Patent ID: 9174603
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant, the protection device comprising a front panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition; a vent having at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; a tether having a first segment connected to the vent and the front panel of the protection device for actuating the vent and a second segment connected to the front panel and a rear portion of the protection device; and tear stitching connecting portions of the second segment of the tether and forming a slackened portion of the tether by extending through the second segment at a location where the second segment is doubled over onto itself, the tear stitching remaining intact such that the first segment is slackened and the vent is maintained in the non-actuated condition in response to initial deployment of the protection device below a predetermined degree, further deployment of the protection device to the predetermined degree causing the tear stitching to rupture and release the slackened portion which allows the first segment of the tether to tension and act on the vent to place the vent in the actuated condition.