OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,784,225 A
• Filed: 10/02/1972
• Issued: 01/08/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lawrence L. Fleck, Robert Hickling
• Original Assignee: Lawrence L. Fleck, Robert Hickling
• Inventors: Fleck, Lawrence L., Hickling, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/294,151
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 182/137
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23115 with inflatable support compartments creating an internal suction volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

An occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle includes a cylindrical lower inflatable cushion mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle and communicating with an inflator. The inflated lower cushion functions as a knee cushion when engaged with the knees of a seated vehicle occupant. An upper inflatable cushion includes a plurality of side-by-side interconnected fluid passageways looped to the lower cushion and having their ends opening to the lower cushion so as to be inflated by pressure fluid received therefrom. The upper cushion is provided with end walls having openings to the interior thereof. These openings are each provided with sleeve type valves permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the upper cushion when the fluid passageways of the upper cushion are inflated. The end walls also include openings covered by porous material to permit the expulsion of the ambient atmosphere from within the upper cushion upon engagement with the torso of the seated occupant. The upper cushion is normally folded adjacent the lower cushion. When the lower cushion is inflated, it initially functions as a deployment cushion as it moves the upper cushion outwardly from the instrument panel. The lower cushion then inflates the fluid passageways of the upper cushion as the upper cushion is inflated to induct ambient atmosphere into the upper cushion and complete the inflation thereof.

Claims

1. In combination with a vehicle body having a source of pressure fluid and adapted to support an occupant in seated attitude, an occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable knee cushion mounted on the body for engagement with the knees of the occupant when inflated, means communicating the knee cushion with the pressure fluid source, an inflatable torso cushion mounted on the first cushion and including an exterior portion communicating with the first cushion for inflation by pressure fluid therefrom, and an interior portion communicating with ambient atmosphere, first means permitting only the induction of ambient atmosphere into the interior portion upon inflation of the exterior portion from the knee cushion, and second means permitting the expulsion of ambient atmosphere from the interior portion upon engagement of the torso of an occupant with the exterior portion.

2. In combination with a vehicle body having a source of pressue fluid and adapted to support an occupant in seated attitude, an occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable knee cushion mounted on the body for engagement with the knees of the occupant when inflated, means communicating the knee cushion with the pressure fluid source, an inflatable torso cushion including a plurality of side-by-side fluid passageways looped to the knee cushion, means communicating the fluid passageways with the knee cushion for inflation thereof from the knee cushion, means cooperating with the fluid passageways to define an interior ambient atmosphere receiving chamber within the torso cushion, means permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the chamber upon inflation of the fluid passageways from the knee cushion, and means permitting the expulsion of ambient atmosphere from within the chamber upon occupant engagement with the torso cushion.

3. In combination with a vehicle body having a source of pressure fluid and adapted to support an occupant in seated attitude, An occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable knee cushion of annular shape mounted on the body for engagement with the knees of the occupant when inflated, means communicating the knee cushion with the pressure fluid source, an inflatable torso cushion including a plurality of side-by-side passageways having the ends thereof opening to the knee cushion for inflation from the knee cushion and deployment to generally teardrop shape, the passageways and knee cushion cooperatively defining an interior chamber within the torso cushion open at the ends thereof to ambient atmosphere, wall means closing the ends of the chamber, means in said wall means permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the chamber upon deployment of the passageways from the knee cushion, and means permitting the expulsion of ambient atmosphere from the chamber upon occupant engagement with the passageways.