Inflatable protection device with manifold
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle, said protection device comprising overlying panels and a plurality of chambers at least partially defined by said overlying panels; and
an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device;
said protection device further comprising a manifold at least partially defined by said overlying panels, said manifold comprising a plenum portion for receiving inflation fluid from said inflation fluid source and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into said chambers.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes panels (40 and 42) and a plurality of chambers (54) at least partially defined by the panels. An inflation fluid source (24) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14) further includes a manifold (100) at least partially defined by the overlying panels (40 and 42). The manifold (100) includes a plenum portion (102) for receiving inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source and duct portions (104) that branch from the plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into the chambers (54).
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle, said protection device comprising overlying panels and a plurality of chambers at least partially defined by said overlying panels; and
an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device;
said protection device further comprising a manifold at least partially defined by said overlying panels, said manifold comprising a plenum portion for receiving inflation fluid from said inflation fluid source and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into said chambers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle; and
an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device;
said protection device comprising inflatable chambers and a manifold for delivering inflation fluid to said inflatable chambers, said manifold comprising a plenum portion positioned outside said chambers and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and extend into said chambers. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification