Inflatable curtain cushion tab shock absorption
First Claim
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1. An inflatable curtain module comprising:
- an inflatable curtain comprising an inflatable portion;
a plurality of retention tabs configured for attaching the inflatable curtain to a vehicle such that the inflatable portion is below the retention tabs after attachment, wherein each retention tab has a folded portion which is folded against itself; and
wherein each retention tab comprises a frangible energy absorption mechanism configured to temporarily hold the folded portion of each retention tab in its folded configuration, wherein the frangible energy absorption mechanism is configured such that, upon deployment of the inflatable portion of the inflatable curtain, the frangible energy absorption mechanism breaks and no longer holds the retention tab in its folded configuration and the retention tab moves to a deployed configuration,wherein the initial folded configuration prevents the retention tabs from being both taut and fully extended, and wherein a greater amount of the length of each retention tab tautly extends to support the inflatable portion of the curtain below the retention tabs once the retention tabs are in the deployed configuration as compared with the folded configuration of the retention tabs.
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Abstract
A retention tab unit is disclosed comprising a retention tab configured for attaching an inflatable curtain to a vehicle. The retention tab unit has an energy absorption mechanism that facilitates confinement of the retention tab in an initial configuration wherein the retention tab is not taut. Once the inflatable curtain is deployed, the energy absorption mechanism is configured to release the retention tab from its initial configuration and allow it to be forced into a deployed configuration wherein the retention tab tautly extends from the vehicle.
57 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An inflatable curtain module comprising:
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an inflatable curtain comprising an inflatable portion; a plurality of retention tabs configured for attaching the inflatable curtain to a vehicle such that the inflatable portion is below the retention tabs after attachment, wherein each retention tab has a folded portion which is folded against itself; and wherein each retention tab comprises a frangible energy absorption mechanism configured to temporarily hold the folded portion of each retention tab in its folded configuration, wherein the frangible energy absorption mechanism is configured such that, upon deployment of the inflatable portion of the inflatable curtain, the frangible energy absorption mechanism breaks and no longer holds the retention tab in its folded configuration and the retention tab moves to a deployed configuration, wherein the initial folded configuration prevents the retention tabs from being both taut and fully extended, and wherein a greater amount of the length of each retention tab tautly extends to support the inflatable portion of the curtain below the retention tabs once the retention tabs are in the deployed configuration as compared with the folded configuration of the retention tabs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An inflatable curtain module comprising:
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an inflatable curtain comprising an inflatable portion; a retention tab extending from the module and configured for attaching the inflatable curtain to a vehicle; and a sacrificial retention tab extending from generally the same portion of the module as the retention tab, wherein the sacrificial retention tab has a weakened portion which allows the sacrificial retention tab to be severed during deployment of the inflatable curtain; wherein the retention tab is longer than the sacrificial retention tab. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification