US 9,004,531 B1 · Releasable tether retention system

Abstract

The present invention incorporates a tether release system within a conventional airbag system or a conventional vehicle occupant protection system. Release of an associated tether may simultaneously open a vent on an associated airbag. A housing contains an actuator contained within the housing for actuation of the tether release system upon receipt of a crash detection signal, for example. A first moving member is configured for receipt of a propulsive force emanating from the actuator upon actuation of the tether release system. A movable tether release member is contained within the housing wherein the movable tether release member operably communicates with the first moving member upon actuation of the tether release system, for release of an associated tether.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A tether release system comprising:

a housing containing a first end and a second end, and an axial bore;
a first movable member contained within said housing, and adapted to slidably travel within said axial bore upon actuation of said tether release system;
a second movable member adapted to operably communicate with said first movable member upon actuation of said tether release system;
an actuator fixed within said first end of said housing and adapted to operably communicate with said first movable member upon actuation of said tether release system;
and
a tether retainer formed within said system and adapted to operably communicate with said second movable member upon actuation of said system,
wherein said second movable member is rotatably actuated upon actuation of said tether release system, and
wherein said second movable member is configured to release an associated tether upon actuation of said tether release system.

5 more elements

A releasable tether retention system comprising:

a housing;
a retention mechanism operably coupled to the housing;
and
a first movable element mounted within the housing and operatively coupled to the retention mechanism such that the retention mechanism is actuatable by movement of the first movable element from a first position to a second position,
wherein the retention mechanism is configured to secure a tether thereto when the first movable element is in the first position,
and wherein at least a portion of the retention mechanism is configured to rotate so as to release the tether upon movement of the first movable element from the first position to the second position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Releasable tether retention system

Life of this patent

Releasable tether retention system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13