Safety arrangement

• US 6,817,625 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hjerpe, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US09/959,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20020158449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/743.1, 280/751, 280/753
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2161 the cover being displaced towards the occupant during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23176 specially adapted for foot protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23528 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment

Abstract

An air-bag unit (1) is adapted to be positioned on the floor pan of a vehicle in the foot-well, to be located beneath the feet of an occupant of the vehicle. The air-bag unit has an upper cover (8) located above an air-bag. On inflation of the air-bag the cover (8) is lifted from its initial position to an elevated position. The cover (8) comprises two sections (9, 10) inter-connected by a hinge-line (11). On inflation of the air-bag part of the cover (8) adjacent the hinge-line (11) is elevated so a greater extent than the portions of the cover which are remote from the hinge-line.

Claims

1. An air-bag unit adapted to be positioned on the floor pan of a motor vehicle in the foot-well, to be located beneath the feet of an occupant of the vehicle, the air-bag unit having an air-bag, and having an upper cover located above the air-bag, the unit being such that on inflation of the air-bag the cover is lifted from its initial position to an elevated position the upper cove comprising two sections inter-connected by a hinge-line, the two sections being adapted such that on inflation of the air-bag the part of the cover adjacent the hinge-line is elevated to a greater extent than the portions of the cover which are remote from the hinge-line,

wherein the cover comprises two sections, in the form of a first section adapted to be substantially horizontal and the second section adapted to be inclined, the air-bag lying under the second section presenting a relatively large chamber, and the air-bag lying under first section presenting a plurality of separate chambers.

2. A unit according to claim 1 wherein a pair of attachment elements are provided, the attachment elements each being connected to one part of the upper cover and being adapted to be connected to part of the motor vehicle to restrict upward movement of the said part of the cover.

3. A unit according to claim 1 wherein each of the separate chambers is a tapering chamber.

4. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the dined section of the cover is provided with a slit separating the inclined section into two regions, one region being adapted to lie on a foot-rest.

5. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with reinforcing means, the reinforcing means extending transversely of the cover.

6. A unit according to claim 5 wherein the reinforcing means comprise thickened portions of the cover.

7. A unit according to claim 5 wherein the reinforcing means comprise integral elements of a reinforcing material located within the cover.

8. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with reinforcing means to resist deformation of the cover, there being ore or stronger reinforcing means in the region of the cover adapted to lie under the heel of an occupant of the vehicle than in other areas of the cover.

9. A unit according to claim 8 wherein the reinforcing means extend transversely of the cover.

10. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the air-bag is secured to the cover by adhesive.

11. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with integrally formed tongues, the air-bag being connected to the cover by means of elements provided on the air-bag which engage the said tongues.

12. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the cover forms part of a housing that contains the air-bag.

13. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the cover rests on the airbag.

14. An air-bag unit adapted to be positioned on the floor pan of a motor vehicle in the foot-well, to be located beneath the feet of an occupant of the vehicle, the air-bag unit having an air-bag, and having an upper cover located above the air-bag, the unit being such that on inflation of the air-bag the upper cover is lifted from its initial position to an elevated position, the upper cover being provided with reinforcing means, the reinforcing means extending transversely of the cover to provide the cover with substantial transverse rigidity,

wherein the cover is provided with integrally formed tongues, the air-bag being connected to the cover by means of elements provided on the air-bag which engage the said tongues.

15. A unit according to claim 14 wherein the reinforcing means comprise thickened portions of the cover.

16. A unit according to claim 14 wherein the reinforcing means comprise integral elements of a reinforcing material located within the cover.

17. A unit according to claim 14 wherein the air-bag is secured to the cover by adhesive.

18. A unit according to claim 14 wherein the cover forms part of a housing that contains the air-bag.

19. A unit according to claim 14 wherein the cover rests on the air-bag.

20. An air-bag unit adapted to be positioned on the floor pan of a motor vehicle the foot-well, to be located beneath the feet of an occupant of the vehicle, the air-bag unit having an air-bag, the unit having an upper cover located above the air-bag, the unit being such that on inflation of the air-bag the upper cover is lifted from its initial position to an elevated position, the upper cover being provided with reinforcing means to resist deformation of the cover, there being more or stronger reinforcing means in the region of the cover adapted to lie under the heel of an occupant of the vehicle than in other areas of the cover,

wherein the cover is provided with integrally formed tongues, the air-bag being connected to the cover by means of elements provided on the air-bag which engage the said tongues.

21. A unit according to claim 20 wherein the air-bag is of metal.

22. A unit according to claim 20 wherein the reinforcing means comprise thickened portions of the cover.

23. A unit according to claim 20 wherein the reinforcing means comprise integral elements of a reinforcing material located within the cover.

24. A unit according to claim 20 wherein the air-bag is secured to the cover by adhesive.

25. A unit according to claim 20 wherein the cover forms part of a housing that contains the air-bag.

26. A unit according to claim 20 wherein the cover rests on the air-bag.