Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable tubular structure that is inflatable into a position adjacent a vehicle occupant; and
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable tubular structure, said inflatable tubular structure comprising an inflatable bladder and a tubular outer shell that surrounds said inflatable bladder, said outer shell having a length and a diameter and including a plurality of slits that extend longitudinally along said outer shell in a direction generally parallel to said length of said outer shell, said diameter of said outer shell increasing and said length of said outer shell decreasing when said inflatable bladder is inflated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable tubular structure (14) that is inflatable into a position adjacent a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (22) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable tubular structure. The inflatable tubular structure (14) includes an inflatable bladder (50) and a tubular outer shell (52) that surrounds the inflatable bladder. The outer shell (52) has a length and a diameter and includes a plurality of slits (60) that extend longitudinally along the outer shell in a direction generally parallel to the length of the outer shell. The diameter of the outer shell (52) increases and the length of the outer shell decreases when the inflatable bladder (50) is inflated.
29 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable tubular structure that is inflatable into a position adjacent a vehicle occupant; and
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable tubular structure, said inflatable tubular structure comprising an inflatable bladder and a tubular outer shell that surrounds said inflatable bladder, said outer shell having a length and a diameter and including a plurality of slits that extend longitudinally along said outer shell in a direction generally parallel to said length of said outer shell, said diameter of said outer shell increasing and said length of said outer shell decreasing when said inflatable bladder is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable tubular structure that is inflatable into a position adjacent a vehicle occupant; and
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable tubular structure, said inflatable tubular structure comprising an inflatable bladder and a tubular outer shell that surrounds said inflatable bladder, said outer shell being constructed of a braided material and including at least one first portion and at least one second portion, said braided material of said at least one first portion being more tightly braided than said braided material of said at least one second portion, said first portion having a first diameter when said inflatable tubular structure is inflated, and said second portion having a second diameter, greater than said first diameter, when said inflatable tubular structure is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification