Air bag

• US 5,927,754 A
• Filed: 09/07/1993
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Kerner, Wolfgang, Peitsmeier, Karl, Russ, Wolfgang, Patzelt, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/116,753
• Time in Patent Office: 2,149 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728 R, 280/730, 280/731, 280/732, 280/739, 280/743 R, 280/743 A, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217

Abstract

The invention relates to an air bag for occupant restraint systems of motor vehicles, which air bag is automatically inflated by means of a gas generator in the event of an accident. In order subsequently to allow slackening of the air bag, a kidney-shaped or crescent shaped zone of the air bag cover, which is arranged at a greater distance from and approximately centrally to a central region of the air bag facing the occupant, is produced from gas-permeable fabric. Due to the specified shape and arrangement of this zone, the necessary load-bearing capacity of the air bag remains guaranteed.

Claims

1. An air bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, having an air bag wall which is substantially nonpermeable to gas and defines a balloon-like hollow body for cushioning an occupant when in an inflated condition;

said air bag wall including a reinforced central section attached to restraining catch straps such that the air bag assumes a flattened elliptical shape;

wherein the air bag wail includes a gas permeable fabric section within a curved section spaced radially from the central section and at a side of the airbag facing an occupant when in an inflated condition; and

wherein the gas-permeable fabric is oriented in warp and weft at an angle of about 45°

to the warp and weft of the fabric forming the wall of the air bag.

2. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein said gas permeable fabric section is a crescent-shaped section disposed radially outside the central section.

3. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein said gas permeable fabric section is a kidney-shaped section disposed radially outside the central section.

4. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein said airbag is configured for disposition in a vehicle steering wheel with said catch straps connected to parts of a vehicle steering wheel hub.