Inflatable restraint apparatus

• US 3,897,961 A
• Filed: 05/02/1973
• Issued: 08/05/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John J. Lenosky, Maurice B. Leising
• Original Assignee: John J. Lenosky, Maurice B. Leising
• Inventors: Leising, Maurice B., Lenosky, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/356,643
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,15B 5/348R
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for protecting at least two passengers, e.g. preventing them from hitting each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/214 in roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

Inflatable restraint apparatus for automotive vehicle occupants including an inflatable torso bag structure adapted to be deployed from the roof of the vehicle by one or more filler tubes extending from the roof to the inflated bag. Inflatable side curtains also deployed from the roof are provided. The side curtains and inflated torso restraining bag may be interconnected to facilitate positioning or filling of the inflated structures.

Claims

1. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition, said inflatable bag means comprising a laterally extending bag portion and a plurality of tube means spaced apart from each other and connecting said portion to said source of gas, said tube means and portion of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas through said tube means into said portion of said bag means, said portion of said bag means when inflated, being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said tube means, said tube means and said one portion of said bag means providing an open space located above said one portion of said bag means, between said spaced tube means and below said roof and at least one inflatable stub-shaped projection extending forwardly from said portion for engaging said instrument panel whereby said bag means provides a downward and rearward force on said occupant

2. Restraint apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tube means comprises two tubes spaced apart from one another to form a generally U-shaped inflatable bag means, said tubes being connected together at one end by said roof and at the other end by said one portion of said bag means, said tubes being otherwise free of one another, said tubes, said one portion of said bag means and said roof forming the perimeter of said open space.

3. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel, and an occupant compartment having a seat under said roof and rearwardly of said panel, comprising a source of gas, an inflatable torso bag, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said torso bag in a collapsed condition, at least one flexible inflatable filler means connecting said source of gas to said bag and stored in a collapsed condition in said storage means, said filler means, when gas is supplied thereto from said source, becoming extended and moving said bag downwardly from said roof towards said seat, said bag being inflated by gas passing through said filler means and when inflated, being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said filler means, said filler means providing restraint against movement of the head of an occupant, seated in said seat, forwardly against said instrument panel, said filler means having a folded portion extensible in response to an impact thereon by the head of an occupant, said bag providing a downward force on an occupant and having at least one stub-shaped projection extending forwardly therefrom for engaging the instrument panel, said projection being inflatable.

4. Restraint apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including an inflatable side curtain, said side curtain being connected to said torso bag for deployment therewith.

5. Restraint apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further including a plurality of restraining webs within said side curtain connecting opposite sides of said side curtain for maintaining the latter in a generally flat condition upon inflation.

6. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition, tube means connecting one portion of said bag means to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condition in said storage means, said tube means and portion of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas through said tube means into said portion of said bag means, said portion of said bag means, when inflated, being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said tube means, inflatable positioning means on said one portion of said bag means, said positioning means being at least one inflatable stub which extends forwardly from said one portion of said bag means, said stub being adapted upon inflation to engage said instrument panel for positioning said one portion of said bag means with respect to said instrument panel.

7. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable side curtain means, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said inflatable means in a collapsed condition, means connecting one portion of said inflatable means to said source of gas, said side curtain means being adapted, when inflated, to extend downwardly from said roof along one side of said vehicle, a plurality of restraining webs within said side curtain connecting opposite sides of said side curtain means for maintaining the latter in a generally flat condition upon inflation, each of said restraining webs having an elongated recess in at least one end thereof forming web portions, said web portions being adapted to diverge to lessen the strain on the connection between the end of the web and the sides of the side curtain means.

8. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition, tube means connecting one portion of said bag means to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condition in said storage means, said tube means and portion of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas through said tube means into said portion of said bag means, said portion of said bag means when inflated, being spaced from said roof aNd held away therefrom by said tube means, said tube means and said one portion of said bag means providing an open space located above said one portion of said bag means and below said roof, said bag means further including a second portion held in said storage means in a collapsed condition, said second portion comprising a side curtain adapted, when inflated, to extend downwardly from said roof along one side of said vehicle, guide means connected to said side curtain for guiding the deployment of said side curtain, said guide means including a plurality of connectors extending between said one portion of said inflatable bag means and opposite sides of said side curtains.

9. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition, tube means connecting one portion of said bag means to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condition in said storage means, said tube means and portion of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas through said tube means into said portion of said bag means, said portion of said bag means when inflated, being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said tube means, said tube means and said one portion of said bag means providing an open space located above said one portion of said bag means and below said roof, said bag means further including a side curtain held in said storage means in a collapsed condition, said side curtain adapted, when inflated, to extend downwardly from said roof, along one side of said vehicle, and at least one flexible connector member joining said side curtain and said one portion of said bag means for facilitating the deployment and placement of said one portion of said bag means and said side curtain.

10. Restraint apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle having a roof, an instrument panel and an occupant compartment under said roof and rearwardly of said instrument panel, comprising a source of gas, inflatable bag means, storage means adjacent said roof for holding said inflatable bag means in a collapsed condition, spaced tube means connecting one portion of said bag means to said source of gas and located in a collapsed condition in said storage means, said tube means and portion of said bag means being inflated by the passage of gas through said tube means into said portion of said bag means, said portion of said bag means when inflated, being spaced from said roof and held away therefrom by said tube means, said tube means and said one portion of said bag means providing an open space located above said one portion of said bag means and below said roof, said tube means including an extensible portion adapted to permit said tube means to yield upon impact by a passenger, said extensible portion comprising a portion of said tube means folded upon itself, said extensible portion remaining in its folded condition upon inflation of said bag means until said passenger engages said tube means in the area of said extensible portion.