Restraint assembly

• US 6,267,407 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1999
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hrynik, Thomas F., Howells, Thomas Walter, Powell, Gerald Martin, Zychowicz, Julie Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bottorff, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US09/408,031
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/728.1, 280/732, 296/70, 296/208, 454/137
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00564 of air ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/243 located in the lateral area (e.g. doors, pillars)
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/245 located in the roof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A vehicle restraint assembly 10 having a selectively inflatable and expandable assembly 20 and a member 34 which is selectively and removably coupled to a vent member 30 and which overlays the assembly 20. The member 34 cooperates with the vent member 30 to direct and transport air within the vehicle passenger compartment 28. The selectively expanded assembly 20 causes member 34 to become selectively dislodged from member 30, thereby allowing assembly 20 to enter the vehicle passenger compartment 28 and to desirably protect the vehicle occupants.

Claims

1. A member for use within a vehicle of the type having a selectively inflatable restraint apparatus which is movable from a first stored position to a second expanded position, said member comprising first and second end portions and a corrugated central portion which is removably connected to said first and second end portions and which becomes disconnected from at least one of said first and second end portions as said inflatable restraint apparatus moves to said second expanded position, thereby allowing said inflatable restraint apparatus to expand within said vehicle.

2. The member of claim 1 wherein said member is substantially hollow.

3. The member of claim 2 wherein said central portion is made from rubber.

4. The member of claim 1 wherein said first and second end portions are formed from a first material and wherein said central portion is formed from a second material.

5. The member of claim 1 wherein said central portion includes a substantially “

U”

-shaped groove which frictionally receives said first end portion and which allows said central portion to be removably connected to said first end portion.

6. The member of claim 1 wherein the member is adapted to be attached to said vehicle beneath a trim member thereof.

7. The member of claim 3 wherein said member is adapted to be mounted within a headliner and of said vehicle.

8. In combination, an assembly and a vehicle of the type having a vent member which transports air within said vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a first portion which selectively expands within said vehicle; and

a second portion which overlays said first portion, which is removably attached to said vent member, which cooperates with said vent member to transport said air within said vehicle, and which becomes dislodged from said vent member when said first portion expands within said vehicle.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first portion comprises an air bag.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first portion comprises a selectively expandable curtain.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said second portion is hollow.

12. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said second portion includes a plurality of pleats.

13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said second portion is corrugated.

14. A method for mounting a selectively expandable restraint assembly within a vehicle of the type having a vent member which selectively transports air within said vehicle, said selectively expandable restraint assembly expanding along a certain path of travel, said method comprising the steps of:

removing a portion of the vent member;

replacing the removed portion of the vent member with a second member; and

mounting the selectively expandable restraint assembly in close proximity to said second member, effective to place said second member within said path of travel.

15. A member for use within a vehicle of the type having a selectively inflatable restraint apparatus which is movable from a stored position to an expanded position, said member comprising first and second end portions, a central portion which is removably connected to said first and second portions, at least one ring member for coupling said central portion to one of said first and second end portions, wherein said central portion becomes disconnected from at least one of said first and second end portions as said inflatable restraint apparatus moves to said expanded position, thereby allowing said inflatable restraint apparatus to expand within said vehicle.