Simplified restraining tether system for use with a vehicle air bag system

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustration of an air bag system including an inflatable cushion mounted to a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a restraining tether system used within an inflatable cushion of the air bag system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a first tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2 attached to pleats formed within the inflatable cushion;

FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of the first tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2 attached to seams of the inflatable cushion;

FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of the first tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2 including an attachment panel attached to the inflatable cushion;

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a first tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 4A folded into a working position;

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a first tether of the restraining system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 5A folded into an intermediate position;

FIG. 5C is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 5A folded into a working position;

FIG. 5D is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 5A folded into an alternative working position;

FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a first tether of the restraining system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 6A folded into an intermediate position;

FIG. 6C is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 6A folded into a second intermediate position;

FIG. 6D is a schematic illustration of the first tether of FIG. 6A folded into a working position;

FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a second tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of the second tether of FIG. 8A folded into an intermediate position;

FIG. 7C is a schematic illustration of the second tether of FIG. 8A folded into a working position;

FIG. 7D is a schematic illustration of the second tether of FIG. 8A folded into an alternative working position;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a second tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a second tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a seventh embodiment of a second tether of the restraining tether system of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a restraining tether system for use with the air bag system of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. 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; anda 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.

2. The air bag system of claim 1, further comprising 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.

3. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said second tether includes an extension tether attached to said inflatable cushion.

4. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said second tether includes an extension loop formed using tear stitching, such that expansion of said inflatable cushion beyond a predetermined depth tears said extension loop, thereby extending the length of said second tether.

5. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said first tether includes a first tether loop, and wherein said second tether includes a second tether loop, and wherein one of said first and second tether loops extends through the other of said first and second tether loops to interconnect said first and second tethers.

6. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said first tether includes a pair of first tether loops, and wherein said second tether includes a pair of second tether loops, and wherein one of said pair of first tether loops connects with one of said pair of second tether loops and the other of said pair of first tether loops connects with the other of said pair of second tether loops, thereby interconnecting said first and second tethers.

7. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said first tether includes a first panel attached to said inflatable cushion at said first location, and a second panel attached to said inflatable cushion at said second location.

8. The air bag system of claim 7, wherein said first tether is a single piece of material defining said first and second panels.

9. The air bag system of claim 7, wherein said first tether further includes an attachment portion interconnecting said first and second panels.

10. The air bag system of claim 9, wherein said attachment portion forms at least a portion of said outer panel of said inflatable cushion.

11. The air bag system of claim 7, wherein said first tether further includes a first tether loop, and wherein said first and second panels each form at least a portion of said first tether loop.

12. The air bag system of claim 7, wherein said first tether further includes a pair of first tether loops, and wherein said first panel forms at least a portion of one of said pair of first tether loops, and said second panel forms at least a portion of the other of said pair of first tether loops.

13. 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; anda 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; anda 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; andwherein 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.

14. The air bag system of claim 13, wherein said first tether includes a first tether loop, and wherein said second tether includes a second tether loop, and wherein one of said first and second tether loops extends through the other of said first and second tether loops to connect said first and second tethers.

15. The air bag system of claim 13, wherein said first tether further includes a first panel attached to said inflatable cushion at a first location, and a second panel attached to said inflatable cushion at a second location, said first and second panels at least partially forming said first tether loop.

16. The air bag system of claim 13, wherein said first tether includes said width-reduced portion, said width-reduced portion defining a first tether loop, and wherein said second tether attaches to said first tether at said first tether loop.

17. The air bag system of claim 13, wherein said second tether includes said width-reduced portion, said width-reduced portion defining one of a second tether loop, wherein said first tether attaches to said second tether at said second tether loop, and an adjustment loop, wherein said second tether attaches to said anchor member at said adjustment loop.

18. 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; anda 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.

19. The air bag system of claim 18, further comprising: 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.

20. The air bag system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second tethers includes a width-reduced portion.