INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT AND HEAD BAG

• US 3,844,581 A
• Filed: 04/25/1972
• Issued: 10/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John William Fox
• Original Assignee: John William Fox
• Inventors: Fox, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/247,492
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,15SB,15B 297/384,389 9/316,340
• US Class Current: 280/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/882 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence

Abstract

An inflatable head bag is mounted in a vehicle in the collapsed condition adjacent the head region of an occupant of the vehicle. The bag is connected to a source of compressed gas so that, in the event of an accident, the bag may be rapidly inflated and provide a protective cushion for the occupant'"'"''"'"'s head. The bag may be shaped with a recess so as to fit around part of the head when inflated.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety system for protecting the occupant of a vehicle in the event of an accident, said system comprising:

1. an inflatable strap member comprising a diagonal safety belt adapted to be secured at its ends and to extend across an occupant of the vehicle so as to restrain the occupant in position in the event of an accident;

2. an inflatable head bag mounted on said diagonal safety belt at a position adjacent one side of the head position, said inflatable head bag being formed as a separate unit and being adapted to be normally in the collapsed condition;

3. a source of compressed gas;

4. valve means for controlling the supply of gas from said source, said valve means being arranged to respond to vehicle impact to release gas from said source;

5. a first connecting passage connecting said source of gas to said inflatable head bag; and

6. a second connecting passage connecting said source of gas to said inflatable strap member.

2. an inflatable head bag formed as a separate unit and adapted to be mounted in a vehicle on a side wall at a position adjacent one side of the head position, said inflatable bag being adapted to be normally in the collapsed condition, said inflatable bag being shaped with a recess into which part of the head may fit when the bag is inflated, thereby providing extended protection around the head and resisting movement of the head off the bag;

3. a source of compressed gas;

4. valve means for controlling the supply of gas from said source, said valve means being arranged to respond to vehicle impact to releaSe gas from said source;

5. a first connecting passage connecting said source of gas to said inflatable head bag;

and

6. a second connecting passage connecting said source of gas to said inflatable strap member.