COLLISION SURVIVAL SYSTEM

• US 3,675,942 A
• Filed: 08/31/1970
• Issued: 07/11/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John F. Huber
• Original Assignee: John F. Huber
• Inventors: Huber, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/068,353
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 244/31-33,121,122 116/124.9 52/2 137/525.3 180/90
• US Class Current: 280/738
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23115 with inflatable support compartments creating an internal suction volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers

Abstract

A restraining device is described incorporating an inflatable bag positioned in a vehicle to restrain persons in a vehicle and prevent them from colliding with objects when the vehicle is subjected to collision accelerations. The bag incorporates passageways therein which are connected to a gas source; the gas source, when actuated, inflates the passageways, thus extending the bag and drawing air into the bag from the atmosphere within the vehicle. A unidirectional valve permits the air to enter the bag, but prevents its escape in the event the pressure within the bag exceeds that of the atmosphere within the vehicle, such as by the impact of a person with the bag.

Claims

1. A collision survival system for use in a vehicle to restrain persons in said vehicle from colliding with objects within said vehicle, comprising:

a gas source;

sensing means connected to said gas source responsive to predetermined conditions for activating said gas source;

an inflatable bag having an interior communicating with the atmosphere through a unidirectional valve, said bag positioned to intercept the motion of persons in said vehicle and prevent their contact with objects in said vehicle;

said unidirectional valve permitting air to enter the interior of said bag and preventing air from exiting said bag interior;

said bag including inflAtable passageways connected to said gas source to receive gas therefrom when said gas source is actuated;

said passageways, when inflated, extending said bag to create low pressure therein and to draw air from the atmosphere through said unidirectional valve to the interior of said bag;

said passageways comprising a space between two flexible skins forming said bag.

2. A collision survival system for use in a vehicle to restrain persons in said vehicle from colliding with objects within said vehicle, comprising:

a gas source;

sensing means connected to said gas source responsive to predetermined conditions for activating said gas source;

an inflatable bag in said vehicle having an interior communicating with the atmosphere in said vehicle through a unidirectional valve, said bag positioned to intercept the motion of persons in said vehicle and prevent their contact with objects in said vehicle;

said unidirectional valve permitting atmospheric air in said vehicle to enter the interior of said bag and preventing air from exiting said bag interior;

said bag including inflatable passageways connected to said gas source to receive gas therefrom when said gas source is actuated;

said passageways, when inflated, extending said bag to create low pressure therein and to draw air from the atmosphere in said vehicle through said unidirectional valve to the interior of said bag;

said passageways comprising a space between two flexible skins forming said bag.