Limiting of continuous extent of inflatable restraint
First Claim
1. A folded inflatable restraining member for a vehicle safety system comprising a unitary inflatable member folded in uninflated condition to be in the form of a seat belt with frangible means ruptured on commencement of inflation to allow full inflation thereof, said folded member extending in a single pass across the chest of an occupant of the vehicle, said inflatable member comprising at least two fully inflatable sections integral therewith and one intermediate section integral therewith which is inflatable but to a lesser extent than said fully inflatable sections, said unitary member extending across the chest of the occupant to points of connection on the vehicle on either side of the inflatable sections, means capable of rupturing said frangible means on commencement of inflation of said member in response to a preselected condition of the vehicle, and said first inflatable sections in gas communication with one another via said intermediate portion.
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Abstract
An inflatable restraining band for vehicle safety systems having a series of sections, some of which are inflatable to a greater degree than others interconnecting them.
60 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A folded inflatable restraining member for a vehicle safety system comprising a unitary inflatable member folded in uninflated condition to be in the form of a seat belt with frangible means ruptured on commencement of inflation to allow full inflation thereof, said folded member extending in a single pass across the chest of an occupant of the vehicle, said inflatable member comprising at least two fully inflatable sections integral therewith and one intermediate section integral therewith which is inflatable but to a lesser extent than said fully inflatable sections, said unitary member extending across the chest of the occupant to points of connection on the vehicle on either side of the inflatable sections, means capable of rupturing said frangible means on commencement of inflation of said member in response to a preselected condition of the vehicle, and said first inflatable sections in gas communication with one another via said intermediate portion.
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2. The inflatable restraining means of claim 1 wherein stitching is provided to maintain said inflatable member in folded position when not inflated, said stitching being frangible on commencement of inflation to allow inflation of the first sections and nonfrangible to prevent substantial inflation of the intermediate portions.
Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeBrian K. Hamilton
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Original AssigneeBrian K. Hamilton
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InventorsHamilton, Brian K.
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Primary Examiner(s)Betts, Kenneth H.
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Application NumberUS05/334,804Time in Patent Office838 DaysField of Search280/15B,15SB 9/316-322 244/121B,151RUS Class Current280/733CPC Class CodesB60R 21/18 the inflatable member forme...
