Dynamically deployed device shield

• US 6,517,110 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2000
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Automotive US, Inc. (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Simula Inc (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Tamminen, William V., Butters, Nathan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROYAL, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/644,853
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/749
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/08 automatically movable from an inoperative to an operative position, e.g. in a collision electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers

Abstract

A dynamically deployed device shield (“DDDS”) including a cover, a loop shield, and a means for attaching the cover and loop shield to a vehicle structure. A dynamically deployed device (“DDD”) is contained in the loop shield and the loop shield is in turn contained in the cover. Upon deployment, a tear section in the cover separates and releases the loop shield and DDD. As the DDD expands and moves towards its location, the loop shield unfolds, guides the deployment of the DDD, and prevents the DDD from overshooting its final location. The shield also prevents the DDD from becoming caught on interior vehicle components and supplements the DDD with a larger protective impact surface. Optionally, a fabric shield is attached to the bottom of the DDDS to cover the area of a vehicle window below the deployed DDD and further increase the protective impact surface of the system.

Claims

1. An inflatable assembly comprising:

(a) a dynamically deployed device;

(b) a loop shield enveloping the dynamically deployed device, wherein prior to deployment of the dynamically deployed device, excess material of the loop shield is placed adjacent to the dynamically deployed device; and

(c) a cover of substantially equal size to the dynamically deployed device in its uninflated state, the cover enclosing the loop shield and having a tear section.

2. The inflatable assembly of claim 1, wherein the tear section tears upon deployment of the dynamically deployed device.

3. The inflatable assembly of claim 1, wherein the loop shield and the cover are formed from a single piece of material.

4. The inflatable assembly of claim 1, wherein the loop shield has vents.

5. The inflatable assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for attaching the cover, the loop shield, and the dynamically deployed device to a vehicle.

6. The inflatable assembly of claim 5, wherein the loop shield further comprises:

(i) a fabric shield attached to the loop shield on a side of the loop shield substantially opposite to the means for attaching; and

(ii) a fabric shield cord attached to the fabric shield and the dynamically deployed device and routed around a set of fixed points on the vehicle such that when the dynamically deployed device inflates, the fabric shield cord and the fabric shield are pulled taut.

7. The inflatable assembly of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching comprises an attachment flap integral to the loop shield and the cover, and a plurality of fasteners that attach the inflatable assembly to the vehicle.

8. The inflatable assembly of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching comprises a push-fitting stud plate disposed in the loop shield and adjacent to the dynamically deployed device.

9. The inflatable assembly of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching the cover, the loop shield, and the dynamically deployed device comprises:

(i) a clip enclosing the loop shield, the cover, and the dynamically deployed device, and attaching the loop shield, the cover, and the dynamically deployed device to the vehicle; and

(ii) a spring element cantilevered from an attachment point on the clip extending longitudinally along the inflatable assembly to draw the inflatable assembly to the vehicle.

10. The inflatable assembly of claim 9, wherein the spring element is a metal piano-wire spring.

11. The inflatable assembly of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching the cover, the loop shield, and the dynamically deployed device comprises:

(i) a clip enclosing the loop shield, the cover, and the dynamically deployed device, and attaching the loop shield, the cover, and the dynamically deployed device to the vehicle; and

(ii) a curved plastic strip extending longitudinally along the inflatable assembly to draw the inflatable assembly to the vehicle.

12. The inflatable assembly of claim 1, wherein the loop shield is made of woven nylon.

13. A protective assembly for a dynamically deployed device comprising:

(a) a loop shield enveloping the dynamically deployed device, wherein the loop shield is sized to guide deployment of the dynamically deployed device, and wherein, prior to the deployment, the loop shield is folded and placed adjacent to the dynamically deployed device;

(b) a cover enclosing the loop shield, wherein the size of the cover substantially equals the size of the dynamically deployed device in an uninflated state; and

(c) means for attaching the loop shield and the cover to a vehicle.

14. The protective assembly of claim 13, wherein the loop shield has vents.

15. The protective assembly of claim 14, wherein the vents are located only on a side of the loop shield closest to the vehicle.

16. The protective assembly of claim 14, wherein the vents are located only on a side of the loop shield farthest from the vehicle.

17. The protective assembly of claim 13, wherein the cover has a tear section that detaches upon deployment of the dynamically deployed device to release the cover and to permit the loop shield and the dynamically deployed device to expand.

18. The protective assembly of claim 13, wherein the loop shield further comprises:

(i) a fabric shield attached to the loop shield on a side of the loop shield substantially opposite to the means for attaching; and

(ii) a fabric shield cord attached to the fabric shield and the dynamically deployed device and routed around a set of fixed points on the vehicle such that when the dynamically deployed device inflates, the fabric shield cord and the fabric shield are pulled taut.

19. The protective assembly of claim 13, wherein the means for attaching the loop shield and the cover is stitching.

20. The protective assembly of claim 13, wherein the means for attaching the loop shield and the cover is a system of mounting hardware.

21. The protective assembly of claim 20, wherein the system is a push-fitting stud plate.

22. A method for protecting, controlling, and adding a protective impact surface to a dynamically deployed device comprising the steps of:

(a) enclosing the dynamically deployed device in a loop shield when the dynamically deployed device is uninflated, wherein the loop shield is of a size substantially equal to the dynamically deployed device in its inflated state, and wherein the loop shield has extra material when the dynamically deployed device is uninflated;

(b) folding the extra material of the loop shield to form a folded portion of the loop shield;

(c) placing the folded loop shield portion of the loop shield adjacent to the dynamically deployed device; and

(d) attaching the loop shield and the enclosed dynamically deployed device to a vehicle.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

(e) enclosing the loop shield and the dynamically deployed device in a cover, wherein the size of the cover substantially equals the size of the dynamically deployed device in an uninflated state, and wherein the cover has a tear section; and

(f) attaching the cover to the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of attaching the loop shield and the dynamically deployed device and the step of attaching the cover comprise the steps of:

(i) providing an attachment flap;

(ii) placing a plurality of fasteners through the attachment flap; and

(iii) attaching the plurality of fasteners to the vehicle.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of attaching the loop shield and the dynamically deployed device and the step of attaching the cover comprise the steps of:

(i) inserting a push-fitting stud plate inside the cover and the loop shield and adjacent to the dynamically deployed device, the push-fitting stud plate having a plurality of integral fasteners, the plurality of integral fasteners penetrating the cover and the loop shield; and

(ii) attaching the plurality of integral fasteners to the vehicle structure.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of integral fasteners penetrates the cover and the loop shield.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the loop shield has vents.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the loop shield and the cover are formed from a single piece of material.

29. The method of claim 22, farther comprising the steps of:

(i) attaching a fabric shield to the loop shield;

(ii) attaching a fabric shield cord to the fabric shield and the dynamically deployed device; and

(iii) routing the fabric shield cord around a set of fixed points on the vehicle such that when the dynamically deployed device inflates, the fabric shield cord and the fabric shield are pulled taut.

30. A method for deploying a dynamically deployed device comprising the steps of:

(a) enveloping the dynamically deployed device in a dynamically deployed device shield attached to a vehicle;

(b) inflating the dynamically deployed device;

(c) guiding the dynamically deployed device during inflation with the dynamically deployed device shield;

(d) restraining the dynamically deployed device after inflation with the dynamically deployed device shield to prevent the dynamically deployed device from overshooting an intended deployment location;

(e) holding the dynamically deployed device in the intended deployment location with the dynamically deployed device shield; and

(f) pulling the dynamically deployed device shield taut to supplement the dynamically deployed device with a protective impact surface.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein step (a) comprises:

(i) attaching a first end of the dynamically deployed device shield to a vehicle attachment point;

(ii) wrapping the dynamically deployed device shield around the dynamically deployed device; and

(iii) attaching a second end of the dynamically deployed device shield to the vehicle attachment point.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein step (a) further comprises:

(iv) attaching a first end of a cover to the vehicle attachment point, the cover having a tear section;

(v) wrapping the cover around the dynamically deployed device and the dynamically deployed device; and

(vi) attaching a second end of the cover to the vehicle attachment point.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the tear section is adapted to tear upon inflation of the dynamically deployed device.

34. A method for deploying a dynamically deployed device comprising the steps of:

(a) inflating the dynamically deployed device within a loop shield, wherein the loop shield is enclosed in a cover;

(b) removing the cover to allow the dynamically deployed device and the loop shield to expand; and

(c) pulling the loop shield taut with the expanded dynamically deployed device to provide a protective impact surface.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of using the loop shield to guide and protect the dynamically deployed device during inflation.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of using the loop shield to guide and protect comprises venting the loop shield to allow air to enter the loop shield.

37. A shield for a dynamically deployed device comprising:

(a) a loop of material enclosing the dynamically deployed device, wherein the loop of material has an interior volume larger than a volume of the dynamically deployed device in an inflated state; and

(b) a means for attaching the loop of material to a vehicle structure,

wherein the loop of material guides the dynamically deployed device during deployment, protects the dynamically deployed device against vehicle components, and holds the dynamic deployed device in an intended deployment position.

38. The shield of claim 37, wherein the loop of material is made of woven nylon fabric.

39. The shield of claim 37, wherein the loop of material incorporates vents that allow air to enter the loop of material.

40. The shield of claim 37, wherein the means for attaching the loop of material to the vehicle structure is one of stitching, a fastener, and a push-fitting stud plate.

41. The shield of claim 37, further comprising:

(c) a fabric shield attached to the loop of material on a side of the loop of material substantially opposite to the means for attaching; and

(d) a fabric shield cord attached to the fabric shield and the dynamically deployed device, wherein when the dynamically deployed device inflates, the dynamically deployed device pulls the fabric shield cord and draws the fabric shield tight.