Windshield frame air bag for pedestrian protection
First Claim
1. An air bag assembly for cushioning a windshield of an automotive vehicle and structural pillars disposed along lateral sides of the windshield, the air bag assembly comprising:
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
an airbag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving inflation gas therein to inflate the air bag cushion, wherein the air bag cushion includes a windshield covering portion for deployment in overlying relation to the exterior of the windshield and laterally extending wing segments extending in angled relation to the windshield covering portion such that upon deployment of the air bag cushion the laterally extending wing segments extend substantially over the structural pillars disposed along the lateral sides of the windshield and, wherein the air bag cushion includes one or more view ports disposed across the windshield covering portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag assembly including an inflator for discharging inflation gas and a gas receiving expansible air bag cushion of winged geometry disposed in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon release of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is deployed substantially over the windshield of an automobile as well as the pillars adjacent the windshield. View ports are present within the interior of the air bag cushion so as to maintain a degree of visibility for the vehicle operator after deployment has taken place. Mesh netting or a like material which does not unduly restrict visibility may extend across the internally formed view ports.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An air bag assembly for cushioning a windshield of an automotive vehicle and structural pillars disposed along lateral sides of the windshield, the air bag assembly comprising:
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
an airbag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving inflation gas therein to inflate the air bag cushion, wherein the air bag cushion includes a windshield covering portion for deployment in overlying relation to the exterior of the windshield and laterally extending wing segments extending in angled relation to the windshield covering portion such that upon deployment of the air bag cushion the laterally extending wing segments extend substantially over the structural pillars disposed along the lateral sides of the windshield and, wherein the air bag cushion includes one or more view ports disposed across the windshield covering portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
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11. An air bag assembly for cushioning a windshield of an automotive vehicle and structural pillars disposed along lateral sides of the windshield, the air bag assembly comprising:
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
an airbag cushion of substantially enclosed seamed construction in fluid communication with the inflator for receipt of inflation gas therein to inflate the air bag cushion, wherein the air bag cushion includes a windshield covering portion for deployment in overlying relation to the exterior of the windshield and laterally extending wing segments extending in angled relation to the windshield covering portion such that upon deployment of the air bag cushion the laterally extending wing segments extend substantially over the structural pillars disposed along the lateral sides of the windshield, the windshield covering portion including one or more view ports disposed therethrough and, wherein the air bag cushion includes a base portion of a first depth and an upper boundary surface of a second depth and wherein the depth of the base portion is greater than the depth of the upper boundary surface such that the air bag cushion is of a substantially tapered configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
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16. An air bag assembly for cushioning a windshield of an automotive vehicle and structural pillars disposed along lateral sides of the windshield against impact by a pedestrian, the air bag assembly comprising:
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
an airbag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator and having a windshield covering portion for deployment in overlying relation to the exterior of the windshield upon introduction of the inflation gas; and
an apron portion extending away from the inflator so as to be located between the inflator and the air bag cushion and adapted for disposition at location below a hood portion of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17)
- an inflator for discharging inflation gas;
Specification