Air bag with vent
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition, said device having a portion defining a vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of said device;
a patch for covering said vent opening to block flow of inflation fluid out of said device through said vent opening;
an inflator for directing inflation fluid into said device to inflate said device from the deflated condition to the inflated condition;
a release thread that is sewn between said patch and said device and that releasably secures said patch to said protection device to close said vent opening;
sensor means for sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device when said device inflates; and
a holding mechanism having a first condition in response to said sensor means sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device and having a second condition in response to said sensor means not sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device;
said holding mechanism when in the first condition holding said release thread so that at least a portion of said release thread pulls away from said patch and said device when said device inflates thereby releasing said patch to open said vent opening;
said holding mechanism when in the second condition releasing said release thread for movement with said patch in a direction away from said holding mechanism when said device inflates.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable device (10) has a vent (42) for enabling venting of inflation fluid. A patch (50) covers the vent (42). A release thread (70) releasably secures the patch (50) to the device to close the vent (42). A holding mechanism (82) has a first condition in response to sensor means (30) sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid, and a second condition when venting is not required. The holding mechanism (82) when in the first condition holds the release thread (70) so that at least a portion of it pulls away from the patch (50) and the device (10), when the device inflates, thereby releasing the patch to open the vent (42). The holding mechanism (82) when in the second condition releases the release thread (70) for movement with the patch (50) in a direction away from the holding mechanism, when the device (10) inflates.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition, said device having a portion defining a vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of said device;
a patch for covering said vent opening to block flow of inflation fluid out of said device through said vent opening;
an inflator for directing inflation fluid into said device to inflate said device from the deflated condition to the inflated condition;
a release thread that is sewn between said patch and said device and that releasably secures said patch to said protection device to close said vent opening;
sensor means for sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device when said device inflates; and
a holding mechanism having a first condition in response to said sensor means sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device and having a second condition in response to said sensor means not sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device;
said holding mechanism when in the first condition holding said release thread so that at least a portion of said release thread pulls away from said patch and said device when said device inflates thereby releasing said patch to open said vent opening;
said holding mechanism when in the second condition releasing said release thread for movement with said patch in a direction away from said holding mechanism when said device inflates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition, said protection device having a portion defining a vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of said protection device;
an inflator for directing inflation fluid into said inflatable device to inflate said protection device from the deflated condition to the inflated condition;
a release thread closing said vent opening when said protection device is in the deflated condition;
a clamp having a first condition clamping said release thread and a second condition not clamping said release thread;
sensor means for sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device when said device inflates; and
a controller for controlling operation of said clamp to cause said clamp to take said first condition in response to said sensor means sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device when said device inflates and to cause said clamp to take said second condition in response to said sensor means not sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid from said device when said device inflates. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification