Inflatable curtain restrictor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device configured to be inflated and deployed between a side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; and
a deployment sleeve configured and arranged to extend along and cover an axial portion of the protection device that coincides with a likely position of the occupant'"'"'s head and to leave uncovered axial portions of the protection device that do not coincide with the likely position of the occupant'"'"'s head, wherein the axial portion of the protection device covered by the deployment sleeve has a length sufficient to extend from forward of the occupant'"'"'s head to rearward of the occupant'"'"'s head, the deployment sleeve being configured to restrict and delay the initial deployment of the covered portion of the protection device a duration sufficient to absorb the initial break out forces of the covered portion and to protect an out-of-position occupant from being impacted with the full deployment force of the covered portion of the protection device, the deployment sleeve being further configured to rupture in time to permit the protection device to fully inflate and deploy in order to help protect a normally-seated occupant, the uncovered portions of the protection device being free to inflate and deploy without restriction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) configured to be inflated and deployed between a side structure (16) of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. A deployment sleeve (50) encircles a portion of the protection device. The deployment sleeve (50) includes a rupturable tear seam (54) that absorbs the initial break-out forces of the protection device (14) during the initial stages of inflation and deployment. The tear seam (54) is adapted to rupture after the deployment sleeve (50) absorbs the break-out forces and release the protection device (14) to inflate and deploy to a fully inflated and deployed condition.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device configured to be inflated and deployed between a side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; and a deployment sleeve configured and arranged to extend along and cover an axial portion of the protection device that coincides with a likely position of the occupant'"'"'s head and to leave uncovered axial portions of the protection device that do not coincide with the likely position of the occupant'"'"'s head, wherein the axial portion of the protection device covered by the deployment sleeve has a length sufficient to extend from forward of the occupant'"'"'s head to rearward of the occupant'"'"'s head, the deployment sleeve being configured to restrict and delay the initial deployment of the covered portion of the protection device a duration sufficient to absorb the initial break out forces of the covered portion and to protect an out-of-position occupant from being impacted with the full deployment force of the covered portion of the protection device, the deployment sleeve being further configured to rupture in time to permit the protection device to fully inflate and deploy in order to help protect a normally-seated occupant, the uncovered portions of the protection device being free to inflate and deploy without restriction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
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a curtain air bag configured to be inflated and deployed between a side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; and a deployment sleeve configured and arranged to extend along and cover an axial portion of the curtain air bag that coincides with a likely position of the head of an out-of-position occupant, wherein the axial portion of the curtain air bag covered by the deployment sleeve extends from forward of the occupant'"'"'s head to rearward of the occupant'"'"'s head, the deployment sleeve being constructed to inhibit and delay the deployment of the covered portion of the curtain air bag for a duration sufficient to absorb the initial break-out forces of the curtain air bag and thereby protect the out-of-position occupant from being impacted with the full initial break-out forces of the curtain air bag; wherein the out-of-position vehicle occupant is an occupant that is positioned with his or her head positioned in a deployment path of the curtain air bag. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification