RETRACTABLE VEHICLE PASSENGER CUSHIONING SYSTEM

• US 3,791,667 A
• Filed: 05/04/1972
• Issued: 02/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harold R. Haviland
• Original Assignee: Harold R. Haviland
• Inventors: Haviland, Harold R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/250,326
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 46/87,88,90
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21531 using a strechable wall liner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence

Abstract

A plurality of individually or collectively actuatable air bag restraint devices for disposition both forward of and alongside of each passenger seating area within a vehicle. Each individual device is strategically located to provide the maximum cushioning effect with a minimum of obstruction within the passenger seating area within the associated vehicle. Each air bag restraint device includes a hollow open-sided housing designed for flush or recessed mounting in an associated vehicle body portion and the open side of the housing is covered by a fluid impervious stretchable membrane whereby the discharging of a selected gas under pressure into the housing will cause the membrane to be inflated and expanded outwardly of the open side of the housing to cushion any object moving in a direction toward the housing.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle including an occupant receiving area bound at its forward extremity by a first vehicle body portion and on its opposite sides by means of second and third vehicle body portions, said system including individual occupant restraint assemblies recessed in said body portions so as to be generally flush with the surfaces of said body portions facing into said area, each of said assemblies including an opensided housing opening into said area, an upstanding flexible elastic membrane of fluid-impervious material secured over each housing open side and having its peripheral edges sealingly secured relative to said housing, each of said housings including means for admitting gas under pressure thereinto, and each of said membranes including specific areas thereof of different thickness and other areas thereof extending between said specific areas and which taper in thickness from the specific area of greater thickness to the specific area of lesser thickness.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said housings and the open sides thereof are horizontally elongated.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said membranes are of substantially constant thickness throughout a major pottion of their central areas and are tapered slightly toward their marginal edges.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranes includes relatively thick marginal edge portions and tapers in thickness toward the center thereof.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranes includes a central area of relatively great thickness and a peripherally extending zone of lesser thickness.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said central zone of relatively great thickness is spaced closer to one marginal portion of said membrane than the opposite marginal portion thereof.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranes includes a central area of relatively little thickness and a surrounding peripheral zone of greater thickness.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranes tapers in thickness from one marginal edge portion thereof toward the other marginal edge portion thereof.

9. An occupant restraint assembly to be recessed within a vehicle body portion facing into an occupant receiving area of a vehicle, said assembly including an open-sided housing, an upstanding flexible elastic membrane secured over the open side of said housing and having its peripheral edges sealingly secured relative to said housing, said housing including means for admitting gas under pressure thereinto behind said membrane, said membrane including a first area thereof which is of a first thickness and a second area thereof which is a second lesser thickness, said membrane including a third area thereof extending between said first and second areas and which tapers in thickness from said first area toward said second area.