Inflator for safety belt movable within inflator guide structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inflatable safety belt comprising:
- an inflatable torso belt having a portion disposed within an enclosure;
an inflator disposed within a first end of the inflatable torso belt, wherein said inflator is in fluid communication with the inflatable torso belt;
a webbing connected at a first end to the first end of the inflatable torso belt, wherein a second end of the webbing is associated with a retractor; and
a guide arrangement, wherein the guide arrangement is secured around the inflator and a second portion of the inflatable torso belt and slideably disposed within the enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable safety belt system having an inflatable torso section, an inflator, and a guide arrangement. An elongated housing holds the inflator and a portion of the inflatable safety belt while also allowing the inflator and belt to move along the elongated length of the housing. Skids, wheels, and other structures guide the inflator as it moves through the housing to prevent it from generating excessive frictional drag, unwanted noise, and vibration.
28 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An inflatable safety belt comprising:
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an inflatable torso belt having a portion disposed within an enclosure;
an inflator disposed within a first end of the inflatable torso belt, wherein said inflator is in fluid communication with the inflatable torso belt;
a webbing connected at a first end to the first end of the inflatable torso belt, wherein a second end of the webbing is associated with a retractor; and
a guide arrangement, wherein the guide arrangement is secured around the inflator and a second portion of the inflatable torso belt and slideably disposed within the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for protecting a passenger in a vehicle during a collision comprising:
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an occupant seat;
an inflatable belt;
an elongated enclosure associated with the occupant seat;
an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable belt, wherein the inflator is housed within the elongated enclosure and may move in the elongated direction of the enclosure; and
an inflator guide arrangement, wherein the guide arrangement allows the inflator to move within the elongated enclosure without substantial frictional forces or interference between the inflator unit and the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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18. An inflatable safety belt system comprising:
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an occupant seat;
an inflatable safety belt;
an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable safety belt;
an elongated enclosure associated with the seat and having an interior wall surface, wherein the inflator is housed within the elongated enclosure and may move in the elongated direction of the enclosure; and
reduced friction members on the enclosure interior wall surface define a pathway through which the inflator unit passes as it reciprocates, wherein the pathway is slightly larger in cross section than the cross section of the inflator.
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19. An inflatable safety belt comprising:
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an inflatable torso belt having a portion disposed within an enclosure;
a webbing connected at a first end with a retractor;
an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable torso belt; and
a guide arrangement, wherein the guide arrangement is secured around the inflator and slideably disposed within the enclosure.
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Specification