Patent ID: 7377546
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising: an inflatable occupant protection device; a support member having a vent opening extending through the support member; an inflator that is actuatable for providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable occupant protection device; a vent member associated with the vent opening, the vent member initially closing the vent opening, inflation fluid provided by the inflator moving the vent member relative to the support member for enabling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening; and a tether extending between the inflatable occupant protection device and the vent member, the tether being responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device away from the support member by more than a predetermined distance for moving the vent member relative to the support member for reducing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening.