Apparatus for positioning an inflated air bag
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle;
an inflator for inflating said inflatable device;
at least one tether connected with said inflatable device for applying force to said inflatable device during inflation which force controls the location of said inflatable device when inflated;
at least one sensor for sensing at least one condition relevant to a determination of where to locate said inflatable device when inflated; and
a tether tension control mechanism responsive to said sensor for tensioning said at least one tether in accordance with said sensing of said at least one condition to cause said tether to apply said force by shortening which controls the location of said inflatable device when inflated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (18) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle. At least one tether (82, 84, 86, 88) is connected with the inflatable device (18) to control the location of the inflatable device when inflated. The occupant protection apparatus (10) includes at least one sensor (140) for sensing at least one condition relevant to a determination of where to locate the inflatable device (18) when inflated. The occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a tether tension control mechanism (102, 104, 106, 108, 120) for tensioning the at least one tether (82, 84, 86, 88) in accordance with the sensing of the at least one condition.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle;
an inflator for inflating said inflatable device;
at least one tether connected with said inflatable device for applying force to said inflatable device during inflation which force controls the location of said inflatable device when inflated;
at least one sensor for sensing at least one condition relevant to a determination of where to locate said inflatable device when inflated; and
a tether tension control mechanism responsive to said sensor for tensioning said at least one tether in accordance with said sensing of said at least one condition to cause said tether to apply said force by shortening which controls the location of said inflatable device when inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable device having a deflated condition and having an inflated condition for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle;
an actuatable inflator for inflating said inflatable device;
a plurality of tethers connected with said inflatable device at spaced apart locations; and
a tether tension control mechanism actuatable independently of said inflator for varying the location of said inflatable device when inflated by controlling the tensioning of said plurality of tethers by shortening at least one of said plurality of tethers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification