Folded inflatable side curtain with tether

Details Folded inflatable side curtain with tether Folded inflatable side curtain with tether

2000-05-23

2002-03-26

Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

C280S743100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06361068

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inflatable apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact to a vehicle and/or a vehicle rollover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to help protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. One particular type of inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is an inflatable curtain that inflates from the roof of the vehicle downward inside the passenger compartment between a vehicle occupant and the side structure of the vehicle in the event of a side impact or rollover. A known inflatable curtain is inflated from a deflated condition by inflation fluid directed from an inflator to the inflatable curtain through a fill tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof. The apparatus comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, when inflated, has a perimeter at least partially defined by an upper edge, a lower edge, and front and rear portions spaced apart horizontally along the upper and lower edges. An inflation fluid source provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
A flexible elongated member has a first end connected to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device at a first location spaced away from the upper edge on the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and an opposite second end connected to the vehicle side structure at a second location. The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, prior to Inflation, is folded along a first line such that a lower portion of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device overlies an upper portion of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and such that the first end of the flexible elongated member is positioned adjacent the upper edge of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5570900 (1996-11-01), Brown
patent: 5588672 (1996-12-01), Karlow et al.
patent: 5730463 (1998-03-01), Fisher et al.
patent: 5884937 (1999-03-01), Yamada
patent: 5899490 (1999-05-01), Wipasuramont et al.
patent: 5960611 (1999-10-01), Aigner et al.
patent: 6073961 (2000-06-01), Bailey et al.
patent: 6168191 (2001-01-01), Webber et al.
patent: 6186534 (2001-02-01), Heinz

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Folded inflatable side curtain with tether does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Folded inflatable side curtain with tether, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Folded inflatable side curtain with tether will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2836377