Air bag with a supported channel

• US 7,484,757 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Kumkoski, James M., Thomas, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; John Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US11/297,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20070132222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23384 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An air bag system includes an inflator operable to release inflation fluid, and an inflatable cushion having an lower region and inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from the inflator, with the cushion defining a channel within the lower region thereof. At least one tether may support the channel during inflation of the cushion. A fabric member may at least partially cover the channel to define an end channel wall. The fabric member may detach from the cushion if the cushion inflates beyond a predetermined depth, or the fabric member may be movable between a first position and a second position to increase the area of the end channel wall. A retention member may retain the fabric member in the first position. The retention member may be frangible, such that inflation of the cushion beyond the predetermined depth breaks the retention member.

Claims

1. An air bag system comprising:

an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;

an inflatable cushion having a lower region, said inflatable cushion being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator; and

at least one tether attached to said inflatable cushion at least four attachement points, thereby constraining inflation of said inflatable cushion;

wherein said inflatable cushion defines a channel within said lower region; and

,

wherein said at least one tether supports said channel during inflation of said inflatable cushion.

2. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said channel has one of a substantially U-shaped cross-section and a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

3. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said channel is configured to extend from a front of said inflatable cushion to a rear of said inflatable cushion.

4. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said channel is formed within said lower region by sewing.

5. An air bag system comprising:

an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;

an inflatable cushion having a lower region defining a channel, said inflatable cushion being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator; and

at least one tether attached to said channel and said inflatable cushion;

wherein said channel is substantially V-shaped, and wherein said at least one tether sufficiently supports said channel at at least four attachment points to maintain V-shape of said channel when inflation fluid fills said inflatable cushion.