610  results in deployment of the curtain  626  downwardly in a transverse direction  90 , and inwardly in a lateral direction  92   b . This deployment characteristic may be caused at least in part by the curtain  626  being angled to react against the top panel  650  and the mounting panel  640  during deployment. Such a deployment characteristic may be useful to aid a curtain  626  in deploying around an obstacle such as a vehicular pillar or trim structure. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that within the scope of the invention, the position of both pivots  674   a ,  674   b  may be varied to tune the deployment trajectory of the curtain  626 . In addition, the bracket  610  may be elongated and additional pivots analogous to  674   a  and  674   b  may be added to regulate the deployment of the curtain as needed. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 11 , an isolated perspective view of an inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  710  according to the invention is shown in which the bracket  710  is isolated from a vehicle and in which an inflatable curtain  726  is illustrated in its stowed configuration. The bracket  710  is similar in construction to the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 10 , having a mounting panel  740 , a top panel  750 , and an inboard panel  770 . The inboard panel  770  is illustrated to include bends  758  and  778 . As in the bracket  610  of  FIG. 10 , the bracket  710  of  FIG. 11  includes multiple pivots, here pivots  774   a ,  774   b , and  774   c  which are placed at different points along the length of the bracket  710 . The bracket  710  may further include mounting tabs  742   a ,  742   b  with bores  744   a ,  744   b . As with previously-described brackets, bracket  710  may optionally include ribs  754  for stability. The curtain  726  includes tabs  732   a,    732   b,    732   c  with openings  633 . The tabs  632   a ,  632   b  project through curtain pivots  674   a ,  674   b  to be attached to the vehicle. 
   In the bracket  710  of  FIG. 11 , brackets  774   a  and  774   b  are placed on the inboard panel  770  to direct the deployment of the curtain  726  in an outboard lateral direction  92   a . A third pivot  774   c  is placed between pivots  774   a  and  774   b  to redirect the curtain in that area inwardly in a lateral direction  92   b . Such a configuration may be useful to deploy the curtain away from occupants in the regions of the cushion  726  coordinated with tabs  732   a ,  732   b  and pivots  774   a ,  774   b  while simultaneously deploying the cushion  726  away from a vehicular pillar or like obstruction. 
     FIG. 12  is an isolated perspective view of another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  810  according to the invention. The bracket  810  is isolated, but shown with a curtain  826  stowed in a space defined by the mounting panel  840 , top panel  850 , and inboard panel  870 . As in previous brackets, the bracket  810  may include bends  858 ,  878 , and mounting tabs  842   a ,  842   b  with bores  844   a ,  844   b . Bracket  810  is illustrated without structural ribs shown in other embodiments since such ribs are optional for the practice of the invention. In this Figure, the curtain  826  includes curtain tabs  832   a ,  832   b  extending from the roll-folded curtain  826  through curtain pivots  874   a ,  874   b.  In bracket  810 , the curtain pivots  874   a ,  874   b  are angled. This may allow the curtain tabs  832   a ,  832   b  to approach the bracket mounting tabs  842   a ,  842   b  and potentially to allow the bores  844   a ,  844   b  of the mounting tabs  842   a ,  842   b  to share fasteners with orifices  833  of the curtain tabs  832   a ,  832   b . This may promote efficiency in assembly and/or installation of the bracket  810 . Here, pivots  874   a ,  874   b  are angled in opposite directions, outwardly. It should be noted that the pivots  874   a ,  874   b  may be angled independently or together in a wide variety of configurations within the scope of the invention. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 13 , an isolated perspective view of still another inflatable curtain trajectory bracket  910  according to the invention showing the bracket  910  isolated with an inflatable curtain  926  installed therein in its stowed configuration. This bracket  910  is similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 12  in structure, including a mounting panel  940 , top panel  950 , and inboard panel  970 . The bracket  910  is shown to include bends  958 ,  978 , and mounting tabs  942   a ,  942   b  with bores  944   a ,  944   b . The bracket  910  is illustrated to include structural ribs  954  shown in other embodiments of the brackets of the invention. The curtain  926  includes curtain tabs  932   a,    932   b  extending from the roll-folded curtain  926 . As in the bracket  810  of  FIG. 12 , the bracket  910  includes curtain pivots  974   a,    974   b  that are angled. In  FIG. 13 , the pivots  974   a ,  974   b  are angled inwardly. This allows the curtain tabs  932   a,    932   b  to be drawn smoothly together about the bracket  910  and have their orifices  933   a,    933   b  to be aligned, allowing multiple tabs  932   a,    932   b  to be mounted to the vehicle using a single attachment (not shown). This may promote efficiency in assembly and/or installation of the bracket  910 . It should again be noted that the pivots  974   a,    974   b  may be angled independently or together in a wide variety of configurations within the scope of the invention. 
   Thus, the present invention provides brackets for controlling the inflation trajectory of at least a portion of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion. Such brackets generally include a bracket mounting panel configured to abut a roof rail of a vehicle and to be secured to the vehicle. In addition, the brackets additionally include a curtain reaction panel extending from the bracket mounting panel into the cabin of the vehicle. The brackets may additionally include an inboard reaction panel to allow more complete encompassing of an airbag cushion by the bracket of the invention. The brackets of the invention are sized to correspond to a portion of an inflatable curtain airbag cushion that is desired to be rotated either inwardly or outwardly during deployment of the cushion. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.