Side impact protection device

• US 6,241,277 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2000
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Heigl, Jürgen, Öhlert, Franz
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US09/517,300
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/749
• 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

Abstract

A side impact protection device comprises a gas bag adapted to be translated from a folded condition into an unfolded condition, and a tensioning device. The tensioning device has a traction apparatus with a first and a second end. The first end is connected to the gas bag at a first region and the second end is connected to the gas bag at a second region which is different from the first region. The side impact protection device further comprises at least two deflection points for the traction apparatus. The traction apparatus extends from the first region via the deflection points towards the second region.

Claims

1. A side impact protection device comprising a gas bag adapted to be translated from a folded condition into an unfolded condition, a tensioning device, said tensioning device having a traction means with a first and a second end, said first end being connected to said gas bag at a first region and said second end being connected to said gas bag at a second region which is different from said first region, and comprising at least two deflection points for said traction means, said traction means extending from said first region via said deflection points towards said second region.

2. The protection device according to claim 1, comprising a return stop engaging on said traction means.

3. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein said traction means has an elastic region.

4. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein said deflection points and said traction means are arranged such that said traction means is deflected by more than 180°

.

5. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein said deflection points and said traction means are arranged such that said traction means is deflected by more than 270°

when said gas bag is unfolded.

6. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein a first of said deflection points is adapted to be arranged in the region of a side adjacent to a side window and a second of said deflection points is adapted to be arranged in a region above said side window.

7. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second regions are situated on a rim region of said gas bag.

8. A gas bag for a side impact protection device, comprising a traction means with a first and a second end, said first end being connected to said gas bag at a first region and said second end being connected to said gas bag at a second region which is different from said first region, a closed loop being formed by said first end and said second end of said traction means being connected to said gas bag.

9. The gas bag according to claim 8, wherein said first end of said traction means is fastened to a lower rim of said gas bag and said second end is fastened to a lateral rim of said gas bag.

10. The gas bag according to claim 8, wherein said traction means has an elastic region.