OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,791,671 A
• Filed: 11/10/1972
• Issued: 02/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John F. Zens
• Original Assignee: John F. Zens
• Inventors: Zens, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/305,444
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 137/525.1
• US Class Current: 280/740
• 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: Y10T 137/7885 Multiple slit

Abstract

An occupant restraint system includes an inflator which supplies high temperature pressure fluid to a generally elongated hollow cylindrical diffuser. The diffuser includes two axially extending diametrically opposite flats and two radially spaced rows of slots, one row being in one flat and being divided into spaced groups, and the other row being between the flats. A torso cushion surrounds the diffuser and is fed from the other row of slots. A knee cushion fits within the torso cushion and has slits located transversely of respective groups of slots. A combined seal and heat shield member has an edge portion covering the one row of slots and has a flap portion covering the other row of slots. The member has slits indexed to the cushion slits. An elongated retainer plate within the knee cushion includes louvered openings equal in number to the groups of slots. Fixed studs extend through the knee cushion, seal, and diffuser and are threaded to tapped posts which extend through openings in the other flat of the diffuser. The edge portion of the member provides a seal between the knee cushion and the diffuser when the knee cushion is inflated to prevent flow of the pressure fluid from the knee cushion to the diffuser. The flap portion of the member is moved by the pressure fluid flowing through the other row of slots into the torso cushion into engagement with the knee cushion adjacent such other row of slots to protect the knee cushion from the high temperature pressure fluid.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of high temperature pressure fluid, a diffuser communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluid therefrom and including first and second pressure fluid outlets, an occupant restraint torso cushion of flexible material communicating with the first pressure fluid outlet for inflation therefrom, an occupant restraint knee cushion of flexible material located within the torso cushion and communicable with the second pressure fluid outlet for inflation therefrom, a flexible heat resistant member having a first portion located between the knee cushion and the second pressure fluid outlet and provided with means cooperating with the pressure fluid outlet to provide a seal between the outlet and the knee cushion permitting the flow of pressure fluid only from the diffuser to the knee cushion, the member including a second flap portion extending over the first pressure fluid outlet, the pressure fluid flowing through the first pressure fluid outlet moving the second portion of the member to one side thereof and holding this portion in engagement with an adjacent portion of the knee cushion to protect this portion of the knee cushion from the high temperature pressure fluid flowing through the first outlet.

2. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of high temperature pressure fluid, an elongated annular diffuser communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluid therefrom and including first and second circumferentially spaced axially extending rows of pressure fluid outlets, an occupant restraint torso cushion of flexible material communicating with the first row of pressure fluid outlets for inflation therefrom, an occupant restraint knee cushion of flexible material located within the torso cushion and communicable with the second row of pressure fluid outlets for inflation therefrom, a flexible heat resistant member having an edge portion located between the knee cushion and the diffuser and covering the second row of pressure fluid outlets, means in the edge portion cooperating with the second row of pressure fluid outlets to provide a seal between the second row of pressure fluid outlets and the knee cushion permitting the flow of pressure fluid only from the diffuser to the knee cushion, the member including a flap portion extending from the edge portion over the first row of pressure fluid outlets, the pressure fluid flowing through the first row of pressure fluid outlets moving the flap portion of the member to one side thereof and into engagement with an adjacent portion of the knee cushion to protect this portion of the knee cushion from the high temperature pressure fluid flowing through the first row of pressure fluid outlets.

3. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, a source of high temperature pressure fluid, a diffuser communicable with the source for receipt of pressure fluId therefrom and including first and second pressure fluid outlets, an occupant restraint torso cushion of flexible material having means communicating with the first pressure fluid outlet for inflation therefrom, an occupant restraint knee cushion of flexible material located within the torso cushion and communicable with the second pressure fluid outlet for inflation therefrom, an elongated flexible heat resistant member having an edge portion located between the knee cushion and the second pressure fluid outlet and provided with means cooperating with the second pressure fluid outlet and the knee cushion means to permit the flow of pressure fluid only from the diffuser to the knee cushion, means clamping the edge portion of the member and the knee cushion to the diffuser around the second pressure fluid outlet, the member including a freely movable flap portion extending from the edge portion over the first pressure fluid outlet, the pressure fluid flowing through the first pressure fluid outlet moving the flap portion of the member to one side thereof and holding this portion against an adjacent portion of the knee cushion to protect this portion of the knee cushion from the high temperature pressure fluid flowing through the first outlet.