Dual cushion passenger airbag
First Claim
1. A passenger airbag assembly comprising:
- a first cushion;
a second cushion;
a housing that is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion, and an inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion, the inflator mechanism being constructed to begin the inflation of the first cushion prior to beginning the inflation of the second cushion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A passenger airbag assembly having a first cushion and a second cushion is disclosed. An inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion may also be added. The inflator mechanism may either be a dual stage inflator or two separate inflators. Preferably, the airbag assembly is designed such that the inflator mechanism begins the inflation of the first cushion prior to beginning the inflation of the second cushion. A housing may also be added to the airbag assembly. The housing encloses the inflator mechanism and is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion. The airbag assembly may be designed such that when the first cushion and the second cushion are inflated, the second cushion is positioned between the first cushion and the vehicle'"'"'s windshield. Furthermore, the airbag assembly may also be made such that when the first cushion is inflated, the first cushion will push a vehicle occupant towards the vehicle'"'"'s passenger seat.
67 Citations
85 Claims
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1. A passenger airbag assembly comprising:
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a first cushion;
a second cushion;
a housing that is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion, and an inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion, the inflator mechanism being constructed to begin the inflation of the first cushion prior to beginning the inflation of the second cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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17. A passenger airbag assembly as in claim 17 wherein a top portion of the first cushion is connected to a top portion of the second cushion.
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30. A passenger airbag assembly comprising:
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a first cushion;
a second cushion;
a housing that is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion, the housing including a divider plate; and
an inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion, the inflator mechanism being constructed to begin the inflation of the first cushion prior to beginning the inflation of the second cushion. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A passenger airbag assembly comprising:
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a first cushion;
a second cushion;
a housing that is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion, and an inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion, the airbag assembly being constructed such that when the first cushion is inflated, the second cushion will push the first cushion away from the vehicle'"'"'s windshield and into a position that is capable of restraining the movement of a vehicle occupant. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A passenger airbag assembly comprising:
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a first cushion;
a second cushion;
a housing that is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion, and an inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion, the airbag assembly being constructed such that when the first cushion and the second cushion are inflated, the second cushion is positioned between the windshield and the first cushion. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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69. A passenger airbag assembly comprising:
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a first cushion;
a second cushion;
a housing that is attached to the first cushion and the second cushion, and an inflator mechanism that independently inflates the first cushion and the second cushion, the airbag assembly being constructed such that the second cushion will not impact a vehicle occupant until after the second cushion has been fully inflated and deployed. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78)
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79. A method for restraining the movement of a vehicle occupant using an airbag assembly having a first cushion and a second cushion positioned within a vehicle dashboard, the method comprising:
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inflating the first cushion is a substantially vertical direction; and
inflating the second cushion, wherein the inflation of the second pushes the first cushion away from the vehicle'"'"'s windshield and into a position that is capable of restraining the movement of the vehicle occupant. - View Dependent Claims (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
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Specification