Side airbag intensifier pocket
First Claim
1. An apparatus for assisting and guiding deployment of a side airbag through a deployment seam of a seat cover for a vehicle seat having a seat back frame comprising:
- an airbag assembly connectable to a support portion of a seat back frame and including a side airbag and an inflator, the side airbag operably connected to the inflator for inflation through a deployment seam in a seat cover to be installed on the vehicle seat to at least partially enclose the seat back frame;
an intensifier pocket having an inboard panel and an outboard panel, the inboard panel extending between an interior surface of padding for the vehicle seat and the airbag assembly, each panel having a first peripheral portion connected to opposite edges of the deployment seam in the seat cover to be forced open during inflation of the side airbag, each panel having at least one second peripheral portion extending inwardly toward the seat back frame within the vehicle seat from the deployment seam, the inboard and outboard panels connected to one another along the second peripheral portion, and each panel having a third peripheral portion spaced from the first peripheral portion by the second peripheral portion, the third peripheral portion defining an opening in the pocket of sufficient size to allow the pocket to be positioned over the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame, each panel having at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion; and
an elongate support rod releasably connectable to the seat back frame of the vehicle seat, the support rod engageable through the at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion of each panel for closing and anchoring the opening in the pocket along the third peripheral portion of each panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for assisting and guiding deployment of a side airbag through a deployment seam of a seat cover for a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes an airbag assembly connectable to a support portion of the seat back frame, an intensifier pocket having an inboard and outboard panel, and an elongate support rod releasably connectable to the seat back frame of the vehicle seat for closing and anchoring an opening in the pocket. Each panel has a first peripheral portion connected to opposite edges of the deployment seam in the seat cover to be forced open during inflation of the side airbag, second peripheral portions extending inwardly toward the seat back frame where the inboard and outboard panels are connected to one another, and third peripheral portions defining an opening in the pocket of sufficient size to allow the pocket to be positioned over the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame. The support rod can be engaged through at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion of each panel for closing and anchoring the opening in the pocket.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assisting and guiding deployment of a side airbag through a deployment seam of a seat cover for a vehicle seat having a seat back frame comprising:
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an airbag assembly connectable to a support portion of a seat back frame and including a side airbag and an inflator, the side airbag operably connected to the inflator for inflation through a deployment seam in a seat cover to be installed on the vehicle seat to at least partially enclose the seat back frame; an intensifier pocket having an inboard panel and an outboard panel, the inboard panel extending between an interior surface of padding for the vehicle seat and the airbag assembly, each panel having a first peripheral portion connected to opposite edges of the deployment seam in the seat cover to be forced open during inflation of the side airbag, each panel having at least one second peripheral portion extending inwardly toward the seat back frame within the vehicle seat from the deployment seam, the inboard and outboard panels connected to one another along the second peripheral portion, and each panel having a third peripheral portion spaced from the first peripheral portion by the second peripheral portion, the third peripheral portion defining an opening in the pocket of sufficient size to allow the pocket to be positioned over the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame, each panel having at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion; and an elongate support rod releasably connectable to the seat back frame of the vehicle seat, the support rod engageable through the at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion of each panel for closing and anchoring the opening in the pocket along the third peripheral portion of each panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for assembling a side airbag to a seat back frame in a vehicle seat for inflation through a deployment seam of a seat cover comprising:
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connecting an airbag assembly to a support portion of a seat back frame, the airbag assembly including a side airbag and an inflator, the side airbag operably connected to the inflator for inflation through a deployment seam in a seat cover to be installed on the vehicle seat to at least partially enclose the seat back frame; installing the seat cover over the seat back frame and connected airbag assembly; positioning an intensifier pocket over the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame, the intensifier pocket having an inboard panel and an outboard panel the inboard panel extending between an inner surface of padding for the vehicle seat and the airbag assembly, each panel having a first peripheral portion connected to opposite edges of the deployment seam in the seat cover to be forced open during inflation of the side airbag, each panel having at least one second peripheral portion extending inwardly toward the seat back frame within the vehicle seat from the deployment seam, the inboard and outboard panels connected to one another along the second peripheral portion, and each panel having a third peripheral portion spaced from the first peripheral portion by the second peripheral portion, the third peripheral portion defining an opening in the pocket of sufficient size to allow the pocket to be positioned over the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame, each panel having at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion; and releasably connecting an elongate support rod to the seat back frame of the vehicle seat, after engaging the support rod through the at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion of each panel for closing and anchoring the opening in the pocket along the third peripheral portion of each panel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of assembling an airbag in a vehicle seat comprising:
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connecting an airbag assembly to a support portion of a seat back frame of a vehicle seat; attaching an outer end of an intensifier pocket to opposite sides of a deployment seam in a seat cover; installing the seat cover over the seat back frame; routing the intensifier pocket between an inner surface of padding for the vehicle seat and the airbag assembly; and after installing the seat cover on the seat back frame, releasably connecting an elongate support rod to the seat back frame, after engaging the support rod with an inner open end of the intensifier pocket for closing and anchoring the inner open end of the intensifier pocket with the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame located within an interior of the intensifier pocket. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification