CONSTRUCTION FOR SAFETY AIR CUSHION SYSTEM COMPRISING DUAL BAGS, NOZZLE, AND AIR ASPIRATION

• US 3,767,225 A
• Filed: 08/31/1970
• Issued: 10/23/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bernard Mazelsky
• Original Assignee: Bernard Mazelsky
• Inventors: Mazelsky, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/068,444
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,15B 244/31,138 137/525.3,525.1 206/DIG.30 141/100,10,189,191
• 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 21/206 in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• 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: Y10T 137/7886 Internally extending mount

Abstract

The invention is an improvement in inflatable air cushion systems for use as devices to protect passengers in vehicles. Pressure is transferred from an elongated gas container through a nozzle to an inflatable bag or envelope for inflating it. Openings are formed for transferring gas from the container through the nozzle by means of an explosive charge. The improvements of the herein invention reside in that the dual bags are provided including a second positioned to prevent the motion of the passenger'"'"''"'"'s legs which in turn prevents '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'submarining'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' of the occupant. The nozzle is dual to simultaneously inflate both bags. The large bag is provided with a flutter valve through which air is aspirated to assist in inflating the bag to thereby reduce the volume of pressurized air required for inflating.

Claims

1. In a safety device for human protection comprising:

an envelope means inflatable with a gas whereby to form a resilient cushion and having an elongate container under pressure with means to provide elongated passageway means along the length of the container for transferring gas from the container to the envelope means for inflation, the improvement comprising there being plural envelopes inflatable from said container and positioned to form protective means for a human, said transfer means comprising a plural transfer nozzle constructed to separately deliver gas to said plural inflatable envelopes, said transfer nozzle having inlet means arranged whereby gas from the container for all of said plural envelopes is received Through the same inlet means, said nozzle having an intermediate septum, one envelope being secured to a part of the nozzle on one side of the septum.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said septum has a passageway therethrough providing communication from one part of the nozzle to the other.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said passageway has a flutter valve associated with it.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said one envelope is secured to the nozzle to peripheral edges of the nozzle.

5. In a safety device for human protection comprising:

an envelope means inflatable with a gas whereby to form a resilient cushion and having an elongated container under pressure with means to provide elongated passageway means along the length of the container for transferring gas from the container to the envelope means for inflation, the improvement comprising there being plural envelopes inflatable from said container and positioned to form protective means for a human, said transfer means comprising a plural transfer nozzle constructed to separately deliver gas to said plural inflatable envelopes, said transfer nozzle having inlet means arranged whereby gas from the container for all of said plural envelopes is received through the same inlet means, said inflatable envelopes having portions secured to the nozzle, the nozzle having grooves therein and spring retainer means engageable in the grooves whereby to secure edge portions of the envelope between the spring retainer means and the nozzle.

6. In a safety device for human protection having an envelope inflatable with a gas to form a resilient cushion;

elongated container means for gas under pressure;

means to provide elongated passageways along the length of the container for transferring gas from the container to the envelope for inflating it, the improvement comprising means for aspirating air into the envelope upon initial transfer of gas into it from the container to thereby assist in inflating it, said transfer means comprising a nozzle constructed to have plural discharge outlets having said envelope connected to one of said outlets and a second envelope connected to the other outlet and means whereby gas can be transferred from one of said nozzle outlets to the other.