Gas bag restraining system for vehicles

• US 5,333,898 A
• Filed: 08/20/1993
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Original Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Inventors: Stutz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US08/109,665
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730 A, 280/730 R, 280/728 R, 280/728 A, 280/743 R
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

In a gas bag restraining system for a vehicle a gas (12) is folded up in the inactivated state in a housing (10) on the frame of a vehicle side window (4). The gas bag is adapted, when there is a collision, to be automatically inflated to unfold over at least a part of the area of the side window to afford lateral protection against impact for a vehicle occupant. The housing (10) of the gas bag (12) is located at one corner of the lateral window, which is constituted by two frame sections (6, 8), converging together at an angle, of the lateral window (4). Two elongated guide elements (16, 18) fixed to the vehicle extend respectively along the said frame sections (6, 8). A number of holding elements (20) for the gas bag (12) are adapted to run on each guide element (16, 18) for longitudinal sliding movement. The holding elements (20) are secured to the gas bag (12) along two lateral edges of the gas bag corresponding to the frame sections (6, 8).

Claims

1. A gas bag restraining system for a vehicle, comprising a housing and a gas bag which in an inactivated state is folded up in said housing and is adapted, when there is a collision, to be automatically inflated to unfold, wherein

a) said housing is located at a corner of a lateral vehicle window defined by two frame sections converging at an angle,

b) two elongated guide elements extend respectively along said frame sections,

c) said gas bag has a plurality of holding elements adapted to run on each guide element for longitudinal sliding movement,

d) and said holding elements are secured to said gas bag along two lateral edges of said gas bag corresponding to said frame sections.

2. The gas bag restraining system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide elements are provided with latching bodies which permit movement of said holding elements away from said housing and prevent movement of said holding elements in an opposite direction.

3. The gas bag restraining system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide elements are rod-shaped and said holding elements are annular, said guide elements extending through said holding elements.