Air bag module with vent controlled by tether
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
a support member having a vent opening;
a vent member associated with the vent opening and having a first condition in which the vent member closes the vent opening and a second condition in which the vent member is spaced apart from the vent opening enabling fluid flow through the vent opening; and
a tether extending between the protection device and the vent member, the vent member initially being in the first condition and being moved from the first condition to the second condition for enabling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening upon initial inflation of the protection device, the vent member being moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether that results from inflation of the protection device away from the support member by more than a predetermined distance.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10c) has an inflatable occupant protection device (12c) and a support member (20c) having a vent opening (44c). A vent member (46c) is associated with the vent opening (44c). A tether (50c) extends between the protection device (12c) and the vent member (46c). The vent member (46c) is initially in a first condition closing the vent opening (44c). The vent member (46c) is moved to a second condition spaced apart from the vent opening (44c) and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening (44c) upon initial inflation of the protection device (12c). The vent member (46c) is moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether (50c) that results from inflation of the protection device (12c) away from the support member (20c) by more than a predetermined distance.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
a support member having a vent opening;
a vent member associated with the vent opening and having a first condition in which the vent member closes the vent opening and a second condition in which the vent member is spaced apart from the vent opening enabling fluid flow through the vent opening; and
a tether extending between the protection device and the vent member, the vent member initially being in the first condition and being moved from the first condition to the second condition for enabling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening upon initial inflation of the protection device, the vent member being moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether that results from inflation of the protection device away from the support member by more than a predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification