초록 ▼

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is inflatable away from a vehicle roof (28) into a position extending along a vehicle side structure (16) between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (2

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is inflatable away from a vehicle roof (28) into a position extending along a vehicle side structure (16) between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflation fluid rotates an impeller (180) which moves a tensioning member (154) in a linear direction. A flexible elongated member (54) has a first end (70) connected to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and an opposite second end (72) connected to the tensioning member (154). The flexible elongated member (54) is connected to the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The flexible elongated member (54) is tensioned by the tensioning member (154) when the tensioning member moves in the linear direction. The flexible elongated member (54) resists movement of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) away from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) when the vehicle occupant protection device is inflated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.] Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle which has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle occupant protection device which is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the

[ Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.] Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle which has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle occupant protection device which is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device when inflated extending along the side structure of the vehicle;an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said vehicle occupant protection device;a tensioning member which is movable in a linear direction;an impeller rotatable by said inflation fluid about an axis to move said tensioning member in said linear direction; anda flexible elongated member having a first end connected to the side structure of the vehicle at a first location and an opposite second end connected to said tensioning member, said flexible elongated member being connected to said vehicle occupant protection device;said flexible elongated member being tensioned by said tensioning member when said tensioning member moves in said linear direction, said flexible elongated member resisting movement of said vehicle occupant protection device away from the side structure of the vehicle when said vehicle occupant protection device is inflated.