OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,788,665 A
• Filed: 05/12/1971
• Issued: 01/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James L. Noll, John F. Zens
• Original Assignee: James L. Noll, John F. Zens
• Inventors: Noll, James L., Zens, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/142,533
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 244/31 137/525.1 141/311,313,314,315
• 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 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7882 Having exit lip

Abstract

An occupant restraint system includes a cylindrical diffuser which is communicated with a source of pressure fluid. The diffuser includes first and second rows of axially spaced partial circumferentially extending slots, the rows being spaced circumferentially of each other. A torso cushion surrounds the diffuser and is inflated from the first row. A knee cushion fits within the torso cushion and includes a slit in the wall thereof. Annular brackets on the inside and outside of the wall enclose a planar portion of the wall including a slit and are bolted to each other through the cushion. Encircling portions of the outside bracket receive the diffuser to locate the enclosed portion of the cushion wall tangent to the outer surface of the diffuser with the slit extending transversely of the second row of slots. A flexible sleeve is secured to the cushion wall and extends inwardly of the cushion from the slit. The sleeve provides a one-way valve permitting inflation of the cushion from the slit and preventing reverse flow of pressure fluid from the cushion.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of pressure fluid, an elongated diffuser assembly communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluid therefrom and including a plurality of axially spaced partial circumferentially extending slots providing a pressure fluid outlet from the diffuser assembly, an occupant restraint cushion of flexible material including a planar wall portion having an elongated slit therein defined by abutting edges of integral portions of the wall portion, means interconnecting the cushion and the diffuser assembly and locating the slit of the cushion in immediate adjacent transverse relationship to the slots, the integral portions of the wall portion of the cushion being deflected inwardly of the cushion by the pressure fluid from the diffuser assembly to move the edges thereof out of abutting relationship and open the slit to communicate the diffuser assembly with the cushion and inflate the cushion, and means sealing the integral portions of the wall portion of the cushion around the slit to the diffuser assembly upon inflation of the cushion and return of the edges of the integral wall portions to abutting relationships.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 including flexible inflatable passage means extending from the cushion wall around the slit to the interior thereof and inflatable from the diffuser slots to inflate the cushion, the passage means being deflatable by cushion pressure to provide a one-way valve.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 including an inflatable sleeve secured to the inner wall of the cushion and surrounding the slit to inflate the cushion from the slots, the sleeve being deflatable upon attempted passage of pressure fluid from the cushion to the diffuser assembly through the slit and slots.

4. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of pressure fluid, an elongated diffuser assembly communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluid therefrom and including a plurality of axially spaced partial circumferentially extending slots providing a pressure fluid outlet from the diffuser assembly, an occupant restraint cushion including a wall portion of flexible material having an elongated slit therein defined by abutting edges of integral portions of the wall portion, means holding the wall portion of the cushion including the slit in planar shape, means interconnecting the cushion and the diffuser assembly and locating the planar shaped wall portion of the cushion adjacent to the diffuser with the slit of the wall portion extending in immediate adjacent transverse relationship to the slots, the integral portions of the wall portion of the cushion being deflected inwardly of the cushion by the pressure fluid from the diffuser assembly to move the edges thereof out of abutting relationship and open the slit to communicate the diffuser assembly with the cushion and inflate the cushion, and means sealing the integral portions of the wall portion of the cushion to the diffuser assembly upon inflation of the cushion and return of the edges of the integral wall portions to abutting relationship.

5. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of pressure fluid, an elongated diffuser assembly communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluid therefrom and including a plurality of axially spaced partial circumferentially extending slots providing a pressure fluid outlet from the diffuser assembly, an occupant restraint cushion including a wall of flexible material having an elongated slit therein defined by abutting edges of integral portions of the wall, bracket means enclosing the integral portions of the wall of the cushion and the slit, means mounting the bracket means on the diffuser assembly to locate the enclosed integral portions of the wall adjacent the diffuser assembly with the slit of the wall in immediate adjacent transverse relationship to the slots, the enclosed integral portions of the wall of the cushion being deflected inwardly by the pressure fluid from the diffuser assembly to move the edges thereof out of abutting relationship and open the slit to communicate the diffuser assembly with the cushion and inflate the cushion, and means sealing the integral portions of the wall of the cushion to the diffuser assembly upon inflation of the cushion and return of the edges of the integral wall portions to abutting relationship.

6. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of pressure fluid, an elongated diffuser assembly communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluid therefrom and including a plurality of axially spaced partial circumferentially extending slots providing a pressure fluid outlet from the diffuser assembly, an occupant restraint cushion including a wall of flexible material having an elongated slit therein defined by abutting edges of integral portions of the wall, bracket means on opposite sides of the wall of the cushion enclosing the integral portions of such wall including the slit, means securing the bracket means to each other through the wall of the cushion, means securing the bracket means to the diffuser to locate the enclosed integral portions of the cushion wall adjacent the diffuser with the slit of the cushion extending transversely of the slots, the enclosed integral portions of the wall of the cushion being deflected inwardly by pressure fluid from the diffuser assembly to move the edges thereof out of abutting relationship and open the slit to communicate the diffuser assembly with the cushion to inflate the cushion, and means sealing the integral portions of the wall of the cushion to the diffuser assembly upon inflation of the cushion and return of the edges of the integral wall portions to abutting relationship.