Automotive side-impact protection system

• US 6,557,892 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Herzog, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US09/726,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/733, 280/743.2, 280/743.1, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• 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

Abstract

In an automotive side-impact protection system an inflatable elongated cushioning bag is tensioned between two fixed points in a vehicle. One of the tensioning straps is branched at the one of its ends facing the cushioning bag into two tensioning strap sections, engaging the cushioning bag at two different levels.

Claims

1. A side-impact protection system for use in motor vehicles, comprising an inflatable elongated cushioning bag having a pair of tensioning straps for tensioning the bag in an inflated condition between two fixed points in a vehicle, at least one of said tensioning straps having an end facing said cushioning bag and branched into two tensioning strap sections engaging said inflated cushioning bag at different levels with respect to height of the vehicle.

2. The side-impact protection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said two tensioning strap sections define an obtuse angle when tensioned.

3. The side-impact protection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said tensioning strap sections engages a lower edge portion of said inflated cushioning bag.

4. The side impact protection system as set forth in claim 3, wherein another one of said tensioning strap sections engages said inflated cushioning bag substantially in the middle or above the middle of the height of said inflated cushioning bag.

5. The side-impact protection system as set forth in claim 3, wherein an end of said tensioning strap facing away from said cushioning bag is secured to said vehicle substantially at the level of lower edge portion of said inflated cushioning bag.