| 摘要 |
An apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant ( 16 ) of a vehicle ( 12 ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) that is inflatable to an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. The protection device ( 14 ) includes a panel ( 88 ) of material that helps define an inflatable volume ( 26 ) of the protection device. The panel ( 88 ) includes a vent opening ( 52 ) that has an open condition for venting inflation fluid from the inflatable volume ( 26 ). The vent opening ( 52 ) is in the open condition during initial deployment of the protection device ( 14 ). A channel ( 68 ) encircles the vent opening ( 52 ). The channel ( 68 ) is at least partially defined by a peripheral portion ( 62 ) of the panel ( 88 ) that extends along a periphery ( 54 ) of the vent opening ( 52 ). A tether ( 80 ) has a portion ( 84 ) that extends through the channel ( 68 ). The tether ( 80 ) draws together the peripheral portion ( 62 ) of the panel ( 88 ) to reduce the size of the vent opening ( 52 ) when the protection device ( 14 ) deploys a predetermined distance toward the inflated condition.
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