US 11,993,219 B2
Roof mounted occupant safety system
Kurt F. Fischer, Rochester, MI (US); Douglas M. Gould, Lake Orion, MI (US); Hylus Ranjit Raj Jayakar, Shelby Township, MI (US); and Gabriela Diaz, Sterling Heights, MI (US)
Assigned to ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC., Washington, MI (US)
Appl. No. 17/786,098
Filed by ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc., Washington, MI (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 22, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/056740
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 16, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/126363, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/951,014, filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0026681 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 21/214 (2011.01); B60R 21/00 (2006.01); B60R 21/232 (2011.01); B60R 21/2338 (2011.01)
CPC B60R 21/214 (2013.01) [B60R 21/232 (2013.01); B60R 2021/0048 (2013.01); B60R 2021/23386 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a roof and a cabin with a seat for the occupant, comprising:
an airbag configured to be deployed from the roof of the vehicle, the airbag comprising a front panel configured to face the occupant and a rear panel configured to face away from the occupant; and
an external tether having ends connected to the rear panel on an exterior of the airbag, the external tether having a length measured between the ends that is shorter than a length of the rear panel extending between the connections of the external tether to the rear panel so as to cause the airbag to have a curved portion when inflated and deployed, the curved portion being configured to face convexly toward the occupant, wherein the airbag has an upper end portion configured to be connected to the vehicle roof, and an opposite lower end portion configured to be received in a lap/hip region of the occupant so that the lower end portion is blocked from forward movement in response to occupant penetration by upper legs of the occupant.