Integral inflatable occupant restraint system
First Claim
1. A child safety seat incorporating an inflatable restraint system for protecting an occupant of said child safety seat in a moving vehicle upon rapid deceleration thereof, comprising:
- a child seat, wherein said child seat is adapted for use in said moving vehicle;
at least one restraint module mounted on said child seat adjustably disposed adjacent to said occupant, said at least one restraint module comprising;
an inflatable bag for deployment from said at least one restraint module in a direction away from said occupant;
a high pressure gas generator for inflating said inflatable bag and for exerting a reactionary force against said occupant in a direction opposite the direction of inflation of said inflatable bag;
at least one sensor means, coupled to said high pressure gas generator for providing an output signal to trigger said inflation upon detection of a predetermined event.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable restraint system for providing protection to an occupant in a moving vehicle including a module disposed adjacent to the chest area of the vehicle occupant, the module having an airbag and an high pressure gas generator for exerting a controlled force against the occupant in a direction opposite the direction of motion of the occupant caused by rapid deceleration of the vehicle while simultaneously inflating the airbag adjacent to the occupant. A second embodiment is disclosed which includes an ancillary module disposed adjacent to the rear base of the occupant'"'"'s neck, providing an airbag for inflation behind the occupant'"'"'s head while simultaneously exerting a force opposite the direction of the motion of the occupant'"'"'s head, as caused by the backlash forces acting against the occupant following initial impact of the occupant with a forward airbag. A third embodiment is disclosed wherein an airbag is in incorporated into a child safety seat providing protection from frontal and lateral impact. A fourth embodiment is disclosed for rear seat passenger protection.
72 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A child safety seat incorporating an inflatable restraint system for protecting an occupant of said child safety seat in a moving vehicle upon rapid deceleration thereof, comprising:
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a child seat, wherein said child seat is adapted for use in said moving vehicle; at least one restraint module mounted on said child seat adjustably disposed adjacent to said occupant, said at least one restraint module comprising; an inflatable bag for deployment from said at least one restraint module in a direction away from said occupant; a high pressure gas generator for inflating said inflatable bag and for exerting a reactionary force against said occupant in a direction opposite the direction of inflation of said inflatable bag; at least one sensor means, coupled to said high pressure gas generator for providing an output signal to trigger said inflation upon detection of a predetermined event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A vehicle independent child safety seat comprising:
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a plurality of inflatable bags for deployment in a direction away from an occupant of said vehicle; a mounting means for holding said plurality of inflatable bags adjacent said occupant; at least one high pressure gas generator for inflating said plurality of inflatable bags and for exerting a reactionary force against said occupant in a direction opposite the direction of inflation of each said plurality of inflatable bags; a control means responsive to at least one sensor means and a system user for directing high pressure gas from said at least one high pressure gas generator to said plurality of inflatable bags in a predetermined sequence; and at least one sensor means, coupled to said control means and said high pressure gas generator for providing an output signal to trigger said inflation upon detection of a predetermined event. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 29)
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28. A vehicle independent inflatable passenger restraint system comprising:
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at least one inflatable bag for deployment in a direction away from an occupant of said vehicle; a high pressure gas generator for inflating said at least one inflatable bag and for exerting a reactionary force against said occupant in a direction opposite the direction of inflation of said at least one inflatable bag; at least one sensor means, coupled to said high pressure gas generator for providing an output signal to trigger said inflation upon detection of a predetermined event; an articulated structure mounted to a portion of said vehicle, 13 wherein said articulated structure includes said at least one inflatable bag, and is positionable adjacent said occupant.
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Specification