Passive air bag vent with guide
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device being inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant, the protection device comprising a panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition;
a vent having at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition;
a guide tether connected to the vent; and
a vent tether connected to the protection device and having a guide connected to the guide tether such that the guide and guide tether are slidable relative to one another, tension on the vent tether applying tension to the guide tether for actuating the vent, wherein the vent is configured to be initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device, with further deployment of the protection device to a predetermined degree causing the vent tether to act on the guide tether to place the vent in the actuated condition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (110) has at least one opening (114) for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (110) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A guide tether (113) is connected to the vent door (120). A vent tether (112) is connected to the protection device (14) and includes a guide (123) connected to the guide tether (113) such that the guide (123) and guide tether (113) are slidable relative to one another. Tension on the vent tether (112) applies tension to the guide tether (113) for actuating the vent (110). The vent (110) is configured to be initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device (14), with further deployment of the protection device (14) to a predetermined degree causing the vent tether (112) to act on the guide tether (113) to place the vent (110) in the actuated condition.
28 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device being inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant, the protection device comprising a panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition; a vent having at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; a guide tether connected to the vent; and a vent tether connected to the protection device and having a guide connected to the guide tether such that the guide and guide tether are slidable relative to one another, tension on the vent tether applying tension to the guide tether for actuating the vent, wherein the vent is configured to be initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device, with further deployment of the protection device to a predetermined degree causing the vent tether to act on the guide tether to place the vent in the actuated condition. - 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, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device being inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant, the protection device comprising a panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition; a vent having at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; a guide provided on the vent; and a vent tether including a first end portion and a second end portion secured to a rear panel of the protection device opposite the panel, the vent tether being connected to the protection device and extending through the guide such that the vent tether and guide are slidable relative to one another, tension on the vent tether applying tension to the guide for actuating the vent, wherein the vent is configured to be initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device, with further deployment of the protection device to a predetermined degree causing the vent tether to act on the guide to place the vent in the actuated condition. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification