Inflatable curtain support device
First Claim
1. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, comprising:
- a peripheral region;
an inflatable portion;
a first stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region, wherein during deployment of the inflatable curtain the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable curtain having an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion is disclosed. First and second stiffening elements are positioned along the upper edge of the inflatable curtain. The inflatable curtain is adapted to be stored within an interior portion of a vehicle prior to inflation. The vehicle has a roof at its highest point, and a housing within the vehicle and close to the roof defines an internal recess that accommodates the inflatable curtain. A side impact of a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold value is sensed by a sensor mechanism within the vehicle, which then provides an electrical signal to an inflator which is in fluid communication with the inflatable portion of the inflatable curtain. The electrical signal causes the inflator to be actuated in a known manner. The inflator discharges fluid under pressure into the inflatable portion of the inflatable curtain. Shortly after the inflator discharges, the housing opens and the inflatable curtain inflates away from the roof. The first and second stiffening elements provide column support to the inflatable curtain during inflation and reduce the amount of time it takes for the inflatable curtain to become fully inflated.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, comprising:
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a peripheral region;
an inflatable portion;
a first stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region, wherein during deployment of the inflatable curtain the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, comprising:
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a peripheral region;
an inflatable portion comprising an inflation inlet for communication with an inflator; and
a first substantially planar stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region, wherein the first stiffening element remains substantially stationary with respect to the length of the inflatable curtain when the inflatable portion is inflated, and wherein during deployment of the inflatable curtain the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, the inflatable curtain comprising:
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a length and a width, the length being greater than the width;
a peripheral region having an upper part;
an inflatable portion comprising an inflation inlet for communication with an inflator;
a connector located on the upper part to secure the inflatable curtain to the automobile; and
a first substantially planar stiffening element having a length greater than its width, the first stiffening element being positioned along at least a portion of the upper part, wherein the length of the first stiffening element is oriented substantially parallel to the length of the inflatable curtain, wherein the first stiffening element remains substantially stationary with respect to the length of the inflatable curtain when the inflatable portion is inflated, and wherein the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification