Structurally efficient airbag cushion exhibiting high available inflation volume

• US 6,560,832 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Inventors: Keshavaraj, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanatta, A.
• Application Number:
  US09/813,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 281/43, 281/00, 281/40, 281/42, 281/58, 112/475.04, 112/475.06, 112/475.08, 280/743.1, 280/728.1, 428/34.1, 428/35.2, 428/35.4, 428/35.5, 428/36.1, 428/130, 428/121, 428/131, 428/134, 493/186, 493/189, 493/210, 493/243, 493/254, 493/267
• US Class Current: 28/143
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23571 characterised by connections between panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1341 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1345 Single layer [continuous layer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a panel together) in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These correlated elements are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive cushion must have at least one substantially straight seam and must possess an effective seam usage factor of less than about 0.11. A cushion exhibiting such a low seam usage factor and also comprising an integrated looped pocket for the disposition of an inflator can is also provided as well as an overall vehicle restraint system comprising the inventive airbag cushion.

Claims

1. A method of forming an airbag cushion exhibiting a high available inflation volume, comprising the steps of

(a) providing a first fabric blank having a first end and a second end with two shared edges, wherein said fabric blank also comprises a cut-out pattern for eventual placement of an inflation canister or attachment to an inflation assembly, and wherein said fabric blank optionally comprises reinforcing layers of fabric attached adjacent to said cut-out pattern;

(b) folding said first fabric blank of step “

a”

such that at least one of said shared edges is in complete contact with itself;

(c) connecting only one of said at least one shared edge in contact with itself to form a folded composite having a first opening and a second opening, wherein said first opening exhibits edges in a single plane and is wider than said second opening, and wherein said second opening is said cut-out pattern of step “

a”

;

(d) providing a second fabric blank; and

(e) connecting said second fabric blank to said edges of said first opening of said folded composite of step “

c”

.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said second opening of step “

c”

comprises two fabric components which are subsequently connected to form a looped pocket on said airbag cushion.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said fabric reinforcements of step “

a”

are present.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second opening on said folded composite of step “

c”

is symmetrical.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said second opening on said folded composite of step “

c”

is asymmetrical.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said second fabric blank is substantially rectangular in shape.