Side and seat-back airbag

• US 10,155,495 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2014
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Jaradi, Dean M., Faruque, Mohammed Omar
• Primary Examiner(s): English, James A
• Application Number:
  US14/319,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20150375706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,632 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

An airbag has a main panel and at least one side panels that is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from the main panel when the airbag is inflated. At least one inflator is arranged to inflate all of the panels. The airbag, e.g., via the main panel, may be secured to a back of a vehicle seat.

Claims

1. An airbag system, comprising:

an airbag having a main panel and two side panels, each of the side panels arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from the main panel when the airbag is inflated; and

at least one inflator that is arranged to inflate all of the panels;

wherein the main panel of the airbag is stitched to a back of the vehicle seat.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side panels are not secured to the back of the vehicle seat.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side panels are rolled and disposed along the respective sides of the vehicle seat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side panels extend in a forward direction with respect to a vehicle interior when the airbag is inflated.

5. A restraint system for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle seat;

an airbag secured to a back side of the vehicle seat, the airbag having a main panel and at least one side panel arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from the main panel when the airbag is inflated; and

at least one inflator that is arranged to inflate all the panels;

wherein the main panel of the airbag is stitched to a back of the vehicle seat.

6. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the at least one side panel is not secured to the back of the vehicle seat.

7. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the at least one side panel is rolled and disposed along the respective sides of the vehicle seat.

8. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the at least one side panel extends in a forward direction with respect to a vehicle interior when the airbag is inflated.

9. The restraint system of claim 5, further comprising a controller that is programmed to signal the inflator to inflate the airbag.