Releasable tether retention system

1. A releasable tether retention system comprising:

a housing;

a movable member movably mounted within the housing;

a sliding element coupled to the movable member so as to move with the movable member and so as to be extendible to an exterior of the housing to engage a tether,

wherein the movable member has a base portion and a first wall extending from an edge of the base portion in a first direction to define a first cavity, wherein the sliding element has a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, and wherein the first portion is positioned and secured within the first cavity,

and wherein the system further comprises at least one fluid flow passage extending between a first side of the sliding element first portion to a second side of the sliding element first portion opposite the first side, and

wherein the first portion includes a plurality of outwardly extending lobes, and wherein the at least one fluid flow passage is defined by the moving member first wall and a space between adjacent lobes of the plurality of lobes.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the housing for producing a motion of the movable member after activation of the retention system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the movable member has a base portion and a first wall extending from the base portion in a first direction to define the first cavity, and wherein the actuator is mounted in the first cavity.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seal formed between the housing and the sliding element, and sealing a housing opening through which the sliding element extends to the housing exterior.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing includes means structured to limit travel of the movable member within the housing during operation of the tether retention system.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a base structured for attachment to a vehicle, and wherein the housing is mounted to the base.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the movable member has a base portion and a first wall extending from an edge of the base portion in a first direction to define a portion of the first cavity.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a base structured for mounting of the housing thereto, the base including a protrusion formed therein and configured for receiving a portion of a tether therein.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the protrusion includes at least one wall portion with at least one opening formed therein, and wherein the at least one opening(s) is sized so as to enable a portion of the sliding element to be inserted therein.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein an edge of the at least one opening is structured to provide a bearing surface for a portion of the sliding element when the sliding element is inserted into the at least one opening.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the protrusion includes a pair of opposed wall portions in which a pair of associated coaxial openings are formed, wherein the openings are sized so as to enable a portion of sliding element to be inserted therein, and wherein the wall portions are spaced apart so as to permit the sliding element to span the protrusion and extend into both of openings prior to actuation of the system to release the tether.

12. A vehicle incorporating a tether retention system in accordance with claim 1 .

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing includes an opening through which the sliding element is extendible from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing, and a tapered portion defining a cavity adjacent the opening; and

a seal positioned in the cavity so as to abut the tapered portion and the retention member prior to activation of the system.

14. A vehicle occupant protection system incorporating a tether retention system in accordance with claim 1 .

15. A releasable tether retention system comprising:

a housing;

a movable member mounted in the housing so as to be movable along an axis; and

a tether retention member secured to the movable member so as to move with the movable member, the retention member having a first portion including at least one opening enabling fluid flow from a first side of the first portion to a second side of the first portion opposite the first side,

wherein the movable member is structured to direct a flow of fluid exiting the at least one opening toward the axis.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the first portion is secured to the movable member by a portion of the movable member structured to direct a flow of fluid exiting the at least one opening and impinging upon the portion of the movable member toward the axis.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the housing includes an opening through which the retention member is extendible from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing, and a tapered portion defining a cavity adjacent the opening; and

a seal positioned in the cavity so as to abut the tapered portion and the retention member prior to activation of the system.

18. A vehicle occupant protection system incorporating a tether retention system in accordance with claim 15 .