Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device comprising an inflatable bladder contained within an outer shell and being completely unattached to said outer shell; and
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable bladder;
said inflatable bladder being made of gas impermeable material having overlying portions with a radio frequency weld sealing said overlying portions together in an airtight manner;
said outer shell comprising a structural reinforcement for said inflatable bladder which provides structural support for said inflatable bladder.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes an inflatable bladder (40) contained within an outer shell (42) and completely unattached to the outer shell. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable bladder (40). The inflatable bladder (40) is made of gas impermeable material having overlying portions (48) that are sealed together in an airtight manner by a radio frequency weld (50). The outer shell (42) provides structural support for the inflatable bladder (40).
48 Citations
8 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device comprising an inflatable bladder contained within an outer shell and being completely unattached to said outer shell; and
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable bladder;
said inflatable bladder being made of gas impermeable material having overlying portions with a radio frequency weld sealing said overlying portions together in an airtight manner;
said outer shell comprising a structural reinforcement for said inflatable bladder which provides structural support for said inflatable bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device comprising an inflatable bladder contained within an outer shell and being completely unattached to said outer shell; and
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable bladder;
said inflatable bladder being made of gas impermeable material having overlying portions with a radio frequency weld sealing said overlying portions together in an airtight manner;
said outer shell comprising a structural reinforcement for said inflatable bladder which provides structural support for said inflatable bladder, said inflatable bladder and said outer shell, when inflated, having inflatable portions which overlie at least a portion of an A pillar, B pillar and a C pillar of the vehicle.
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Specification