Side impact air bag deployable between a vehicle body and an occupant

• US 5,911,434 A
• Filed: 01/08/1998
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joalto Secured Creditors Trustee Corp.
• Original Assignee: Joalto Design Incorporated
• Inventors: Townsend, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US09/004,551
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.2, 280/751, 280/752, 297/411.32, 296/153
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/06 slidable; foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/79 Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2173 the module or part thereof being movably mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence

Abstract

A vehicle side impact air bag system is disclosed wherein the air bag is located in an outboard armrest. During a collision, the air bag deploys outward away from the occupant and against the vehicle door or side body panel. Preferably, the air bag fills the entire space between the occupant and the door in order to protect the torso, neck and head of the occupant during the collision. The inventive system may be used with a movable door or an adjacent portion of the vehicle body. Various embodiments are disclosed, including pivotably attaching the armrest to the seat, removably attaching the armrest to the seat, attaching the armrest to the floor, forming the armrest in the floor, and attaching the armrest to the door or vehicle body.

Claims

1. An air bag restraint apparatus for use in a vehicle having a body and a seat within the body, the body having a floor portion and a side portion, said apparatus arranged for protecting a vehicle occupant and comprising:

a housing formed in the floor portion adjacent to an outboard side of the vehicle seat, said housing having inboard and outboard sides; and

an air bag stowed within the housing for deployment through the outboard side thereof into a space between the outboard side of the housing and the side portion of the vehicle body, wherein the air bag deploys outward against the side portion and expands upward along the side portion to protect the occupant from side impact.