Inflatable tubular knee bolster
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inflatable tubular bolster for a vehicle comprising:
- (a) an inflatable braided tube of continuous high-strength fibers having a first end and a second end, said tube located beneath a dashboard of said vehicle;
(b) a first piece of webbing connecting the first end of the braided tube to the vehicle via an attachment means;
(c) a second piece of webbing connecting the second end of the braided tube to the vehicle via an attachment means;
(d) a gas generator fluidly connected to the braided tube via a gas conduit; and
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(e) a crash sensor connected to said gas generator such that when an impact is detected said gas generator causes said inflatable braided tube to be inflated;
wherein as said inflatable tube inflates, said tube is pulled out of a stowed position downward and rearward into a position below said dashboard such that it restrains forward and downward movement of an occupant.
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Abstract
This invention is an Inflatable Tubular Bolster (ITB) which prevents or limits injury to an occupant of a motor vehicle due to a frontal or semi-frontal crash. In particular, the invention protects the front seat occupant'"'"'s legs and lower torso by providing a cushioned barrier that absorbs impact energy and restricts the occupant'"'"'s lower body from moving forward and into or underneath the instrument panel and toward the foot well. This invention can be effective in any vehicle where an occupant'"'"'s lower body is subject to crash injury from a dashboard, instrument panel, or similar structure.
95 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An inflatable tubular bolster for a vehicle comprising:
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(a) an inflatable braided tube of continuous high-strength fibers having a first end and a second end, said tube located beneath a dashboard of said vehicle;
(b) a first piece of webbing connecting the first end of the braided tube to the vehicle via an attachment means;
(c) a second piece of webbing connecting the second end of the braided tube to the vehicle via an attachment means;
(d) a gas generator fluidly connected to the braided tube via a gas conduit; and
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(e) a crash sensor connected to said gas generator such that when an impact is detected said gas generator causes said inflatable braided tube to be inflated;
wherein as said inflatable tube inflates, said tube is pulled out of a stowed position downward and rearward into a position below said dashboard such that it restrains forward and downward movement of an occupant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for protecting occupants of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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(a) attaching a first short strap to a first end of an inflatable braided tube, said inflatable braided tube comprising continuous fibers forming spirals which cross each other at fiber crossing points, and which form acute longitudinal angles at the fiber crossing points;
(b) anchoring said first short strap to said vehicle;
(c) attaching a second short strap to a second part of said inflatable braided tube;
(d) anchoring said second short strap to the vehicle;
(e) detecting an impact; and
(f) igniting a gas generator fluidly connected to the inflatable braided tube;
wherein said inflatable braided tube is stowed compactly under a vehicle dashboard and when said inflatable tube inflates, said tube is pulled out of its stowed position downward and rearward such that it restrains forward and downward movement of an occupant. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. An inflatable tubular bolster for protecting the lower extremities of an occupant during a collision comprising:
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(a) an inflatable braided tube of continuous high-strength fibers having a first end and a second end, said tube located beneath a dashboard of a vehicle;
(b) a first piece of webbing connecting the first end of the braided tube to the vehicle via an attachment means located below said dashboard;
(c) a second piece of webbing connecting the second end of the braided tube to the vehicle via an attachment means;
(d) a gas generator fluidly connected to the braided tube via a gas conduit; and
(e) a crash sensor connected to said gas generator such that when an impact is detected said gas generator causes said inflatable braided tube to be inflated;
wherein as said inflatable tube inflates, said tube is pulled out of a stowed position into a position spanning an open footwell area of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A restraint system, for a vehicle including a passenger compartment and a dashboard, comprising:
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(a) an inflatable tubular bolster having a braided tube and webbing disposed on first and second ends of the braided tube, and adapted to be attached to the vehicle;
(b) a gas generator in flow communication with the inflatable tubular bolster and capable of inflating the tubular bolster;
(c) wherein the inflatable tubular bolster has a first condition where the inflatable tubular bolster is deflated and stored under the dashboard, the inflatable tubular bolster having a first length in the first condition;
the inflatable tubular bolster having a second condition where the inflatable tubular bolster is inflated and deployed, the inflatable tubular bolster having a second length in the second condition; and
whereinthe first length is greater than the second length. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A restraint system, for a vehicle including a passenger compartment and a dashboard, comprising:
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(a) an inflatable tubular bolster having a braided tube and webbing disposed on first and second ends of the braided tube, and adapted to be attached to the vehicle;
(b) a gas generator in flow communication with the inflatable tubular bolster and capable of inflating the tubular bolster;
(c) wherein the inflatable tubular bolster has a first condition where the inflatable tubular bolster is deflated and stored under the dashboard, the inflatable tubular bolster having a first rigidity in the first condition;
the inflatable tubular bolster having a second condition where the inflatable tubular bolster is inflated and deployed, the inflatable tubular bolster having a second rigidity in the second condition; and
whereinthe second rigidity is greater than the first rigidity . - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A restraint system, for a vehicle including a passenger compartment and a dashboard, comprising:
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(a) an inflatable tubular bolster pivotably attached to the vehicle;
(b) a gas generator in flow communication with the inflatable bolster and capable of inflating the tubular bolster;
(c) wherein the inflatable bolster has a first condition where the inflatable bolster is deflated and stored underneath the dashboard and out of sight of an occupant;
the inflatable bolder having a second condition where the inflatable bolster is inflated and deployed, the inflatable bolster having an increased diameter in the second condition and a decreased length in the second condition;
whereinthe inflatable bolster is capable of providing protection to the occupant without a reactive surface when the inflatable bolster is in the second condition.
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29. A method for deploying an inflatable tubular bolster comprising the steps of:
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(a) installing the inflatable tubular bolster beneath a lower face of a dashboard;
(b) receiving a signal from a crash sensor;
(c) igniting a gas generator and discharging a gas into the inflatable tubular bolster at a mass flow rate in response to the signal; and
(d) inflating the inflatable tubular bolster in response to the gas such that the inflatable tubular bolster pulls itself out of a stowed position and eventually reaches a functional position that is downward and rearward of the stowed position. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification