INFLATABLE BAG AND GAS DIFFUSING DEVICE

• US 3,618,976 A
• Filed: 10/31/1969
• Issued: 11/09/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas A. Larson, John M. Stilson, Maurice B. Leising
• Original Assignee: Douglas A. Larson, John M. Stilson, Maurice B. Leising
• Inventors: Leising, Maurice B., Larson, Douglas A., Stilson, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hersh, Benjamin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US04/870,343
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 23/281 55/302 102/39 9/2A,11A,321
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

Inflatable bag device including a gas generator containing ignitable propellant, a bag adapted to be inflated by the gas released from the propellant, and an expansible chamber which filters and diffuses the gas and propellant particles discharged from the gas generator.

Claims

1. An inflatable device comprising an inflation means source, an inflatable means connected to said source, means for releasing said inflation means from said source for inflating said inflatable means, and moveable means in the path of said inflation means for altering the path of movement of a portion of said inflation means, said movable means comprising an expansible chamber, said chamber having at least one screen wall for filtering inflation means passing therethrough, said wall having at least one fold therein adapted to be unfolded to permit expansion of said chamber, said chamber expanding upon the ingress of said inflation means into said chamber.

2. In an inflatable bag device comprising a gas generator, an inflatable bag connected to said gas generator, the gas generator including propellant adapted to be ignited for releasing gas, a movable device comprising blocking means from inhibiting the movement of particles from said gas generator through said blocking means to the interior of said bag, and means for maintaining said blocking means in the path of particles and gases discharged from said generator, said blocking means comprising a filter device having a plurality of openings therein through which gas may pass, said filter device comprising an expansible hollow screen means.

3. In an inflatable device as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said screen means has at least one sidewall and an end wall, said end wall closing said hollow screen member at one end thereof, said side wall having a plurality of folds therein.

4. In an inflatable device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said screen means has diffusing means therein for diffusing particles and gases impinging thereon.

5. An inflatable bag device comprising an inflatable bag, a gas generator having propellant therein, and an expansible chamber connected to said gas generator, said propellant being adapted to release gas and other products into said expansible chamber, said expansible chamber comprising a hollow screen body having at least one folded portion such that the introduction of gas and other products from said gas generator thereinto will cause said portion to unfold and said body to expand, said body when in an unfolded and expanded condition allowing gas to escape therefrom into said bag and preventing the escape of particles larger than the openings in said screen.

6. An inflatable bag device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said expansible chamber includes deflection means therein for deflecting gas impinging thereon.

7. An inflatable bag device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said expansible chamber includes means for diffusing said gas.

8. In an inflatable bag device comprising a gas generator, an inflatable bag connected to said gas generator, the gas generator including propellant adapted to be ignited for releasing gas, expansible screen means for inhibiting the movement of particles from the gas generator through the screen means to the interior of the bag, said screen means comprising a body having at least one screen wall portion and one screen end portion, said screen wall portion having a plurality of folds therein prior to the release of gas into said body, said folds becoming unfolded as the gas released by said propellant passes into said body, said body expanding as said folds become unfolded, said body preventing the passage of particles larger than the openings therein through said screen wall and end into said inflatable bag.

9. In an inflatable bag device as set forth in claim 8, including a clamping plate extending around the periphery of said body at the end thereof adjacent said gas generator for clamping said body to said gas generator.

10. In an inflatable bag device as set forth in claim 9 further including means extending across said end portion of said body providing a barrier.