Vented air bag

US8186713B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Kurt F. Fischer · Leonard, US
• Heather R. Kramer · Chesterfield Township, US
• Alberto Rodriguez · Rochester Hills, US
• Amit Sharma · Palo Alto, US
• John G. Bauer · Troy, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 7, 2006
• Grant date: May 29, 2012
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/205
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that includes panel (100) of material that helps define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. A vent opening (104) vents inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (54). A pleat (120) is folded in the panel (100). The pleat (120) is positioned against a vehicle surface (62) while the protection device (14) is in a normally deployed condition to help block inflation fluid from venting through the vent opening (104).