The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 05, 2000
Thomas Osentoski, Marysville, MI (US);
John P. Wallner, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) inflatable away from a vehicle roof ( ) between a vehicle side structure ( ) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus ( ) further comprises an anchoring device ( ) that comprises a track ( ) and an element ( ) that is slidable along the track. The track ( ) is connected to the side structure ( ) and has a wall ( ) comprising a smooth uninterrupted surface ( ). The element ( ) is connected to the device ( ) and has a surface ( ) that is in continuous engagement with the surface ( ) of the wall ( ). The device ( ) applies a first force to the element ( ) which causes the element to slide in a first direction along the track ( ). The element ( ) is urged to slide along the track ( ) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, when a second force is applied to the element. The surface ( ) of the element ( ) engages the surface ( ) of the wall ( ) to block the element from sliding in the second direction.