Circular air bag made of two simultaneously woven fabrics

• US 5,651,395 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Airbags International Limited (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Airbags International Limited (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Graham, Raymond, Kavanagh, Christopher Paul, Valkenburg, Simon, Litton, Michael Gervase
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, C. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Worrell, Jr., Larry D.
• Application Number:
  US08/475,745
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/733, 280/739, 280/743, 28/140, 28/143, 28/151, 139/1 R, 139/384, 139/386, 139/389, 139/390
• US Class Current: 139/390
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23547 one piece weaving
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/02 Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 11/02 Fabrics formed with pockets, tubes, loops, folds, tucks or flaps fabrics consisting of a single tube D03D3/02

Abstract

A method of forming an air bag which includes the steps of weaving on a loom an upper and lower fabric simultaneously, the two fabrics being combined in selected areas to define a seam of substantially circular shape. A bag is produced by cutting within the seam. The air bag does not have an additional coating, but the permeability of the bag is determined by controlling the sett thereby utilizing the permeability of the weave itself.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an air bag by weaving on a loom which comprises:

forming at least an upper and lower fabric simultaneously;

weaving the upper and lower fabrics together in selected continuous peripheral area such that a continuous substantially circular seam is formed that encloses a space;

weaving straps into the air bag to limit and control the degree of inflation of the bag simultaneously with the weaving of the bag, the straps being substantially non-stretchable; and

cutting the fabric about the substantially circular seam to produce said air bag with simultaneously formed reinforcing straps.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the straps are of aramid yams and the fabrics are of shrinkable yarns.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the straps are of short lengths of low tenacity yarns which tear on inflation of the bag to provide necessary control and energy absorption.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by weaving a third layer of fabric simultaneously with the weaving of the bag and attaching the third layer to one of the upper and lower fabrics in a center section, cutting the third layer so as to leave straps which have free ends;

and sewing said free ends into a throat area of the bag after turning the bag inside-out and cutting a throat hole.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the further steps of weaving a fourth layer of fabric attached to the other fabric, and cutting away fabric so as to leave straps, the free ends of the upper and lower straps being joined to one another once the bag is turned inside out.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the seam which combines the upper and lower fabrics comprises a hop sack weave.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the seam which combines the upper and lower fabrics comprises a number of cross-overs of the upper and lower fabrics.

6. A method of manufacturing an air bag by weaving on a loom which comprises forming at least an upper and lower fabric simultaneously, weaving yarns of the two fabrics together in selected areas of a desired shape thereby defining an at least substantially enclosed space, and weaving one of the fabrics with two bands made of additional yarns thus providing a reinforced area for connecting a gas generator where the two bands intersect.

7. A method of manufacturing an air bag by weaving on a loom which comprises forming at least an upper and lower fabric simultaneously weaving yarns of the two fabrics together in selected areas of a desired shape thereby defining an at least substantially enclosed space, and weaving a throat reinforcement for a gas generator in one of the fabrics placing two components of a reinforcing ring on either side of the throat reinforcement of the fabric, the ring having an annular recess provided with a fusable composition, and fusing the composition thereby welding the two components of the ring to the fabric and each other.