Head-protecting air bag device

• US 6,279,941 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ochiai, Yasuo, Tanase, Toshinori, Nakajima, Hiroki, Ishiyama, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FISCHMANN, BRYAN R
• Application Number:
  US09/141,728
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 403/279, 403/283, 403/375
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

Mounting portions of an air bag body are respectively nipped by positioning plates which are each fastened and fixed to a pillar inner panel by a weld nut and a bolt via the plates. Caulking portions are formed on the plates so that the mounting portions of the air bag device are in advance fixed between the plates. A convex portion is formed on the plate, and with the convex portion being engaged with a hole formed in the pillar inner panel, relative rotation of the plate and a vehicle body is prevented. As a result, rotation of the air bag body in a direction in which the mounting portions are fastened, which occurs during mounting of the air bag body to the vehicle body, can be prevented.

Claims

1. A head-protecting air bag device for mounting in a vehicle body having a side portion, the device comprising:

an inflatable air bag body for accommodation in a vehicle body along a side portion thereof,

the air bag body having an upper edge portion and a plurality of mounting portions formed at positions of the upper edge portion of the air bag body for fastening to the side portion of the vehicle body,

a pair of reinforcing plates corresponding to each mounting portion, with each mounting portion being sandwiched between its respective pair of reinforcing plates and connected thereto, and

a rotation stopper

wherein each mounting portion is fastened and fixed to the side portion of the vehicle body using the rotation stopper when the air bag, device is mounted in a vehicle body, said upper edge portion of the air bag being flexible.

2. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 1, wherein the side portion of the vehicle body is a front pillar inner panel.

3. A head-protecting air bag according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body includes a roof side rail leaving an inner panel, and the side portion of the vehicle body comprises the said inner panel.

4. A head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation stopper is comprised of one of the reinforcing plates fixed in advance to the mounting portions of the air bag body, and an engaging device which prevents rotation of the reinforcing plate relative to the vehicle body, the engaging device being comprised of a hole or a concave portion, which is formed in one of the reinforcing plates and the side portion of the vehicle body, and a convex portion formed in the other of the reinforcing, plates and the side portion of the vehicle body and engaging with the hole or the concave portion.

5. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation stopper is comprised of one of the reinforcing plates fixed in advance to the mounting portions of the air bag body, and an engaging device which prevents rotation of the reinforcing plate relative to the vehicle body, the engaging device being comprised of a notch formed in one of the reinforcing plates and the side portion of the vehicle body, and a convex portion formed in the other of the reinforcing plates and the side portion of the vehicle body and engaging with the notch.

6. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 4, wherein the hole is formed in the vehicle body and the convex portion is formed in one of the reinforcing plates.

7. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 4, wherein the convex portion is formed by press working.

8. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 4, wherein the convex portion is formed by cutting a portion and bending the portion upright.

18. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 1,

wherein each pair of reinforcing plates is caulked beforehand so as to be integrated with the air bag body prior to mounting in the vehicle.

19. A. head-protecting air bag device according to claim 1,

wherein the stopper includes an engaging member integrally formed on one of the reinforcing plates, wherein said one of the reinforcing plates is made of metal, and the engaging member is engageable with the side portion of the vehicle.

20. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 19,

wherein at least a portion of said one of the reinforcing plates is deformable towards the interior of the vehicle body when the air bag is inflated.

9. A head-protecting air bag device for mounting in a vehicle body having a side portion, the device comprising:

an inflatable air bag body for accommodation in a vehicle body along a side portion thereof,

the air bag body having an upper edge portion and a plurality of mounting portions formed at positions along the upper edge portion of the air bag body for fastening to the side portion of the vehicle body, and

a pair of reinforcing plates corresponding to each mounting portion,

wherein each mounting portion is fixed between a pair of the reinforcing plates by caulking.

10. A head-protecting airbag device according to claim 9, wherein the pair of reinforcing plates are of substantially the same shape.

12. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 9, wherein the mounting portions are integrally fixed and held between a pair of metal plates, and the pair of metal plates and the mounting portions are fastened and fixed to the side portion of the vehicle body using a rotation stopper when the air bag device is mounted in a vehicle body.

13. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 12, wherein a lower portion of at least the one of the pair of metal plates, which is positioned further at the inner side of the interior of a vehicle than the other metal plate, is deformably bendable inwardly in the interior of a vehicle during expansion of the air bag body.

14. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 12, wherein said rotation stopper is comprised of an engaging portion which is provided on the metal plate positioned at the inner side of the interior of the vehicle, and an engaged portion provided in the side portion of the vehicle body and engaged with the engaging portion.

11. A head-protecting air bag device for mounting in a vehicle body having a side portion, the device comprising:

an inflatable air bag body having an upper edge portion, and

a plurality of mounting portions formed to project from the upper edge portion of the air bag body for fastening to the side portion of the vehicle body,

wherein each mounting portion is fixed integrally between a pair of metal plates,

the pair of metal plates and the mounting portions being fixed together by the mounting portions being sewn between the pair of metal plates by passing a thread through holes provided in the pair of metal plates.

15. A head-protecting air bag device for mounting in a vehicle body having a side portion, the device comprising an inflatable air bag body and a plurality of mounting portions formed to project from an upper end portion of the air bag body fastened and fixed to a side portion of a vehicle body when the device is mounted in a vehicle body,

wherein, a first metal plate is fixed integrally to at least vehicle interior inner sides of the mounting portions, and during expansion of the air bag body, a lower portion of the metal plate is deformably bendable inwardly in the vehicle interior.

16. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 15, wherein:

the mounting portions are held between the first metal plate and a second metal plate, the first and second metal plates forming a pair of metal plates, the pair of metal plates being fixed by caulking together with the mounting portions, and a lower end of an outer shape of a bolt washer used for the fastening and fixing of the mounting portions and lower ends of caulked portions at the first metal plate,

said first metal plate being positioned further at an inner side of the interior of the vehicle than the second metal plate,

and the caulked portions being formed at both sides of the bolt washer in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and positioned substantially along a straight line.

17. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 15, wherein a thin-walled portion is formed in advance at a portion of the second metal plate.

21. A head-protecting air bag device for mounting in a vehicle body having a side portion, the device comprising:

an inflatable air bag body including a plurality of substantially non-expansive portions spaced along the side portion of the vehicle body when the air bag device is mounted therein, the non-expansive portions defining a plurality of expanding portions, which sequentially expand as the air bag body is inflated;

the air bag body having an upper edge portion and a plurality of mounting portions formed along the upper edge portion of the air bag body for mounting to the side portion of the vehicle body, and

a pair of reinforcing plates corresponding to each mounting portion, with each mounting portion being sandwiched between its respective pair of reinforcing plates and connected thereto.

22. A head-protecting air bag device according to claim 21, wherein the vehicle body includes front and rear portions and the air bag body extends from the front portion of the vehicle body into the rear portion, when the air bag device is mounted in the vehicle body.

23. A head-protecting air bag device for mounting in a vehicle body having front, rear and side portions, the device comprising:

an inflatable air bag body having an upper edge portion and a plurality of mounting portions formed along the upper edge portion for fastening to the side portion of the vehicle body, and

a pair of reinforcing plates corresponding to each mounting portion, with each mounting portion being sandwiched between its respective pair of reinforcing plates and connected thereto,

wherein the air bag body extends along the front and rear portions of the vehicle body when the air bag device is mounted therein.