Inflatable restraint device and method of manufacturing same

• US 5,836,611 A
• Filed: 12/01/1995
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward B. Palm
• Original Assignee: Edward B. Palm
• Inventors: Palm, Edward B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US08/565,875
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/743.1, 156/156, 156/160, 156/165, 156/229, 156/308.2, 156/309.6
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/50 elastic or flexible for isostatic pressing B29C43/3642
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/505 cores or mandrels, e.g. inflatable B29C33/0016 takes precedence; for winding and joining B29C53/824; for supporting articles during joining B29C66/634; flexible cores for vulcanizing tyres B29D30/0654
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/382 Automated fiber placement [AFP]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23523 Composite
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23557 Molding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material

Abstract

A one piece laminated air bag has an inner layer of sheet material, a middle layer of load carrying fibers and an outer layer of sheet material. The load carrying fibers are laid in a pre-specified pattern such that a majority of loads in the air bag are carried by the fibers. The method of manufacturing the air bag includes an inflatable mold which is inflated to the required configuration, covered with the various layers and deflated after the laminating of sheets to form the one piece laminated air bag.

Claims

1. A three dimensional air bag comprising:

a first layer of material; and

a plurality of discrete load carrying fibers disposed on said first layer of material in a pre-specified configuration, said pre-specified configuration corresponding with a pattern defining high and low stress areas of said first layer of material when said air bag is deployed such that a higher concentration of said discrete load carrying fibers are present in said high stress areas of said first layer of material for reinforcing said high stress areas of said first layer of material and more discrete fibers being present in said high stress areas of said first layer of material and more discrete fibers being present in said high stress areas than in said low stress areas of said first layer of material.

2. The air bag according to claim 1 further comprising a second layer of material, said plurality of load carrying fibers being disposed between said first and second layers of material.

3. The air bag according to claim 2 further comprising an adhesive disposed between said first and second layers of material.

4. The air bag according to claim 1 wherein, said plurality of load carrying fibers include a coating of adhesive.

5. A three dimensional air bag comprising:

a first layer of material having high and low areas of stress when said air bag is deployed; and

a plurality of discrete load carrying fibers disposed on said first layer of material in a three dimensional fashion, such that a higher concentration of said discrete load carrying fibers are present in said high stress areas of said first layer of material for reinforcing said high stress areas of said first layer of material and more discrete fibers being present in said high stress areas than in said low stress areas of said first layer of material.

6. The air bag according to claim 5 further comprising a second layer of material, said plurality of load carrying fibers being disposed between said first and second layers of material.

7. The air bag according to claim 6 further comprising an adhesive disposed between said first and second layers of material.

8. The air bag according to claim 5 wherein, said plurality of load carrying fibers include a coating of adhesive.

9. A three dimensional air bag having a mouth, said air bag comprising:

a first sheet of material forming a cavity having a single opening at said mouth of said air bag; and

a plurality of discrete load carrying fibers applied to said first sheet of material in a pre-specified configuration, pre-selected configuration corresponding with a pattern defining high and low stress areas of said first sheet of material when said air bag is deployed such that a higher concentration of said discrete load carrying fibers are present in said high stress areas of said first layer of material for reinforcing said high stress areas of said first layer of material and more discrete fibers being present in said high areas than in said low stress areas of said first layer of material.

10. The air bag according to claim 9 further comprising a second sheet of material located over said first sheet of material and over said plurality of load carrying fibers to form said cavity having said single opening at said mouth of said air bag.

11. The air bag according to claim 10 further comprising an adhesive disposed between said first and second sheets of material.

12. The air bag according to claim 9 wherein, said plurality of load carrying fibers include a coating of adhesive.