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Safety device

  • US 6,318,753 B1
  • Filed: 06/21/1999
  • Issued: 11/20/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A safety device in a motor vehicle, the device comprising:

  • an inflatable element adapted to be disposed above a door opening of the vehicle before inflation, and between an occupant of the vehicle and a side of the vehicle when inflated to afford protection in the event of a side impact, or a roll-over;

    means for inflating the inflatable element; and

    means for sensing a side impact or a rollover, and for activating the inflating means, the inflatable element being formed from two layers of fabric which define a front part and a rear part of the inflatable element, the inflatable element having a seam in which the two layers of fabric which form the inflatable element are joined together, the seam dividing the inflatable element into two inter-connected chambers, selected regions of the two layers within the chambers being inter-connected, the inflatable element having an edge portion secured to a non-linear part of a door frame of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has various fixed parts, one of said inter-connected chambers is adjacent to at least one said fixed parts, and said means for inflating comprises means for supplying gas to the one of said inter-connected chambers adjacent to said one fixed part.

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