Vehicle air bag structure

• US 6,773,028 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Matsuoka, Yosuke, Iijima, Satoshi, Itabashi, Takeyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US10/092,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20020130496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/734
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0088 Cycles, e.g. motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/023 Three-point seat belt systems comprising two side lower and one side upper anchoring devices B60R22/022, B60R22/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 17/08 Hoods protecting the rider
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/10 Safety belts specially adapted for motorcycles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/20 Airbags specially adapted for motorcycles or the like

Abstract

A motorcycle having a passenger seat at the center of vehicle body frame, has side members guarding the left and right sides of a passenger M sitting on the passenger seat with air bags in the side members for expanding the air bags in case of necessity. As the structure has the side members guarding the left and right sides of the passenger, the structure can reinforce the vehicle body frame. Further, since the structure includes the air bags in the side members, it can contribute to the protection of the passenger.

Claims

1. A motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle having a passenger seat at the center of motorcycle body frame comprising:

a left side member for guarding a left side of a passenger positioned on said passenger seat;

a right side member for guarding a right side of a passenger positioned on said passenger seat; and

air bags being operatively positioned with each of the left and right side members;

wherein upon a predetermined condition, both said air bags expand for protecting the passenger.

2. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said left side member includes a first end and a distal end, said first end being hinged to a forward frame of said motorcycle for enabling said left side member to be pivoted for permitting ingress and egress to said motorcycle.

3. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said right side member includes a first end and a distal end, said first end being hinged to a forward frame of said motorcycle for enabling said right side member to be pivoted for permitting ingress and egress to said motorcycle.

4. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said left side member includes a first end, a distal end and is constructed of a predetermined thickness, one of said air bags being disposed within said predetermined thickness during normal use and being expanded outside said left side member upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition for protecting a passenger.

5. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said right side member includes a first end, a distal end and is constructed of a predetermined thickness, one of said air bags being disposed within said predetermined thickness during normal use and being expanded outside said right side member upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition for protecting a passenger.

6. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined occurrence is an accident that deploys the air bags.

7. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined occurrence is the turning of the motorcycle to a predetermined angle that deploys the air bags.

8. The motorcycle air bag structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said motorcycle includes front support members with a roof disposed thereon for providing an all-weather vehicle.

9. A motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle comprising:

a left side member for guarding a left side of motorcycle;

a right side member for guarding a right side of a motorcycle;

a space formed between said left side member and said right side member; and

air bags being operatively positioned with each of the left and right side members;

wherein upon a predetermined condition, both said air bags expand into said space.

10. The motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said left side member includes a first end and a distal end, said first end being hinged to a forward frame of said motorcycle for enabling said left side member to be pivoted for permitting ingress and egress to said motorcycle.

11. The motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said right side member includes a first end and a distal end, said first end being hinged to a forward frame of said motorcycle for enabling said right side member to be pivoted for permitting ingress and egress to said motorcycle.

12. The motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said left side member includes a first end, a distal end and is constructed of a predetermined thickness, one of said air bags being disposed within said predetermined thickness during normal use and being expanded outside said left side member upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition into said space.

13. The motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said right side member includes a first end, a distal end and is constructed of a predetermined thickness, one of said air bags being disposed within said predetermined thickness during normal use and being expanded outside said right side member upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition into said space.

14. The motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined occurrence is an accident that deploys the air bags.

15. The motorcycle air bag structure for use on a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined occurrence is the turning of the motorcycle to a predetermined angle that deploys the air bags.