Inflatable windshield curtain

US7296822B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Ali Emam Bakhsh · Rochester Hills, US
• Al A. Saberan · New Baltimore, US
• Ayad Nayef · Midland, US
• Suk Jae Ham · Rochester Hills, US
• Rico Scott Bertossi · Port Huron, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 7, 2003
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2007
• Expiry date: Mar 7, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/2617
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable windshield curtain (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (40) to a position between the windshield (50) and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes overlying panels (80 and 82) interconnected to define an inflatable volume (110) of the windshield curtain. The windshield curtain (14) includes a pleated portion in which at least one of the panels (80 and 82) has portions folded over to form at least one pleat (150) in the panel. In one embodiment, the windshield curtain (14) includes connections (154 and 180) that interconnect overlying folded portions of the at least one panel (80 and 82) along the at least one pleat (150). Portions of the at least one pleat between the connections (150 and 180) are unfoldable to allow expansion of the pleated portion upon inflation of the windshield curtain (14).