Occupant restraint system for a vehicle

• US 6,435,544 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Brucker, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/607,376
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 296/214
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0212 Roof or head liners movable head-liners B60J7/0007
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle that has a body structure which is covered internally by a lining, an inflatable gas bag is packed in a casing. The lining is provided with a recess. The casing extends along an edge of the recess and is in snug contact therewith. The casing is exposed or at the most is covered by a decorative cover foil or cover sheet. The major part of the casing is not covered by the lining. The casing may be demarcated evidently from the lining by design elements.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said side structure extending perpendicularly to said roof and including at least one side door and at least one side window, said system comprising:

a lining which only lines said roof and does not line any of said side structure;

at least one inflatable gas bag stored in a packed condition within a casing, said casing having an elongated profiled body and a cross-section with two arms connected by a curved base,

said roof lining comprising an edge portion being in snug contact with said curved base of said casing, and said casing not being covered by said roof lining.

2. The occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said casing is covered by a decorative cover sheet having design elements and which said roof lining does not have said design elements.

3. The occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein a roof edge is located between said side structure and said roof and a recess is defined by said roof lining and said roof edge.

4. The occupant restraint system according to claim 3, wherein said casing extends along said roof edge and in said recess.

5. The occupant restraint system of claim 4, wherein said casing forms an integral part of said roof lining.

6. The occupant restraint system according to claim 4, wherein said roof lining has an upwardly-bent support rim lying against said casing.

7. The occupant restraint system according to claim 3, wherein said roof lining has a resilient marginal lip lying against said casing.

8. The occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein a gas inlet pipe is supported internally on said curved base of said profiled body.

9. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said side structure extending perpendicularly to said roof and including at least one side door and at least one side window, said system comprising:

a lining which only lines said roof and does not line any of said side structure;

at least one inflatable gas bag stored in a packed condition within a casing, said packed gas bag being elongated and extending along a roof edge between said roof and said side structure and in a recess defined by said roof lining and said roof edge,

said recess having an edge along which the casing is in snug contact,

a major part of said casing not being covered by said roof lining,

said casing contrasting with said roof lining by design elements, and

said roof lining having a resilient marginal lip lying against said casing.

10. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said side structure extending perpendicularly to said roof and including at least one side door and at least one side window, said system comprising:

a lining which only lines said roof and does not line any of said side structure;

at least one inflatable gas bag stored in a packed condition within a casing, said packed gas being elongated and extending along a roof edge located between said roof and said side structure and in a recess defined by said roof lining and said roof edge,

said recess having an edge along which the casing is in snug contact,

a major part of said casing not being covered by said roof lining,

said casing contrasting with said roof lining by design elements, and

said roof lining having an upwardly-bent support rim lying against said casing.

11. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle with a roof and a side structure, said side structure extending perpendicularly to said roof and including at least one side door and at least one side window, said system comprising:

a lining which only lines said roof and does not line any of said side structure;

at least one inflatable gas bag stored in a packed condition within a casing,

a roof edge being located between said side structure and said roof and a recess being defined between said roof lining and said roof edge,

said casing being located adjacent said roof lining and along said roof edge in said recess, said casing having an elongated profiled body and a cross-section with two arms connected by a curved base, said casing being fastened to said vehicle without being fastened to said roof lining,

said roof lining having a portion engaging said curved base of said casing without covering any of said casing.