Airbag folding apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for folding an airbag comprising:
- means for supporting an airbag to be folded;
means for securing an airbag in position relative to said supporting means;
a carriage movable towards and away from said supporting means and said securing means;
means associated with said carriage for clamping a first portion of said airbag to said supporting means;
first and second folding means associated with said carriage for grasping second and third portions of said airbag and creating first folds in said airbag to form a partially folded airbag;
means for engaging said partially folded airbag for maintaining said first folds in said partially folded airbag;
one of said engaging means and said securing means further rotating said engaged partially folded airbag about a vertical axis; and
said first and second folding means further grasping opposing portions of said partially folded airbag and creating second folds in said partially folded airbag to form a completely folded airbag.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for folding an airbag. The apparatus includes tables for supporting the airbag. A securement mechanism is associated with the tables and secures the airbag in position relative to the tables. A carriage is provided and is movable towards and away from the tables. A clamping mechanism is associated with the carriage and clamps a first portion of the airbag to the tables. First and second sets of folding blades are also associated with the carriage. The first and second sets of folding blades grasp second and third portions of the airbag and create first folds in the airbag to form a partially folded airbag. An engagement mechanism engages the partially folded airbag to maintain the first folds in the partially folded airbag. The securement mechanism further rotates the engaged partially folded airbag about a vertical axis. The first and second sets of folding blades additionally grasp opposing portions of the partially folded airbag to create second folds in the partially folded airbag to form a completely folded airbag.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for folding an airbag comprising:
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means for supporting an airbag to be folded; means for securing an airbag in position relative to said supporting means; a carriage movable towards and away from said supporting means and said securing means; means associated with said carriage for clamping a first portion of said airbag to said supporting means; first and second folding means associated with said carriage for grasping second and third portions of said airbag and creating first folds in said airbag to form a partially folded airbag; means for engaging said partially folded airbag for maintaining said first folds in said partially folded airbag; one of said engaging means and said securing means further rotating said engaged partially folded airbag about a vertical axis; and said first and second folding means further grasping opposing portions of said partially folded airbag and creating second folds in said partially folded airbag to form a completely folded airbag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for folding an airbag comprising the steps of:
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clamping a first portion of said airbag; folding second and third portions of said airbag to create first folds in said airbag to form a partially folded airbag; engaging said partially folded airbag to maintain said first folds in said partially folded airbag; rotating said engaged partially folded airbag about a vertical axis; and
,folding opposing portions of said partially folded airbag to create second folds in said partially folded airbag to form a completely folded airbag. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification