Patent ID: 6758492
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An air bag restraint system for a transportation vehicle, the restraint system comprising:an inflatable curtain including a gas inlet, an upper edge, a lower edge and a perimeter, wherein the inflatable curtain is adapted to inflate away from a vehicle roof line in covering relation to a side portion of the vehicle upon introduction of an inflation gas; and a gas emitting inflator in fluid communication with the gas inlet, wherein the inflatable curtain includes an inflatable flow channel in fluid communication with the gas inlet, the inflatable flow channel extending at least partially around the inflatable curtain in a path inboard of the perimeter such that at least a potion of the inflation gas is communicated through the inflatable flow channel and along the lower edge, wherein the inflatable flow channel is bounded by a flow barrier disposed between the inflatable flow channel and an interior portion of the inflatable curtain, wherein the flow barrier is discontinuous along the length of the inflatable flow channel so as define a plurality of gas passages between the inflatable flow channel and the interior portion of the inflatable curtain, such that at least a portion of the inflation gas is communicated through the inflatable flow channel and into the interior portion of the inflatable curtain through said plurality of gas passages.