Vehicle restraint system comprising an airbag having an integrated mouth

• US 6,299,206 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Inventors: Keshavaraj, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/617,882
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/729, 280/732, 280/728.2, 280/743.2, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle restraint system which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a mouth (looped pocket) for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.

Claims

1. A vehicle restraint system comprising

an airbag inflator can;

and

a single chambered airbag comprising multiple fabric panels and including a pocket;

wherein

said airbag inflator can is disposed within said pocket of said airbag;

wherein all attachments utilized to attach said multiple fabric panels together to form said airbag are substantially straight seams; and

wherein said airbag forms a non-flat structure in its uninflated state.

2. The vehicle restraint system of claim 1 wherein

said airbag comprises first and second body panel sections which are the mirror image each other and at least a third body panel section for attachment to both of said first and second body panel sections;

wherein first body panel section comprises a first end and a second end and said second body panel section comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first body panel section further comprises a centrally disposed fabric section on either of said first or second end, wherein said second body panel section further comprises a centrally disposed fabric section on either of said first or second end, and wherein said centrally disposed fabric sections on said first and second body panel sections are present on the corresponding ends of said body panel sections;

wherein upon attachment of said first and second body panel sections together and to said at least third body panel section, and upon attachment together of said centrally disposed fabric sections of said first and second body panel sections, said airbag is formed; and

wherein said pocket is formed by the attachment of said centrally disposed fabric sections panels of said first and second body panel sections.

3. The vehicle restraint system of claim 2 wherein said airbag forms a pyramidal structure in its uninflated state.

4. The vehicle restraint system of claim 1 wherein said airbag forms a pyramidal structure in its uninflated state.

5. A single chambered airbag comprising multiple fabric panels and including a

pocket;

wherein all attachments utilized to attach said multiple fabric panels together to form said airbag are substantially straight seams; and

wherein said airbag forms a non-flat structure in its uninflated state.

6. The airbag of claim 5 wherein

said airbag comprises first and second body panel sections which are the mirror image each other and at least a third body panel section for attachment to both of said first and second

wherein first body panel section comprises a first end and a second end and said second body panel section comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first body panel section further comprises a centrally disposed fabric section on either of said first or second end, wherein said second body panel section further comprises a centrally disposed fabric section on either of said first or second end, and wherein said centrally disposed fabric sections on said first and second body panel sections are present on the corresponding ends of said body panel sections;

wherein upon attachment of said first and second body panel sections together and to said at least third body panel section, and upon attachment together of said centrally disposed fabric sections of said first and second body panel sections, said airbag is formed; and

wherein said pocket is formed by the attachment of said centrally disposed fabric sections panels of said first and second body panel sections.

7. The vehicle restraint system of claim 6 wherein said airbag forms a pyramidal structure in its uninflated state.

8. The vehicle restraint system of claim 5 wherein said airbag forms a pyramidal structure in its uninflated state.