INFLATABLE SAFETY DEVICES FOR PROTECTING THE DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 3,795,414 A
• Filed: 11/08/1971
• Issued: 03/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jacques Lacambre, Pierre Ventre
• Original Assignee: Jacques Lacambre, Pierre Ventre
• Inventors: Ventre, Pierre, Lacambre, Jacques
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/196,417
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,87R,87A 297/DIG.3 5/348R,348WB 182/137,138,139 206/DIG.30
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0009 Oblique collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• 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 21/2346 Soft diffusers

Abstract

This safety device comprises an inflatable air-bag interposed between the passenger and one portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, wherein the surface portion of the airbag which is to engage the passenger in case of crash forms an acute dihedral angle with a vertical plane of reference. The aforesaid dihedral angle is directed forwards in relation to the passenger, and the interior of the surface portion of the bag which is to engage the passenger in case of crash is subjected to two unequal fluid pressures of which the highest is exerted at least in the air-bag portion nearest to the passenger.

Claims

1. A device for retaining the passengers of a vehicle and protecting them in case of a crash comprising:

a cylindrical inflatable air-bag interposed between the passenger and one portion of the vehicle compartment, said airbag having a peripheral ring-shaped chamber which first engages the passenger being retained and which is adapted to be inflated at a high pressure and an independent central cylindrical chamber adapted to be inflated separately at a lower pressure, said air-bag having a surface which engages the passenger, said surface being directed forward of a reference vertical plane and forming an acute dihederal angle with said vertical reference plane, and means to simultaneously and separately inflate said peripheral chamber at a higher pressure than said central chamber.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the inflated central chamber has a frustoconical configuration with its major base directed towards the passenger of the vehicle.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the lowest pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure.

4. A device for retaining the passengers of a vehicle and protecting them in case of a crash comprising:

a cylindrical inflatable air-bag interposed between the passenger and one portion of the vehicle compartment. said air-bag having a peripheral ring-shaped chamber which first engages the passenger being retained and which is adapted to be inflated at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and an independent central cylindrical chamber adapted to be inflated separately at atmospheric pressure and having a frustoconical configuration with its major base directed towards the passenger of the vehicle when inflated, said air-bag having a surface which engages the passenger, said surface being directed forward of a reference vertical plane and forming an acute dihederal angle with said vertical reference plane, means to simultaneously and separately inflate said peripheral chamber and said central chamber, and strips adapted to impart an ideal shape thereto when inflated, so as to compensate the effect of an excessive pressure of the fluid in the chamber.