Resiliently compressible deployment ramp for inflatable curtain
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a roof, a side structure, and a trim piece overlying the side structure, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position adjacent the side structure of the vehicle; and
a deployment ramp having a deployment position in which said deployment ramp directs said inflatable curtain to deploy inboard of the trim piece, said deployment ramp being configured and arranged to deflect away from said deployment position in order to absorb forces from occupant impacts with said deployment ramp.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (310) overlying the side structure. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position adjacent the side structure (16). The apparatus (10) also includes a deployment ramp (160) having a deployment position in which the deployment ramp directs the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310). The deployment ramp (160) is configured and arranged to deflect away from the deployment posit-ion in order to absorb forces from occupant impacts with the deployment ramp. Preferably, the deployment ramp (160) is also configured and arranged to return to the deployment position after absorbing forces from occupant impacts with the deployment ramp when the inflatable curtain (14) is not inflated.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a roof, a side structure, and a trim piece overlying the side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position adjacent the side structure of the vehicle; and
a deployment ramp having a deployment position in which said deployment ramp directs said inflatable curtain to deploy inboard of the trim piece, said deployment ramp being configured and arranged to deflect away from said deployment position in order to absorb forces from occupant impacts with said deployment ramp. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification