Patent ID: 8414021
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A head-protecting airbag apparatus mountable on a vehicle having a window, the airbag apparatus comprising an airbag adapted to be housed in an upper edge of the window in a folded-up configuration and deployable downward for covering an inboard side of the window when fed with an inflation gas, the airbag including: an inflatable shielding section that is adapted to be secured to a member of a vehicle body structure by an upper edge thereof in the upper edge of the window and covers the window at full airbag deployment; a supporting inflatable region that is in gas communication with the shielding section and deployable between an outboard side of a vicinity of an upper end of the shielding section and the member of the vehicle body structure in at least an upper area of the window, the supporting inflatable region inflating after the shielding section does and supporting the outboard side of the vicinity of the upper end of the shielding section; and delaying means that delays inflation of the supporting inflatable region relative to the shielding section, wherein the airbag further includes a communication channel that is generally tubular in shape and makes the supporting inflatable region communicate with the shielding section; in the airbag in a flattened and developed state before assembling into the airbag apparatus, the supporting inflatable region adjoins the shielding section having the communication channel interposed there between and the supporting inflatable region is folded over the outboard side of the shielding section on a crease that cuts across the communication channel; the delaying means is located in an area of the communication channel, and the delaying means is comprised of a turn-round region that is formed on the communication channel by said folding of the supporting inflatable region over the shielding section; the shielding section includes: in the airbag in the flattened and developed state before assembling into the airbag apparatus, the communication channel protrudes upward from the upper edge of the shielding section above the gas feed channel; and the airbag further includes a plurality of mounting portions that are arranged along a front and rear direction on the upper edge of the shielding section for mounting the upper edge of the shielding section on the member of the vehicle body structure, the plurality of mounting portions being arranged to project upward from the upper edge of the shielding section.