BOLSTER DEPLOYMENT PATTERN

• US 20070108747A1
• Filed: 11/16/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABC Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Salflex Polymers Limited
• Inventors: Sadr, Changize, Ciplijauskas, Rimas, Roychoudhury, Raj, Totonchian, Ali, Best, Michael, Chapman, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/732
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0293 Additional pads or cushions in vehicle compartments, e.g. movably mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/02 Occupant safety arrangements or fittings , e.g. crash pads seat belts with crash pads B60R22/14; removable children's seats having a front guard or barrier B60N2/2839

Abstract

This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.

Claims

1. An inflatable bolster,

said bolster comprising a housing,

said housing defining a substantially closed volume for receiving a fluid under pressure,

said bolster having a source of pressurizing fluid,

said housing defining an occupant face and a mounting face,

said housing having a lateral length L in the direction substantially parallel to said occupant face, wherein said bolster comprises extension structure for extending the lateral length L of said bolster upon pressurization of said bolster.

2. The bolster of claim 1 wherein said bolster is a unitary structure.

3. The bolster of claim 2 wherein said bolster is blow molded.

4. The bolster of claim 2 wherein said bolster comprises at least one first expandable area and said lengthening of said lateral length L occurs, at least in part, by expanding said expandable area.

5. The bolster of claim 4 wherein said first expandable area includes at least one first pleat.

6. The bolster of claim 5 wherein said first expandable area is located adjacent an end face of said bolster.

7. The bolster of claim 6 wherein said at least one first pleat is located on said end face and extends internally of said housing prior to said pressurization and extends externally of said housing after said pressurization.

8. The bolster of claim 4 wherein said housing comprises a main portion and at least one auxiliary portion, said main portion defining said lateral length L and said auxiliary portion extending away from said occupant face, said auxiliary portion comprising, at least in part, said extension structure.

9. The bolster of claim 8 wherein said auxiliary portion moves hingedly relative to said main portion upon said pressurization.

10. The bolster of claim 9 wherein said first expandable area includes at least one first pleat.

11. The bolster of claim 10 wherein said at least one first pleat is located so that upon pressurization of said housing, said pleat facilitates said hinged movement of said auxiliary portion.

12. The bolster of any one of the preceding claims wherein said housing comprises at least one second pleated area for facilitating expansion of said housing upon said pressurization.

13. The bolster of claim 8 wherein said bolster comprises a plurality of said auxiliary portions.

14. The bolster of claim 6 wherein said bolster comprises a second pleated area adjacent a second end face of said bolster.

15. The bolster of claim 8 wherein said bolster further includes flow restriction means for permitting flow of pressurization fluid from said main portion to said auxiliary portion.

16. The bolster of claim 15 wherein said flow restriction means includes at least one hollow rib.

17. The bolster of claim 16 wherein said at least one rib extends generally transversely of said bolster.

18. The bolster of claim 16 wherein said restriction means defines a flow path which is serpentine.

19. The bolster of claim 18 wherein said first expandable area includes at least one first pleat and said flow path extends along said pleat.