Airbag folding pattern
First Claim
1. An airbag module comprising an inflatable airbag and a retainer for mounting the module to a support structure, the retainer being disposed in a first portion of the airbag which, when the airbag is inflated extends forward of the retainer, the airbag having a second portion which, when the airbag is inflated, is vertically above or below the first portion of the airbag and the retainer, the airbag is folded in the module in such a manner that the airbag is rolled rearward from a forward edge to the retainer to form a coiled column section, afterwhich the second portion of the airbag which is vertically above or below the first portion is folded forward over the first portion whereby the second portion of the airbag is disposed forward of the first portion which is in turn disposed forward of the retainer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag folding pattern in which a portion of the airbag deploys vertically above or vertically below the airbag module retainer is folded so that it is located forward of the portion of the airbag that deploys directly forward of the retainer. By locating the portion of the bag that is vertically displaced forward of the remaining portion of the bag, the time necessary to deploy the airbag to position is reduced.
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Citations
8 Claims
- 1. An airbag module comprising an inflatable airbag and a retainer for mounting the module to a support structure, the retainer being disposed in a first portion of the airbag which, when the airbag is inflated extends forward of the retainer, the airbag having a second portion which, when the airbag is inflated, is vertically above or below the first portion of the airbag and the retainer, the airbag is folded in the module in such a manner that the airbag is rolled rearward from a forward edge to the retainer to form a coiled column section, afterwhich the second portion of the airbag which is vertically above or below the first portion is folded forward over the first portion whereby the second portion of the airbag is disposed forward of the first portion which is in turn disposed forward of the retainer.
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6. A method of folding an inflatable side airbag of an airbag module for mounting to a vehicle seat back, the airbag module including a retainer and the airbag, the airbag having a lower portion in which the retainer is disposed, and an upper portion which deploys to a position above the retainer and the lower portion, the method of folding comprising the steps of:
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rolling the airbag rearward from a forward most leading edge toward the retainer to form a coiled column with the upper portion of the airbag above the lower portion of the airbag; forming a first fold by bending the coiled column over forwardly and downwardly approximately 180°
adjacent to an upper end of the retainer such that the coiled column formed by the upper portion of the airbag extends downward below the retainer; andforming a second fold by reverse bending the downwardly extending portion of the coiled column forwardly and upwardly approximately 180°
whereby the coiled upper portion of the airbag is disposed forward of the coiled lower portion which is in turn disposed forward of the retainer. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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Specification