Air bag module with vent controlled by tether
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition to which said vehicle occupant protection device is deployed by inflation fluid;
a support member having a first vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device;
a vent member movable relative to said first vent opening between a first condition in which said vent member does not close said first vent opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device and a second condition in which said vent member at least partially blocks said flow of inflation fluid through said first vent opening and away from said protection device;
a tether having a first portion connected for movement with said protection device as said protection device is deployed;
said tether being associated with said vent member and causing said vent member to move relative to said first vent opening from the first condition to the second condition as said protection device is deployed.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag (12) is inflatable by inflation fluid. A support member (20) has a first vent opening (44) for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12). A vent member (46) is movable relative to the first vent opening (44) between a first condition in which the vent member does not close the opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12) and a second condition in which the vent member at least partially blocks the flow of inflation fluid through the opening and away from the bag. A tether (50) has a first portion (52) connected for movement with the bag (12) as the bag is deployed. The tether (50) is associated with the vent member (46) and causes it to move relative to the opening (44) from the first condition to the second condition as the bag (12) is deployed.
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Citations
12 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 to which said vehicle occupant protection device is deployed by inflation fluid;
a support member having a first vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device;
a vent member movable relative to said first vent opening between a first condition in which said vent member does not close said first vent opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device and a second condition in which said vent member at least partially blocks said flow of inflation fluid through said first vent opening and away from said protection device;
a tether having a first portion connected for movement with said protection device as said protection device is deployed;
said tether being associated with said vent member and causing said vent member to move relative to said first vent opening from the first condition to the second condition as said protection device is deployed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification