INFLATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE CRASH BAG

• US 3,868,125 A
• Filed: 04/09/1973
• Issued: 02/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip D. Fisher, William H. Sargent
• Original Assignee: Philip D. Fisher, William H. Sargent
• Inventors: Fisher, Philip D., Sargent, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/349,433
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 417/179,184,185,188,189
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2173 the module or part thereof being movably mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/30 with means to draw ambient air into the flow line and mix such air with the inflation fluid

Abstract

An inflation system for a crash or protective bag installed in any suitable location in a vehicle, such as the dashboard. The inflation system generally comprises an aspirator assembly having a housing in which the crash bag is stored, a plurality of nozzle assemblies positioned within the housing, and gas generating means connected to the nozzle assemblies. The housing comprises telescoping sections, with the crash bag being secured to the outer section which is slidable over the inner section. When the crash bag is stored, the outer section is in its inner position over the inner section such that it and the crash bag are maintained within the confines of the dashboard or other mounting portion of the vehicle. Upon actuation of the gas generating means and flow of gas through the nozzle assemblies, the outer housing section is caused to slide outwardly over the inner section in response to the inflation of the crash bag such that it forms an elongated housing of sufficient length to permit suitable expansion of the gases and rapid flow of the ambient air for inflating the crash bag. When the outer housing section moves outwardly, it exposes openings in the inner housing section through which ambient air may rapidly flow into the housing and the crash bag.

Claims

1. A system for inflating a crash bag in a vehicle, comprising:

an aspirator assembly mounted within the vehicle, said aspirator assembly including;

a. a housing for storing the bag, said housing comprising a first section having an opening therein for admitting ambient air into the housing, and a second section movable relative to said first section for movement between a first position covering said opening and a second position exposing said opening and elongating said housing, said bag being secured to said second housing section, b. a nozzle assembly mounted within said housing, and c. gas generating means connected to said nozzle assembly, whereby when said generating means is activated, generated gas flows through said nozzle assembly into said housing to effect initial inflation of said bag and to cause said second housing section to move from said first position to said second position to enable ambient air to enter said housing through said opening, the elongated housing permitting optimum expansion of the gas and inducing rapid flow of ambient air into said housing.

2. The inflation system of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of nozzle assemblies, and each of said nozzle assemblies is connected to said gas generating means.

3. The inflation system of claim 2 wherein said nozzle assemblies are substantially uniformly spaced throughout the width of said housing.

4. The inflation system of claim 3 wherein air guide means are provided between said nozzle assemblies adjacent said housing opening.

5. The inflation system of claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of generated gas exhaust apertures terminating in an elongated V-shaped groove which serves as an expansion nozzle for said exhaust apertures.

6. The inflation system of claim 1 wherein said gas generating means comprises a combustible, solid gas-generating composition which is non-toxic and non-corrosive, and means for igniting said composition.

7. The inflation system of claim 4 further comprising valve means in said housing, said valve means being normally disposed in closed position to close said housing and interrupt communication between said housing and said nozzle assembly, and said valve means being movable to an open position in response to flow of generated gas through said nozzle assembly to thereby open said housing and establish communication between said nozzle assembly and said housing.

8. The inflation system of claim 7 wherein said valve means comprises a flexible and resilient flap valve.

9. The inflation system of claim 1 wherein said first housing section is an inner section, and said second housing section is an outer section slIdably mounted on said inner section in telescoping relation therewith.