Extensible tethered airbag system

• US 6,966,579 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schneider, David W., Dominissini, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich, George D.
• Application Number:
  US10/396,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20040188991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0048 Head
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/214 in roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

The tethered airbag system includes an inflatable cushion and an extensible tether. The extensible tether includes an extensible region and is attached to both the inflatable cushion and to a point within a vehicle. For instance, the tether may be attached to the roof of the vehicle. When in use, the inflatable cushion deploys to a location immediately in front of an occupant of the vehicle. Following deployment of the cushion, when a sufficient force is applied to the inflatable cushion, the extensible region is released so that the extensible tether may extend to its full length and the inflatable cushion may extend further away from the point where the tether is attached to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A tethered airbag system comprising:

an inflatable cushion;

an extensible tether having a frangible attachment region, an extensible region, and a secure attachment region, wherein the extensible region is positioned between the frangible attachment region and the secure attachment region;

a frangible attachment mechanism that attaches the cushion to the frangible attachment region of the extensible tether;

a secure attachment mechanism that attaches the cushion to the secure attachment region of the extensible tether; and

a filling duct secured to the cushion wherein the filling duct is attached to a gas guide of an inflator and the filling duct separates from the cushion following inflation of the cushion.

2. The tethered airbag system of claim 1, wherein the extensible tether is made from fabric.

3. The tethered airbag system of claim 1, wherein the frangible attachment mechanism includes frangible stitching.

4. The tethered airbag system of claim 1, wherein the secure attachment mechanism includes secure stitching.

5. The tethered airbag system of claim 1, wherein the filling duct is secured to the cushion by frangible stitching.

6. The tethered airbag system of claim 1, wherein a frangible seam surrounds a portion of the cushion secured to the filling duct.

7. The tethered airbag system of claim 1, wherein the filling duct separates from the inflator following inflation of the cushion.

8. A tethered airbag system comprising:

an inflatable cushion;

an extensible tether having a vehicle attachment region, a frangible attachment region, an extensible region, and a secure attachment region, wherein the extensible region is positioned between the frangible attachment region and the secure attachment region, and wherein the frangible attachment region is positioned between the vehicle attachment region and the secure attachment region;

a frangible attachment mechanism that attaches the cushion to the frangible attachment region of the extensible tether;

a secure attachment mechanism that attaches the cushion to the secure attachment region of the extensible tether; and

a vehicle attachment mechanism that attaches the vehicle attachment region of the extensible tether to a vehicle.

9. The tethered airbag system of claim 8, wherein the extensible tether is made from fabric.

10. The tethered airbag system of claim 8, wherein the frangible attachment mechanism includes frangible stitching.

11. The tethered airbag system of claim 8, wherein the secure attachment mechanism includes secure stitching.

12. The tethered airbag system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle attachment mechanism includes a bolt positioned within an opening in the vehicle attachment region of the extensible tether.

13. The tethered airbag system of claim 8, further comprising a filling duct secured to the cushion.

14. The tethered airbag system of claim 13, wherein the filling duct is attached to a gas guide of an inflator.

15. The tethered airbag system of claim 14, wherein the filling duct separates from the cushion following inflation of the cushion.

16. The tethered airbag system of claim 15, wherein the filling duct is secured to the cushion by frangible stitching.

17. The tethered airbag system of claim 15, wherein a frangible seam surrounds a portion of the cushion secured to the filling duct.

18. The tethered airbag system of claim 14, wherein the filling duct separates from the inflator following inflation of the cushion.

19. A roof-mounted tethered airbag system comprising:

an inflatable cushion;

a filling duct secured to the cushion;

a gas guide of an inflator attached to the filling duct;

an extensible tether having a frangible attachment region, an extensible region, and a secure attachment region, wherein the extensible region is positioned between the frangible attachment region and the secure attachment region;

a frangible attachment mechanism that attaches the cushion to the frangible attachment region of the extensible tether; and

a secure attachment mechanism that attaches the cushion to the secure attachment region of the extensible tether;

wherein the extensible tether further comprises a vehicle attachment region, and wherein the frangible attachment region is positioned between the vehicle attachment region and the secure attachment region.

20. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 19, further comprising a vehicle attachment mechanism that attaches the vehicle attachment region of the extensible tether to a vehicle.

21. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle attachment mechanism includes a bolt positioned within an opening in the vehicle attachment region of the extensible tether.

22. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 19, wherein the extensible tether is made from fabric.

23. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 19, wherein the frangible attachment mechanism includes frangible stitching.

24. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 19, wherein the secure attachment mechanism includes secure stitching.

25. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 19, wherein the filling duct is attached to a gas guide of an inflator.

26. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 25, wherein the filling duct separates from the inflator following inflation of the cushion.

27. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 19, wherein the filling duct separates from the cushion following inflation of the cushion.

28. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 27, wherein the filling duct is secured to the cushion by frangible stitching.

29. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 27, wherein a frangible seam surrounds a portion of the cushion secured to the filling duct.

30. A roof-mounted tethered airbag system, comprising:

an inflatable cushion;

a filling duct frangibly secured to the inflatable cushion; and

a gas guide of an inflator attached to the filling duct;

wherein a frangible seam surrounds a portion of the cushion secured to the filling duct.

31. The roof-mounted tethered airbag system of claim 30, wherein the filling duct is secured to the cushion by frangible stitching.