Non-inflatable curtain with inflatable device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
- a non-inflatable curtain that is deployable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said non-inflatable curtain when deployed extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle;
an inflatable device that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable device having a first end and an opposite second end;
a first tether connecting said first end of said inflatable device to said non-inflatable curtain;
a second tether connecting said second end of said inflatable device to said non-inflatable curtain; and
an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable device;
said inflatable device being free from connections to said non-inflatable curtain between said first and second ends of said inflatable device;
said inflatable device when inflated tensioning said first and second tethers to deploy said non-inflatable curtain in said first direction, said inflatable device when inflated resisting movement of said non-inflatable curtain away from the side structure of the vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (18) and a roof (28) includes a non-inflatable curtain (14). The non-inflatable curtain (14) is deployable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The non-inflatable curtain (14), when deployed, extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (18) of the vehicle. An inflatable device (16) is inflatable into a position between the side structure (18) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. First and second tethers (68 and 72) connect the inflatable device (16) to the non-inflatable curtain (14). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (16). The inflatable device (16), when inflated, tensions the first and second tethers (68 and 72) to deploy the non-inflatable curtain (14) in the first direction. The inflatable device (16), when inflated, resists movement of the non-inflatable curtain (14) away from the side structure (18) of the vehicle (12).
75 Citations
13 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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a non-inflatable curtain that is deployable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said non-inflatable curtain when deployed extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle; an inflatable device that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable device having a first end and an opposite second end; a first tether connecting said first end of said inflatable device to said non-inflatable curtain; a second tether connecting said second end of said inflatable device to said non-inflatable curtain; and an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable device; said inflatable device being free from connections to said non-inflatable curtain between said first and second ends of said inflatable device; said inflatable device when inflated tensioning said first and second tethers to deploy said non-inflatable curtain in said first direction, said inflatable device when inflated resisting movement of said non-inflatable curtain away from the side structure of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification