Inflatable sun visor

• US 3,917,023 A
• Filed: 06/13/1974
• Issued: 11/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel D.E. Rosa
• Original Assignee: Daniel D.E. Rosa
• Inventors: De Rosa, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/479,186
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 296/97H,84K
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

This invention relates to means for protecting the passengers of motor vehicles in case of strong decelerations, notably during a crash. This device comprises, notably in the sun visors, body elements such as door-jambs, edges of window and door frames, etc..., as well as in any other aggressive elements of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, multiple energy-damping inflatable means consisting of bellows inflatable and enclosing a miniaturized generator of gas under pressure, one portion of said bellows being rigidly fastened to the corresponding aggressive element, the other portion being adapted to be easily and readily released during the inflation.

Claims

1. Device for protecting the passengers of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a sun visor;

a multiple energy-damping inflatable means disposed in the sun visor and consisting of a support unit comprising a bellows structure adapted to be either spread or expanded, and provided with a gas generator consisting of a stick of explosive powder, one portion of said bellows being rigidly secured to the sun visor from which the passengers are to be protected, and the other portion being releasably secured to said support for releasing said other portion during the inflation of said bellows, said gas generator being adapted to be released electrically by means of an inertia electric switch or any other similar device.

2. A device for protecting the passengers of a motor vehicle from impact with an edge of a sun visor comprising:

a sun visor having one end connected to a motor vehicle and comprising a section member around the outer edge of said visor;

a first securing device in said section member located on said one end of said visor and a second securing device in said section member located on the other end of said visor;

an expandable bellows structure disposed in said visor and rigidly secured to said one end by said first securing device and releasably secured to said other end by said second securing device, said second securing device releasing said bellows from securement thereby to said visor during expansion of said bellows;

a gas generator means secured in said bellows structure for expanding said bellows structure; and

actuating means for actuating said gas generator means.