AIR BAG WITH IMPROVED TEAR STITCH
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and
tear stitching interconnecting portions of the protection device, the tear stitching comprising first and second stitch lines positioned next to each other, the first stitch line being adapted to rupture in response to tension of a first magnitude exerted on the interconnected portions while inflating to an initially deployed condition, the second stitch line being adapted to remain intact and being capable itself of maintaining the protection device in the initially deployed condition subsequent to rupture of the first stitch line and throughout inflation and deployment of the protection device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. Tear stitching (200a) interconnects portions (220a, 230a) of the protection device (14). The tear stitching (200a) includes first and second stitch lines (300, 320) positioned next to each other. The first stitch line (300) is adapted to rupture in response to tension of a first magnitude exerted on the interconnected portions (220a, 230a) while inflating to an initially deployed condition. The second stitch line (320) is adapted to remain intact and being capable itself of maintaining the protection device in the initially deployed condition subsequent to rupture of the first stitch line (300) and throughout inflation and deployment of the protection device (14).
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and tear stitching interconnecting portions of the protection device, the tear stitching comprising first and second stitch lines positioned next to each other, the first stitch line being adapted to rupture in response to tension of a first magnitude exerted on the interconnected portions while inflating to an initially deployed condition, the second stitch line being adapted to remain intact and being capable itself of maintaining the protection device in the initially deployed condition subsequent to rupture of the first stitch line and throughout inflation and deployment of the protection device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and tear stitching interconnecting portions of the protection device, the tear stitching comprising first and second stitch lines positioned next to each other, the first stitch line being adapted to rupture in response to initial deployment of the protection device, the second stitch line being adapted to remain intact in response to obstructed deployment of the protection device and to rupture in response to unobstructed deployment and pressurization of the protection device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; a vent that is actuatable to vent inflation fluid from the protection device; and tear stitching comprising first and second stitch lines positioned next to each other that form an interconnection that connects portions of the protection device, the first stitch line being adapted to rupture in response to deployment of the protection device, the second stitch line being adapted to maintain the interconnection in response to vented pressurization of the protection device, and to rupture and thereby break the interconnection in response to non-vented pressurization of the protection device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification