INFLATABLE SAFETY DEVICE

• US 3,706,462 A
• Filed: 05/28/1970
• Issued: 12/19/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wallace B. Lilly
• Original Assignee: Wallace B. Lilly
• Inventors: Lilly, Wallace B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/041,282
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 280/150 9/316
• US Class Current: 280/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement

Abstract

An inflatable bag for protecting the occupant of a car from injury as a result of a collision. The bag is securely connected to the occupant'"'"''"'"'s seat belt. The bag normally is deflated and is releasably confined so that upon inflation the bag is quickly released and, by reason of its being mounted on the seat belt, assumes a position in front of the occupant using the seat belt.

Claims

1. In combination a. a seat belt for a vehicle;

b. an inflatable bag of burst resistant, flexible sheet material;

c. means operable to inflate the bag with gas under pressure;

d. a container to which the base of the bag is secured and releasably confining said bag in collapsed condition prior to its inflation and permitting automatic release of said bag during its inflation, said container being adjustably secured to the belt between its ends;

e. an opening in an exposed portion of the container walls and through which the expanding bag is passed during its inflation;

f. a panel impositively confined in said opening and expelled therefrom during inflation of the bag; and

g. buckle means in said seat belt, the container being an integral part of the buckle.

2. In combination a. a seat belt for a vehicle;

b. an inflatable bag of burst-resistant, flexible sheet material;

c. means operable to inflate the bag with gas under pressure;

d. means to which the base of the bag is secured and releasably confining said bag in its collapsed condition prior tO its inflation, said confining means including a container in which the bag is mounted, said container being adjustably secured to the belt between its ends and having A. an opening in an exposed portion of the container wall;

B. a panel impositivily confined in said opening and expelled therefrom during inflation of the bag;

C. said panel comprising a stiffened portion of the bag.