Loop cord slide device for airbag

• US 6,964,431 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Kenji, Scavnicky, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/261,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20040061320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/733, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle is provided that includes an inflatable restraint cushion stored along a roof rail of a vehicle window in an undeployed state. A flexible loop is provided that is integral with the cushion, and an elongate cord member with a first end and a second end, the cord passing through the loop. The flexible loop slidably engages the cord during deployment of the inflatable restraint cushion, and supplies a tensioning force to the cushion.

Claims

1. An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle having a side window, said restraint device stored in an undeployed state adjacent said window, comprising:

an inflatable restraint cushion;

a flexible loop integral with said cushion;

an elongate cord member, said member having a first end attached to said vehicle proximate a first corner of said window, and a second end attached to said vehicle proximate a second corner of said window, said elongate cord member extending through said flexible loop;

said flexible loop slidably engages said elongate cord member during deployment of said cushion, an interface of said flexible loop with said member providing a tensioning force to said cushion, wherein said elongate chord member comprises a bend that is adapted to assist in retaining said flexible loop.

2. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein said flexible loop is formed from a textile.

3. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein said flexible loop is formed from a non-textile.

4. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein said flexible loop is elastically deformable, said loop having a substantially two dimensional inner surface engaging with said cord.

5. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein said elongate cord member is substantially rigid.

6. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein said elongate cord member is flexible.

7. The restraint device of claim 1 wherein said elongate cord member defines a notch proximate said second end and;

wherein said flexible loop slides into engagement with said notch, thereby fixing said inflatable restraint against displacement.

8. A restraint device deployable along a side window of a vehicle, said window having a first side and a second side, the restraint device comprising:

an inflatable restraint cushion, said cushion stored at the roof of the vehicle in an undeployed state;

a notched elongate cord member, said member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to the vehicle proximate an upper corner of the second side of said window, and said second end is attached to the vehicle proximate a lower corner of the second side of said window;

a flexible, foldable loop integral with said cushion and extending from a periphery thereof, said flexible, foldable loop slidably engaging said elongate cord member upon cushion deployment, and said flexible, foldable loop engaging a notch in said cord member to prevent travel of said flexible, foldable loop along said cord member, wherein said notched elongate chord member comprises a bend that is adapted to assist in retaining said flexible, foldable loop.

9. The restraint device of claim 8 wherein said first side of the window is a front side, and said second side of the window is a rear side.

10. The restraint device of claim 8 wherein said first side of the window is a rear side, and said second side of the window is a front side.

11. An inflatable restraint device comprising:

a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion;

an inflatable cushion stored in said housing in an undeployed state;

a flexible loop integral with said cushion;

an elongate member having ends fixed relative to said cushion, a first end attached at said upper portion of said housing, and a second end attached at said lower portion of said housing, said elongate member extending through said flexible loop;

wherein

upon deployment of said cushion, said flexible loop slidably engages said elongate member, tensioning said cushion, wherein said elongate chord member comprises a bend that is adapted to assist in retaining said flexible loop.

12. The inflatable restraint device of claim 11 wherein said loop is elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction.

13. The inflatable restraint device of claim 11 wherein said elongate member is flexible.

14. The inflatable restraint device of claim 11 wherein said elongate member is relatively rigid.

15. The inflatable restraint device of claim 14 wherein said elongate member includes a notched portion for receipt of said loop.

16. An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle having a side window, said restraint device stored in an undeployed state adjacent said window, comprising:

an inflatable restraint cushion;

a flexible loop integral with said cushion, said flexible loop being elastically deformable;

an elongate cord member, said member having a first end attached to said vehicle proximate a first corner of said window, and a second end attached to said vehicle proximate a second corner of said window, said elongate cord member extending through said flexible loop;

said flexible loop slidably engages said elongate cord member during deployment of said cushion, an interface of said flexible loop with said member providing a tensioning force to said cushion, wherein said elongate chord member comprises a bend that is adapted to assist in retaining said flexible loop.

17. The restraint device of claim 16 wherein said elongate cord member is flexible.

18. An inflatable restraint device comprising:

a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion;

an inflatable cushion stored in said housing in an undeployed state;

an elongate flexible loop integral with said cushion and elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction;

an elongate member having ends fixed relative to said cushion, a first end attached at said upper portion of said housing, and a second end attached at said lower portion of said housing, said elongate member extending through said elongate flexible loop;

wherein upon deployment of said cushion, said elongate flexible loop slidably engages said elongate member, tensioning said cushion, and said elongate member comprises a bend that is adapted to assist in retaining said elongate flexible loop.

19. The restraint device of claim 18 wherein the elongate member is substantially rigid.

20. The restraint device of claim 18 wherein the elongate member comprises a notch adapted to receive said loop.

21. An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle having a side window, said restraint device stored in an undeployed state adjacent said window, comprising:

an inflatable restraint cushion;

an elongate cord member, said member having a first end attached to said vehicle proximate a first corner of said window, and a second end attached to said vehicle proximate a second corner of said window;

a flexible loop attached to said cushion and extending about said flexible cord member, said loop formed from a substantially flat material having an inner surface frictionally engageable against said cord member;

said flexible loop slidably engages said elongate cord member during deployment of said cushion, an interface of said flexible loop with said member during deployment providing a tensioning force to said cushion.