VEHICLE BODY OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CUSHION SYSTEM

• US 3,799,573 A
• Filed: 12/13/1971
• Issued: 03/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Patrick G. Mcdonald
• Original Assignee: Patrick G. Mcdonald
• Inventors: McDonald, Patrick G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/207,061
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 222/3 9/11A,302,31F
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0051 Knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/045 associated with the instrument panel or dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7885 Multiple slit

Abstract

A vehicle body includes an instrument panel, a source of pressure fluid releasable upon the body receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, an occupant restraint cushion secured to the instrument panel within a recess thereof in a deflated folded condition, and a releasable covering over the folded cushion. A normally collapsed diffuser tube fits within the cushion and between the folded portion of the cushion and the instrument panel. The tube is connected to the pressure fluid source. The wall of the diffuser tube includes either a plurality of slits normally closed in the collapsed condition of the tube, or a plurality of openings. Upon release of the pressure fluid, the diffuser tube expands and forces the folded portion of the cushion as a unit away from the instrument panel to forcibly release the covering. The slits, which open when the tube expands, or the openings, then inflate the cushion from the pressure fluid source.

Claims

1. In combination with a vehicle body having a support, a source of pressure fluid, means for releasing the pressure fluid from the source upon impact of the body with an obstacle, an occupant restraint cushion mounted on the support in a deflated folded condition, and forcibly releasable means covering the folded cushion, the improvement comprising, a normally collapsed annular diffuser member mounted on the support and having a portion of the wall thereof provided with a plurality of apertures, the folded cushion seating on the wall portion over the apertures to communicate the cushion with the diffuser member, means internally communicating the diffuser member with the pressure fluid source, release of the pressure fluid from the source initiating the expansion of the diffuser member to annular shape to bodily move the folded cushion as a unit relative to the support and forcibly release the cover means, the apertures in the wall portion of the diffuser member communicating the diffuser member with the cushion as the diffuser member is inflated to initiate the inflation of the cushion.

2. In combination with a vehicle body having a support, a source of pressure fluid, means for releasing the pressure fluid from the source upon impact of the body with an obstacle, an occupant restraint cushion mounted on the support in a deflated folded condition, and forcibly releasable means covering the folded cushion, the improvement comprising, a normally collapsed annular diffuser member of flexible material mounted on the support and having a portion of the wall thereof provided with a plurality of normally closed apertures, the folded cushion seating on the wall portion over the apertures to communicate the cushion with the diffuser member, means internally communicating the diffuser member with the pressure fluid source, release of the pressure fluid from the source initiating the expansion of the diffuser member to annular shape to bodily move the folded cushion as a unit relative to the support and forcibly release the cover means, the apertures in the wall portion of the diffuser member opening as the diffuser member inflates and communicating the diffuser member with the cushion to initiate the inflation of the cushion.