Patent · US Expired

Inflatable curtain with anchor device

US6435545B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
8References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2000
Grant dateAug 20, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2021/161
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from a vehicle roof (18) between a vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) further comprises an anchoring device (70) that comprises a track (72) and an element (74) that is slidable along the track. The track (72) is connected to the side structure (16) and has a wall (82, 200) comprising a smooth uninterrupted surface (94, 202). The element (74) is connected to the device (14) and has a surface (130, 242) that is in continuous engagement with the surface (94, 202) of the wall (82, 200). The device (14) applies a first force to the element (74) which causes the element to slide in a first direction along the track (72). The element (74) is urged to slide along the track (72) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, when a second force is applied to the element. The surface (130, 242) of the element (74) engages the surface (94, 202) of the wall (82, 200) to block the element from sliding in the second direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.