Patent ID: 7243940
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A method for folding an inflatable cushion of a side airbag device to form a folded inflatable cushion that includes a packet of parallel pleats comprising a first end pleat, a second end pleat and a series of middle pleats disposed therebetween, said method comprising: providing a securement end of said inflatable cushion; creating the first end pleat adjacent to said securement end, said first end pleat and said securement end defining one side of the folded inflatable cushion; creating a traversing portion extending from said first end pleat, said traversing portion defining another side of the folded inflatable cushion; creating the second end pleat extending from the traversing portion such that the first end pleat and the second end pleat are spaced apart by the traversing portion; creating said middle pleats extending from the second end pleat towards the first end pleat; said middle pleats including a final middle pleat adjacent to the first end pleat positioning an end portion extending from the final middle pleat toward the second end pleat opposite the traversing portion and disposed about the second end pleat, said end portion defining another two sides of the folded inflatable cushion, wherein said end portion is the first portion of said inflatable cushion to deploy when the inflatable cushion is inflated.