Vehicle occupant protection apparatus having vent member that is controlled by a releasable tether
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable occupant protection device;
a support member having a vent opening through which inflation fluid may flow;
a vent member movable relative to the support member for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening;
a tether for moving the vent member; and
an actuatable mechanism;
the tether having a first end secured to the vent member, a second end secured to the protection device, and a restraining portion between the first end and the second end and connected to the actuatable mechanism;
the actuatable mechanism having a first condition securing the restraining portion and thereby preventing the tether from moving the vent member and a second condition releasing the restraining portion and thereby enabling the tether to move the vent member.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (38) and a support member (56) having a vent opening (78) through which inflation fluid may flow. A vent member (106) is movable relative to the support member (56) for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (78). The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a tether (144) for moving the vent member (106) and an actuatable mechanism (170) that has a first condition preventing the tether (144) from moving the vent member (106) and a second condition enabling the tether (144) to move the vent member (106).
42 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
-
an inflatable occupant protection device; a support member having a vent opening through which inflation fluid may flow; a vent member movable relative to the support member for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening; a tether for moving the vent member; and an actuatable mechanism; the tether having a first end secured to the vent member, a second end secured to the protection device, and a restraining portion between the first end and the second end and connected to the actuatable mechanism; the actuatable mechanism having a first condition securing the restraining portion and thereby preventing the tether from moving the vent member and a second condition releasing the restraining portion and thereby enabling the tether to move the vent member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
-
an inflatable occupant protection device; a support member having a vent opening through which inflation fluid may flow; a vent member movable relative to the support member for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening; a tether for moving the vent member; and an actuatable mechanism; the tether having a first end secured to the vent member, a second end secured to the protection device, and a restraining portion between the first end and the second end and connected to the actuatable mechanism; the actuatable mechanism having a first condition securing the restraining portion and thereby preventing the tether from moving the vent member and a second condition releasing the restraining portion and thereby enabling the tether to move the vent member, wherein; the inflatable occupant protection device, when the mechanism is in the first condition, is inflatable into a first configuration in which the restraining portion of the tether limits an inflation depth of the inflatable occupant protection device; the inflatable occupant protection device, when the mechanism is in the second condition, is inflatable into a second configuration having an inflation depth that is greater than the inflation depth of the inflatable occupant protection device when in the first configuration; and wherein the tether tends to move the vent member to vary the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening when the mechanism is actuated prior to the inflatable occupant protection device reaching the first configuration, the vent member resisting movement when the mechanism is actuated after the inflatable occupant protection device reaches the first configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification