Method of folding an air-bag and an air-bag

• US 6,286,866 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baillivet, Remi, Cruet, Jean-Marie, Satge, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US09/367,705
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/743.1, 280/731, 493/405
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A method of folding an air-bag is disclosed. The air-bag is initially located in a substantially flat condition. Two side portions of the air-bag are rolled inwardly towards the gas generator and are then folded back (9, 10) towards the centre of the air-bag, thus releasing tension in the upper layer of fabric between the two rolls. The rolled regions are then themselves rolled inwards form the opposed ends thereof and are again finally turned back, again to release any tension in the central region of the fabric. Consequently, the central region of the fabric, which is located opposite the gas generator, is slack, enabling that part of the fabric to move away from the gas generator relatively easily when the gas generator is activated.

Claims

1. A method of folding an air-bag, the method comprising locating the bag in a substantially flat condition, the bag presenting a first layer of fabric, which is the layer of fabric adapted to contact the occupant of a vehicle on inflation of the air-bag, and a second layer of fabric, the second layer of fabric defining an aperture which is connected to, or which is adapted to be connected to, a gas generator, rolling or successively folding two side portions of the air-bag in a direction back toward the aperture, the air-bag being rolled or folded away from the first layer of fabric and towards the second layer of fabric, a portion of the folded air-bag extending on two opposed sides of said aperture in a direction parallel to the direction of the first folds, and then moving the rolled or folded side portions inwardly towards each other against the direction of rolling or folding, and then rolling or folding the portion of the folded air-bag extending to one side of the aperture away from the first layer of fabric, and rolling or folding the portion of the folded air-bag extending to the other side of the aperture, away from the first layer of fabric, and finally moving the thus-created rolls or folded portions inwardly towards each other against the direction of rolling or folding.

2. An air-bag produced by the following method steps:

locating the bag in a substantially flat condition, the bag presenting a first layer of fabric, which is the layer of fabric adapted to contact the occupant of a vehicle on inflation of the air-bag, and a second layer of fabric, the second layer of fabric defining an aperture which is connected to, or which is adapted to be connected to, a gas generator, rolling or successively folding two side portions of the air-bag in a direction back toward the aperture, the air-bag being rolled or folded away from the first layer of fabric and towards the second layer of fabric, a portion of the folded air-bag extending on two opposed sides of said aperture in a direction parallel to the direction of the first folds, and then moving the rolled or folded side portions inwardly towards each other against the direction of rolling or folding, and then rolling or folding the portion of the folded air-bag extending to one side of the aperture away from the first layer of fabric, and rolling or folding the portion of the folded air-bag extending to the other side of the aperture, away from the first layer of fabric, and finally moving the thus-created rolls or folded portions inwardly towards each other against the direction of rolling or folding.

3. An air-bag according to claim 2 in combination with a gas generator.