Head-protecting airbag device

• US 20050046160A1
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanase, Toshinori, Okada, Masayasu, Totani, Chiharu
• Granted Patent: US 7,172,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• 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 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

An airbag of the head-protecting airbag device according to the present invention pushes and opens a door portion in a lower edge of an airbag cover, when fed with inflation gas, and protrudes for covering side windows. An assist grip is located in an arrangement area of the airbag cover. The assist grip is secured to vehicle body together with the airbag cover at its fixing portions located in both ends of its grip portion. The airbag cover is provided around each of portions fixed to the vehicle body together with the fixing portions with a breakable portion. When pushed by the inflating airbag, the breakable portion is broken to shift a portion of the airbag cover located toward the door portion inward of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A head-protecting airbag device comprising:

an airbag folded and housed in upper periphery of side windows inside a vehicle, the airbag being deployable to cover the side windows when fed with inflation gas;

an airbag cover for covering a vehicle'"'"'s interior side of the folded airbag, the airbag cover including a door portion openable upon airbag deployment in a lower edge thereof; and

an assist grip located in an arrangement area of the airbag cover, the assist grip including a grip portion and fixing portions located at both ends of the grip portion, wherein;

the assist grip is secured to vehicle body together with the airbag cover at the fixing portions;

the airbag cover is provided around each of portions fixed to the vehicle body together with the fixing portions of the assist grip with a breakable portion;

whereby, when pushed by the inflating airbag, the breakable portion is broken to shift a portion of the airbag cover located toward the door portion inward of the vehicle.

2. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1 further comprising a functional part secured to the vehicle body together with the airbag cover and located between the fixing portions of the assist grip, wherein the breakable portion is arranged from outer edges of the fixing portions of the assist grip to a lower edge of the functional part, so that the breakable portion has a substantially U shape as viewed from the vehicle inner side.

3. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 2, wherein:

more than one assist grips are located along front-rear direction of the vehicle, and

the functional part is located in at least one of the assist grips.

4. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cover is constituted by a roof side rail garnish arranged along front-rear direction in a band shape in a roof side rail of the vehicle between the side windows and a roof head lining, separately from the roof head lining.

5. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the airbag cover is constituted by a roof side rail garnish arranged along front-rear direction in a band shape in a roof side rail of the vehicle between the side windows and a roof head lining, separately from the roof head lining.

6. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the airbag cover is constructed of more than one parts split up in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

7. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the airbag cover is constructed of more than one parts split up in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

8. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cover is a part of a roof head lining.

9. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the airbag cover is a part of a roof head lining.