Simplified restraining tether system for use with a vehicle air bag system
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsScott D. Thomas, Nancy C. Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air bag system includes an inflator, an inflatable cushion having an outer face and inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from the inflator, and a restraining tether system. The restraining tether system includes a first tether attached to the outer face of the inflatable cushion, and a second tether attached to the first tether. The first tether is operable to restrain expansion of the inflatable cushion at a first location and a second location spaced from the first location. At least one of the first and second tethers includes a width-reduced portion having a plurality of fabric layers, thereby increasing strength within the restraining tether system.
Claims17
An air bag system comprising:
- an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;
- an inflatable cushion having an outer face and inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;
- a restraining tether system including:
- a first tether attached to said outer face of said inflatable cushion and operable to restrain expansion of said inflatable cushion at a first location and a second location spaced from said first location;
- a second tether attached to said first tether;
- wherein at least one of said first and second tethers includes a width-reduced portion having a plurality of fabric layers, and wherein the other of said first and second tethers is attached with the width-reduced portion to the at least one of said first and second tethers;
- and
- an anchor member, wherein said second tether removably attaches to said anchor member, and wherein said first tether restrains expansion of said inflatable cushion at said first and second locations based on the length of said first and second tethers when said second tether is attached to said anchor member.
An air bag system comprising:
- an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;
- an inflatable cushion having an outer face and inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;
- an anchor member;
- and
- a restraining tether system including:
- a first tether attached to said outer face of said inflatable cushion and operable to variably restrain expansion of said inflatable cushion at a first location and a second location spaced from said first location;
- and
- a second tether attached to said first tether and removably attached to said anchor member;
- wherein said first tether restrains expansion of said inflatable cushion at said first and second locations based on the length of said first and second tethers when said second tether is attached to said anchor member;
- and
- wherein at least one of said first and second tethers includes a width-reduced portion having a plurality of fabric layers, thereby increasing strength within said restraining tether system.
An air bag system comprising:
- an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;
- an inflatable cushion having an outer face and inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;
- a restraining tether system including a first tether attached to said outer face of said inflatable cushion and operable to restrain expansion of said inflatable cushion at a first location and a second location spaced from said first location;
- wherein at least a portion of said first tether forms at least a portion of said outer face of said inflatable cushion;
- and
- an anchor member;
- wherein said restraining tether system further includes a second tether attached to said first tether and removably attached to said anchor member, said first tether restraining expansion at said first and second locations based on the length of said second first and second tethers when said second tether is attached to said anchor member;
- and
- wherein at least one of said first and second tethers includes a width-reduced portion, and wherein the other of said first and second tethers is attached with the width-reduced portion to the at least one of said first and second tethers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.