VEHICLE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,610,657 A
• Filed: 02/13/1970
• Issued: 10/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward N. Cole
• Original Assignee: Edward N. Cole
• Inventors: Cole, Edward N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/011,189
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,15B 244/121,122
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint system having a plurality of bags which are inflated on vehicle impact with a stationary or moving object. One of the bags receives the impact of the occupant'"'"''"'"'s torso and on such impact, has controlled pressure relief to prevent excessive rebounding of the occupant. Another bag, that is located within the first-mentioned bag, receives the impact of the occupant'"'"''"'"'s legs and remains inflated on such impact to maintain the occupant in the normal seated position. Fluid delivery to pressurize both bags is delivered by a manifold which is continuously open to the outer bag and is connected by a oneway valve to the inner bag.

Claims

1. In a vehicle occupant restraint system the combination of first inflatable bag means that on inflation by fluid pressure assumes a position to receive impact of a vehicle occupant'"'"''"'"'s torso;

second inflatable bag means that is located within said first inflatable bag means and that on inflation by fluid pressure assumes a position to receive impact of the occupant'"'"''"'"'s legs through said first inflatable bag means to maintain the occupant in a seated position;

fluid delivery means for delivering fluid under pressure simultaneously to said first and second inflatable bag means;

said first inflatable bag means including pressure relief means for relieving pressure in said first inflatable bag means when said first inflatable bag means is impacted by the occupant'"'"''"'"'s torso; and

said fluid delivery means including one-way valve means for delivering the fluid under pressure to said second inflatable bag means and maintaining the pressure in said second inflatable bag means while pressure is being relieved from said first inflatable bag means.

2. The vehicle occupant restraint system set forth in claim 1 and said fluid delivery means comprising a manifold extending into said first inflatable bag means;

first fluid delivery port means in said manifold open to the interior of said first inflatable bag means;

second fluid delivery port means in said manifold;

said one-way valve means mounted on said manifold interior of said first inflatable bag means and being operable to open said second fluid delivery port means to the interior of said second inflatable bag means for the fluid delivery to said second inflatable bag means and being operable to prevent fluid delivery from said second inflatable bag means to said manifold for the pressure maintenance in said second inflatable bag means.

3. A vehicle body occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of pressure fluid, first inflatable cushion means engageable by the torso of a vehicle body occupant, second inflatable cushion means contained within the first cushion means and engageable therethrough by the legs of a vehicle body occupant, means communicating the first and second cushion means with the pressure fluid source for inflation thereof, means communicating the first cushion means with the atmosphere upon the pressure thereIn exceeding a predetermined level, and means maintaining the pressure fluid within the second cushion means upon inflation thereof.