Locking mechanism for a cinch tube of an airbag cushion
First Claim
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1. An airbag module, comprising:
- an inflatable airbag cushion;
a cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing an aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion,a sleeve extending around the majority of the perimeter of the cinch tube and having a sleeve aperture defined by a frame; and
a cinch cord extending out of the sleeve aperture and around a majority of the perimeter of the cinch tube with a portion of the cinch cord extending in the sleeve, wherein the cinch cord is coupled to the airbag such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the cinch tube; and
wherein the portion of the cinch cord extending though the sleeve comprises a plurality cone shaped stoppers configured to pass through the sleeve aperture upon airbag deployment and to resist re-entry into the sleeve aperture after airbag deployment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a tube that may be restricted to prevent gas venting. A cord having a plurality of stoppers is coupled to the tube. Upon airbag deployment, the cord extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the cord incrementally tightens the tube and restricts gas venting. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the cord remains lax and the tube is able to vent gas.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An airbag module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion; a cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing an aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion, a sleeve extending around the majority of the perimeter of the cinch tube and having a sleeve aperture defined by a frame; and a cinch cord extending out of the sleeve aperture and around a majority of the perimeter of the cinch tube with a portion of the cinch cord extending in the sleeve, wherein the cinch cord is coupled to the airbag such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the cinch tube; and wherein the portion of the cinch cord extending though the sleeve comprises a plurality cone shaped stoppers configured to pass through the sleeve aperture upon airbag deployment and to resist re-entry into the sleeve aperture after airbag deployment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An airbag module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion; a cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing an aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion, a sleeve extending around the majority of the perimeter of the cinch tube and having a sleeve aperture defined by a frame; and a cinch cord extending out of the sleeve aperture and around a majority of the perimeter of the cinch tube with a portion of the cinch cord extending in the sleeve, wherein the cinch cord is coupled to the airbag such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the cinch tube; and wherein the portion of the cinch cord extending though the sleeve comprises a plurality of cone shaped stoppers configured to pass through the sleeve aperture upon airbag deployment and to resist re-entry into the sleeve aperture after airbag deployment due to the shape of the stoppers and the rigidity of the stoppers relative to any structures encountered by each stopper as each stopper passes through the sleeve aperture. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification