Patent Abstract:
During the manufacture of an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator may be inserted into, and coupled to, a throat portion of the inflatable airbag cushion. This process may be achieved more quickly and with higher reproducibility of the placement of the inflator within the throat portion by forming an assembly aid in the throat portion of the cushion. The assembly aid functions to assist in the separation of the two panels of material from which the throat portion is manufactured. The separation can be achieved by forming one or more pleats, tabs, or loops in the throat portion near an inflator insert aperture. A throat liner may optionally be used within an airbag throat portion, in which case the assembly aid may also be formed in the throat liner.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to the field of automotive protective systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a modified throat portion for an inflatable airbag cushion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    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. 
           [0003]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2A  is a close up cutaway perspective view of the inflatable airbag cushion assembly of  FIG. 1  before a throat portion has been modified. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2B  is a close up cutaway perspective view of the inflatable airbag cushion assembly of  FIG. 2A  after a portion of the throat portion has been folded. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2C  is a close up cutaway perspective view of the inflatable airbag cushion assembly of  FIG. 2B  after a pleat has been formed in the folded portion of the throat portion. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a close up cutaway perspective view of the inflatable airbag cushion assembly of  FIG. 2C . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a close up cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a close up cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a close up cutaway perspective view the inflatable airbag cushion assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    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. 
         [0020]    Inflatable curtain airbags 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 the side windows and the B-pillar of the vehicle. In some embodiments, inflatable curtain airbags may extend from the A-pillar to the C-pillar of the vehicle. In alternative embodiments, inflatable curtain airbags may extend from the A-pillar to the D-pillar of the vehicle. 
         [0021]    Inflatable curtain airbags are 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, or alternatively, the airbag may be retained within a sock. When deployed, the airbag exits the undeployed, folded or rolled state and assumes an extended shape. 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 undeployed/rolled/folded to deployed/extended. 
         [0022]    Conventionally, inflatable curtain airbags include attachment tabs at the top edge and at various locations along the longitudinal length of the inflatable curtain airbag. During a conventional installation, bolts or other fasteners are used to attach each attachment tab to the roof rail or similar structure of the vehicle, often with the aid of a mounting bracket. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts airbag assembly  100  from a front elevation view. Airbag assembly  100  may comprise an inflatable cushion membrane  110  and an inflator  150 . Inflatable curtain cushion  110  may be configured to fit within the side window wells of a vehicle and function as a side curtain airbag. Cushion  110  may comprise a contiguous piece of material manufactured using a one-piece woven technique or may be manufactured via a cut, sew, and seal technique, wherein one or more pieces of a nylon material are used to form the cushion. Cushion  110  may be anchored to a vehicle structure via mounting tabs disposed on the outer edge of cushion  110  and by tethers, which may be coupled to cushion  110  by sewing, gluing, RF welding or by any other suitable technique. The tethers may comprise extensions of cushion  110  and may be anchored to vehicle structures, such as an A-pillar and a D-Pillar. 
         [0024]    According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , cushion  110  has an upper portion  111 , a lower portion  112 , a front face  113 , a rear face  114 , a first end  115 , and a second end  116 . The front and rear panels  113  and  114  may be coupled together at a seam that is formed by stitching  117 , wherein the stitching defines an inflatable void  118 . Stitching  117  may further divide inflatable void  118  into inflation cells  119 . Inflation cells  119  are configured to receive inflation gas from inflator  150  and thereby cushion an occupant in a collision or roll-over event. The shapes of inflation cells  119 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , are strictly for illustrative purposes and may vary according to vehicle application. 
         [0025]    Upper portion  111  of cushion  110  is the portion of the cushion that is closest to the headliner of a vehicle when the cushion is in a deployed state. Lower portion  112  is below upper portion  111  when cushion  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 cushion  110  that is below a horizontal medial plane of the cushion, but may include less than half, more than half or exactly half of the bottom portion of the cushion. Likewise, the term “upper portion” is not necessarily limited to the portion of cushion  110  that is above a horizontal medial plane of the cushion, but may include less than half, more than half or exactly half of the top portion of the cushion. 
         [0026]    Throat portion  120  is located on upper portion  111  of second side  116  and comprises an extension of inflatable void  118  that is configured to fluidly couple inflator  150  to the inflatable void and inflation cells  119 . Throat portion  120  comprises a distal portion  121 , which comprises an assembly aid  130 . In the depicted embodiment, inflatable cushion  110  comprises one throat portion; however, in alternative embodiments the cushion may comprise more than one throat portion. Throat portion  120  is also configured to be fluidly coupled to inflator  150 . Inflator  150  may be partially inserted into the inflatable void of throat  120 , or alternatively, an inflator extension, inflator diffuser, and/or inflator tube, may be inserted into the throat. 
         [0027]    Inflator  150  may be anchored to a roof rail in a vehicle, and may comprise a pyrotechnic device, a stored gas inflator, or a combination of the two. Inflator  150  may be fluidly coupled to throat portion  120  via a coupler  154 , which may comprise an integral member of the inflator or may comprise a member that is separate from the inflator, but is configured to be coupled to the inflator. As such, the inflator may be said to comprise a coupler. One example of a coupler that may be employed is a Bandit ring coupler, which is well known in the art. Inflator  150  is in electronic communication with one or more vehicle sensors which are configured to detect a collision or rollover event. Upon detection of predetermined conditions, the sensors activate the inflator and inflatable curtain cushion  110  is rapidly inflated, thereby changing configurations from a packaged state to an extended state. 
         [0028]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of types and configurations of airbag cushion membranes can be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the size, shape, and proportions of the cushion membrane may vary according to its use in different vehicles or different locations within a vehicle such that the cushion may comprise an inflatable curtain cushion; a rear passenger side airbag; a driver&#39;s airbag; and/or a front passenger airbag. Also, the cushion membrane may comprise one or more materials that are well known in the art, such as a woven nylon fabric. The airbag cushion may be manufactured using a combination of one-piece weaving and cut, sew, and seal techniques. Further, the cushion membrane 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. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2A-2C  are close up cutaway perspective views of throat portion  120  of cushion  110  of inflatable airbag cushion assembly  100 , wherein the figures illustrate manipulation of the throat portion to form an assembly aid. As depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C , assembly  100  comprises airbag cushion  110  and inflator  150 . Cushion  110  has a throat portion  120  that comprises a front panel of material  113  and a rear panel of material  114 , wherein the two panels of material are coupled together via stitching  117 . Front and rear panels  113  and  114  define an aperture  129  that is contiguous with the inflatable void of cushion  110 , wherein the aperture is configured to receive inflator  150 . Front and rear panels may also be called first and second panels. Throat portion  120  extends to a distal portion  121  that has a front panel extension  123  and a rear panel extension  124 ; the front and rear panel extensions may be defined as starting from a distal limit  125  of stitching  117  such that the extensions are not coupled together. Front and rear panel extensions  123  and  124  have distal edges  126  and  127 . 
         [0030]    Inflator  150  comprises a cushion-proximal end  152 , wherein the cushion-proximal end has a coupler  154  and an inflator tube  156 . As described above, coupler  154  may comprise a portion of inflator  150  or may comprise a separate member. Inflator tube  156  is configured to extend through aperture  129  and into the inflatable void of cushion  110 . Inflator tube  156  may be configured as tubular extension that has a single aperture through which inflation gas can exit into the inflatable void. In another embodiment, the inflator tube may comprise a plurality of inflation gas exit apertures. In other embodiments, the inflator tube comprises an extended inflator tube with a diffuser, or a diffuser without an extended inflator tube. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2A  depicts distal portion  121  before front panel extension  123  has been configured as an assembly aid. As described above, extension  123  is not coupled to extension  124 , and as such, extension  123  can be folded toward front panel  113  such that distal edge  126  of the front panel is directed away from distal portion  121  of throat  120 . The fold may be made along the line that represents the distal extent of stitching  117 , such that throat  120  is configured as depicted in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0032]    Once throat  120  is manipulated into the configuration depicted in  FIG. 2B , front panel extension  123  can be configured as an assembly aid by forming a pleat in the folded front panel extension. Assembly aid  130  is depicted in  FIG. 2C , and may be formed by pleating the folded front panel extension  123 . It may also be said that assembly aid  130  can be formed by folding the folded front panel extension upon itself such that a first fold  131  and a second fold  132  are formed. The pleat may be retained via a fastener  134 , which in the depicted embodiment comprises stitching  134 . In other embodiments, fastener  134  may comprise any suitable structure or technique such as stapling, riveting, gluing, RF welding, and/or employing clips. In the depicted embodiment, fastener  134  is depicted as having an orientation that is horizontal when cushion  110  is mounted in a vehicle and in an extended configuration. 
         [0033]    First and second end portions  135  and  136  may be coupled to layers of throat portion  120  that are adjacent to assembly aid  130 , such as front and rear panels  113  and  114 . In the depicted embodiment, a throat liner is not depicted; however in other embodiments, a throat liner may be employed and may partially form an assembly aid or may solely form an assembly aid. The orientation of the pleat or folds of assembly aid  130  as depicted in  FIG. 2C  is strictly for exemplary purposes. Various orientations and configurations of folds, loops, and/or pleats may be formed in a throat portion or a throat liner to form an assembly aid, some of which are illustrated herein. 
         [0034]    Once assembly aid  130  is formed in throat portion  120 , inflator insert aperture  129  may be more defined, since front panel  113  has been shortened relative to rear panel  114 . Additionally, assembly aid  130  may allow front panel  113  and rear panel  114  to be more readily identified and distinguished. During assembly of cushion  110  and coupling of inflator  150  to cushion  110 , assembly aid  130  may allow front and rear panels  113  and  114  to be more readily separated. Also, when inflator  150  is coupled to cushion  110 , assembly aid  130  may allow the inflator to be more consistently oriented within throat portion  120 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  depicts a portion of another embodiment of an airbag assembly  200  from a close up cutaway perspective view. Assembly  200  may be configured similarly to and may function similarly as airbag assemblies  100 , described herein. Inflatable airbag cushion  210  may comprise an inflatable curtain cushion, a knee airbag, a side airbag, or any other airbag configuration that has a throat portion. Cushion  210  and throat portion  220  comprise an inflatable void  218  that is formed by coupling a front panel  213  to a rear panel  214 . Front and rear panels  213  and  214  may be coupled at a seam  217  that may be formed by stitching  217 , wherein the seam may define the inflatable void. A distal end  221  of throat  220  comprises an aperture  229  that is in fluid communication with inflatable void  218 , wherein the aperture may be defined by distal edges  226  and  227  of front and rear panels  213  and  214 . 
         [0036]    Cushion throat  220  does not have extensions, such as those of throat  120 . As such, assembly aid  230  may be said to be formed within front panel  213  such that the assembly aid  230  does not extend significantly beyond seam  217 . Assembly aid  230  may be formed as assembly aid  130 , as described herein. First and second folds  231  and  232  may be retained via a fastener  234 , which is depicted in  FIG. 3  as stitching. 
         [0037]    Assembly aid  230  may shorten an effective length from first portion  235  and second portion  236  of front panel  213  at distal end  221 . As such the effective length of front panel  213  at assembly aid  230  may be shorter when compared to a length of front panel  213  as measured at a portion of throat  220  that does not have an assembly aid formed in it, and compared to a length of rear panel  214 . In the depiction of  FIG. 3 , throat  220  is rectangular, and therefore, the assembly aid may alter the length of the panel in which the assembly aid is formed, as described above. In alternative embodiments, the throat portion of an inflatable cushion may not be rectangular, symmetrical, or comprise parallel edges or end portions, such that forming an assembly aid in one panel of the throat may or may not alter the effective length of that portion of the panel in relation to other portions of the panel or other panels, as described above. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4-8  depict various embodiments of inflatable airbag assemblies  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700 , wherein various embodiments of assembly aids have been formed in cushions  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  610 , and  710 . The inflatable airbag assemblies, cushions, and assembly aids depicted in  FIGS. 4-8  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as those depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  depicts a portion of inflatable airbag assembly  300  from a front elevation view. Inflatable airbag assembly  300  may comprise an inflatable airbag cushion  310  that has a throat portion  320 , which is formed by a front panel  313  and a rear panel  314 . Front and rear panels  313  and  314  may be coupled together at a seam  317 , which defines an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  329 . Assembly aid  330  is depicted as being configured similarly as assembly aids  130  and  230 , except that assembly aid  330  is not centered on panel  313 . Assembly aid  330  may be formed in panel  313  similarly as described herein for other assembly aids. Assembly aid  330  may be retained in panel  313  via a fastener  334 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the assembly aids of this disclosure may be formed in a front and/or rear panel of an inflatable airbag cushion. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  depicts a portion of inflatable airbag assembly  400  from a front elevation view. Inflatable airbag assembly  400  may comprise an inflatable airbag cushion  410  that has a throat portion  420 , which is formed by a front panel  413  and a rear panel  414 . Front and rear panels  413  and  414  may be coupled together at a seam  417 , which defines an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  429 . Assembly aid  430  is depicted as being configured similarly as assembly aid  330 , depicted in  FIG. 4 , except that assembly aid  430  comprises a first aid  430  and a second aid  440 . First aid  430  is formed in front panel  413  and second aid  440  is formed in panel  414 . First and second assembly aids  430  and  440  may be said to comprise a single assembly aid  430  that has two portions. First and second aids  430  and  440  may be formed in panels  413  and  414  in a manner that is similar to other assembly aids disclosed herein. Assembly aids  430  and  440  may be retained in panel  413  via fasteners  434  and  444 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  depicts a portion of inflatable airbag assembly  500  from a front elevation view. Inflatable airbag assembly  500  may comprise an inflatable airbag cushion  510  that has a throat portion  520 , which is formed by a front panel  513  and a rear panel  514 . Front and rear panels  513  and  514  may be coupled together at a seam  517 , which defines an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  529 . Assembly aid  530  is configured to function similarly as other assembly aids disclosed herein. In the depicted embodiment, front panel  513  comprises a piece of material, which at the throat portion, has a height that is of greater magnitude than the height of rear panel  514 . Because front and rear panels  513  and  514  are coupled together near their edges at seam  517 , the front panel may have slack, or wrinkles in it. The use of panels of material with different heights at the throat portion and the resulting pleats, wrinkles, slack, folds, or any combination of these, comprise assembly aid  530 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  depicts a portion of inflatable airbag assembly  600  from a front elevation view. Inflatable airbag assembly  600  may comprise an inflatable airbag cushion  610  that has a throat portion  620 , which is formed by a front panel  613  and a rear panel  614 . Front and rear panels  613  and  614  may be coupled together at a seam  617 , which defines an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  629 . Assembly aid  630  is formed in front panel  613  and may be retained in the front panel via a fastener  634 . Assembly aid  630  is configured to function similarly as other assembly aids disclosed herein. Also, assembly aid  630  may be formed in panels  613  and  614  in a manner that is similar to other assembly aids disclosed herein. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  illustrates that combinations of the assembly aids of the present disclosure may be combined in a single throat portion of an inflatable airbag cushion.  FIG. 8  depicts a portion of inflatable airbag assembly  700  from a front elevation view. Inflatable airbag assembly  700  may comprise an inflatable airbag cushion  710  that has a throat portion  720 , which is formed by a front panel  713  and a rear panel  714 . Front and rear panels  713  and  714  may be coupled together at a seam  717 , which defines an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  729 . First assembly aid  730  is formed in front panel  713  and second assembly aid  740  is formed in rear panel  714 . Aids  730  and  740  may be retained in the front panel via fasteners  734  and  744 . Assembly aids  730  and  740  are configured to function similarly as other assembly aids disclosed herein. Also, assembly aids  730  and  740  may be formed in panels  713  and  714  in a manner that is similar to other assembly aids disclosed herein. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  depicts another embodiment of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly  800  from a cutaway perspective view. Airbag assembly  800  may be configured similarly as, and may function similarly to, airbag assemblies  100 - 700 , as disclosed herein. Cushion  810  may comprise a throat portion  820  that has a front panel of material  813  and a rear panel of material  814 , wherein the panels of material are coupled together at a seam  817 , which is depicted as stitching. Front and rear panels  814  and  815  may form an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  829 , wherein the inflatable void and the aperture may be defined by seam  817 . 
         [0045]    Assembly aid  830  as well as aperture  829  may be described as being at a distal portion  821  of throat  820 . Assembly aid  830  may comprise front and rear panel extensions  823  and  824 , wherein the assembly aid functions similarly as, and may be formed in a manner similar to assembly aid  130 , as well as other assembly aids disclosed herein. Front and rear panel extensions  823  and  824  may extend distally beyond seam  817 . Assembly aid  830  may be formed by folding each of the front and rear panel extensions  823  and  824  toward inflator insert aperture  829 . The front and rear panel extensions  823  and  824  may be retained in the folded configuration by applying a fastener  834 , which is depicted in  FIG. 9  as stitching. One skilled in the art will recognize that the folds of the front and rear panel extensions may be formed such that the folds run approximately parallel with the long axis of the throat portion, rather than perpendicular to the long axis of the throat portion, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  depicts another embodiment of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly  900  from a cutaway perspective view. Airbag assembly  900  may be configured similarly as, and may function similarly to, airbag assemblies  100 - 700 , as disclosed herein. Cushion  910  may comprise a throat portion  920  that has a front panel of material  913  and a rear panel of material  914 , wherein the panels of material are coupled together at a seam  917 , which is depicted as stitching. Front and rear panels  914  and  915  may form an inflatable void that is in fluid communication with an inflator insert aperture  929 , wherein the inflatable void and the aperture may be defined by seam  917 . 
         [0047]    Assembly aid  930  as well as aperture  929  may be described as being at a distal portion  921  of throat  920 . Assembly aid  930  may comprise front and rear panel extensions  923  and  924 , wherein the assembly aid functions similarly as, and may be formed in a manner similar to assembly aids  130  and  830 , as well as other assembly aids disclosed herein. Front and rear panel extensions  923  and  924  may extend distally beyond seam  917 . Assembly aid  930  may be formed by folding each of the front and rear panel extensions  923  and  924  outwardly away from inflator insert aperture  829  and toward the front and rear panels  913  and  914 , respectively. The front and rear panel extensions  923  and  924  may be retained in the folded configuration by applying a fastener  934 , which is depicted in  FIG. 10  as stitching. One skilled in the art will recognize that the folds of the front and rear panel extensions may be formed such that the folds run approximately parallel with the long axis of the throat portion, rather than perpendicular to the long axis of the throat portion, as depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11 and 12  depict another embodiment of an inflatable airbag cushion assembly  1000 , wherein the assembly comprises an inflatable airbag cushion  1010 , an inflator  1050  and a throat liner  1060 . Airbag assembly  1000  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as other airbag assemblies disclosed herein. 
         [0049]    According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , cushion  1010  has an upper portion  1011  a lower portion  1012 , a front face  1013 , a rear face  1014 , a first end  1015 , and a second end  1016 . The front and rear panels  1013  and  1014  may be coupled together at a seam that is formed by stitching  1017 , wherein the stitching defines an inflatable void  1018 . Stitching  1017  may further divide Inflatable void  1018  into inflation cells  1019 . Inflation cells  1019  are configured to receive inflation gas from inflator  1050  and thereby cushion an occupant in a collision or roll-over event. The shapes of inflation cells  1019  as depicted in  FIG. 11  are strictly for illustrative purposes and may vary according to vehicle application. 
         [0050]    Upper portion  1011  of cushion  1010  is the portion of the cushion that is closest to the headliner of a vehicle when the cushion is in a deployed state. Lower portion  1012  is below upper portion  1011  when cushion  1010  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 cushion  1010  that is below a horizontal medial plane of the cushion, but may include less than half, more than half or exactly half of the bottom portion of the cushion. Likewise, the term “upper portion” is not necessarily limited to the portion of cushion  1010  that is above a horizontal medial plane of the cushion, but may include less than half, more than half or exactly half of the top portion of the cushion. 
         [0051]    Throat portion  1020  is located on upper portion  1011  of second side  1016  and comprises an extension of inflatable void  1018  that is configured to fluidly couple inflator  1050  to the inflatable void and inflation cells  1019 . Throat portion comprises a distal portion  1021 , which comprises an assembly aid  1030 . In the depicted embodiment, inflatable cushion  1010  comprises one throat portion; however, in alternative embodiments the cushion may comprise more than one throat portion. Throat portion  1020  is also configured to be fluidly coupled to inflator  1050 . Inflator  1050  may be partially inserted into the inflatable void of throat  1020 , or alternatively, an inflator extension, inflator diffuser, and/or inflator tube, may be inserted into the throat. 
         [0052]    Inflator  1050  may be anchored to a roof rail in a vehicle, and may comprise a pyrotechnic device, a stored gas inflator, or a combination of the two. Inflator  1050  may be fluidly coupled to throat portion  1020  via a coupler  1054 , which may comprise an integral member of the inflator or may comprise a member that is separate from the inflator, but is configured to be coupled to the inflator. As such, the inflator may be said to comprise a coupler. 
         [0053]    Throat liner  1060  may comprise a separate member than cushion  1010  and may be coupled to the cushion, or alternatively, throat liner  1060  may be integral to cushion  1010  such that it does not comprise a separate member. Throat liner  1060  has a distal portion  1061  that may be located adjacent to inflator  1050 . Liner  1060  may be coupled to cushion  1010  via stitching and/or inflator coupler  1054 . Further, throat liner  1060  may comprise one or more inflation gas exit apertures  1068 . 
         [0054]    Assembly aid  1030  may be formed in distal portions  1021  and  1061  of throat portion  1020  and throat liner  1060 . Assembly aid  1030  may be configured similarly and may function similarly as other assembly aids disclosed herein. Assembly aid  1030  may comprise one or more folds or pleats of cushion  1010  throat portion  1030  and throat liner  1060 . The folds or pleats may be formed such that they are approximately parallel with a long axis of cushion  1010 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  is a close up cutaway perspective view of airbag assembly  1000  before cushion  1010  and throat liner  1060  have been coupled to an inflator. Throat liner  1060  may comprise a front and rear panel of material that are coupled together in a manner similar to the construction of cushion  1010 , wherein the cushion comprises a front and rear panel of material  1013  and  1014  that are coupled together at a seam  1017 . As such, throat portion  1020  also comprises a front and rear panel of material that terminates in distal edges of front and rear panels  1026  and  1027 . Likewise, throat liner  1060  comprises distal edges of front and rear panels  1066  and  1067 . Seam  1017  and distal edges  1026 / 1066  and  1027 / 1067  define an inflator insert aperture  1029 . 
         [0056]    Assembly aid  1030  may comprise one or more folds or pleats of one or both panels of material that form each of the cushion throat and throat liner. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 12 , a fold or pleat has been formed in front panel  1013  of throat portion  1060  as well as the adjacent front panel of throat liner  1060 . The folds of the throat portion and the throat liner to form the assembly aid may be said to coincide. The fold or pleat can be retained via a fastener  1034 , which is depicted as stitching. As with other airbag assemblies disclosed herein, more than one assembly aid may be formed in the throat portion and throat liner of assembly  1000 . Additionally, if more than one assembly aid is formed in the airbag cushion of airbag assembly  1000 , the assembly aids may not be formed or configured identically. 
         [0057]    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. 
         [0058]    Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation to the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 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 disclosure described herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Note that elements recited in means-plus-function format are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §  112 ¶6. The scope of the disclosure is therefore defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8