Inflatable gas cushion

• US 4,556,236 A
• Filed: 09/22/1983
• Issued: 12/03/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Patzelt, Helmut, Scholz, Hans J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US06/534,826
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/729, 280/737
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217

Abstract

At least one closed container filled with neutralizing substances is arranged inside of an automatically inflatable gas cushion designed for the protection of the passengers of motor vehicles. The gas cushion is generally filled in a pyrotechnical manner by the use of gases and the release of the substances in the closed container is for the purpose of neutralizing these gases which may lead to the annoyance of the passengers when flowing into the vehicle passenger space.

Claims

1. An inflatable gas cushion fillable with gases for the protection of passengers of vehicles including a frangible closed container means arranged inside of the gas cushion filled with substances for neutralizing selected properties of said gases, said container means being automatically opened during inflation of the inflatable gas cushion.

2. A gas cushion according to claim 1, wherein the container means is constructed as welded-together pocket made from a plastic foil.

3. A gas cushion according to claim 1, wherein the container means is secured inside of the gas cushion in such a manner that it is mechanically destroyed by the unfolding gas cushion.

4. A gas cushion according to claim 1, wherein the container means is thermally destroyed by hot gases flowing into the gas cushion.

5. An inflatable gas cushion fillable with gases for the protection of passengers of vehicles which is inflated by the gases flowing into the gas cushion during an accident, comprising a frangible closed container means inside the gas cushion, said container means being filled with substances for at least partially neutralizing any annoying side effects of said gases, said gas cushion automatically opening said closed container means during inflation of said gas cushion by said gases.

6. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 5, wherein the gas cushion is made of stretchable material and the container means is opened mechanically.

7. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 6, wherein said gas cushion and said container means utilize different stretch properties of the materials used therefor for automatically opening the container means during inflation of the gas cushion.

8. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 6, wherein said gas cushion includes a member for tearing open said container means during inflation of the gas cushion.

9. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 5, wherein said container means is formed of a thermally responsive material and is opened in response to hot gases filling said gas cushion.