Air bag

• US 6,129,382 A
• Filed: 06/29/1999
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nihon Plast Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nihon Plast Company Limited
• Inventors: Tonooka, Masami
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/342,739
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

The invention relates to an automotive air bag for an air bag device. This air bag in an inflated condition is generally pentahedral by the provision of a first or bottom surface, a second or upper surface, a front surface for cushioning a front passenger, and a pair of side surfaces. The first and second surfaces each extend from a first or forehand edge portion of the air bag. The first surface has (1) an opening for introducing gas into the air bag and (2) a reinforced portion surrounding the opening and adapted to be fastened to a retainer. This opening is disposed in the vicinity of the first edge portion. Thus, the air bag can efficiently be inflated.

Claims

1. An air bag for an air bag device, said air bag being in an inflated condition by introducing gas thereinto, said air bag comprising:

a first edge portion;

a first surface extending from said first edge portion and terminated with a second edge portion;

a second surface extending from said first edge portion and terminated with a third edge portion;

a front surface connecting together said second and third edge portions; and

a pair of side surfaces connecting together opposite sides of said first and second surfaces,

wherein said first surface comprises (1) an opening for introducing the gas into said air bag, which opening is disposed in the vicinity of said first edge portion, and (2) a reinforced portion surrounding said opening and adapted to be fastened to another member.

2. An air bag according to claim 1, wherein a maximum angle between said first and second surfaces is from 40 to 120 degrees, said maximum angle being provided when said air bag is fully inflated.

3. An air bag according to claim 1, wherein a maximum angle between said first and second surfaces, which is provided when said air bag is fully inflated, is greater than an angle defined between first and second planes, by an angle of from 5 to 30 degrees, each of said first and second planes being defined by a space receiving therein said air bag in the inflated condition.

4. An air bag according to claim 3, wherein said first an second planes are respectively defined by a vehicular front windshield and a vehicular instrument panel.

5. An air bag according to claim 1, wherein said air bag further comprises (1) a first major panel providing said first surface and a part of said pair of side surfaces and (2) a second major panel providing said second surface and the rest of said pair of side surfaces, and said air bag is prepared by a method comprising the steps of (a) spreading flat said first and second major panels;

(b) putting together said first and second major panels; and

(c) sewing together said first and second major panels.

6. An air bag according to claim 5, wherein a sewing line formed by the step (c) comprises (1) a first linear portion along said first edge portion, (2) a pair of second and third side linear portions each continuous with said first linear portion, for providing said pair of side surfaces, (3) a first corner defined between said first linear portion and said second side linear portion, and (4) a second corner defined between said first linear portion and said third side linear portion, and wherein each of said first and second corners is gently curved.

7. An air bag according to claim 6, wherein each of said first and second corners has a radius of curvature of not less than 20 mm.

8. An air bag according to claim 1, wherein said reinforced portion comprises a reinforcing minor panel sewed to said first major panel.

9. An air bag according to claim 1, wherein said reinforced portion comprises a plurality of through holes for receiving fasteners used for fastening said air bag to said another member.

10. An air bag for an air bag device, comprising:

a first section for defining a first edge portion of said air bag in an inflated condition of said air bag;

a second section for defining a first surface of said air bag in said inflated condition, said first surface extending from said first edge portion to a second edge portion, said first surface comprising (1) an opening for introducing gas into said air bag and (2) a reinforced portion surrounding said opening and adapted to be fastened to another member, said opening being disposed in the vicinity of said first edge portion;

a third section for defining a second surface of said air bag in said inflated condition, said second surface extending from said first edge portion to a third edge portion;

a fourth section for defining a front surface of said air bag in said inflated condition, said front surface connecting together said second and third edge portions; and

a fifth section for defining a pair of side surfaces of said air bag in said inflated condition, said pair of side surfaces connecting together said first and second surfaces.