Side curtain airbag and method and apparatus for manufacturing a side curtain airbag

• US 10,040,417 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nxgen Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Nxgen Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Fink, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freedman, Laura
• Application Number:
  US14/115,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20140125040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,288 Days
• Field of Search: 2807302
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23509 Fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23514 coated fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23538 Sewing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23561 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23576 Sewing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 13/00 Machines for sewing sacks
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 23/00 Sewing apparatus or machines not otherwise provided for for making zip closures A44B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 27/04 arranged above the workpieces
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 35/02 for facilitating seaming; Hem-turning elements; Hemmers D05B35/062 takes precedence

Abstract

An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is provided, the inflatable cushion having a first portion of material; a second portion of material, the first portion of material being secured to the second portion of material to define the inflatable cushion; wherein at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the inflatable cushion is defined by a seam wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and wherein a strip of a third portion of material is applied to the seam of an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion when the plurality of stitches are applied.

Claims

1. An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle, the inflatable cushion, comprising:

a first portion of material;

a second portion of material, the first portion of material being secured to the second portion of material to define the inflatable cushion;

wherein at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the inflatable cushion is defined by a seam wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and

wherein a ribbon strip of a third portion of material is simultaneously secured to the seam on an outer surface of either only the first portion or only the second portion only by the plurality of stitches and wherein the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is continuously fed from a spool as the plurality of stitches are applied, wherein a ribbon strip of a fourth portion of material is simultaneously secured to the seam on an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion opposite the ribbon strip of the third portion of material by the plurality of stitches, the ribbon strip of the fourth portion of material being completely separate from the ribbon strip of the third portion of material and wherein the ribbon strip of the fourth portion of material is secured to the seam only by the plurality of stitches.

2. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein the ribbon strip of the fourth portion is continuously fed from a spool as the plurality of stitches are applied.

3. The inflatable cushion as in claim 2, wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated.

4. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein the ribbon strip of the third portion of material and the ribbon strip of the fourth portion of material is a coated fabric.

5. The inflatable cushion as in claim 4, wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated.

6. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein a width of the ribbon strip of the third portion of material and a width of the ribbon strip of the fourth portion of material is no greater than ½

of an inch, wherein the width is defined as a distance extending across a surface of the first portion of material or a surface of the second portion of material.

7. The inflatable cushion as in claim 6, wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated.

8. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein a width of the strip of the third portion of material and a width of the strip of the fourth portion of material is no greater than ⅜

of an inch, wherein the width is defined as a distance extending across a surface of the first portion of material or a surface of the second portion of material.

9. The inflatable cushion as in claim 8, wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated.

10. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated.

11. The inflatable cushion as in claim 10, wherein the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is located on a needle side of the seam.

12. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is located on a needle side of the seam.

13. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is a coated fabric.

14. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein a width of the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is no greater than ½

of an inch, wherein the width is defined as a distance extending across a surface of the first portion of material or a surface of the second portion of material.

15. The inflatable cushion as in claim 14, wherein the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is located on a needle side of the seam.

16. The inflatable cushion as in claim 15, wherein the inflatable cushion maintains an internal pressure in a range of greater than 10 KPa for at least 6 seconds after the inflatable cushion is inflated.

17. The inflatable cushion as in claim 16, wherein a width of the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is no greater than ⅜

of an inch, wherein the width is defined as a distance extending across a surface of the first portion of material or a surface of the second portion of material.

18. The inflatable cushion as in claim 1, wherein a width of the ribbon strip of the third portion of material is no greater than ⅜

of an inch, wherein the width is defined as a distance extending across a surface of the first portion of material or a surface of the second portion of material.