Curtain air bag module
AssigneeKey Safety Systems, Inc.
InventorsJeffery S. Coon, Chang-Hwan Ju
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A curtain air bag module (100) comprising and air bag (102) having at least one inflatable region with internally configured internal tethers and a deflector or ramp locatable above a B-pillar trim part and loosely mounted to the vehicle and to the trim part.
Claims18
A combination of a deflector or ramp (230, 230a) for use in conjunction with an air bag module (100), the module comprising an air bag (102), the air bag when folded is configured to be placed proximate a roof rail (22) of a vehicle (24), the vehicle including a trim part (32a) covering a pillar (32) of the vehicle (24),
- the ramp comprising a body (235) having a hollow cross-section, the body including a flexible top wall (231), a rear wall (232), a bottom (233) and a flexible front wall (234), the top wall configured to hold the front wall in place prior to inflation of the air bag, the top wall and front wall configured to permit the front wall to slide out from under the top wall as the air bag inflates;
- and
- at least one flexible tab (260) which is part of the air bag and which extends through the ramp to loosely suspend or loosely tether the ramp to the vehicle.
A combination of a deflector or ramp (230, 230a) for use in conjunction with an air bag module (100), the module comprising an air bag (102), the air bag when folded is configured to be placed proximate a roof rail (22) of a vehicle (24), and above a trim part (32a) covering a pillar (32) of a vehicle (24), the air bag including at least one tab (260) extending from the air bag and through the ramp to loosely tether the ramp to the vehicle,
- the ramp comprising a body (235) having a hollow cross-section, the body including a flexible top wall (231) with an opening to receive the tab, a rear wall (232), a bottom (233) and a flexible front wall (234), the front wall configured to face the interior of the vehicle, prior to the inflation of the air bag;
- the front wall is located behind a portion of the top wall with the air bag extending through the hollow body, the front wall being separable from the top wall by action of the inflating air bag, the front wall movable by the inflating air bag to a position on a top portion of the trim part (32a) to prevent the inflating air bag from being damaged by the top of the trim part, the ramp including an opening (231a) through which the air bag tab extends.
A curtain air bag module for protecting occupants of a vehicle, the module comprising an air bag and a deflector or ramp, the vehicle having a passenger compartment and a pillar covered by a trim part, the trim part having an upper edge in proximity to the folded air bag and ramp,
- the air bag comprising at least one inflatable region, the air bag includable from its folded state to an inflated state extending into the passenger compartment and adjacent the trim part, the air bag including at least one flexible tab extending from a top of the air bag, the tab configured to be secured to the vehicle,
- the deflector or ramp configured to be placed about the folded air bag and located above a pillar trim part and suspended by the air bag tab, the ramp including an opening to receive the air bag tab, the deflector or ramp further including a flexible front wall that is movable upon inflation of the air bag from a first position adjacent the folded air bag to an active position atop the trim part;
- wherein the top of the ramp includes a downward turned portion having an unsecured or free end and wherein an end of the front side of the ramp is locatable behind the downward turned portion prior to inflation of the air bag with the free end proximate the end of the front side and upon inflation of the air bag, the inflating air bag front side is configured to move or rotate away from the downward turned portion and covers a top of the trim part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.