Air-bag arrangement

• US 20040041376A1
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Winkler, Jochen
• Granted Patent: US 7,063,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

An airbag arrangement comprises an inflatable element having one edge thereof secured to part of the roof of a vehicle by at least one anchoring point, the inflatable element being adapted, on inflation to be located between an occupant of the vehicle and the side of the vehicle. The inflatable element is configured so that a dimension of the inflatable element reduces on inflation of the inflatable element, the inflatable element being associated with a strap extending from the element though a second anchoring point, the strap comprising a strap adjustably connected to the inflatable element at two points which are spaced apart when the airbag is inflated.

Claims

1. An air-bag arrangement comprising an inflatable element having one edge thereof secured to part of the roof of a vehicle by at least one anchoring point, the inflatable element being adapted, on inflation, to be located between an occupant of the vehicle and the side of the vehicle, the inflatable element being configured so that a dimension of the inflatable element reduces on inflation of the inflatable element, the inflatable element being associated with a strap extending from the inflatable element to a second anchoring point, the strap comprising a strap adjustable connected to the inflatable element at two points which are spaced-apart when the air-bag is inflated.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the strap is in the form of a loop, part of the loop being connected to an anchoring point provided on the vehicle, and two parts of the loop passing slidably through means which connect the loop to the air-bag.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the air-bag is mounted in a motor vehicle with the air-bag itself initially being stored above a door opening in the vehicle, and with the anchoring point for the strap being on the “

A”

-Post of the vehicle.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein, on inflation of the inflatable element, at least one line of tension is created by the strap and the inflatable element between the two anchoring points.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein two lines of tension are created.