Biasing deployment flap and inflatable cushion cover
First Claim
1. A deployment flap configured for use with an inflatable cushion and a retainer of an airbag module, comprising:
- a foldable material defining the deployment flap;
a plurality of securement tabs being configured to secure the deployment flap to the retainer, each securement tab being secured to the deployment flap and having a weakened area; and
a cover area defined in said foldable material, said foldable material being configured for securement about the inflatable cushion such that said foldable material is folded over the inflatable cushion to cover substantially all of the inflatable cushion when it is in a pre-deployment configuration, said securement tabs being configured to secure said foldable material to said retainer and said weakened area being configured to release said foldable material from said retainer upon the inflation of the inflatable cushion, wherein said deployment flap is configured, dimensioned and positioned to bias the inflatable cushion in a selected direction if the deployment flap makes contact with an occupant of the vehicle.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A deployment flap for use with an inflatable cushion is provided. The deployment flap includes a fabric or other flexible, foldable material; a plurality of securement tabs each having a weakened area; and a cover area defined in the fabric. The fabric is connectable to the inflatable cushion to cause the inflatable cushion to be biased in a selected direction upon inflation of the inflatable cushion. The cover area covers the inflatable cushion prior to inflation of the inflatable cushion. The securement tabs secure the fabric to a retainer. The weakened area releases the fabric from the retainer upon the inflation of the inflatable cushion.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A deployment flap configured for use with an inflatable cushion and a retainer of an airbag module, comprising:
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a foldable material defining the deployment flap;
a plurality of securement tabs being configured to secure the deployment flap to the retainer, each securement tab being secured to the deployment flap and having a weakened area; and
a cover area defined in said foldable material, said foldable material being configured for securement about the inflatable cushion such that said foldable material is folded over the inflatable cushion to cover substantially all of the inflatable cushion when it is in a pre-deployment configuration, said securement tabs being configured to secure said foldable material to said retainer and said weakened area being configured to release said foldable material from said retainer upon the inflation of the inflatable cushion, wherein said deployment flap is configured, dimensioned and positioned to bias the inflatable cushion in a selected direction if the deployment flap makes contact with an occupant of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An airbag module adapted for use in a vehicle having an occupant, comprising:
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a housing;
an inflator;
an inflatable cushion stored in a folded position in said housing, said inflatable cushion being in fluid communication with said inflator such that upon detection of an activation event said inflator provides a quantity of inflation gas to cause said inflatable cushion to inflate;
a retainer securing the inflatable cushion to the housing;
a deployment flap being secured to a portion of said inflatable cushion, said deployment flap biasing the inflation configuration of the inflatable cushion during a deployment scenario;
a plurality of securement tabs for releasably securing said deployment flap to the retainer;
wherein a cover area of said deployment flap covers said inflatable cushion in a pre-deployment folded position, said securement tabs releasing said deployment flap from said inflatable cushion after a predetermined amount of force is generated by said inflatable cushion, said predetermined amount of force being sufficient to sever said plurality of securement tabs wherein said deployment flap is configured, dimensioned and positioned to bias the inflatable cushion in a selected direction if the deployment flap makes contact with an occupant of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for selectively modifying the deployment of an inflatable cushion of an airbag module about an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
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a deployment guide member having a normal stored position overlying a folded inflatable cushion and deployable through an opening for a deploying inflatable cushion, said deployment guide member having a confinement shape with an open bottom admitting the deploying inflatable cushion and a forward wall, a rearward wall, and an outboard side wall deployable from the stored position on top of the folded inflatable cushion to a deployed position, said deployment guide further comprising a top flap hingedly connected to the outboard side wall for movement between a closed top position and an open top position, and an open inboard side through which the inflatable cushion obtains initial deployment laterally of the occupant when the top flap is held in the closed top position;
wherein a plurality of securement members are releasably secured to said deployment guide member at one end and a portion of the airbag module at the other.
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19. A method of assembling, securing and deploying flap about an inflatable cushion of an airbag module adapted for use in a vehicle, comprising:
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folding the inflatable cushion to a desired pre-deployment folded position;
securing a deployment flap to a first portion of the folded inflatable cushion;
securing a retainer to a second portion of the folded inflatable cushion; and
securing said deployment flap to said retainer by securing a plurality of releasable securing members to said retainer;
wherein a cover area of said deployment flap covers the inflatable cushion in said desired pre-deployment folded position, and releasing said deployment flap from said retainer upon the inflation of the inflatable cushion, said deployment flap being configured, dimensioned and positioned to bias the inflatable cushion in a selected direction if the deployment flap makes contact with an occupant of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification