Side restraint assembly

• US 6,152,481 A
• Filed: 08/03/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Messenger, Robert D. Jr., Arnold, Aron C., Grace, Greg B., Welch, Jeffrey Allen, Webber, James Lloyd, Khoudari, Bassam Georges
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/128,068
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/729, 280/730.2, 280/733
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A restraint assembly includes an inflator for generating inflation gas. The restraint assembly includes an upper cushion portion and an inflatable stiffening device extending generally longitudinally across a lower edge of the cushion portion for providing longitudinal tension and lateral stability to the restraint assembly. Preferably, the stiffening device is tubular. Also preferably, the restraint assembly includes a tensioning device which at least partially surrounds the stiffening device and places longitudinal tension on the stiffening device when inflated. The tensioning device may take the form of a strap or cord that is spiral-wrapped around the stiffening device. The stiffening device preferably includes an inboard stiffening wall and an outboard stiffening wall. The tensioning device may preferably be zig-zag wrapped back and forth across the outboard wall of the stiffening device for preventing occupant interaction with the tensioning device on the inboard side of the stiffening device. For either of the zig-zag or spiral wraps, the stiffening device includes upper and lower edge portions and the tensioning device alternately passes through the upper and lower edge portions.

Claims

1. A side restraint assembly for use in a vehicle, the restraint assembly including an inflator for generating inflation gas, the restraint assembly characterized by an upper cushion portion and an inflatable stiffening device extending generally longitudinally across a lower edge of the cushion portion for providing longitudinal tension and lateral stability to the restraint assembly;

and

a tensioning device being a single strap, and wherein the tensioning device is spiral-wrapped around the stiffening device to form a single, spiral wrap around the stiffening element when the stiffening element is deployed.

2. A side restraint assembly for use in a vehicle, the restraint assembly including an inflator for generating inflation gas, the restraint assembly characterized by an upper cushion portion and an inflatable stiffening device extending generally longitudinally across a lower edge of the cushion portion for providing longitudinal tension and lateral stability to the restraint assembly;

and

the stiffening device including an inboard stiffening wall and an outboard stiffening wall and wherein the restraint assembly includes a tensioning device, the tensioning device being zig-zag wrapped back and forth across only one of the outboard wall and the inboard wall of the stiffening device.

3. A side restraint assembly for use in a vehicle, the restraint assembly including an inflator for generating inflation gas, the restraint assembly characterized by an upper cushion portion and an inflatable stiffening device extending generally longitudinally across a lower edge of the cushion portion for providing longitudinal tension and lateral stability to the restraint assembly;

and

the stiffening device including upper and lower edge portions and wherein the restraint assembly includes a tensioning device, the tensioning device alternating passage through the upper and lower edge portions.