Patent ID: 6435554
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:a knee bolster movable in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent to an instrument panel of the vehicle to an actuated position to engage a knee of the occupant of the vehicle; an inflatable device for moving said knee bolster from the stored position to the actuated position, said inflatable device inflating in a first direction toward the knee of the vehicle occupant; an actuatable inflator for inflating said inflatable device; and a flexible tether for limiting movement of said knee bolster in said first direction and positioning said knee bolster in the actuated position, said tether having a surface engaging an exterior surface of a central portion of said inflatable device, said tether restricting inflation of said central portion of said inflatable device during inflation and while inflated, said inflatable device inflating laterally in the vehicle due to said tether restricting said central portion of said inflatable device, said inflatable device when inflated having lateral portions inflated laterally of said tether and transverse to said surface of said central portion, said tether including side edge portions that engage said lateral portions and thereby limit movement of said inflatable device relative to said tether in directions transverse to said first direction.