Passenger side air bag with tether

• US 5,609,363 A
• Filed: 11/17/1995
• Issued: 03/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Finelli, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/559,898
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/732, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for protecting at least two passengers, e.g. preventing them from hitting each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

An air bag having a main sac portion and a lateral extension of the main sac portion, which together provide a broad cushion to protect the right front occupant and the center occupant of the front seat of an automotive vehicle. An external tether is attached to the lateral extension to restrict air bag rotation, when the air bag is inflated.

Claims

1. An air bag assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising a housing having a wall formed with an opening,

an air bag stored in said housing and adapted when inflated to deploy through said opening,

said air bag having a main sac portion and said main sac portion having a lateral extension,

said lateral extension being in full communication with said main sac portion and when said air bag is inflated and deployed said lateral extension cooperating with said main sac portion in providing a broad cushion to protect two persons seated side by side in the vehicle rearwardly of the housing, and

an anchor attached to said lateral extension for restricting air bag rotation when the air bag is inflated.

2. An air bag assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said anchor comprises a tether connected to said lateral extension.

3. An air bag assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said tether is external to said air bag and is in the form of an elongated, flexible linear member having one end thereof attached to said lateral extension.

4. An air bag assembly adapted to be mounted in the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle and comprising an air bag,

a housing for said air bag having a wall formed with an opening,

said air bag being stored in said housing and when inflated being adapted to deploy through said opening,

said air bag when inflated being kidney-shaped having a main sac portion,

said main sac portion being formed with a front neck connected to said housing and having a lateral extension,

said lateral extension being in full communication with said main sac portion and when said air bag is inflated said lateral extension cooperating with said main sac portion in providing a broad cushion to protect the right front occupant and center front occupant in the vehicle rearwardly of the housing, and

a tether which is entirely external to said air bag and attached to said lateral extension for restricting air bag rotation and excessive travel when the air bag is inflated.

5. An air bag assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said tether is an elongated, flexible linear member having a first end connected to said lateral extension and a second end connected to said neck.