Inflatable tubular torso restraint system
First Claim
1. A seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
- (a) a torso belt comprising an inflatable structure that contracts substantially in length and increases substantially in cross-sectional area when it is fully inflated, wherein the inflatable structure assumes a flat configuration prior to inflation;
(b) a gas generator fluidly connected to the inflatable structure;
(c) a crash sensor electrically connected to the gas generator, said crash sensor initiating generation of gas by the gas generator when an impact is detected such that the inflatable structure is fully inflated; and
(d) a constraint mounted on the top of a vehicle seat, wherein the inflatable structure is routed through the constraint such that portions of the inflatable structure on both sides of the constraint are inflatable, and such that the inflated 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.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat restraint system whose torso belt includes an inflatable structure that inflates upon impact to protect the occupants of a vehicle such as an automobile. The inflatable structure is linked to a gas generator and crash sensor. When an impact above a predetermined level of severity is detected, the gas generator is ignited, inflating the inflatable structure which contracts in length as it inflates. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable structure is a braided tube. As the braided tube inflates, the diameter of the tube increases significantly and its length decreases significantly, due to the orientation of the fibers comprising the braided tube. The contraction in length pretensions the seat belt system by pulling any slack out of the seat belt systems. In a frontal impact, the inflated structure restricts the forward motion of an occupant and distributes crash loads over a larger occupant surface area to reduce both primary and secondary injuries. In a side impact, the inflated structure passes over the occupant'"'"'s shoulder, restricts occupant motion, distributes crash loads and provides head and neck protection.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
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(a) a torso belt comprising an inflatable structure that contracts substantially in length and increases substantially in cross-sectional area when it is fully inflated, wherein the inflatable structure assumes a flat configuration prior to inflation; (b) a gas generator fluidly connected to the inflatable structure; (c) a crash sensor electrically connected to the gas generator, said crash sensor initiating generation of gas by the gas generator when an impact is detected such that the inflatable structure is fully inflated; and (d) a constraint mounted on the top of a vehicle seat, wherein the inflatable structure is routed through the constraint such that portions of the inflatable structure on both sides of the constraint are inflatable, and such that the inflated 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A seat restraint system comprising:
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(a) a belt comprising a torso belt portion and a lap belt portion, said torso belt portion comprising an inflatable structure that contracts substantially in length and increases substantially in cross-sectional area when it is fully inflated, wherein the inflatable structure assumes a flat configuration prior to inflation; (b) a gas generator fluidly connected to the inflatable structure; (c) a crash sensor electrically connected to the gas generator, said crash sensor initiating generation of gas by the gas generator when an impact is detected such that the inflatable structure is fully inflated; (d) a constraint mounted on the top of a vehicle seat located in the rear of the vehicle, wherein the inflatable structure is routed through the constraint such that portions of the inflatable structure on both sides of the constraint are inflatable, and such that the inflated 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, and wherein the inflatable structure extends across the rear shelf of the vehicle into the trunk of the vehicle; (e) a buckle assembly, said belt passing through a first component of the buckle assembly; and (f) a buckle strap connected to a second component of the buckle assembly, said buckle strap being pivotally attached to the vehicle, wherein the lap belt portion of the lap belt is connected to an inertial reel anchored to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
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(a) a belt having a lap belt portion, and a torso belt portion, wherein the lap belt portion is attached to a first inertial reel pivotally attached to the vehicle, and wherein the belt is attached to a first portion of a buckle assembly at the end of the lap portion of the belt and at the beginning of the torso belt portion of the belt; (b) an inflatable tubular structure comprising part of the torso belt, said inflatable tubular structure being routed through a constraint on the top of a vehicle seat located in the rear of the vehicle towards the trunk of the vehicle; (c) a gas generator fluidly connected to the inflatable tubular structure; (d) a strap attached at one end to a second portion of the buckle assembly, and anchored to the vehicle at the other end, wherein the inflatable tubular structure increases its cross-sectional area by at least 50% and reduces its length by at least about 20%, when it is fully inflated in an unconstrained state, and wherein the inflatable structure is routed through the constraint such that portions of the inflatable structure on both sides of the constraint are inflatable, and such that the inflated 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, and wherein the inflatable tubular structure is not vented after inflation, such that it reduces the extent and severity of secondary injuries as well as reducing the extent and severity of primary injuries. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A seat restraint system for a vehicle comprising:
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(a) a belt having a lap belt portion, and a torso belt portion, wherein the lap belt portion is attached to a first inertial reel having means for pivotally attaching the first inertial reel to the vehicle, and wherein the belt is attached to a first portion of a buckle assembly at the end of the lap portion of the belt and at the beginning of the torso belt portion of the belt; (b) an inflatable tubular structure comprising part of the torso belt, said inflatable tubular structure routed through a constraint mounted on the top of a rear seat of the vehicle; (c) a gas generator fluidly connected to the inflatable tubular structure; (d) a strap attached at one end to a second portion of the buckle assembly; wherein the inflatable tubular structure increases its cross-sectional area by at least 50% and reduces its length by at least about 20%, when it is fully inflated in an unconstrained state, and wherein the inflatable structure is routed through the constraint such that portions of the inflatable structure on both sides of the constraint are inflatable, and such that the inflated portion of the torso belt would push an occupant of a vehicle seat down into the seat, thus controlling the position of the occupant during a collision, and wherein the inflatable tubular structure is not vented after inflation, such that it reduces the extent and severity of secondary injuries as well as reducing the extent and severity of primary injuries. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification