Tensioning device for a gas bag

• US 6,173,989 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Stütz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McClellan, James S.
• Application Number:
  US09/152,943
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.2, 280/733
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1958 characterised by spring actuators B60R22/1953 takes precedence

Abstract

A tensioning device for a head protection restraining system in vehicles comprises an inflatable gas bag with two ends extending between an A-column and a C-column of the vehicle, one of said ends of said gas bag being fastened to the A-column and the other to the C-column. To provide a tensioning device for the gas bag which ensures that the gas bag remains tensioned between the A and C columns even in its vented state, a tensioned spring is arranged between at least one of said ends of the gas bag and its adjacent column.

Claims

1. A tensioning device for a head protection restraining system in vehicles, comprising:

an inflatable gas bag with two ends, said gas bag extending between an A-column and a C-column of the vehicle, one of said ends of said gas bag being fastened to said A-column and the other to said C-column;

a cylindrical tube having one end which is pivotally attached to one of said columns;

a piston slidably movable in said tube and being coupled to one of said ends of said gas bag, said piston being provided with a reverse stroke inhibiting means comprising at least one roller body arranged between an inclined surface of said piston and an inner surface of a wall of said tube; and

a spring having a first end and a second end, said first end of said spring being coupled to said one end of said tube, said second end of said spring being coupled to said piston, said spring being tensioned both in a non-activated state and in an activated state of said gas bag when said gas bag is fully deployed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one end of said gas bag is attached to said piston by a traction band.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning degree of said spring is-substantially the same in said non-activated state and in said activated state of said gas bag.