Side curtain airbag and method and apparatus for manufacturing a side curtain airbag

Abstract

An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is provided, the inflatable cushion having a first portion of material; a second portion of material, the first portion of material being secured to the second portion of material to define the inflatable cushion; wherein at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the inflatable cushion is defined by a seam wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and wherein a strip of a third portion of material is applied to the seam of an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion when the plurality of stitches are applied.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle, the inflatable cushion, comprising:
 a first portion of material;   a second portion of material, the first portion of material being secured to the second portion of material to define the inflatable cushion;   wherein at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the inflatable cushion is defined by a seam wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches and wherein no adhesives are located between the inner surface of the first portion and the inner surface of the second portion; and   wherein a strip of a third portion of material is simultaneously applied to the seam on an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion when the plurality of stitches are applied and wherein the strip of the third portion of material is secured to the seam only by the plurality of stitches.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 1 , wherein the strip of the third portion of material is fed separately into the seam from a spool. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 1 , wherein a strip of a fourth portion of material is applied to the seam on an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion opposite the third portion of material when the plurality of stitches are applied and wherein the strip of the fourth portion of material is secured to the seam only by the plurality of stitches. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 3 , wherein the strip of the fourth portion of material is fed separately into the seam from another spool. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 3 , wherein the strip of the third portion of material and the strip of the fourth portion of material is a coated fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 3 , wherein a width of the strip of the third portion of material and a width of the strip of the fourth portion of material is no greater than ½ of an inch. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 3 , wherein a width of the strip of the third portion of material and a width of the strip of the fourth portion of material is no greater than ⅜ of an inch. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable cushion as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated. 
     
     
         9 . A method for forming a seam of an inflatable cushion, comprising:
 securing a first portion of material and a second portion of material to define the seam of the inflatable cushion wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and   continuously feeding a strip of material into a sewing machine forming the seam such that the strip of material is secured to an outer surface of either the first portion of material or the second portion of the material of an inflatable cushion.   
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the strip of material is continuously fed into a presser foot assembly of the sewing machine. 
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the strip of material is secured to the outer surface of the first portion of material and another strip of material is continuously fed into the sewing machine such that it is located on the outer surface of the second portion of material opposite the first strip of material and wherein the another strip of material is secured thereto only by the plurality of stitches and wherein no adhesives are used to secure the another strip of material to the second portion of material. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the strip of material is fed into the sewing machine from a spool. 
     
     
         15 . A method for forming a seam of an inflatable cushion, comprising:
 securing a first portion of material and a second portion of material to define the seam of the inflatable cushion wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and   continuously feeding a strip of material into a sewing machine forming the seam such that the strip of material is secured to an outer surface of either the first portion of material or the second portion of the material of an inflatable cushion, wherein no adhesives are used to secure the first portion of material or the second portion of material to each other.   
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the strip of material is continuously fed into a presser foot assembly of the sewing machine. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the strip of material is secured to the outer surface of the first portion of material and another strip of material is continuously fed into the sewing machine such that it is located on the outer surface of the second portion of material opposite the first strip of material and wherein the another strip of material is secured thereto only by the plurality of stitches and wherein no adhesives are used to secure the another strip of material to the second portion of material. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 18 , wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the strip of material is fed into the sewing machine from a spool.