Side airbag

• US 6,328,334 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nihon Plast Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nihon Plast Company Limited
• Inventors: Kanuma, Tadao
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/672,965
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23514 coated fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23547 one piece weaving
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material

Abstract

A side airbag to be installed around a window of an automotive vehicle to protect a vehicle occupant from impact in a side collision. The side airbag comprises two base cloths which are joined with each other by hollow weave through a linear joining portion which defines a profile of a hollow section. The linear joining portion includes a first straight linear segment part parallel with warp yarns of the base cloths, and a second straight linear segment part parallel with weft yarns of the base cloths. The first and second straight linear segment parts are connected with each other. The linear joining portion includes a step-like section constituted of at least one first straight linear segment part and at least one second straight linear segment part which are connected to each other Additionally, heat-resistant elastomer is coated on the two base cloths including the linear joining portion.

Claims

1. A side airbag to be installed around a window of a vehicle, comprising:

two base cloths which are joined with each other by hollow weave through a linear joining portion which defines a profile of a hollow section, said linear joining portion including a first straight linear segment part parallel with warp yarns of said base cloths and a second straight linear segment part parallel with weft yarns of said base cloths, said first and second straight linear segment parts being connected with each other, said two base cloths being joined with each other though additional joining portions which are located inside said linear joining portion, said additional joining portions separating the hollow section into a plurality of chambers which are communicated with each other.

2. A side airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said linear joining portion includes a step-like section constituted of at least one first straight linear segment part and at least one second straight linear segment part which are connected to each other.

3. A side airbag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising heat-resistant elastomer applied to said two base cloths including the linear joining portion.

4. A side airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said linear joining portion consists of a plurality of first straight linear segment parts parallel with warp yarns of said base cloths, and a second straight linear segment part parallel with weft yarns of said base cloths, each first straight linear segment part being connected with each second straight linear segment part.

5. A side airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said linear joining portion is generally angularly C-shaped in plan to define the hollow section, said generally angularly C-shaped linear joining portion consists of only the straight linear segment parts.

6. A side airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base cloths are formed of yarns having not greater than 210 denier.

7. A side airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base cloths are woven by a loom equipped with a dobby.