Collapsable inflatable curtain module
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a first portion inflatable to cover a first portion of a vehicle side structure and a second portion inflatable to cover a second portion of a vehicle side structure;
a single inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate said at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
a first conduit having a portion terminating in said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
a second conduit having a portion terminating in said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and
at least one fitting having portions that move relative to each other to permit said first and second conduits to move relative to each other from a first condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle to a second condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned next to each other;
wherein said first conduit enters a rear portion of said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and terminates in said rear portion of said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and
said second conduit enters a rear portion of said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and terminates in said rear portion of said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.
25 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a first portion inflatable to cover a first portion of a vehicle side structure and a second portion inflatable to cover a second portion of a vehicle side structure; a single inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate said at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; a first conduit having a portion terminating in said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; a second conduit having a portion terminating in said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and at least one fitting having portions that move relative to each other to permit said first and second conduits to move relative to each other from a first condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle to a second condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned next to each other; wherein said first conduit enters a rear portion of said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and terminates in said rear portion of said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and said second conduit enters a rear portion of said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and terminates in said rear portion of said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a first conduit for delivering inflation fluid to a driver side inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; a second conduit for delivering inflation fluid to a passenger side inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and means for providing fluid communication between said first and second conduits and an inflation fluid source; said first and second conduits and said means for providing fluid communication being interconnected to form an assemblage, said first and second conduits while in said assemblage being movable relative to each other to place said assemblage in an installation condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle; said first and second conduits being movable relative to each other to place said assemblage in a second condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned next to each other. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a driver side protection module; a passenger side protection module; a single inflator; and an inflation fluid distribution assembly for directing inflation fluid from said single inflator to said driver side protection module and passenger side protection module; said driver side protection module, said passenger side protection module, said single inflator, and said inflation fluid distribution assembly being interconnected to form an assemblage in which said driver side protection module and said passenger side protection module are movable relative to each other, said assemblage having an installation condition in which said driver side protection module is positioned for installation along the driver side of the vehicle and said passenger side protection module is positioned for installation along the passenger side of the vehicle, said assemblage having a second condition in which said driver side protection module and said passenger side protection module are positioned next to each other. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a single inflatable curtain comprising; a first portion inflatable to cover a portion of a vehicle side structure on a driver side of the vehicle, a second portion inflatable to cover a portion of a vehicle side structure on a passenger side of the vehicle; and a third portion inflatable to cover a rear structure of the vehicle; a single inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable curtain; a first conduit having a portion terminating in said first portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; a second conduit having a portion terminating in said second portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and at least one fitting that permits said first and second conduits to move relative to each other from a first condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle to a second condition in which said first and second conduits are positioned next to each other.
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24. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a driver side inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to cover a portion of a driver side vehicle side structure; a passenger side inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to cover a portion of a passenger side vehicle side structure; an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid to inflate the driver side protection device and the passenger side protection device; and a rigid conduit for delivering the inflation fluid to the driver side protection device and to the passenger side protection device, the conduit comprising a distribution portion that extends from adjacent the side structure on the driver side of the vehicle to adjacent the side structure on the passenger side of the vehicle, the conduit comprising a first terminal end portion that extends transverse to the distribution portion along the side structure on the driver side of the vehicle and delivers inflation fluid into the driver side protection device, the conduit comprising a second terminal end portion that extends transverse to the distribution portion along the side structure on the passenger side of the vehicle and delivers inflation fluid into the passenger side protection device, the first and second terminal end portions having shortened lengths extending only partially into the driver side and passenger side protection devices so that the protection devices can be folded to positions extending adjacent to each other.
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Specification