Passenger seat with lateral impact protection

• US 5,829,827 A
• Filed: 10/10/1995
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mayer, Josef, Schaper, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/541,646
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.1, 297/216.13, 297/216.15, 297/DIG. 3, 297/452.41, 297/378.1, 297/354.12, 297/354.1, 297/464, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 297/216.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4235 transversal
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23146 seat mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities

Abstract

A passenger seat for motor vehicle has a seat member and a backrest. A first side air bag is integrated into the seat member and the backrest for lateral impact protection in an accident. Upon activation the first side air bag is inflated and emerges from the seat member and the backrest so as to bridge laterally the space between the seat member and the backrest. The first side air bag is a hose having an initial diameter and an initial length, wherein upon inflation the initial diameter increases and the initial length shortens. The hose is connected with a first end to a fastening point at a forward portion of seat member and with a second end to a fastening point at an upper portion of the backrest.

Claims

1. A passenger seat for motor vehicles, said passenger seat comprising:

a seat member and a backrest;

a first side air bag integrated into said seat member and said backrest for lateral impact protection in an accident, said first side air bag comprising a means for inflating, wherein upon activation of said means for Inflating said first side air bag is inflated and emerges from said seat member and said backrest so as to bridge laterally a space between said seat member and said backrest;

said first side air bag being a hose having an initial diameter and an initial length a direction of initial longitudinal extension, wherein upon inflation said initial diameter increases and said initial length shortens;

said hose connected with a first end to a fastening point at forward portion of said seat member and with a second end to a fastening point at an upper portion of said backrest;

wherein said fastening point of said seat member is displaceable in said direction of initial longitudinal extension of said hose;

a guide at said forward portion, wherein said fastening point of said seat member is guided in said guide such that said fastening point of said seat member follows pivoting movements of said back rest.

2. A passenger seat according to claim 1, further comprising a pivot for pivotably connecting said backrest to said seat member wherein said hose is guided about said pivot at a side thereof remote from said seat member.

3. A passenger seat according to claim 1, wherein said seat member and said backrest comprise a lateral casing for receiving said hose.

4. A passenger seat for motor vehicles, said passenger seat comprising:

a seat member and a backrest;

a first side a integrated into said seat member and said backrest for lateral impact protection in an accident, said first side air bag comprising a means for inflating, wherein upon activation of said means for inflating said first side air bag is inflated and emerges from said seat member and said backrest so as to bridge laterally a space between said seat member and said backrest;

said first side air bag being a hose having an initial diameter and an initial length in a direction of initial longitudinal extension, wherein upon inflation said initial diameter increases and said initial length shortens;

said hose connected With a first end to a fastening point at a forward portion of said seat member and with a second end to a fastening point at an upper portion of said backrest; and

a spring connected between said fastening point at said seat member and said first end of said hose.

5. A passenger seat according to claim 4, wherein said seat member and said backrest comprise a lateral casing for receiving said hose.

6. A passenger seat according to claim 4, further comprising a pivot for pivotably connecting said backrest to said seat member, wherein said hose is guided about said pivot at a side thereof remote from said seat member.