OUTER ENERGY ABSORBER FOR AIR-BAG-RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,638,755 A
• Filed: 12/14/1970
• Issued: 02/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John J. Sack
• Original Assignee: John J. Sack
• Inventors: Sack, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, Jr., Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US05/097,635
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 181/33,35,36R,36.4,47.1,33.03
• US Class Current: 181/296
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23523 Composite
• 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

Abstract

Energy absorption in a two-bag air bag combination, one bag contained within the other.

Claims

1. Air-bag-restraint system comprising an energy-absorbing elastic outer bag, an inner bag located in said outer bag and larger than said outer bag, by volume, when both are inflated but not stretched, means for introducing inflating gas into said inner bag, said inner barrier conforming to the shape of said outer bag when said gas is introduced thereinto and stretching said outer bag as it expands.

2. Air-bag-restraint system of claim 1, said elastic bag being woven.

3. Air-bag-restraint system of claim 2, said inner bag also being stretchable over its original inflated volume.

4. Air-bag-restraint system of claim 3, said bags being formed of nylon.

5. Air-bag-restraint system comprising an elastic energy absorbing outer bag, an inner bag located in said outer bag and larger than said outer bag, by volume, when both are inflated but not stretched, means for introducing gas into said inner bag to fill it without bursting, said inner bag conforming to the shape of said outer bag when said gas is introduced thereto and stretching said outer bag as it expands, said outer bag being woven, said inner and outer bags having openings therein for passing the inflating gas therethrough on filling, and said outer bag being stretchable on filling in the range of at least 50 to 100 percent of its original volume.

6. Method of lowering the sound level of the inflation of an air bag inflated by gas introduced thereinto, comprising expanding said air bag against an energy-absorbing stretchable barrier outside of said bag.

7. Method of claim 6, said barrier being a knit outer bag surrounding said inner bag.