Air bag system for side collision protection
First Claim
1. Apparatus for protecting occupants of a vehicle during side collisions, said vehicle having a vehicle body including sides and at least one adjustable vehicle seat including a frame mounted on said vehicle body, said apparatus comprising at least one air bag mounted in said vehicle seat, sensor means for initiating inflation of said at least one air bag, said sensor means mounted on said vehicle seat frame, and compression load transfer means mounted between at least one side of said vehicle body and said sensor means whereby deformation of said vehicle side causes activation of said sensor means by a direct transfer of energy through said compression load transfer means, said adjustable vehicle seat being adjustable within a predetermined range of adjustment, and said compression load transfer means having an extent of coverage corresponding at least to said predetermined range of adjustment of said adjustable vehicle seat.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for protecting vehicle occupants during side collision are disclosed, including at least one air bag mounted in a vehicle seat and a sensor for pyrotechnically initiating inflation of the air bag. The sensor is mounted on a frame connected to the vehicle body and on which the vehicle seat is mounted, and the vehicle body'"'"'s sides and/or doors include compression load transfer plates for the direct transmission of energy to the sensor for bag inflation upon deformation of the corresponding side and/or door of the vehicle body.
83 Citations
5 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for protecting occupants of a vehicle during side collisions, said vehicle having a vehicle body including sides and at least one adjustable vehicle seat including a frame mounted on said vehicle body, said apparatus comprising at least one air bag mounted in said vehicle seat, sensor means for initiating inflation of said at least one air bag, said sensor means mounted on said vehicle seat frame, and compression load transfer means mounted between at least one side of said vehicle body and said sensor means whereby deformation of said vehicle side causes activation of said sensor means by a direct transfer of energy through said compression load transfer means, said adjustable vehicle seat being adjustable within a predetermined range of adjustment, and said compression load transfer means having an extent of coverage corresponding at least to said predetermined range of adjustment of said adjustable vehicle seat.
Specification