AIR BAG WITH VARIABLE VENTING
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant;
a vent for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device, the vent having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and
a tether having a first connection with the vent and a second connection with the protection device, tension on the tether actuating the vent, wherein the vent is configured to be initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device, with further deployment of the protection device to a predetermined degree causing the tether to place the vent in the actuated condition, and the tether and vent being configured such that a predetermined degree of occupant penetration into the protection device causing the tether to place the vent back in the non-actuated condition.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) actuates the vent (160). The vent (160) is initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device (14). Further deployment of the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the actuated condition. Occupant penetration into the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the non-actuated condition.
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Citations
27 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 inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant; a vent for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device, the vent having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and a tether having a first connection with the vent and a second connection with the protection device, tension on the tether actuating the vent, wherein the vent is configured to be initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device, with further deployment of the protection device to a predetermined degree causing the tether to place the vent in the actuated condition, and the tether and vent being configured such that a predetermined degree of occupant penetration into the protection device causing the tether to place the vent back in the non-actuated condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant; a vent for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device, the vent having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and a tether having a first connection with the vent and a second connection with the protection device, fluid pressure acting on the vent urges the vent toward a non-actuated condition and tension on the tether urges the vent toward an actuated condition, fluid pressure acting on the protection device in the region of the second connection tensions the tether, which overcomes the fluid pressure acting on the vent and places the vent in the actuated condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant; a vent for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device, the vent having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition, the vent being configured to be in the non-actuated condition when the protection device deploys; and a tether having a first connection with the vent and a second connection with the protection device, the tether being configured to; prevent actuation of the vent in response to the protection device being inhibited from deployment; actuate the vent in response to substantial deployment of the protection device; throttle actuation of the vent through a range of deployment between initial deployment and substantial deployment of the protection device; and place the vent in the non-actuated condition in response to occupant penetration into the protection device beyond a predetermined a predetermined degree.
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Specification