Air bag assembly providing adjustable cushion depth
First Claim
1. An air bag assembly operable for providing the cushioning restraint of an occupant within a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:
- a gas emitting inflator disposed within a walled support container;
an inflatable air bag cushion having a first expanded profile and at least a second expanded profile, wherein the second expanded profile is characterized by relatively greater air bag cushion depth than the first expanded profile;
at least one tethering element coupled to the air bag cushion, wherein the tethering element has a first configuration associated with the first expanded profile of the air bag cushion and a second configuration associated with the second expanded profile of the air bag cushion;
an anchoring structure operatively coupled to the tethering element, wherein the anchoring structure is normally held at a fixed position prior to deployment of the air bag cushion; and
a variable strength restraining assembly holding the anchoring structure in place prior to deployment of the air bag cushion, the restraining assembly comprising a displaceable support element adapted to be selectively moved between a first position operatively engaging the anchoring structure and at least a second position not engaging the anchoring structure such that when the displaceable support element is in the first position, the anchoring structure is held at said fixed position upon deployment of the air bag cushion and such that when the displaceable support element is in the second position the anchoring structure is displaceable away from said fixed position upon deployment of the air bag cushion and wherein the displaceable support element is adapted to be moved between the first position and the second position multiple times prior to deployment of the air bag cushion based upon changes in the condition of the occupant prior to deployment of the air bag cushion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag assembly utilizing a releasable anchoring structure operatively connected to one or more extendible tethering elements and providing adjustable cushion depth. A displaceable support element selectively engages or disengages the anchoring structure during operation of the vehicle taking into account steady-state inputs such as vehicle velocity, occupant size, seating position, and seat-belt use. The displaceable support element may be automatically engaged or disengaged from the anchoring structure as occupant and/or driving conditions change prior to actual air bag deployment.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An air bag assembly operable for providing the cushioning restraint of an occupant within a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:
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a gas emitting inflator disposed within a walled support container;
an inflatable air bag cushion having a first expanded profile and at least a second expanded profile, wherein the second expanded profile is characterized by relatively greater air bag cushion depth than the first expanded profile;
at least one tethering element coupled to the air bag cushion, wherein the tethering element has a first configuration associated with the first expanded profile of the air bag cushion and a second configuration associated with the second expanded profile of the air bag cushion;
an anchoring structure operatively coupled to the tethering element, wherein the anchoring structure is normally held at a fixed position prior to deployment of the air bag cushion; and
a variable strength restraining assembly holding the anchoring structure in place prior to deployment of the air bag cushion, the restraining assembly comprising a displaceable support element adapted to be selectively moved between a first position operatively engaging the anchoring structure and at least a second position not engaging the anchoring structure such that when the displaceable support element is in the first position, the anchoring structure is held at said fixed position upon deployment of the air bag cushion and such that when the displaceable support element is in the second position the anchoring structure is displaceable away from said fixed position upon deployment of the air bag cushion and wherein the displaceable support element is adapted to be moved between the first position and the second position multiple times prior to deployment of the air bag cushion based upon changes in the condition of the occupant prior to deployment of the air bag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An air bag assembly operable for providing the cushioning restraint of an occupant within a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:
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a gas emitting inflator disposed within a walled support container;
an inflatable air bag cushion having a first expanded profile and at least a second expanded profile, wherein the second expanded profile is characterized by relatively greater air bag cushion depth than the first expanded profile;
at least one tethering element coupled to the air bag cushion, wherein the tethering element has a first configuration associated with the first expanded profile of the air bag cushion and a second configuration associated with the second expanded profile of the air bag cushion;
an anchoring structure operatively coupled to the tethering element, wherein the anchoring structure is normally held at a fixed position prior to deployment of the air bag cushion; and
a variable strength restraining assembly holding the anchoring structure in place prior to deployment of the air bag cushion, the restraining assembly comprising a displaceable support element adapted to be selectively moved between a first position operatively engaging the anchoring structure and at least a second position not engaging the anchoring structure such that when the displaceable support element is in the first position, the anchoring structure is held at said fixed position upon deployment of the air bag cushion and such that when the displaceable support element is in the second position the anchoring structure is displaceable away from said fixed position upon deployment of the air bag cushion and wherein the displaceable support element is adapted to be moved between the first position and the second position multiple times prior to deployment of the air bag cushion based upon changes in the condition of the occupant prior to deployment of the air bag cushion; and
a vent covering element operatively connected to the displaceable support element such that upon movement of the displaceable support element between the first position and the second position the vent covering element is moved relative to vent openings within the walled support container. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification