OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,853,334 A
• Filed: 12/11/1972
• Issued: 12/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John T. Auman, Robert L. Hodgson
• Original Assignee: John T. Auman, Robert L. Hodgson
• Inventors: Auman, John T., Hodgson, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/314,120
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 9/314
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26023 for filling the bag with foam
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/16 Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• 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

Abstract

An occupant restraint system for the driver of a vehicle includes an open housing mounted on the hub of the steering wheel and communicating with a pressure vessel containing fluid under pressure. A plurality of discrete members of foam material are compressed into a mass within the housing. The opening of the housing is closed by a pressure rupturable membrane to hold the compressed mass in place. A cushion is secured to the housing and folded over the membrane in communication with the opening of the housing. A decorative cover covers the cushion. When the pressure fluid is released to the housing, the increase in pressure ruptures the membrane. The fluid initially inflates the cushion as the decorative cover ruptures along predetermined lines. The members expand to substantially the uncompressed volume thereof by absorption of the fluid as the members flow into the cushion and fill the cushion.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle comprising, in combination, encapsulating means mounted on the vehicle and including a rupturable outlet, a compressed mass of foam material within the encapsulating means, an expandable occupant restraint communicable with the encapsulating means through the rupturable outlet, a source of fluid for interacting with the mass of foam material to expand the foam material to substantially the uncompressed volume thereof by absorption of the fluid when the mass of foam material is released from the encapsulating means, means communicating the source with the encapsulating means, and means for rupturing the rupturable outlet upon communication of the source with the encapsulating means to release the mass of foam material for expansion by absorption of the fluid and for flow with the fluid to the restraint, the fluid and the expanded foam material within the restraint cooperatively absorbing the energy of impact forces upon occupant engagement with the restraint.

2. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle comprising, in combination, encapsulating means mounted on the vehicle and including a rupturable outlet, a plurality of discrete members of foam material compressed within the encapsulating means, an expandable occupant restraint communicable with the encapsulating means through the rupturable outlet, a source of fluid for interacting with the discrete members of foam material to expand the foam material members to substantially the uncompressed volume thereof by absorption of the fluid when the members of foam material are released from the encapsulating means, means communicating the source with the encapsulating means, and means for rupturing the rupturable outlet upon communication of the source with the encapsulating means to release the members of foam material for expansion by absorption of the fluid and for flow with the fluid to the restraint, the fluid and the expanded members of foam material within the restraint cooperatively absorbing the energy of impact forces upon occupant engagement with the restraint.

3. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle comprising, in combination, encapsulating means mounted on the vehicle and including a flexible rupturable outlet, a compressed mass of foam material within the encapsulating means, an expandable occupant restraint overlying, at least, a portion of the flexible outlet and cooperating thereWith and with the compressed mass of foam material to provide an energy absorber, a source of fluid for interacting with the mass of foam material to expand the foam material to substantially the uncompressed volume thereof by absorption of the fluid when the mass of foam material is released from the encapsulating means, means communicating the source with the encapsulating means, and means for rupturing the outlet upon communication of the source with the encapsulating means to release the mass of foam material for expansion by absorption of the fluid and for flow with the fluid to the restraint, the fluid and the expanded foam material within the restraint cooperatively absorbing the energy of impact forces upon occupant engagement with the restraint.