Airbag system
First Claim
1. An airbag module for a vehicle, comprising:
- an airbag cushion;
an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion;
a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and
a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag,wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An airbag module for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag cushion; an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion; a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag, wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An airbag module for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag cushion having a first portion and a second portion larger than the first portion; an inflator provided in fluid communication with the airbag cushion; wherein the airbag cushion is deployed initially in a restrained state so that only the first portion of the airbag cushion is inflated upon initial deployment of the airbag cushion until the airbag unlaces to deploy the second portion of the airbag cushion; wherein the first portion is configured to provide protection to the knees of an occupant and the second portion of the airbag cushion is configured to provide protection to the upper body of the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An airbag system for protecting a vehicle occupant comprising:
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an airbag cushion having a first portion and a second portion larger than the first portion; an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion; a housing provided in a lower portion of a dash of the vehicle and configured to receive the airbag cushion in an un-deployed state; wherein the airbag is deployed in a restrained state such that only the first portion of the airbag is inflated to provide protection to the knees of the occupant, after which the airbag unlaces to deploy the second portion of the airbag in combination with the first portion of the airbag to provide protection to the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification