Airbag inflation-controlling member

A vehicle airbag comprising an inflatable bag and an inflation-controlling member which is coupled to said bag;

• said bag including chamber-defining portions defining a chamber which is filled with inflation fluid to inflate said airbag during an inflation process, said bag being subjected to initial forces during initial stages of the inflation process, intermediate forces during intermediate stages of the inflation process, and final forces during final stages of the inflation process;
• said inflation-controlling member extending through said chamber during the inflation process and controlling the shape of said bag;
• said inflation-controlling member including a releasable connection and a stretchable section;
• said releasable connection remaining intact during the initial stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends to an initial length and said bag assumes an initial shape;
• said releasable connection releasing during intermediate stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends from said initial length to an intermediate length greater than said initial length and said bag assumes an intermediate shape;
• and
• said stretchable section stretching during final stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends from said intermediate length to a final length greater than said intermediate length and said bag assumes a final shape;
• said releasable connection being of a strength which withstands said initial forces and thus remains intact during initial stages of the inflation process thereby allowing said inflation-controlling member to extend to said initial length, and which is overcome by said intermediate forces and thus releases during intermediate stages of the inflation process thereby allowing said inflation-controlling member to extend to said intermediate length;
• and
• said stretchable section being unaffected by said initial and intermediate forces and having elongation properties causing it to be elongated by the final forces thereby allowing said inflation-controlling member to extend from said intermediate length to said final length during the final stages of the inflation process.

A vehicle airbag comprising an inflatable bag and an inflation-controlling member which is coupled to said bag;

• said bag including chamber-defining portions defining a chamber which is filled with inflation fluid to inflate said airbag during an inflation process, said bag being subjected to initial forces during initial stages of the inflation process, intermediate forces during intermediate stages of the inflation process, and final forces during final stages of the inflation process;
• said inflation-controlling member extending through said chamber during the inflation process and controlling the shape of said bag;
• said inflation-controlling member including a releasable connection and a stretchable section;
• said releasable connection remaining intact during the initial stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends to an initial length and said bag assumes an initial shape;
• said releasable connection releasing during intermediate stages of the inflation process of that said inflation-controlling member extends from said initial length to an intermediate length greater than said initial length and said bag assumes an intermediate shape;
• said stretchable section stretching during final stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends from said intermediate length to a final length greater than said intermediate length and said bag assumes a final shape;
• said inflation-controlling member being of a three-piece construction and comprising a first end piece, a second end piece, and a central piece joining said first end piece to said second end piece, said central piece including said stretchable section.

A vehicle airbag comprising an inflatable bag and an inflation-controlling member which is coupled to said bag;

• said bag including chamber-defining portions defining a chamber which is filled with inflation fluid to inflate said airbag during an inflation process, said bag being subjected to initial forces during initial stages of the inflation process, intermediate forces during intermediate stages of the inflation process, and final forces during final stages of the inflation process;
• said inflation-controlling member extending through said chamber during the inflation process and controlling the shape of said bag;
• said inflation-controlling member including a releasable connection and a stretchable section;
• said releasable connection remaining intact during the initial stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends to an initial length and said bag assumes an initial shape;
• said releasable connection releasing during intermediate stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends from said initial length to an intermediate length greater than said initial length and said bag assumes an intermediate shape;
• said stretchable section stretching during final stages of the inflation process so that said inflation-controlling member extends from said intermediate length to a final length greater than said intermediate length and said bag assumes a final shape;
• said inflation-controlling member comprising a tether having a first end attached to said bag and a second end also attached to said bag, said releasable connection and said stretchable section being positioned on said tether intermediate said first and second ends;
• said bag including a mouth portion defining an inflation fluid inlet communicating with said chamber;
• said chamber-defining portions of said bag including an occupant-contacting portion which is positioned to contact an in-position vehicle occupant when said bag assumes said final shape;
• said first end of said tether being attached to said mouth portion of said bag and said second end of said tether being attached to said occupant-contacting portion;
• said tether being of a three-piece construction and comprising a first end piece, a second end piece, and a central piece joining said first end piece to said second end piece;
• said first and second end pieces including said first and second ends of said tether, respectively.

An airbag inflation-controlling member for controlling the shape of an inflatable bag and absorbing forces imposed on the bag during an inflation process;

• said inflation-controlling member comprising a three-piece tether and means for coupling said tether to the bag;
• said tether including a first end piece, a second end piece, and a central piece joining said first end piece to said second end piece;
• said tether also including a releasable connection and a stretchable section, said stretchable section being incorporated into said central piece;
• said releasable connection, when intact, allowing the tether to extend to an initial length, and, when released, allowing the tether to extend from said initial length to an intermediate length greater than said initial length;
• and
• said stretchable section allowing the tether to extend from the intermediate length to a final length greater than said intermediate length.