Fasten-on air bag device

• US 6,325,412 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1998
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yue Ming Pan
• Original Assignee: Yue Ming Pan
• Inventors: Pan, Yue Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Douglas
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORT, ELAINE L
• Application Number:
  US09/222,892
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 280/733, 280/730.1, 180/268
• US Class Current: 280/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement

Abstract

A fasten-on air bag device comprises an air bag housing which is attachable to the seat restraints and can be fastened-on by occupant; a crash sensing system for sensing and evaluating the crash data; an inflator installed inside the air bag housing, a plug-in signal-transmission receptacle and a detachable plug affixed to the air bag housing. By coupling with the plug-in signal transmission receptacle, the fasten-on air bag device can be utilized not only on the front seats but also the rear seats, and can be applied on all kinds of vehicles such as cars, buses, trains and airplanes. The direction of explosion is guided by the guiding core to assure the deployment of the air bag go outward and forward away from the occupant'"'"'s body instead of aiming toward the occupant'"'"'s body. In addition, the protective shield lining and the spread plastic lobes further protect the occupant'"'"'s body. Therefore, the explosive expansion of the air bag would less likely cause harm to the occupant.

Claims

1. A removable air bag assembly for a vehicle having at least one seat belt assembly including a seat belt buckle and at least one receptacle box, the removable air bag assembly comprising:

a) a base including a fastener configured to releasably engage the at least one receptacle box;

b) a protective shield mounted to the base, a portion of the protective shield having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration;

c) a folded, inflatable air bag attached to the base and located in the L-shaped portion of the protective shield;

d) an air bag housing attached to the base and enclosing the protective shield and the folded, inflatable air bag; and

,

e) a socket on the air bag housing configured to releasably engage the seat belt buckle, whereby the air bag assembly is completely removable from the vehicle.

2. The removable air bag assembly of claim 1 wherein the air bag housing is made of plastic.

3. The removable air bag assembly of claim 1 wherein the air bag housing has rupturable seams.

4. The removable air bag assembly of claim 1 wherein the fastener has an inverted T-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

5. The removable air bag assembly of claim 1 wherein the fastener has a cylindrical configuration.

6. A vehicle having a removable air bag and comprising:

a) a vehicle having at last one seat belt assembly including a seat belt buckle and at least one receptacle box;

b) a crash sensing system on the vehicle, the crash sensing system including at least one crash sensor and a first electrical connector located in the at least one receptacle box, the crash sensing system producing an electrical signal when data sensed by the crash sensing system exceeds a predetermined threshold;

c) a removable air bag assembly releasably connected to the seat belt buckle and to the receptacle box, the air bag assembly comprising;

i) a base including a fastener releasably engaging the at least one receptacle box, a second electrical connector on the fastener engaging the first electrical connector;

ii) a protective shield mounted to the base, a portion of the protective shield having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration;

iii) a folded inflatable air bag attached to the base and located in the L-shaped portion of the protective shield; and

,

iv) an air bag housing attached to the base, and enclosing the protective shield and the folded, inflatable air bag; and

,

d) a socket on the air bag housing releasably engaging the seat belt buckle, whereby the air bag assembly is completely removable from the vehicle and is releasably located between the seat belt buckle and the at least one receptacle box such that, when the crash sensing system produces the electrical signal, the inflatable air bag is inflated in directions away from the L-shaped portion of the protective shield.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the air bag housing is made of plastic.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the air bag housing has rupturable seams.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the fastener on the base has an inverted T-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

10. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the fastener on the base has a cylindrical configuration.

11. The vehicle of claim 6 further comprising an indicator light on the at least one receptacle box to visually indicate when the first and second electrical connectors are engaged.