Resilient airbag method and apparatus

• US 6,273,465 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven B. Cress
• Original Assignee: Steven B. Cress
• Inventors: Cress, Steven B.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US09/405,815
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/742, 280/743.1, 280/736, 280/737, 280/750, 280/748, 280/749, 280/730.1, 280/739, 296/210, 296/212, 296/214, 296/189
• US Class Current: 280/748
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0407 using gas or liquid as energy absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved airbag system for vehicle consisting of a compartmentalized airbag wherein inflation of the airbag is controlled so that at least one compartment inflates at a lower pressure than the pressure with which at least one other compartment inflates in order that the affect of the airbag impacting upon vehicle occupants or cargo is cushioned; further enhancement of safety is accomplished by using hook and loop material to hold the inflated bag in position with respect to the vehicle and the occupants or cargo when inflated in order to reduce damage or injury due to excessive movement during and after an accident; and safety is further enhanced by prestressing vehicle comparments with inflated airbags within the vehicle compartments.

Claims

1. The method of preventing collapse of a vehicle roof in a vehicular accident comprising:

placing an inflatable airbag having a high pressure pop off valve within a space between the roof and a ceiling of a vehicle having a roof and a ceiling joined around their perimeters to create said space;

prestressing said roof and ceiling by inflating the inflatable airbag prior to any vehicular accident occurring such that the prestressed roof and ceiling prevent collapse of the roof in a vehicular accident.