Air bag with internal shock absorber
First Claim
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1. An air bag system for placement on the exterior of a vehicle comprising:
- an air bag; and
a deployable bumper assembly coupled to an expansion mechanism contained within the air bag, the bumper assembly having a movable forward surface, the forward surface projecting outward from the vehicle a first distance when the bumper assembly is in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the vehicle a second distance which is greater than the first distance when the bumper assembly is in a deployed condition.
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Abstract
An external air bag assembly for mounting in a cavity in a bumper of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes an air bag and deployable shock-absorbing bumper assembly contained within the air bag. In a retracted state, the bumper assembly projects outward only a limited degree. When released in conjunction with air bag deployment, the bumper assembly expands forward and forms an additional shock absorbing region. Because both the air bag and the bumper assembly are stored in an undeployed and retracted state, the entire assembly has a low profile while still providing a high degree of impact absorbing protection.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An air bag system for placement on the exterior of a vehicle comprising:
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an air bag; and a deployable bumper assembly coupled to an expansion mechanism contained within the air bag, the bumper assembly having a movable forward surface, the forward surface projecting outward from the vehicle a first distance when the bumper assembly is in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the vehicle a second distance which is greater than the first distance when the bumper assembly is in a deployed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An air bag system for placement in a cavity in the bumper of a vehicle, the bumper having a forward edge, the system comprising:
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a primary mounting plate within said cavity; a deployable shock-absorber assembly affixed to the primary mounting plate, the shock-absorber assembly being at least substantially contained within said cavity when in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the cavity beyond a leading edge of the bumper when in a deployed condition, the deployable shock-absorber being selectively deployed in response to a first control signal; an air bag encompassing the deployable shock-absorber and affixed to the primary mounting plate; a gas canister coupled to the air bag; a canister release mechanism responsive to a second control signal for deploying the air bag; and a switch for generating said first and second control signals to deploy the air bag and the shock-absorber bumper. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification