GB2428408A

GB2428408A - A curtain airbag module with symmetrical mounting means

Info

Publication number: GB2428408A
Application number: GB0514938A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Davies
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd; Nissan Technical Centre Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-20
Filing date: 2005-07-20
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-20
Also published as: GB0514938D0; WO2007010247A2; GB2428408B; WO2007010247A3

Abstract

An airbag system for mounting to a vehicle roof frame 42 is described. Such an airbag system is often known as a curtain airbag system. The airbag system consists of a curtain airbag 30, an airbag housing 70, an inflator means 44 for inflating the curtain airbag, and mounting means 80. The curtain airbag system is mounted in the proximity of the vehicle roof frame and is inflatable in the event of a side vehicle impact, or vehicle rollover event. The mounting means are substantially symmetrical mounting means located along a longitudinal axis of the airbag system to enable mounting of the airbag system to either side of the vehicle roof frame. The inflator means may also be mounted on the roof rail (figure 4), and may comprises a double-ended inflator device (figure 7) with a common ignitor for igniting propellant in first (52) and second (54) chambers.

Description

VEHICLE AIRBAG SYSTEM

The invention relates to an airbag system for a vehicle that is deployed from a folded state into the interior of the vehicle upon inflation. The invention also relates to an airbag for use within such a system.

The use of airbags in vehicles is increasingly common, and in some countries a legal necessity, so as to achieve appropriately high standards for passenger safety. Typically, a vehicle will be provided with front driver and passenger airbags which are located in the vehicle dashboard and arranged so that, upon inflation, they protect the driver or the passenger, respectively, during a frontal vehicle collision. The use of side airbag systems is also becoming increasingly common. Side airbag systems may take the form of a side airbag cushion which inflates to protect the head andlor upper thorax of a vehicle passenger. The side airbag cushion may be mounted directly on the passenger's seat, or may alternatively be mounted within the vehicle door.

Other side airbag systems take the form of side roof airbags which, when deployed, drop down from the so-called cant rails of the vehicle roof Such airbags are commonly referred to as curtain airbags as they adopt a curtain-like formation when inflated to cover the side door(s) and side window(s) of the vehicle interior, thus protecting the passenger from side impacts. The cant rails extend one on each side of the vehicle roof and locate underneath the head lining of the vehicle roof (i.e. hidden from view). Each cant rail supports the side walls/pillars of the vehicle and also serves to connect the side walls to the vehicle roof.

Figure 1 shows a curtain airbag 10 of the aforementioned type, which is mounted in the proximity of a vehicle cant rail 11. The airbag 10 is housed within a casing (not shown) and is inflatable by means of an inflator device 12 mounted on a rear pillar 14 of the vehicle. The inflator device 12 attaches to a gas feed pipe 16, an outlet of which connects with an airbag inlet located towards a rear end of the airbag 10. The airbag 10 is attached to the rear pillar 14 at a rear mounting point 18 and to a front vehicle pillar 22 at a front mounting point 20. Suitable clips or ties (not shown) are provided to effect said attachments. In Figure 1, the side airbag 10 is uninflated. Figure 2 shows the side airbag 10 when it has been inflated following a vehicle collision to adopt a curtain-like formation.

The cost implications are high if a vehicle is to be provided with an extensive airbag system, for example including front driver and passenger airbags, a side airbag cushion and left and right side curtain airbags. It is thus a continuing aim of the automotive industry to reduce manufacturing and/or installation costs so as to provide vehicle users with affordable vehicles with high safety specifications. It is with a view to addressing this issue that we provide the airbag system of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a nonhanded airbag system for a vehicle having a vehicle roof frame, the airbag system including an inflatable curtain airbag, an airbag housing for the curtain airbag, and inflator means for inflating the curtain airbag in the event of a vehicle impact, wherein the airbag housing is substantially symmetric along a main airbag axis so that the airbag system can be mounted on either the left side or the right side of the vehicle.

Preferably, the vehicle roof frame that the airbag system is mounted upon, or in the vicinity of, is a vehicle roof rail (the so-called cant rail of the vehicle).

The symmetry of the airbag housing allows the system to be mounted either on the right side or the left side of the vehicle, with no significant modification of parts. The invention therefore provides an ambidextrous airbag system, with no handed bias, which can be manufactured for installation on either side of the vehicle. In this way costs are reduced for the airbag system manufacturer as only one type of airbag system is required. Vehicle manufacturers also benefit as there is only a need to purchase airbag systems of one type from the airbag manufacturer, rather than purchasing two different handed' systems, one for each side of the vehicle.

The design of the invention may be directional', in the sense that it could have front and rear ends, but is not limited to being directional so that it is freed from the restrictions of being exclusively left or right handed. Thus, the invention is suitable for fitment to existing vehicles which are adapted for mounting of the airbag inflator means on a rear vehicle pillar, for example.

A further benefit is provided as the risk of inadvertent fitting of a right handed curtain airbag to the left side of the vehicle, and vice versa, is removed altogether. Such inadvertent fitting of a conventional handed' curtain airbag can have serious consequences for the safety of the vehicle passenger and could cause serious disruption to the vehicle production line.

In one embodiment, the inflator means is arranged to supply gas to an airbag inlet situated at an approximate mid-point of the curtain airbag.

The airbag system is particularly suitable for use in a vehicle provided with a central pillar located between front and rear vehicle passenger seats, wherein the inflator means is mountable upon on the central pillar, in use.

In one embodiment, the inflator means includes an inflator device and a gas feed pipe, wherein the gas feed pipe which extends substantially perpendicular to the main airbag axis and has a single outlet which connects with the inlet of the curtain airbag.

In an alternative embodiment, the inflator means includes a double-ended inflator device having first and second outlets at opposite ends thereof, each outlet being arranged to supply gas to a respective one of first and second airbag inlets. The double-ended inflator device preferably includes first and second chambers, and a common ignitor arranged to ignite a propellant in both the first and second chambers, thereby to generate gas for filling the airbag.

The inflator means may also include first and second gas feed pipes, each of which is located at an opposite end of the double-ended inflator device so that the first outlet of the device supplies gas to the airbag via the first gas feed pipe and the second outlet of the device supplies gas to the airbag via the second gas feed pipe, when the airbag is deployed in use.

The airbag housing may take the form of a cupped shell having a top side and a bottom side. Preferably, the top side of the cupped shell is mountable to a vehicle mounted bracket. For example, the top side of the cupped shell is provided with a mounting boss for fixed attachment to the vehicle mounted bracket. Preferably, the mounting boss is incorporated within, for example by moulding, the top side of the cupped shell.

The cupped shell may include a covering on its bottom side to enclose an airbag housing volume within which the curtain airbag is housed.

The inflator means may include any solid, gas or liquid propellant and an ignitor, such as a squib.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a nonhanded airbag system for a vehicle having a vehicle roof frame, the airbag system including a curtain airbag for mounting on, or in the proximity of, the vehicle roof frame and being inflatable in the event of a vehicle impact, and an inflator device for inflating the curtain airbag, wherein the inflator device has first and second outlets located at opposite ends of the device, each of which is arranged to supply a gas to a respective one of first and second airbag inlets.

A double-ended inflator device has the advantage that filling of the airbag with gas in the event of a vehicle impact is achieved more rapidly. Furthermore, filling of the airbag with gas may be achieved more evenly along the airbag length, that is with a more even pressure and temperature distribution.

In one embodiment, the non-handed airbag system includes an airbag having at least one inlet located in a mid-region thereof In the present invention, the deployment of the airbag of the system is effected upon side vehicle impacts, lateral vehicle impacts, concatenated events or vehicle rollover, for example.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an airbag for use in an airbag system as hereinbefore described wherein the airbag has at least one inlet located in a mid-region of the curtain airbag.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a doubleended inflator device having first and second outlets at opposite ends thereof each outlet being arranged to supply gas to a respective one of first and second airbag inlets.

The double-ended inflator device preferably includes first and second chambers, and a common ignitor arranged to ignite a propellant, be it a gas, solid or liquid propellant, in both the first and second chambers, thereby to generate gas for filling the airbag.

Preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are applicable to the second and third aspects of the invention also, alone or in appropriate combination.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a known side curtain airbag system for use in a vehicle, when the airbag of the system is uninflated, Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the side curtain airbag system in Figure 1, s when the system is inflated, Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an airbag system of a first embodiment of the invention, when the airbag is uninflated, Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an airbag system of a second embodiment of the invention, when the airbag is uninflated, Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the airbag in Figure 4 when inflated to adopt a curtain-like formation, Figure 6 is a schematic view of an inflation device of the airbag system in Figures 4 and 5, Figure 7 is an alternative schematic view of the inflation device in Figure 6, to illustrate a mounting arrangement of the inflation device, and Figure 8 is an end crosssectional view of an airbag housing of either the first or second embodiment to illustrate a mounting arrangement for the airbag housing.

It is a particular feature of the airbag system of the present invention that it is mountable upon either on the left or right side of the vehicle without substantial modification. In other words, the airbag system may be considered to be ambidextrous in that it is equally usable on the left and right vehicle sides.

Referring to Figure 3, a first embodiment of an airbag system of the present invention includes an elongate airbag member, referred to generally as 30, having a similar shape and size to a conventional curtain airbag such as item 10 shown in Figure 1.

The vehicle in which the airbag system is to be employed includes a front pillar 32, a central pillar 34 and a rear pillar 36. Commonly, the pillars 32, 34, 36 are referred to as A, B and C pillars, respectively, and for the purpose of the following description this convention will be adhered to. The airbag 30 attaches, at front and rear ends thereof respectively, to front and rear mounting points 38, on the A and C pillars, 32, 36 respectively. A roof rail, often referred to as the cant rail 42, extends along each side of the vehicle, locating just beneath the roof lining (not shown) of the interior vehicle roof so as to be hidden from view when the vehicle is fully assembled. An airbag casing or housing (not shown in Figure 3), within which the airbag 30 is housed when folded or stowed, is mounted in the proximity of the roof rail 42 so that it too is hidden from view, or concealed behind the roof lining, when the vehicle is fully assembled. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the airbag housing is mounted upon the roof rail 42 directly, as described in further detail below.

The airbag system also includes an inflator means including an inflator device 44 and a gas feed pipe or tube 46. The inflator device 44 may be of conventional type, including an ignitor, or squib, which serves to activate the inflator in the event of an impact resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration/acceleration. The squib receives a control signal from a vehicle-mounted airbag sensor (e.g. an accelerometer or other means for determining timely deployment) in a manner which would be familiar to a person skilled in the art. On receipt of the control signal, the squib ignites a gas, solid or liquid propellant within the inflator device, which thus generates a gas for rapid inflation of the airbag 30.

Both the inflator device 44 and the gas feed pipe 46 are mounted to the B pillar 34 so as to extend substantially perpendicularly downwards from the airbag 30, approximately at the mid-point 48 of the airbag length. The gas feed pipe 46 has an inlet which couples to an outlet of the inflator device 44 so that, upon activation, gas generated within the inflator device 44 is supplied through the gas feed pipe 46 to a pipe outlet. The pipe outlet couples with an inlet of the airbag located at the airbag midpoint 48.

In the event that an impact causes the inflator device 44 to be activated, gas will be supplied through the gas feed pipe 46, into the airbag inlet and, thus, into the airbag 30. As the airbag inlet is located mid-way along the airbag length, it will be appreciated that gas is supplied to the airbag 30 in two opposite directions, that is in both a forwards direction towards the front of the vehicle and a rearwards direction towards the rear of the vehicle. As the airbag 30 inflates, it drops down to take up its curtain-like formation (e.g. similar to that shown in Figure 2) and, thus, provides a protective shield' for the vehicle passenger against any side or lateral vehicle impact.

By mounting the inflator device 44 on the B pillar 34, so as to inflate the airbag through an inlet mid-way along its length, it will be appreciated that the airbag 30 has a non-handed' symmetry so that mounting on either the left or right side of the vehicle is facilitated, without any significant modification of parts. This is not the case in known curtain airbag systems where the inflator device 44 necessarily must locate towards the vehicle rear (as shown in Figure 1, for example) due to the position of the rearward location of the airbag inlet.

Prior to deployment of the airbag 30 it is folded within its housing and may be S held as such by means of light clips (not shown). The airbag 30 is typically formed from a thin, nylon fabric which is readily foldable to occupy a small volume. To be compatible with ambidextrous installation of the airbag system, it is important that the airbag 30 is folded in a symmetric manner along the main airbag axis to ensure inflation results in airbag deployment which is appropriate for either side. Many different folding configurations are known in airbag systems and, for example, concertina or Z-like folds may be most appropriate as both have the required axial symmetry. Roll-type folds are typically less appropriate as the rolling tends to introduce a handed bias to the deployment of the airbag 30 when inflated.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) to that shown in Figure 3, the inflator device 44 may be adapted for mounting on the C pillar 36 of the vehicle, as is known conventionally, but with the housing for the airbag and the airbag folding being such as to provide a non-handed airbag installation which can be fitted to either side of the vehicle without modification. Further details of the airbag housing will be given later to c1arif' the details on this alternative embodiment.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which the inflator means takes the form of a double-ended inflator device 50. The double- ended inflator device 50 includes a common ignitor or squib (not shown) which is centrally mounted between first and second propellant chambers 52, 54. The device 50 is mounted on, or in the vicinity of, the roof rail 42 such that one chamber 52 is located towards the front of the vehicle and the other chamber 54 is located towards the vehicle rear. The chambers 52, 54 are aligned substantially in parallel with one another, and substantially in parallel with the roof rail 42. A connecting pipe or chamber 56 interconnects the first and second propellant chambers 52, 54. It can be seen in Figure 4 that the airbag 30 is shaped so that a middle section 30a thereof can be situated immediately beneath the double-ended inflator device 50, the middle section 30a interconnecting front and rear airbag sections 30b, 30c respectively.

As seen in Figure 5, each chamber 52, 54 is provided with a releasable disc or cap 55 which, upon ignition of the propellant gas, is burst by the resulting high pressure gas, thus allowing gas to escape from the chambers 52, 54. Each chamber 52, 54 is also provided with a gas filter element 57 to prevent larger particles and debris from entering the airbag 30. Front and rear integral gas feed pipes 61, 63 connect with a respective one of the chambers 52, 54. In use, the airbag sensor activates the squib in the event of a vehicle crash. In one embodiment propellant gas within the propellant chambers 52, 54 is caused to ignite, resulting in gas production within the chambers 52, 54. Gas within the front chamber 52 is delivered, through the front gas feed pipe 61, to a first airbag inlet provided on the airbag front section 30b (as in Figure 4). Gas within the rear chamber 54 is delivered, via the rear gas feed pipe 63, to a second airbag inlet provided on the airbag rear section 30c (as in Figure 4). The first and second inlets to the airbag 30 are thus located centrally, in a mid-region of the airbag 30, to connect with the inflator device 50 mounted just above the B pillar 34. Front and rear airbag retention parts 65, 67 are provided on the front and rear gas feed pipes 61, 63, respectively, so as to ensure the airbag 30 remains fixed to the inflator device 50 despite the high forces experienced during inflation.

Figure 6 shows the airbag system with the double-ended inflator 50 when in its inflated state. It can be seen in Figure 6 that the airbag 30 comprises several interconnected airbag sections (as shown in dashed lines). An airbag construction of this form is widely used and is compatible with the symmetric folding configurations mentioned above.

The gas filling of the airbag via two gas feed pipes 61, 63 may be beneficial in that inflation occurs more quickly and evenly, that is with a more even pressure and temperature distribution along the length of the airbag 30.

An arrangement for mounting the inflator device 50 to the vehicle is shown in further detail in Figure 7. Three axes of the vehicle are indicated in Figure 7; the x axis represents the longitudinal or primary axis of the vehicle (the axis along which the roof rail extends), the y- axis represents the vehicle cross axis (side to side across the vehicle), and the z-axis represents the vehicle height (floor to roof). The mounting arrangement, referred to generally as 61, includes a mounting boss or protuberance 60 which extends from one side of the device 50 and an electrical connector 62 which extends from the other side of device 50.

The electrical connector 62 connects with the common squib, which is itself located within the connecting pipe 56 (not shown in Figure 7), and provides the appropriate ignition control signal to the squib from the airbag sensor. It may be desirable to mould the squib and the electrical connector 62 integrally with the mounting boss 60 to reduce build tolerances and improve build quality. In addition, or alternatively, it may be preferable to mould the squib and the electrical connector 62 integrally with the connecting pipe 56 between the first and second propellant chambers 52, 54.

The mounting boss 60 is provided with a through bore or drilling 64 for receiving a mounting screw 66. The mounting screw 66 passes through the bore 64 and into a nut 68 provided on the roof rail 42 of the vehicle body. For the embodiment of Figure 4, in which a double-ended inflator device 50 is provided along the roof rail 42, the nut is a weld nut 68 which is welded to the roof rail 42 to provide a secure mounting for the inflator device.

In an alternative embodiment, the inflator device 44, 50 may be welded to a weld stud on the vehicle body and secured via a nut held captive to the inflator device itself.

It will be appreciated that the mounting arrangement illustrated in Figure 7 is such that it may be mounted on either the left or the right side of the vehicle without modification of the parts, but simply by rotating the arrangement through 180 degrees in the x-y plane (i.e. about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x). The mounting arrangement is orientated such that the boss locates inward of the electrical connector 62 irrespective of whether the airbag system is mounted on the right or the left side of the vehicle.

Figure 8 is a cross section view of a mounting arrangement for the airbag housing along the longitudinal vehicle axis x. The airbag housing, identified as 70, has a cross section of generally dome-like shape with first and second substantially identical, curved sides 70a, 70b. The housing 70 is symmetric along its longitudinal axis (i.e. the x axis of the vehicle) to be compatible with universal fitment to either the left or right side of the vehicle. In this particular embodiment, the housing 70 takes the form of a cupped shell which defines a housing volume 72 for the airbag 30. The housing 70 may be exposed on its

V

bottom side (referred to generally as 74) or, in an alternative embodiment, a paper (or similar) cover may cover the bottom side 74 so as to enclose the airbag housing volume 72. In practice, if the covering is provided it may be desirable to co-ordinate this with the roof lining of the vehicle so that the airbag system is hidden from view when assembled within the vehicle.

The shape of the housing 70 is selected so as to prevent the airbag 30 from twisting during deployment and serves to protect the fabric from which the airbag is formed from wear and abrasion. It is preferable for the housing 70 to be formed from an energy absorbent material so as to manage the energy in the event of contact between a vehicle passenger with the vehicle roof rail. As the housing 70 is also symmetric along its longitudinal axis (i.e. longitudinal axis x), it can be fitted conveniently to either the left or the right side of the vehicle without modification. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the airbag system of the present invention is equally suitable for use within existing vehicles, in which the vehicle attachments for the inflator device are mounted on the C-pillar (so that the inflator device co-operates with a single, rear airbag inlet) , as it is within custom-built vehicles in which the vehicle attachments for the inflator device are mounted on the B-pillar (so that the inflator device co-operates with twin airbag inlets provided in an a mid-region).

The mounting arrangement for the airbag housing 70 takes the form of a top mounting arrangement, wherein an upper region of the housing is provided with a moulded, vertically extending mounting boss or protuberance 80. A horizontal bracket 82 extends from the roof of the vehicle (not shown in Figure 8) and supports a tether 84 for the mounting boss 80. The bracket 82 is preferably welded to the vehicle roof or roof rail and, thus, the mounting arrangement

P

provides a secure means for attaching the airbag housing 70 to the vehicle. The mounting arrangement for the housing 70 is compatible with non-handed installation of the airbag system, either on the right or left side of the vehicle, simply by rotating the mounting arrangement through 180 degrees in the x-y plane. Typically, the tether 84 and the boss 80 form part of the airbag system (i.e. they are supplied with the airbag system at the point of sale), whereas the bracket 82 is in fixed attachment with the vehicle.

For convenience, the mounting arrangement 61 for the inflator device 50 may be substantially the same as the mounting arrangement 80 for the airbag housing 70.

Fixing means (not shown) may be provided along the length of the airbag housing 70, for example, hooks, pegs, clips, barbs or screws, to ensure the system is adequately attached to the vehicle along the entire length of the airbag system. This is particularly important during deployment of the airbag system.

Regardless of whether a single or double-ended inflator device is implemented in the invention, the propellant for ignition may be a solid, liquid or gas propellant or any other activatable material to generate a gas suitable for filling the airbag 30. For example, it is also envisaged that the inflator device 44, 50 may be of the stored gas type, in which propellant gas stored within the chambers 52, 54 is heated to pressurise the gas.

Claims

1. A non-handed airbag system for a vehicle having a vehicle roof frame (42), the airbag system including: a curtain airbag (30) for mounting in the proximity of the vehicle roof frame (42) and being inflatable in the event of a side vehicle impact, an airbag housing (70) for the curtain airbag (30), and inflator means (44; 50) for inflating the curtain airbag (30), characterised in that the airbag housing (70) is substantially symmetric along a main airbag axis so as to enable mounting of the airbag system on either the left or the right side of the vehicle.

2. The airbag system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflator means (44; 50) is arranged to supply gas to an airbag inlet situated at an approximate mid- point of the curtain airbag.

3. The airbag system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, the vehicle being provided with a central pillar (34) located between front and rear vehicle passenger seats, wherein the inflator means (44) is mountable upon the central pillar (34), in use.

4. The airbag device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inflator means includes an inflator device (44) and a gas feed pipe (46), wherein the gas feed p pipe (46) extends substantially perpendicular to the main airbag axis and has a single outlet which connects with the inlet of the curtain airbag (30).

5. The airbag system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflator means includes a double-ended inflator device (50) having first and second outlets at opposite ends thereof, each outlet being arranged to supply gas to a respective one of first and second airbag inlets.

6. The airbag system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the double-ended inflator device is substantially in alignment with the airbag (30) and is adapted for mounting on, or in the vicinity of, the vehicle roof rail (42) .

7. The airbag system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising first and second chambers (52, 54) and a common ignitor arranged to ignite propellant in both the first and second chambers (52, 54), thereby to generate gas for filling the airbag (30).

8. The airbag system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising first and second gas feed pipes (61, 63), each of which is located at an opposite end of said double-ended inflator device (50) so that the first outlet of the device (50) supplies gas to the airbag (30) via the first gas feed pipe (61) and the second outlet of the device (50) supplies gas to the airbag (30) via the second gas feed pipe (63), in use.

9. The airbag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the airbag housing (70) takes the form of a cupped shell.

I

10. The airbag system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cupped shell has a top side and a bottom side (74), wherein the top side of the cupped shelf is mountable to a vehicle mounted bracket (82).

11. The airbag system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cupped shell includes a covering on its bottom side (74) to enclose an airbag housing volume (72) within which the curtain airbag (30) is housed.

12. The airbag system as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the top side of the cupped shell is provided with a mounting boss (80) for fixed attachment to the vehicle mounted bracket (82).

13. A non-handed airbag system for a vehicle having a vehicle roof frame, the airbag system including: a curtain airbag (30) for mounting in the proximity of the vehicle roof frame (42) and being inflatable in the event of a side vehicle impact, and a double-ended inflator device (50) for inflating the curtain airbag (30), wherein the inflator device (30) has first and second outlets located at opposite ends of the device, each of which is arranged to supply a gas to a respective one of first and second airbag inlets.

14. A double-ended inflator device for use in a non-handed airbag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, the double-ended inflator device including first and second chambers, and a common ignitor arranged to ignite propellant in both the first and second chambers, thereby to generate gas for filling the airbag.

14. An airbag for use in a non-handed airbag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the airbag (30) has at least one inlet located in its mid- region.

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15. A double-ended inflator device for use in a non-handed airbag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, the double-ended inflator device including first and second chambers, and a common ignitor arranged to ignite propellant in both the first and second chambers, thereby to generate gas for filling the airbag.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: - Zo CLAiMS 1. An airbag system for a vehicle, having a vehicle roof frame (42), the airbag system including: a curtain airbag (30) for mounting in the proximity of the vehicle roof frame (42) and being inflatable in the event of a side vehicle impact, an airbag housing (70) for the curtain airbag (30), an inflator means (44; 50) for inflating the curtain airbag (30), and substantially symmetrical mounting means located along a longitudinal axis of the airbag system to enable mounting of the airbag system to either side of the vehicle roof frame (42).

4. The airbag device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inflator means includes an inflator device (44) and a gas feed pipe (46), wherein the gas feed pipe (46) extends substantially perpendicular to the main airbag axis and has a single outlet which connects with the inlet of the curtain airbag (30).

12. An airbag system as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the top side of the cupped shell is provided with a mounting boss (80) for fixed attachment to the vehicle mounted bracket (82).

13. An airbag for use in a non-handed airbag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the airbag (30) has at least one inlet located in its mid- region.