Air bag system

• US 5,709,404 A
• Filed: 12/28/1995
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard C. Brooks
• Original Assignee: Richard C. Brooks
• Inventors: Brooks, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/579,867
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 280/734, 280/735, 180/273, 180/279, 180/290, 307/10.1, 364/424.055, 340/438, 340/667, 200/85 A
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means

Abstract

An improved air bag system comprises a supplemental switch structure incorporated into the user'"'"'s seat for delivering a current to the conventional air bag system irrespective of seat belt engagement. The structure includes an arcuate flexible band coupled to a horizontal band, the latter engaging a spring biased button of a switch. The switch is incorporated into the seat belt circuitry such that a current flows therethrough upon switch closure irrespective of seat belt engagement. The current flow to the air bag system places the air bag system in a ready mode so as to cause air bag inflation upon a sufficient impact of the vehicle bumper with another object.

Claims

1. In a vehicle air bag system having a first switch means therein responsive to a current flow for placing the air bag system in a standby mode upon buckling of a seat belt of an associated seat belt system, the seat belt system including an open circuit when the seat belt is disengaged and a closed circuit upon seat belt buckling, the current flow in the closed circuit delivered to the switch means of the air bag system, the improvement comprising:

a normally open second switch means in the circuit for delivering current to the air bag system means upon closure;

means connected to said second switch means and positioned within a vehicle seat for response to a user sitting on the seat, said responsive means closing said normally open second switch means connected thereto, said closed second switch means delivering current to said first switch means, whereby to place the air bag system in a ready mode.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second switch means comprises:

a switch for current flow therethrough;

a spring biased button in said switch with depression of said button closing said switch;

a first band positioned within said seat in contact with said button;

a second band positioned in said seat and coupled to said first band, whereupon downward movement of said second band depresses said first band and button, whereby to close said switch.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second band comprises:

a generally horizontal strip of flexible material;

first and second slots at opposed ends of said second band for receiving first and second ends of said first band therein.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said first band ends comprises:

a shank;

a tab at an end of said shank, said tab extending through said corresponding slots of said second band, whereupon downward movement of said second band causes said slots to slide along said shanks and contact an end thereof.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second band is arcuate in configuration in a normal mode, whereupon the user sitting in the seat urges said second band in movement towards said first band, said movement urging said slot movement of said second band.

6. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said button of said switch extends through an aperture in said first band.

7. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second bands laterally extend across a width of the seat.

8. For use with a current energized vehicle air bag system having current responsive means therein for placing the air bag system in a ready mode, the system including a normally open circuit, the improvement comprising:

a pressure responsive switch means within the circuit and positioned in a vehicle seat;

pressure responsive structure associated with the pressure responsive switch means within the selected vehicle seat and responsive to pressure of a user sitting thereon, said pressure responsive structure closing said switch means whereupon to close the circuit and place the air bag system in a ready mode.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second switch means comprises:

a switch for current flow therethrough;

a spring biased button in said switch with depression of said button closing said switch;

said pressure response structure comprising;

a first band positioned within said seat in contact with said button;

a second band positioned in said seat and coupled to said first band, whereupon downward movement of said second band depresses said first band and button, whereby to close said switch.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second band comprises:

a generally horizontal strip of flexible material;

first and second slots at opposed ends of said first band for receiving first and second ends of said second band therein.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said first band ends comprises:

a shank;

a tab at an end of said shank, said tab extending through said corresponding slot of said second band, whereupon downward movement of said second band causes said slots to slide along said shanks and contact an end thereof.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said second band is arcuate in configuration in a normal mode, whereupon the user sitting in the seat urges said second band in movement towards said first band, said movement urging said slot movement of said second band.

13. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said button of said switch extends through an aperture in said first band.

14. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and second bands laterally extend across a width of the seat.