Motor vehicle occupant safety device

• US 20010028161A1
• Filed: 05/29/2001
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Larry D. Hoagland
• Original Assignee: Larry D. Hoagland
• Inventors: Hoagland, Larry D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,364,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/192 Yieldable or collapsible columns
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/197 incorporating devices for preventing ingress of the steering column into the passengers space in case of accident

Abstract

A motor vehicle occupant safety device has a canister of inflator gas secured outside the passenger compartment. At least one air bag is connected to the source, and at least a portion of the air bag is stowed in the “A” pillar generally laterally relative to the passenger-side occupant prior to collision. An airtight frangible seal separates the source from the air bag. Upon collision, an electrical signal causes the seal to rupture which allows the pressurized gas to flow freely into the air bag. As the bag inflates, it moves laterally across the front of the occupant rather than toward him producing a cushion in front of the occupant. There is also a novel air bag formed from an inner bag and an outer bag.

Claims

1. For use in a vehicle with an occupant compartment and having collision sensing means connected thereto for producing a signal in response to a collision, a motor vehicle occupant safety device comprising:

a source of inflator gas;

at least one air bag connected to the source and stowed in a first position generally laterally relative to an occupant prior to collision, wherein at least a portion of said air bag is stowed in a pillar prior to collision; and

,

an airtight seal separating the source from the air bag, wherein upon collision the signal causes fracturing means to fracture the seal allotting the pressurized gas to flow freely into the air bag, thereby defining a cushion in front of the occupant.

2. A method of deploying an air bag connected inside an occupant compartment of a vehicle for protecting an occupant in response to a collision, which comprises:

providing an air bag, wherein at least a portion of said air bag is stowed in a pillar prior to collision, and inflating the air bag with inflator gas, wherein the air bag inflates generally laterally relative to the occupant from a first stowed position to a second inflated position, thereby defining a cushion in front of the occupant.