Patent ID: 7083192
Filing Date: 2006-08-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition; a vent opening for directing flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device; a vent member movable relative to said vent opening between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device through said vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device through said vent opening; a tether associated with said protection device and said vent member, said tether, when tensioned, moving said vent member from the open condition to the closed condition; latching means having a latched condition for maintaining said vent member in the closed condition, said latching means also having an unlatched condition for preventing said vent member from remaining in the closed condition; and control means operative to actuate said latching means selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.