Airbag module having variable tether system

Abstract

A variable tether system adapted for use in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module having a first pair of tether elements each having a first end and a second end, the first ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion and the second ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion, the first ends each being secured to the inflatable cushion at positions remote from the second ends and the second ends being secured to the inflatable cushion at a location closer to an inflation opening of the inflatable cushion than the first ends, wherein each of the first pair of tether elements has a portion between each of the first and second ends which is not secured to the inflatable cushion; and a second pair of tether elements each having a first side and a second side, the first side of one of said second pair of tether elements being secured to a portion of one of the first pair of tether elements and the first side of the other one of the second pair of tether elements being secured to the portion of the other one of the first pair of tether elements and the second sides are configured for being releasably secured to an actuation mechanism.

1 . A variable tether system adapted for use in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: 
 a first pair of tether elements each having a first end and a second end, the first ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion and the second ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion, the first ends each being secured to the inflatable cushion at positions remote from the second ends and the second ends being secured to the inflatable cushion at a location closer to an inflation opening of the inflatable cushion than the first ends, wherein each of said first pair of tether elements has a portion between each of the first and second ends which is not secured to the inflatable cushion; and    a second pair of tether elements each having a first side and a second side, the first side of one of said second pair of tether elements being secured to said portion of one of said first pair of tether elements and the first side of the other one of said second pair of tether elements being secured to said portion of the other one of said first pair of tether elements and the second sides of said second pair of tether elements being configured for being releasably secured to an actuation mechanisms    wherein the first side of one of said pair of second tether elements is fixedly secured to the second end of one of said pair of said first tether elements and the first side of the other one of said second tether elements is secured to the second end of the other one of said pair of first tether elements: and    wherein the inflatable cushion is capable of expanding to a first expanded state when said second pair of tether elements are secured to the actuation mechanism and the inflatable cushion is capable of expanding to a second expanded state when said second pair of tether elements are released from the actuation mechanism said second expanded state being larger than said first expanded state.    
     
     
         2 . (Cancelled) The variable tether system as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cushion is capable of expanding to a first expanded state when said second pair of tether elements are secured to the actuation mechanism and the inflatable cushion is capable of expanding to a second expanded state when said second pair of tether elements are released from the actuation mechanism, said second expanded state being larger than said first expanded state.  
     
     
         3 . The variable tether system as in  claim 1 , wherein said first expanded state is defined by preventing expansion of said pair of first tether elements to a fully expanded state, said fully expanded state being defined by the distance between the first end and the second end of each of said pair of first tether elements.  
     
     
         4 . The variable tether system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first side of said pair of second tether elements is slidably secured to said portion.  
     
     
         5 . The variable tether system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first side of said pair of second tether elements is fixedly secured to said portion.  
     
     
         6 . (Cancelled) The variable tether system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first side of one of said pair of second tether elements is fixedly secured to the second end of one of said pair of said first tether elements and the first side of the other one of said second tether elements is secured to the second end of the other one of said pair of first tether elements.