Patent Abstract:
Mounting assemblies can be used to attach an inflatable curtain airbag to a vehicle structure. Mounting assemblies can include a mounting member, a connecting member, and an optional wrapper. The connecting member is attached to the mounting member and the airbag via stitching, which can be categorized according to the primary direction of stress that may be placed on the stitching during airbag deployment. Stitching in shear is stronger than otherwise identical stitching in peel; however, a preferred method of packaging a curtain airbag results in a b-rolled airbag that can not be attached to the connecting member with shear stitching alone. Peel stitching alone may not be strong enough to retain an occupant within the vehicle during a rollover event. As such, a combination of a folded connecting member, shear stitching, and peel stitching allows a b-roll airbag to meet occupant ejection mitigation requirements.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of automotive protective systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to mounting assemblies for inflatable curtain airbags and related methods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that the accompanying drawings depict only typical embodiments, and are, therefore, not to be considered to be limiting of the disclosure&#39;s scope, the embodiments will be described and explained with specificity and detail in reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an airbag assembly, wherein the airbag assembly comprises a mounting assembly that is coupled to an airbag, and wherein the mounting assembly is coupling the airbag to a vehicle and the airbag is being retained in a packaged configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 1A , wherein the airbag is in a deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 1A , wherein the airbag has been partially cutaway. 
         FIG. 2B  is a cutaway perspective view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 2A , wherein the mounting assembly has been coupled to the airbag. 
         FIG. 2C  is a cutaway perspective view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 2B , wherein a portion of the mounting assembly has been folded over and re-sewn to the airbag. 
         FIG. 3  is another cutaway perspective view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 2C . 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 1A  before the mounting assembly has been folded and re-sewn. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 4A  after the mounting assembly has been folded and re-sewn. 
         FIG. 5  is another cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an airbag assembly, wherein the airbag has been partially cutaway. 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of  FIG. 7A  after a portion of the assembly has been folded and re-sewn to the airbag. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments 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 various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. 
     The phrases “connected to,” “coupled to” and “in communication with” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. The term “abutting” refers to items that are in direct physical contact with each other, although the items may not necessarily be attached together. 
     Inflatable airbag systems are widely used to minimize occupant injury in a collision scenario. Airbag modules have been installed at various locations within a vehicle, including, but not limited to, the steering wheel, the instrument panel, within the side doors or side seats, adjacent to the roof rail of the vehicle, in an overhead position, or at the knee or leg position. In the following disclosure, “airbag” may refer to an inflatable curtain airbag, overhead airbag, front airbag, or any other airbag type. 
     An inflatable curtain airbag may be used to protect the passengers of a vehicle during a side collision or roll-over collision. Inflatable curtain airbags typically extend longitudinally within the vehicle and are usually coupled to or next to the roof rail of the vehicle. The inflatable curtain airbag may expand in a collision scenario along the side of the vehicle between the vehicle passengers and the side structure of the vehicle. In a deployed state, an inflatable curtain airbag may cover at least a portion of side windows and a B-pillar of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag may extend from an A-pillar to a C-pillar of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag may extend from the A-pillar to a D-pillar of the vehicle. 
     An inflatable curtain airbag is typically installed adjacent the roof rail of a vehicle in an undeployed state, in which the inflatable curtain airbag is rolled or folded or a combination thereof and retained in the folded or rolled configuration by being wrapped at certain points along the airbag. In this state, the airbag may be said to be in a packaged configuration. When deployed, the airbag exits the packaged configuration and assumes an extended shape. The extended and inflated airbag may be said to be in a deployed configuration. Thus, an airbag mounting apparatus typically allows for a secure connection between the vehicle and the airbag, yet allows the airbag to change configurations from the packaged configuration to the deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts airbag assembly  100  from a perspective view, wherein a mounting assembly  120  is coupled to an inflatable curtain airbag  110  that is in a packaged configuration, and is mounted adjacent a roof rail  12  of a vehicle  10 . Airbag assembly  100  may comprise an inflatable curtain airbag  110 , and an airbag mounting assembly  120 . A plurality of mounting assemblies  120  may be employed to couple curtain airbag  110  to a vehicle. Mounting assembly  120  may comprise a mounting member  130  and a connecting member  140 . In  FIG. 1A , only a bottom portion of the connecting member is visible. An optional wrapper  170  may also be employed to retain the airbag in the packaged configuration. For clarity, in the depiction of  FIG. 1A , wrapper  170  is darkly colored; however, the wrapper need not be colored differently than any other component of the assembly. In some embodiments, the wrapper may be coupled to one or more components of the mounting assembly, and therefore may be considered a component of the mounting assembly. Mounting assembly  120  may be employed to couple inflatable curtain airbag  110  adjacent a vehicle roof rail  12 , or other vehicle structure. Airbag assembly  100  may further comprise an inflator (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, inflatable curtain airbag  110  extends from an A-pillar  14  to a D-pillar  19 . Inflatable curtain airbag  110  also extends past a B-pillar  16  and a C-pillar  18  such that in a deployed configuration, the inflatable curtain airbag at least partially covers the B- and C-pillars, as depicted in  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of inflatable curtain airbag assembly  100 , wherein the airbag is depicted in a deployed configuration. Inflatable curtain airbag  110  is configured to become inflated upon activation of one or more inflators such that the airbag transitions from the packaged configuration to the deployed configuration. During deployment, wrapper  170  is configured to rupture such that inflatable curtain airbag  110  can adopt the deployed configuration. In the deployed and in an extended configuration, such as before rolling and/or folding, inflatable curtain airbag  110  may be described as having an upper portion  111 , a lower portion  112 , a first face  113 , and a second face (not visible). The various faces of inflatable curtain airbag  110  define an inflatable void, which is in fluid communication with an inflator (not visible). The inflatable void may be divided into inflation cells  119  via stitching. The various faces of inflatable curtain airbag  110  may comprise panels of a woven nylon fabric that are coupled together at a seam to form the inflatable void. 
     Upper portion  111  of inflatable curtain airbag  110  is the portion of the airbag that is closest to the headliner of a vehicle when the airbag is in a deployed state. Lower portion  112  is below upper portion  111  when inflatable curtain airbag  110  is in a deployed state, and is closest to a floor of the vehicle. The term “lower portion” is not necessarily limited to the portion of inflatable curtain airbag  110  that is below a horizontal medial plane of the inflatable curtain airbag, but may include less than half, more than half or exactly half of the bottom portion of the inflatable curtain airbag. Likewise, the term “upper portion” is not necessarily limited to the portion of inflatable curtain airbag  110  that is above a horizontal medial plane of the airbag, but may include less than half, more than half or exactly half of the top portion of the airbag. 
     Upon activation, the inflator rapidly generates and/or releases inflation gas, which rapidly inflates the inflatable curtain airbag  110 . The inflator may be one of several types, such as pyrotechnic, stored gas, or a combination inflator and may comprise a single or multistage inflator. As inflatable curtain airbag  110  becomes inflated, tension is applied to wrapper  170 , which causes the wrapper to rupture, and therefore, cease to retain the airbag in the packaged configuration. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of inflatable curtain airbags can be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the size, shape, and proportions of the inflatable curtain airbag may vary according to its use in different vehicles or different locations within a vehicle. Also, the inflatable curtain airbag may comprise one or more of any material well known in the art, such as a woven nylon fabric. Additionally, the inflatable curtain airbag may be manufactured using a variety of techniques such as one piece weaving, cut and sew, or a combination of the two techniques. Further, the inflatable curtain airbag may be manufactured using sealed or unsealed seams, wherein the seams are formed by stitching, adhesive, taping, radio frequency welding, heat sealing, or any other suitable technique or combination of techniques. 
     Collectively,  FIGS. 2A-2C , and their associated text, may be said to comprise a method for manufacturing an inflatable curtain airbag assembly, a method for manufacturing a mounting assembly, a method for packing an inflatable curtain airbag, a method for coupling an inflatable curtain airbag to a vehicle, and any combination of the preceding methods.  FIGS. 2A-2C  depict airbag assembly  100  and mounting assembly  120  from various views. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts airbag assembly  100  from an exploded perspective view in which inflatable curtain airbag  110  is partially cutaway. Mounting assembly  120  may comprise mounting member  130  and Connecting member  140 . Mounting member  130  may comprise a rigid planar member comprising a metal alloy, or in some embodiments, the mounting member may comprise a flexible fabric, such as a woven nylon material. Mounting member  130  has a mounting aperture  132 , a first side  133 , a second side (not visible), a top portion  135 , a bottom portion  136 , and a connecting aperture  137 . Top and bottom portions  135  and  136  refer to an approximate upper half and lower halves, respectively, when mounting member  130  is in the same orientation as depicted in  FIG. 2A . 
     Mounting aperture  132  is located on top portion  135  and is configured to receive a fastener, such as a bolt or a mounting structure coupled to the vehicle that protrudes through the aperture. Connecting aperture  137  comprises an elongated slot and is located on lower portion  137  and is configured to receive connecting member  140 . In some embodiments, mounting member  130  may not comprise a connecting aperture. In such embodiments, the connecting member may be coupled to the mounting member without the use of an aperture in the connecting member. 
     One skilled in the art will also recognize that a variety of types of materials may be used to form the mounting member without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the mounting member comprises a piece of material, such as nylon webbing. Further, the mounting member may comprise a variety of shapes. For example, the mounting member may be square, triangular, round, or pentagonal. Further, the mounting member may comprise more or fewer apertures than described herein. For example, in one embodiment, the mounting member comprises two mounting apertures, and in another embodiment, the mounting member comprises three mounting apertures. Further, the location of the apertures may vary from the depictions of the figures. 
     Connecting member  140  comprises a flexible fabric, such as a woven nylon. Connecting member  140  comprises a predetermined length and a predetermined width. The length of the connecting member may vary according to use in different vehicles such that the curtain airbag is located in a predetermined position, with reference to its vertical placement. Connecting member  140  comprises a first portion  141  and a second portion  142 . Generally, it may be said that first portion  141  is an upper portion and second portion  142  is a lower portion. Both the first and second portions  141  and  142  comprise two layers of the connecting member. 
     First portion  141  is that portion of connecting member  140  that is received by connecting aperture  137  of mounting member  130 . In other words, connecting member  140  extends through connecting aperture  137 . Shear-configuration stitching  122  may be employed to attach second portion  142  of connecting member  140  to inflatable curtain airbag  110 . “Shear-configuration” refers to the orientation of the stitching relative to the airbag and a direction of tension that may be placed on the stitching during airbag deployment, such as during a rollover event. In other words, A sheer configuration is any sewn seam that applies a shear load to the sewing thread itself, for example, overlap sew, or folded and overlapped. 
     In some embodiments, one of the layers of the connecting member does not extend all the way to the end of the other layer, as depicted in  FIG. 2A . In such embodiments, additional stitching may be employed to form a loop portion in the first portion of the connecting member and separate stitching may be employed to attach the single layer of the second portion of the connecting member to the inflatable curtain airbag. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting member may also function as a wrapper, wherein the second portion of the connecting member/wrapper extends well below the point at which the connecting member/wrapper is attached to the inflatable curtain airbag. After the inflatable airbag curtain is rolled, the second portion of the connecting member/wrapper can be wrapped around the airbag and then interact with itself so that the airbag is retained in the rolled configuration. In another embodiment, a separate wrapper is employed, which is threaded through the connecting aperture of the mounting member such that after the airbag is rolled, the wrapper can wrap around the airbag and then interact with itself such that the airbag is retained in the rolled configuration. 
     Mounting member  130  and connecting member  140  are collectively referred to as a mounting assembly. The mounting member and connecting member may also be called a sub-assembly of an airbag assembly. In some embodiments, a tack stitch may be used to secure the mounting member and the connecting member prior to attachment to an airbag. 
     For clarity, inflatable curtain airbag  110  is cutaway in  FIG. 2A . Curtain airbag  110  has been manipulated into a rolled configuration and oriented such that top portion  111  is turned upward, and first face  113  is facing forward, towards the viewer. In the rolled configuration, airbag  110  has an outer surface, which may be defined by first face  113  of the airbag. Top portion  111  of inflatable curtain airbag  110  may be coupled to mounting assembly  120  at second portion  142  of connecting member  140 . Inflatable curtain airbag  110  may be coupled to the assembly at a non-inflatable portion, such as an area outside of seam  117 . In the depicted embodiment, a tab  115  is formed in the non-inflatable area of the inflatable curtain airbag  110  such that the connecting member can be coupled to the airbag via shear-configuration stitching. In other embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag may not comprise a tab, such that the connecting member is coupled to the non-inflatable portion that is outside the stitched seam that defines the inflatable void of the airbag. Shear-configuration stitching  122  may extend through four layers of material: the first and second layers of the connecting member and the first and second faces of the inflatable airbag curtain. One skilled in the art will recognize that mounting assembly  120  may be used in conjunction with an inflatable airbag curtain that does not have a tab, but rather, has a non-inflatable portion such as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of airbag assembly  100  and mounting assembly  120 , as depicted in  FIG. 2A  after connecting member  140  has been attached to tab  115 . For clarity, inflatable curtain airbag  110  has been partially cutaway in  FIG. 2B . Connecting member  140  is coupled to mounting member  130  via a loop of the first portion  141  extending through connecting aperture  137  of the mounting member. In the depiction of  FIG. 2B , first side  133  of mounting member  130  is facing the viewer. Rolled airbag  110  may be coupled to mounting member  130  via connecting member  140  at tab  115 . Shear-configuration stitching  122  may be employed to attach connecting member  140  to tab  115 . In the depicted embodiment, connecting member  140  is attached to inflatable curtain airbag  110  on first face  113  of the airbag; however, in other embodiments, the connecting member may be attached on the second face of the airbag. In yet other embodiments, the first layer of the connecting member may be attached on the first face of the airbag and the second layer of the connecting member may be attached on the second face of the airbag. 
       FIG. 2C  depicts airbag assembly from perspective view, wherein inflatable curtain airbag  110  has been partially cutaway.  FIG. 2C  depicts airbag assembly  100  after connecting member  140  has been folded and re-sewn to cushion  110 . In the depiction of  FIG. 2C , cushion  110  is in the same orientation as in  FIGS. 2A-2B , wherein upper portion  111  and tab  115  are oriented upwardly, and first face  113  is facing the viewer.  FIG. 2C  differs from  FIG. 2B  in that first portion  141  of connecting member  140  has been folded toward front face  113  such that from the viewer&#39;s perspective, top portion  135  of mounting member  130  is oriented downward, and bottom portion  136  of the mounting member is oriented upward; also, second side  134  of connecting member  130  is facing the viewer. 
     After connecting member  140  has been folded toward front face  113 , the connecting member comprises a first loop  143 , which is located at first portion  141 , and a second loop  144 , which is formed at second portion  142 . Second loop  144  may also be described as a fold  145  of connecting member  140 . Connecting member  140  may be retained in the folded configuration by being sewn with peel-configuration stitching  124 , which may protrude through six layers of material: four layers of the connecting member and the first and rear faces of inflatable curtain airbag  110 . “Peel-configuration” refers to the orientation of the stitching relative to the airbag and a direction of tension that may be placed on the stitching during airbag deployment, such as during a rollover event. In other words, peel configuration is any sewn seam that applies a tensile load to the sewing thread itself, for example, perimeter sews with inflatable area on one or both sides. A distance from the mounting aperture of the mounting member to the stitching that couples the inflatable curtain airbag to the connecting member is a parameter that can be tuned to alter deployment characteristics of the airbag. 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of sheer and peel configuration stitch types and threads can be employed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Stitch types may be single or double needle lock type stitches Type 301 is most commonly used. Threads with a minimum of 1350 Dtex are used for these types of strength sews, and stitch count can vary from about 30 to about 55 stitches per 100 mm. Thread count may be three twisted yarns that are bonded and lubricated for sewing with compatible fabric. Thread base material may be nylon 6.6 and is compatible with the fabric being sewn. A full or partial back tack can also be used depending on the strength needed in the seam. In some embodiments, partial back tacks may not exceed about 10 mm. In some embodiments, full back tacks may be performed to allow spacing for the needle and thread passing the first sew, which may have about 1 mm offset. The geometry of the seam can be modified for optimal performance, and may comprise a moon shape, or a double row configuration. Seams for attaching modular components, such as mounting tabs or brackets, may extend across the entire length of the modular component. Table 1 provides data regarding threads that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 US 
                   
                   
                 Twisted 
                 Twisted 
               
               
                 Tex Size 
                 Decitex 
                 Ticket 
                 Metric 
                 Japan 
                 Nylon 
                 Poly 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 T-135 
                 1350 
                 BT- 
                 M20 
                 5 
                 420 d × 3 
                 420 d × 3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 138/3(RT) 
               
               
                 T-210 
                 2100 
                 ST-207/3 
                 M13 
                 4 
                 630 d × 3 
                 630 d × 3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       FIG. 3  is another cutaway perspective view of airbag assembly  100  of  FIG. 2C , wherein airbag assembly has been rotated 180° vertically compared to  FIG. 2C . In the depiction of  FIG. 3 , first face  133  of connecting member  130  is facing the viewer and top portion  135  is oriented upward; also, upper portion  111  of inflatable airbag curtain  110  is facing downward, as is second loop  144  of connecting member  140 . Second loop  144  is formed by fold  145 , and if fold  145  is formed tightly, second loop  144  may be compressed. In the depiction of  FIG. 3 , airbag  100  may be said to be in a “b-roll” configuration. 
     The orientation of assembly  100  in  FIG. 3  is the same orientation depicted in  FIG. 1A . As such, bolt  160  may protrude through the mounting aperture of mounting member  130  and extend into a complementary aperture formed in the roof rail of a vehicle (not shown). For clarity, first face  113  of inflatable curtain airbag  110 , which defines and outer surface of the airbag, is depicted as being located such that tab  115 , as well as shear-configuration stitching  122  and peel-configuration stitching  124  are visible; however, the diameter of the rolled inflatable curtain airbag may be such that when the airbag is in a packaged configuration, the tab and stitching are not visible. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views of airbag assembly  100 , wherein  FIG. 4A  depicts the assembly before connecting member  140  has been folded and  FIG. 4B  depicts the assembly after the connecting member has been folded and re-sewn. In the depiction of  FIG. 4A , mounting assembly  120  is attached to tab  115  of inflatable airbag cushion  110  on first face  113  of the airbag. In the depiction of  FIG. 4A , first side  133  of mounting member  130  and first face  113  of airbag  110  are facing to the viewer&#39;s left and second side  134  and second face  114  are facing to the viewers right. Top portion  135  of mounting member  130  is topmost and includes mounting aperture  132 . Bottom portion  136  includes connecting aperture  137  and is below top portion  135 . First portion  141  of connecting member  140  protrudes through connecting aperture  137  and second portion  142  is attached to tab  115  via shear-configuration stitching  122 , which forms first loop  143 . Shear-configuration stitching  122  protrudes through two layers of the connecting member. 
       FIG. 4B  depicts airbag assembly  100  of  FIG. 4A  after mounting bracket  130  and first portion  141  of connecting member  140  have been directed downward toward first face  113  of airbag  110 . Folding connecting member  140  at fold  145  forms a second loop  144 , which in the depiction of  FIG. 4B  is above first loop  143 . First loop  143  is captured by connecting aperture  137 . Connecting member  140  is retained in the folded configuration via peel-configuration stitching  124 , which protrudes through four layers of the connecting member. Shear-configuration stitching  122  protrudes through two layers of connecting member  140 . In the depiction of  FIG. 4B , shear-configuration stitching  122  and peel-configuration stitching  124  are in distinct positions and each comprise two rows of stitching. One skilled in the art will recognize that shear-configuration stitching  122  and peel-configuration stitching  124  may not be located in distinct positions, in which case the threads of the stitching may become mingled. Additionally, shear-configuration and peel-configuration stitching  122  and  124  are depicted as each having two rows of stitches; however, one skilled in the art will recognize that the stitching may comprise fewer or more than two rows of stitching. 
       FIG. 5  depicts assembly  100  of  FIG. 4B , wherein the assembly has been rotated 180° vertically and horizontally. The orientation of assembly  100  in  FIG. 5  is similar to how the assembly may be mounted in a vehicle if a roof rail were located on the left hand side of the figure, as seen by the viewer. In the depiction of  FIG. 5 , top portion  135  of mounting member  130  is above bottom portion  136  and first loop  143  is above second loop  144  and fold  145 . Upper portion  111  and tab  115  of cushion  110  are oriented downward. Upon inflatable curtain airbag  110  deployment, the airbag may change configuration from the packaged state to an extended state. 
     In the depiction of  FIG. 5 , inflatable curtain cushion  110  appears to comprise a single layer of material; however, as described above, cushion  110  may comprise a first and a second panel of material such that the cushion comprises two layers of material. As such, shear configuration stitching  122  protrudes through four layers of material and peel configuration stitching  124  protrudes through six layers of material. 
     Inflatable curtain airbag deployment trajectory and characteristics are important aspects in the airbag&#39;s performance. A b-roll configuration is preferred due to its favorable deployment trajectory and characteristics; however, to be properly oriented within a vehicle, an inflatable curtain airbag is typically coupled to a mounting member via peel-configuration stitching. Peel-configuration stitching typically is not able to withstand a magnitude of tension equal to shear-configuration stitching, which is otherwise identical to the peel-configuration stitching. Airbag deployment and/or impact by an occupant during a rollover event may place a magnitude of tension on the peel-configuration stitching that is greater than their ability to withstand, but which may be withstood by shear-configuration stitching. 
     During inflatable curtain airbag  110  deployment, or upon being impacted by an occupant, peel-configuration stitching  124  may come under tension such that the stitching ruptures. In such a case, airbag assembly  100  may adopt a configuration similar to that depicted in  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 4A , wherein inflatable curtain airbag  110  remains anchored to the roof rail of the vehicle via shear-configuration stitching  122 . As such, although peel-configuration stitching  124  may rupture during airbag deployment or when an occupant contacts the inflatable curtain airbag during a rollover event, shear-configuration stitching  122  are configured not to rupture and thereby retain airbag  110  in a predetermined position. 
       FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment of an airbag assembly  200  from a cutaway perspective view, wherein the airbag assembly comprises a mounting assembly  220  and an inflatable curtain airbag  210 . Assembly  200  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as assembly  100 , described herein. Mounting assembly  220  may comprise a mounting member  230 , a first connecting member  240 , and a second connecting member  250 . Inflatable curtain cushion  210  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as inflatable curtain cushion  110 , except cushion  210  does not have a tab  115  as does cushion  110 . Cushion  210  comprises a perimeter seam  217  and a non-inflatable area  216  that is located outside of perimeter seam  217 . Mounting assembly  220  may be attached to first face  213  of inflatable curtain airbag  210  at non-inflatable area  216 , which is located along top portion  211  of cushion  210 . 
     Mounting member  230  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as mounting member  130 , described herein. Mounting member  230  comprises a mounting aperture  232  and a connecting aperture  237 . First connecting member  240  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as connecting member  140 , described herein, except first connecting member  240  is not attached to an inflatable curtain airbag; instead, first connecting member  240  is attached to a second connecting member  250  via first shear-configuration stitching  226 . First connecting member  240  may comprise a flexible fabric that can be threaded through connecting aperture  237  such that a first loop  243  is formed when the connecting member is attached to second connecting member  250 .  FIG. 6  depicts first connecting member  240  as being attached to second connecting member  250  on a front face; however, as one skilled in the art will recognize, the connecting member may be attached to either face of the second connecting member, including both faces of the second connecting member. 
     Second connecting member  250  may comprise a flexible piece of fabric, which has a first portion  251  and a second portion  252 , wherein the first and second portions may be considered approximate top and bottom halves of second connecting member  250 . Top portion  251  is attached to first connecting member  240  via first shear-configuration stitching  226 . Bottom portion  252  is attached to inflatable curtain airbag  210  at non-inflatable area  216  via second shear-configuration stitching  222 . In other embodiments, the second connecting member may have an extended bottom portion, which functions as a wrapper. 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that the various connecting members described herein may be formed from a variety of materials. For example, the connecting members may be formed from one or more layers of Uncoated flat woven nylon fabric of high construction, such as 19×19 yarns per centimeter. Examples of suitable materials include 470 Dtex f 136-144 (19×19 yarns per centimeter) and 700 Dtex f 105-108 (16×16 yarns per centimeter). Additionally, materials having variations in weave and yarn size may be used. Further, the fabrics can be used in multiple layers and/or fused together. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cross sectional views depicting inflatable curtain airbag assembly  200 , wherein  FIG. 7A  depicts the assembly before the second connecting member has been folded and  FIG. 7B  depicts the assembly after the second connecting member has been folded and re-sewn. In both figures, top portion  235  of mounting member  230  is topmost such that connecting aperture  237  is located below the top portion. First connecting member  240  has been captured by connecting aperture  237  and attached to second connecting member  250  via first shear-configuration stitching  226  such that first loop  243  is formed. 
       FIG. 7A  depicts assembly  200  before second connecting member  250  has been folded. Top portion  251  of second connecting member  250  is coupled to first connecting member  240  and bottom portion  252  is attached to top portion  211  of inflatable curtain airbag  210  on front face  213  via first shear-configuration stitching  226 . Assembly  200  as depicted in  FIG. 7A  can be manipulated into the configuration of  FIG. 7B  by directing bottom portion  252  of second connecting member  250  upwardly, in a direction that is opposite the side on which inflatable curtain airbag  210  is located. 
       FIG. 7B  depicts assembly  200  after second connecting member  250  has been folded. In a second connecting member-folded configuration, top portion  211  of cushion  210  is directed away from top portion  235  of mounting member  230 . The second connecting member-folded configuration may also be defined by a second loop  254  that is formed by a fold  255  in lower portion  252  of second connecting member  250 . Second loop  254  may comprise a fold of second connecting member  250 , wherein the fold, or an aperture of second loop  254 , is oriented approximately parallel with a long axis of rolled inflatable airbag curtain  210 . After second loop  254  has been formed, assembly  200  may be retained in the second connecting member-folded configuration via another peel-configuration stitching  224 . 
     Assembly  200  may be mounted in a configuration similar to that depicted in  FIG. 7B , and during inflatable curtain airbag  210  deployment, the airbag may unroll and assume an extended configuration. As described above for assembly  100 , during inflatable curtain airbag  210  deployment or upon the airbag being impacted by an object during a rollover event, peel-configuration stitching  224  may fail. In such an event, the inflatable curtain airbag may be retained in position via second shear-configuration stitching  222 , which may resemble the configuration depicted in  FIG. 7A , except inflatable curtain cushion  210  would be in an extended configuration rather than a rolled configuration, as depicted in the figure. 
     In one example, a single mounting assembly attached to a portion of an inflatable airbag assembly was tested in a dynamic load drop testing fixture. The tested mounting assembly and airbag portion were configured as depicted in  FIGS. 6-7B . The dynamic load drop testing fixture may be of any type well known in the art and comprises a mass, an anchor, a sample coupling mechanism, a load sensor, and a data acquisition system. To test what magnitude of force is required to rupture the peel and/or shear configuration stitching, as described herein, the mounting member or the first connecting member is coupled to an anchor portion via the sample coupling mechanism. The airbag portion can be coupled to the mass via another sample coupling mechanism such that the mounting member and airbag sample couples the anchored portion of the testing fixture and the mass such that force can be applied to the sample by dropping the mass. The magnitude of force can be measured by coupling a load sensor, or load cell, by coupling the load sensor to the sample somewhere between the mass and the anchor. The magnitude of the mass and the distance the mass is dropped can be tuned to alter the force applied to the sample. The magnitude of the force applied to the sample can be increased until the sample fails. 
     In the instant example, a double-sewn mounting assembly was tested in a dynamic load drop testing fixture. A magnitude of force was applied to the sample that was sufficient to rupture the peel configuration stitching and the shear configuration stitching. The peel configuration stitching failed when a force of about 1200 Newton was applied, and the shear configuration stitching failed when a force of about 2500 Newton was applied. 
     Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. 
     Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. Elements recited in means-plus-function format are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112 ¶ 6. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. Embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1