Tensioning assembly for curtain style inflatable air bag
First Claim
1. An inflatable restraint assembly for use in protecting an occupant in a transportation vehicle, the inflatable restraint assembly comprising:
- an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position downwardly over a side portion of the vehicle interior adjacent to the occupant so as to extend across at least a portion of a region between a first structural pillar and a second structural pillar rearward of the first structural pillar; and
a tensioning subassembly comprising, a first segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure at a first position of attachment along the inflatable curtain structure and a second segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure at a second position of attachment along the inflatable curtain structure, the second segment of tethering material having an initial operative length prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain structure and wherein the second segment of tethering material extends along a travel path between a support element and the second position of attachment, wherein upon deployment of the inflatable curtain structure the operative length of the second segment of tethering material is increased and the first segment of tethering material is concurrently pulled towards the support element such that the first segment of tethering material is placed into tension and applies a tensioning force having a substantially horizontal component to the inflatable curtain structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable restraint assembly including an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position adjacent the roof rail of the vehicle above the doors so as to extend downwardly over an area within the vehicle interior adjacent to an occupant to be protected. The inflatable curtain structure is operatively connected to one or more variable length tethering elements extending between the inflatable curtain structure and an anchoring structure adjacent the lateral end of the curtain structure so as to apply a generally horizontal force component along the length of the inflatable curtain structure. As the inflatable curtain structure is deployed downwardly from the storage location, the operative length of the tethering element is shortened in the horizontal direction thereby enhancing tension along the length of the inflatable curtain structure.
44 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. An inflatable restraint assembly for use in protecting an occupant in a transportation vehicle, the inflatable restraint assembly comprising:
-
an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position downwardly over a side portion of the vehicle interior adjacent to the occupant so as to extend across at least a portion of a region between a first structural pillar and a second structural pillar rearward of the first structural pillar; and
a tensioning subassembly comprising, a first segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure at a first position of attachment along the inflatable curtain structure and a second segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure at a second position of attachment along the inflatable curtain structure, the second segment of tethering material having an initial operative length prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain structure and wherein the second segment of tethering material extends along a travel path between a support element and the second position of attachment, wherein upon deployment of the inflatable curtain structure the operative length of the second segment of tethering material is increased and the first segment of tethering material is concurrently pulled towards the support element such that the first segment of tethering material is placed into tension and applies a tensioning force having a substantially horizontal component to the inflatable curtain structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An inflatable restraint assembly for use in protecting an occupant in a transportation vehicle, the inflatable restraint assembly comprising:
-
an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position downwardly over a side portion of the vehicle interior adjacent to the occupant so as to extend across at least a portion of a region between a first structural pillar and a second structural pillar rearward of the first structural pillar; and
a tensioning subassembly comprising, a first segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure and a second segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure, the first segment of tethering material having an initial operative length prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain structure and extending between a first position of attachment along the inflatable curtain structure and a support element disposed at one of the structural pillars, the second segment of tethering material having an initial operative length prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain structure and extending along a travel path between the support element and a second position of attachment inboard of the first position of attachment, at least one guide element supporting the second segment of tethering material along said travel path at a position above the support element such that upon deployment of the inflatable curtain structure a portion of the second segment of tethering material is pulled downwardly in a generally vertical direction away from said at least one guide element whereby the operative length of the second segment of tethering material is increased, and the first segment of tethering material is concurrently pulled towards the support element such that the first segment of tethering material is placed into a state of tension and applies a tensioning force including a substantially horizontal component to the inflatable curtain structure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An inflatable restraint assembly for use in protecting an occupant in a transportation vehicle, the inflatable restraint assembly comprising:
-
an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position downwardly over a side portion of the vehicle interior adjacent to the occupant so as to extend across at least a portion of a region between a first structural pillar and a second structural pillar rearward of the first structural pillar;
a substantially fixed length tether extending between the inflatable curtain structure and the first structural pillar; and
a tensioning subassembly comprising, a first segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure and a second segment of tethering material operatively connected to the inflatable curtain structure, the first and second segments of tethering material each being of substantially inelastic character, the first segment of tethering material having an initial operative length prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain structure and extending between a first position of attachment along the inflatable curtain structure and a support element disposed at the second structural pillar, the second segment of tethering material having an initial operative length prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain structure and extending along a travel path between the support element and a second position of attachment inboard of the first position of attachment, at least one guide element supporting the second segment of tethering material along said travel path at a position above the support element such that upon deployment of the inflatable curtain structure a portion of the second segment of tethering material is pulled downwardly in a generally vertical direction away from said at least one guide element whereby the operative length of the second segment of tethering material is increased, and the first segment of tethering material is concurrently pulled towards the second structural pillar such that the first segment of tethering material is placed into a state of tension and applies a tensioning force including a substantially horizontal component to the inflatable curtain structure, whereby the inflatable curtain structure is held in tension in a region between the first structural pillar and the second structural pillar.
-
Specification