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Inflatable tubular torso restraint system

  • US 5,839,753 A
  • Filed: 03/31/1997
  • Issued: 11/24/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A seat restraint system on a vehicle seat in a vehicle comprising:

  • (a) an inflatable torso belt which assumes a flat configuration and which acts as a conventional torso section of a seat belt prior to inflation, having an inflatable portion of a first length, said inflatable portion, upon inflation, forming a relatively large diameter tube having a second length, said second length being at least about 20% less than the first length;

    (b) a buckle assembly, wherein a first portion of the buckle assembly is attached to the torso belt and wherein a second portion of the buckle assembly is anchored to the vehicle;

    (c) a lap belt attached to the first portion of the buckle assembly;

    (d) a first inertial reel attached to the lap belt anchored to the vehicle, said first inertial reel locking on impact to prevent payout of the lap belt;

    (e) a second inertial reel anchored to the vehicle and attached to the inflatable torso belt, said second inertial reel locking on impact to prevent a payout of the torso belt,wherein;

    the torso belt is designed such that, after inflation, a portion of the inflatable torso belt lies over the top of the vehicle seat,the inflatable portion of the torso belt passes through a constraint, such that portions of the torso belt on both sides of the constraint are inflatable, andthe inflatable portion is not vented after inflation, and such that the inflatable portion of the torso belt lying over the top of the vehicle seat would push an occupant of the seat down into the seat, thus controlling the position of the occupant during a collision.

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