Inflatable curtain with anchor device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an elongated member connected to the vehicle side structure and having a first end and an opposite second end, said elongated member having a length measured between said first and second ends; and
an element connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said element at least partially encircling said elongated member along a portion of the length of said elongated member, said element being slidable along said elongated member in said first direction along the length of said elongated member when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said element including at least one portion that engages said elongated member and blocks said element from sliding along said elongated member in a direction opposite said first direction, said elongated member comprising a bar having a first surface and an opposite second surface;
said element comprising a housing and a latch that extends through said housing, said latch having an aperture that extends through said latch, said aperture being disposed in said housing;
said bar extending through said housing and through said aperture, said latch including edges that help define said aperture, said edges engaging said first and second surfaces of said bar to block said element from sliding along said bar in a direction opposite said first direction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable in a first direction away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An elongated member (70) is connected to the side structure (16) and has a first end (72), an opposite second end (76) and a length measured between the first and second ends. An element (100) is connected to the protection device (14) and at least partially encircles the elongated member (70). The element (100) is slidable along the elongated member (70) in the first direction when the protection device (14) is inflated. The element (100) includes at least one portion (150, 212) that engages the elongated member (70) and blocks the element from sliding along the elongated member in a direction opposite the first direction.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an elongated member connected to the vehicle side structure and having a first end and an opposite second end, said elongated member having a length measured between said first and second ends; and
an element connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said element at least partially encircling said elongated member along a portion of the length of said elongated member, said element being slidable along said elongated member in said first direction along the length of said elongated member when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said element including at least one portion that engages said elongated member and blocks said element from sliding along said elongated member in a direction opposite said first direction, said elongated member comprising a bar having a first surface and an opposite second surface;
said element comprising a housing and a latch that extends through said housing, said latch having an aperture that extends through said latch, said aperture being disposed in said housing;
said bar extending through said housing and through said aperture, said latch including edges that help define said aperture, said edges engaging said first and second surfaces of said bar to block said element from sliding along said bar in a direction opposite said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an elongated member connected to the vehicle side structure and having a first end and an opposite second end, said elongated member having a length measured between said first and second ends; and
an element connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said element at least partially encircling said elongated member along a portion of the length of said elongated member, said element being slidable along said elongated member in said first direction along the length of said elongated member when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said element including at least one portion that engages said elongated member and blocks said element from sliding along said elongated member in a direction opposite said first direction, said element further including a spring for biasing said at least one portion of said element into engagement with said elongated member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification