Active bolster

• US 10,315,608 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABC Technologies Inc. (SAS Institute Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ABC Technologies Inc. (SAS Institute Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sadr, Changize, Totonchian, Ali, Best, Michael, Ciplijauskas, Rimas, Roychoudhury, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M
• Application Number:
  US15/654,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20180037186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0407 using gas or liquid as energy absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/132 Roll bars for convertible vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2074 in head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23146 seat mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23176 specially adapted for foot protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting the occupant in a roll-over situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23519 Resin for coating fabric B60R2021/23514
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0428 associated with the side doors or panels, e.g. displaced towards the occupants in case of a side collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/13 Roll-over protection electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 : in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 : Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 : Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 : specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 : characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 : characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle rollover bar bolster system for mounting on a vehicle rollover bar, the bolster system comprising:

at least one bolster having an expansible hollow interior;

an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior;

a radially outer wall for projecting outwardly away from the vehicle rollover bar on inflation of the expansible hollow interior; and

a radially inner wall for attachment to the vehicle rollover bar, the radially inner wall being located between the expansible hollow interior and the vehicle rollover bar,

wherein the radially outer wall is pleated to facilitate expansion of the expansible hollow interior and the outward projection of the radially outer wall.

2. The bolster system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one bolster comprises two bolsters arranged to cover the rollover bar circumferentially.

3. The bolster system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a covering layer that holds the at least one bolster about the vehicle rollover bar.

4. The bolster system as defined in claim 3, wherein the covering layer is tubular in form, and includes a longitudinally extending opening, permitting the covering layer to be fitted over the at least one bolster located on the vehicle rollover bar.

5. The bolster system as defined in claim 4, wherein the covering layer includes one or more connectors to permit the opening to be closed.

6. The bolster system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one bolster is formed of a polyolefin material.

7. The bolster system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one bolster is formed of a polypropylene material.

8. The bolster system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one bolster is manufactured in a blow-molding operation.