Inflatable curtain with slidable tether
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into an inflated position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
first and second guide members connected to the side structure of the vehicle at different locations; and
a flexible elongated member connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device at a location on said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to form a flexible loop of material extending from said location and returning to said location, said flexible loop of material extending through said first and second guide members and being slidable through said first and second guide members when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14), when inflated, has an upper edge (50) positioned adjacent the roof (18) and a lower edge (52) spaced from the roof. The protection device (14) also includes a guide (72, 74) and a flexible elongated member (70, 80) that extends through the guide and is slidable through the guide when the protection device is inflated. The member (70, 80) has two leg portions (110, 112) extending from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) to the protection device (14) when the protection device is inflated.
110 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into an inflated position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
first and second guide members connected to the side structure of the vehicle at different locations; and
a flexible elongated member connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device at a location on said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to form a flexible loop of material extending from said location and returning to said location, said flexible loop of material extending through said first and second guide members and being slidable through said first and second guide members when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification