Textile gas guides for use with inflatable cushions
First Claim
1. A textile gas guide for use with an inflatable cushion, comprising:
- a first fabric member including a first edge and a second edge; and
a second fabric member at least substantially encompassing the first fabric member, the second fabric member including;
a third edge positioned to overlap a portion of the second edge of the first fabric member and coupled to the second edge of the first fabric member with a first seam sewed through the second edge of the first fabric member and the third edge of the second fabric member, the first seam being formed as a shear seam; and
a fourth edge coupled to the third edge of the second fabric member with a second seam sewed through the third edge and the fourth edge of the second fabric member; and
wherein the first fabric member is disposed inside of the second fabric member to protect the first seam and the second seam when a gas is introduced inside the gas guide.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Textile gas guides adapted for use with inflatable cushions and airbag systems are configured to be formed in a manner that reduces or eliminates the need for specialized equipment during manufacturing, and to be sufficiently reinforced to withstand damage during use. Such textile gas guides may comprise a second edge of a first fabric member overlapping and coupled with a shear seam to a portion of a third edge of a second fabric member. The third edge and a fourth edge of the second fabric member may be coupled together with a second seam sewed through the two edges of the second fabric member. The second fabric member at least substantially encompasses the first fabric member. Airbag systems employing such textile gas guides may include at least one inflatable cushion, a portion of which is coupled to the textile gas guide.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A textile gas guide for use with an inflatable cushion, comprising:
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a first fabric member including a first edge and a second edge; and a second fabric member at least substantially encompassing the first fabric member, the second fabric member including; a third edge positioned to overlap a portion of the second edge of the first fabric member and coupled to the second edge of the first fabric member with a first seam sewed through the second edge of the first fabric member and the third edge of the second fabric member, the first seam being formed as a shear seam; and a fourth edge coupled to the third edge of the second fabric member with a second seam sewed through the third edge and the fourth edge of the second fabric member; and wherein the first fabric member is disposed inside of the second fabric member to protect the first seam and the second seam when a gas is introduced inside the gas guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A textile gas guide for use with an inflatable cushion, comprising:
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a first fabric member including a first edge and a second edge; and a second fabric member at least substantially encompassing the first fabric member, the second fabric member including; a third edge positioned to overlap a portion of the second edge of the first fabric member and coupled to the second edge of the first fabric member with a first seam sewed through the second edge of the first fabric member and the third edge of the second fabric member, the first seam being formed as a shear seam; and a fourth edge coupled to the third edge of the second fabric member with a second seam sewed through the third edge and the fourth edge of the second fabric member; and wherein the first fabric member at least substantially covers the second seam sewed through the third edge and the fourth edge of the second fabric member, wherein the first fabric member further covers the first seam sewed through the second edge of the first fabric member and the third edge of the second fabric member.
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7. An inflatable airbag system, comprising:
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an inflatable cushion including an inflation throat; a textile gas guide disposed at least partially within the inflation throat of the inflatable cushion, the textile gas guide comprising; a first fabric member including a first edge and a second edge; and a second fabric member at least substantially encompassing the first fabric member, the second fabric member including; a third edge positioned to overlap a portion of the second edge of the first fabric member and coupled to the second edge of the first fabric member with a first seam sewed through the second edge of the first fabric member and the third edge of the second fabric member, the first seam being formed as a shear seam; and a fourth edge coupled to the third edge of the second fabric member with a second seam sewed through the third edge and the fourth edge of the second fabric member; and an inflator disposed at least partially within the textile gas guide. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making a textile gas guide, comprising:
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coupling a second edge of a first fabric member to a third edge of a second fabric member with a first seam sewed through the second edge of the first fabric member and the third edge of the second fabric member, the first seam being formed as a shear seam; coupling a fourth edge of the second fabric member to the third edge of the second fabric member with a second seam sewed through the third edge and the fourth edge of the second fabric member; and inverting the second fabric member so the first fabric member is at least substantially encompassed by the second fabric member. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification