Seat structure pressure vessel for airbag installation

• US 5,588,670 A
• Filed: 07/20/1995
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olson, Brent K., Storey, J. Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/503,884
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 280/748, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/728.1, 280/737, 280/741, 280/731
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence

Abstract

The structural framework of an automotive chair serves as the reservoir for airbag-inflating gas. Accordingly, the need for a separate gas reservoir for each airbag installation is eliminated.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having passenger chairs therein including at least one air bag module, an inflation initiator and a pressurized inflation-gas, the improvement comprising:

at least one of said chairs having a structural framework, said framework storing said pressurized inflation-gas, said at least one air bag module and said initiator mounted to and substantially externally on said framework.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said structural framework comprises:

hollow tubing forming a framework for said at least one chair.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said framework is in the seat back.

4. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said module is positioned to release an airbag into the space beside the chair.

5. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said module is positioned to release an airbag into the space behind the chair.

6. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said module is positioned to release an airbag into the space beside the chair.

7. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said module is positioned to release an airbag into the space behind the chair.