Inflatable protection device with manifold
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle, said protection device comprising overlying panels and a plurality of chambers at least partially defined by said overlying panels; and
an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device;
said protection device further comprising a manifold at least partially defined by said overlying panels, said manifold comprising a plenum portion for receiving inflation fluid from said inflation fluid source and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into said chambers, wherein said chambers include side walls and an open end defined between said side walls, said duct portions extending through said open ends into said chambers;
said chambers comprising at least a first chamber and a second chamber, one of said duct portions branches into first and second portions, said first portion distributing inflation fluid into said first chamber, said second portion distributing inflation fluid into said second chamber.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes panels (40 and 42) and a plurality of chambers (54) at least partially defined by the panels. An inflation fluid source (24) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The protection device (14) further includes a manifold (100) at least partially defined by the overlying panels (40 and 42). The manifold (100) includes a plenum portion (102) for receiving inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source and duct portions (104) that branch from the plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into the chambers (54).
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle, said protection device comprising overlying panels and a plurality of chambers at least partially defined by said overlying panels; and an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device; said protection device further comprising a manifold at least partially defined by said overlying panels, said manifold comprising a plenum portion for receiving inflation fluid from said inflation fluid source and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into said chambers, wherein said chambers include side walls and an open end defined between said side walls, said duct portions extending through said open ends into said chambers; said chambers comprising at least a first chamber and a second chamber, one of said duct portions branches into first and second portions, said first portion distributing inflation fluid into said first chamber, said second portion distributing inflation fluid into said second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle; and an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device; said protection device comprising inflatable chambers and a manifold for delivering inflation fluid to said inflatable chambers, said manifold comprising a plenum portion for receiving inflation fluid from said inflation source and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and distribute inflation fluid into said chambers; and a substantially gas impermeable material for reinforcing said manifold, said reinforcing material covering the entire manifold, areas of said chambers being substantially free from said reinforcing material.
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21. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable to help protect an occupant of the vehicle; and an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device; said protection device comprising inflatable chambers and a manifold for delivering inflation fluid to said inflatable chambers, said manifold comprising a plenum portion positioned outside said chambers and duct portions that branch from said plenum portion and extend into said chambers, a reinforcing material being applied to the entire manifold to reinforce said manifold against stresses experienced during deployment of said inflatable occupant protection device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification