INFLATABLE SEAT BELT INCLUDING A THORAX AIRBAG
First Claim
1. A seat belt assembly to restrain an occupant of a motor vehicle having a side or door, the assembly comprising:
- a belt webbing extending from a first end to a second end and including a lap portion adjacent the first end and a shoulder portion between the lap portion and the second end, the lap portion including tubular webbing extending from the first end to a transition point and being configured to open at a tear seam, and a solid section extending from the transition point to the second end;
an airbag being disposed within the tubular webbing and configured to inflate and deploy through the tear seam;
at least one gas generator being fluidly coupled to the airbag and configured to provide an expanding gas to inflate and deploy the airbag in response to a control signal; and
at least a first part of the airbag being configured to inflate and deploy above the tubular webbing such that the first part of the airbag is disposed between the occupant and the side or door of the vehicle to provide thorax protection.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seat belt assembly for use in a seat belt system of a motor vehicle to restrain a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes a belt webbing extending from a first end to a second end and includes tubular webbing extending from the first end and configured to open at a tear seam. An airbag is disposed within the tubular webbing and configured to inflate and deploy through the tear seam. A gas generator is fluidly coupled to the airbag and configured to provide an expanding gas to inflate and deploy the airbag in response to a control signal. A first part of the airbag is configured to inflate above the tubular webbing such that the first part of the airbag is disposed between a side or door of the vehicle and the thorax of the vehicle occupant.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A seat belt assembly to restrain an occupant of a motor vehicle having a side or door, the assembly comprising:
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a belt webbing extending from a first end to a second end and including a lap portion adjacent the first end and a shoulder portion between the lap portion and the second end, the lap portion including tubular webbing extending from the first end to a transition point and being configured to open at a tear seam, and a solid section extending from the transition point to the second end; an airbag being disposed within the tubular webbing and configured to inflate and deploy through the tear seam; at least one gas generator being fluidly coupled to the airbag and configured to provide an expanding gas to inflate and deploy the airbag in response to a control signal; and at least a first part of the airbag being configured to inflate and deploy above the tubular webbing such that the first part of the airbag is disposed between the occupant and the side or door of the vehicle to provide thorax protection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An inflatable seat belt system to restrain an occupant of a motor vehicle having a side or door, the system comprising:
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a belt webbing extending from a first end to a second end and including a lap portion adjacent the first end and a shoulder portion between the lap portion and the second end, the first end being attached to an anchor and the second end being attached to a retractor; a latch plate being disposed on the belt webbing and configured for engagement with a buckle, the anchor and retractor and buckle being arranged such that when the latch plate is engaged with the buckle the lap portion is disposed across a pelvis of the occupant and the shoulder portion is disposed across a shoulder and thorax of the occupant; the lap portion including tubular webbing extending from the first end to a transition point and being configured to open at a tear seam, and a solid section extending from the transition point to the second end, an airbag disposed within the tubular webbing is configured to inflate and deploy through the tear seam, and a distance from the anchor to the transition point remains constant to ensure proper positioning of the airbag; a gas generator attached to the anchor being fluidly coupled to the airbag and configured to provide an expanding gas to inflate and deploy the airbag in response to a control signal; and a first part of the airbag being configured to inflate and deploy above the tubular webbing such that the first part of the airbag is disposed between the occupant and the side or door of the vehicle to provide thorax protection to the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification