SAFETY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES SUCH AS AUTOMOBILES

• US 3,791,666 A
• Filed: 11/03/1971
• Issued: 02/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iwao Shibamoto
• Original Assignee: Iwao Shibamoto
• Inventors: Shibamoto, Iwao
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/195,183
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 244/138R
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23115 with inflatable support compartments creating an internal suction volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats

Abstract

A safety device for automobiles, comprises a normally folded bag, an air column structure on said bag which is inflatable to expand said bag into its original shape at the time of collision of the automobile, means for inflating said air column structure, air passage openings for introducing external air into the interior of the bag therethrough in the process of expansion of said bag by virtue of the pressure differential between the interior and exterior of said bag and means for trapping the thus introduced air within said bag, said air passage openings being formed at a portion of the bag adjacent a mounting base on which said bag is mounted and being in communication with duct means formed in said mounting base.

Claims

1. Safety apparatus for a vehicle having a passenger compartment comprising:

an inflatable bag located within the vehicle and communicating with the atmosphere through air passage openings permitting air to enter the bag;

a source of inflating fluid operable upon the sensing of a vehicle collision;

a flexible, inflatable, tubular framework operatively associated with said bag, said framework being connected to said source for receiving inflating fluid therefrom upon said source being operated, said tubular framework, when inflated, being adapted to expand said bag to create a pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of said bag to draw air from the atmosphere through said air passage openings to said bag;

a mounting base on which said bag is mounted;

duct means formed in said mounting base and communicating with said air passage openings in said bag for introducing the air from the atmosphere into said bag;

flap valves located in said duct means adjacent to said air passage openings in said bag for trapping indrawn air within said bag; and

, inflatable air columns operatively associated with said tubular framework and said flap valves, said inflatable air columns being connected to said source of inflating fluid for receiving the inflating fluid therefrom upon said source being operated, said inflatable air columns and said framework being inflatable for operating said flap valves sO as to close said air passage openings of said bag when air has been introduced into said expanded bag.

2. A safety apparatus according to claim 1, said duct means having air inlet openings in a portion thereof remote from said air passage openings in said bag, said flap valves being check valves for closing said air inlet openings.