Vehicle glove box assembly having knee restraint capabilities
First Claim
1. A restraint system for a motor vehicle having an instrument panel, comprising:
- an inflatable air bag disposed within the motor vehicle, and a gas source adapted to inflate said inflatable air bag;
an element to which said gas source is attached, said element being moveably mounted to the instrument panel of the motor vehicle.
20 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A unique glove box and restraint system including a reaction bracket is provided. The glove box assembly includes a reaction bracket that is attached to a hinge mechanism. The reaction bracket carries a storage bin, a latch, a trim plate, a tether, and a gas source. The gas source is held in an operative relationship with an inflatable air bag. The inflatable air bag is coupled to the trim plate. The trim plate includes an outer panel and an inner attachment plate. The inner attachment plate is selectively coupled to the reaction bracket by a mechanism that disengages when it experiences an outward force greater than a predetermined amount. The latch is connected to the reaction bracket at the end opposing the hinge. During conditions of rapid deceleration, the gas source produces gas to inflate the air bag if electrical current is sent to trigger the gas source by the vehicle crash sensing system. As the air bag fills force is exerted on the trim plate, thereby disengaging the trim plate from the reaction bracket and projecting it outward. The air bag pushes off the reaction bracket to project itself outward being directed by the orientation of the gas source and by at least one tether. Upon deployment of the air bag, the storage bin portion of the glove box remains in place while the air bag and trim panel act to improve occupant safety.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A restraint system for a motor vehicle having an instrument panel, comprising:
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an inflatable air bag disposed within the motor vehicle, and a gas source adapted to inflate said inflatable air bag;
an element to which said gas source is attached, said element being moveably mounted to the instrument panel of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
a reaction bracket having a first end and a second end, said gas source connected to said reaction bracket;
a hinge connected to said reaction bracket near said first end and interconnecting said glove box and the instrument panel of the vehicle; and
a latch connected to said reaction bracket near said second end, said first end being substantially opposite from said second end.
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4. The restraint system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said glove box assembly also includes a compartment structure defining a storage bin that is carried by said reaction bracket.
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5. The restraint system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said reaction bracket is constructed from a rigid material capable to reacting the force created by said gas source while inflating said inflatable air bag.
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6. The restraint system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a trim plate selectively attached to said reaction bracket, said trim panel also being coupled to said inflatable air bag.
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7. The restraint system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said trim plate is selectively attached to said reaction bracket by clips that are designed to disengaged when subjected to a predetermined force.
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8. The restraint system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said predetermined force is set to be lower than the force of deployment of said inflatable air bag.
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9. The restraint system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said latch is centrally located laterally in said glove box assembly.
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10. The restraint system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inflatable air bag has a tether disposed therein, said tether includes having an upper and lower attachment point, said upper attachment point disposed near said reaction bracket and said lower attachment point connects said tether and said inflatable air bag.
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11. The restraint system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the instrument panel includes a structural support member, said hinge being secured to said structural support member at a first location, said striker also being secured to said structural support member at a second location above said first location.
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12. A restraint system for a motor vehicle having an instrument panel, said restraint system comprising:
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a glove box assembly disposed within the instrument panel of the motor vehicle and being hingedly attached thereto and adapted to open and close; and
an inflatable air bag disposed within the glove box assembly of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A restraint system for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a reaction bracket having a first and second end;
a hinge connected to said reaction bracket near said first end;
a latch connected to said reaction bracket near said second end, said first end being substantially opposite from said second end;
an air bag module connected to said reaction bracket, said air bag module having a gas source and an inflatable air bag, said gas source adapted to inflate said air bag; and
a trim plate selectively attached to said reaction bracket, said trim plate also being coupled to said inflatable air bag. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A glove box assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a reaction bracket having a first and second end;
a hinge connected to said reaction bracket near said first end;
a latch connected to said reaction bracket near said second end, said first end being substantially opposite from said second end;
an air bag module connected to said reaction bracket, said air bag module having a gas source and an inflatable air bag, said gas source adapted to inflate said air bag. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A restraint system for a motor vehicle having an instrument panel, said restraint system comprising:
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a glove box assembly disposed within the instrument panel of the motor vehicle and being hingedly attached thereto;
an inflatable air bag disposed within the glove box assembly of the motor vehicle; and
wherein said glove box assembly includes a hinge interconnecting said glove box assembly and said instrument panel, said glove box assembly also includes a latch. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification