Vehicle occupant protection apparatus

• US 5,911,433 A
• Filed: 11/06/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Swann, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/965,510
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/737, 280/741, 280/806, 280/733
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2074 in head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4604 characterised by arrangements in vehicle or relative to seat belt
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4619 Transmission of tensioning power by cable, e.g. using a clutch on reel side

Abstract

An apparatus (10) includes a first vehicle occupant protection apparatus (22), a second vehicle occupant protection apparatus (44), and an actuating device (46). The first protection apparatus (22), when actuated, helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat (16). The second protection apparatus (44), when actuated, also helps to protect the occupant of the seat (16). The first protection apparatus (22) comprises a seat belt pretensioner including a piston (70) supported for movement through a pretensioning stroke. The actuating device (46) responds to movement of the piston (70) through the pretensioning stroke by actuating the second protection apparatus (44).

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a first vehicle occupant protection apparatus which, when actuated, helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat, said first protection apparatus comprising a seat belt pretensioner including a piston supported for movement through a pretensioning stroke;

a second vehicle occupant protection apparatus which, when actuated, helps to protect said occupant; and

a device which responds to movement of said piston through said pretensioning stroke by actuating said second protection apparatus.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second protection apparatus, when actuated, provides inflation fluid for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second protection apparatus defines the length of said pretensioning stroke by blocking movement of said piston beyond said pretensioning stroke.

4. Apparatus comprising:

a seat belt pretensioner which, when actuated, imparts tension to seat belt webbing;

a source of inflation fluid which, when actuated, provides inflation fluid for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device; and

a device which responds to actuation of said pretensioner by actuating said source of inflation fluid.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said actuating device is movable with a piston in said pretensioner, said source of inflation fluid comprising a structure located in the path of movement of said actuating device and being actuatable upon movement of said actuating device against said structure.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said actuating device is mounted on said piston for movement with said piston toward and into contact with said structure upon movement of said piston through a pretensioning stroke.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said structure is a closure wall of a pressure vessel containing inflation fluid, said closure wall being rupturable under the force of said actuating device moving against said closure wall.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said structure is an igniter comprising a percussion primer which is actuatable under the force of said actuating device moving against said percussion primer.