Overhead airbag having an external side cushion panel

• US 6,932,380 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Choi, ChangSoo
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/677,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/728.2, 280/731, 280/732, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• 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

Abstract

An overhead airbag that may be used to protect and restrain the movement of a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The overhead airbag includes a cushion portion having a front panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A throat is also added to the cushion portion. The throat is positioned above the cushion portion. A patch is also added to airbag. The patch is attached to the cushion portion and is constructed such that when the airbag is in the inflated configuration, the airbag retains a depression between the cushion portion and the throat. More specifically, the patch is constructed such that when the airbag is in the inflated configuration, the airbag retains a depression between the front panel and the throat. A second patch that is attached to the throat and the second side panel may also be added.

Claims

1. An overhead airbag comprising:

a cushion portion, wherein the cushion portion comprises a front panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;

a throat positioned above the cushion portion; and

at least one patch attached to the cushion portion, the patch constructed such that when the airbag is in the inflated configuration, the airbag retains a depression between the cushion portion and the throat, wherein the patch is attached to the throat and the first side panel.

2. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the patch is attached to the cushion portion and the throat via sewing.

3. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the patch is attached to the cushion portion and the throat via adhesive bonding.

4. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the airbag is designed to receive the impact of a vehicle occupant during a crash.

5. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the depression is designed to receive the vehicle occupants'"'"' head during a crash.

6. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the airbag further comprises a mounting area.

7. An overhead airbag as in claim 6 wherein the mounting area is attached to the throat.

8. An overhead airbag as in claim 6 wherein the mounting area is in fluid communication with an inflator.

9. An overhead airbag as in claim 6 wherein the patch contacts the mounting area.

10. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the patch wraps around the throat.

11. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein the patch is integral with the first side panel.

12. An overhead airbag as in claim 1 wherein a second patch is attached to the second side panel.

13. An overhead airbag comprising:

a cushion portion having a front panel and a first side panel;

a throat positioned above the cushion portion; and

at least one patch attached to the cushion portion, the patch constructed such that when the airbag is in the inflated configuration, the airbag retains a depression between the front panel and the throat, wherein the patch is attached to the first side panel and the throat.

14. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the patch is attached to the cushion portion and the throat via sewing.

15. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the patch is attached to the cushion portion and the throat via adhesive bonding.

16. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the airbag is designed to receive the impact of a vehicle occupant during a crash.

17. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the depression is designed to receive the vehicle occupants'"'"' head during a crash.

18. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the airbag further comprises a mounting area.

19. An overhead airbag as in claim 18 wherein the mounting area is attached to the throat.

20. An overhead airbag as in claim 18 wherein the mounting area is in fluid communication with an inflator.

21. An overhead airbag as in claim 18 wherein the patch contacts the mounting area.

22. An overhead airbag as in claim 18 wherein the patch wraps around the throat.

23. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the patch is integral with the first side panel.

24. An overhead airbag as in claim 13 wherein the cushion portion further comprises a second side panel.

25. An overhead airbag as in claim 24 wherein a second patch is attached to the second side panel.

26. An overhead airbag as in claim 24 wherein the patch is attached to the first side panel and the second side panel.

27. An overhead airbag comprising:

a cushion portion having a front panel and a first side panel;

a throat positioned above the cushion portion;

a mounting area ie attached to the throat; and

at least one patch attached to the first side panel and the throat, the patch constructed such that when the airbag is in the inflated configuration, the airbag retains a depression between the front panel and the throat.

28. An overhead airbag as in claim 27 wherein the patch in integral with the first side panel.

29. An overhead airbag as in claim 27 wherein the patch wraps around the throat.

30. An overhead airbag in claim 27 wherein the patch contacts the mounting area.

31. An overhead airbag as in claim 27 wherein the patch is attached to the first side panel via sewing.

32. An overhead airbag as in claim 27 wherein the cushion portion further comprises a second side panel.

33. An overhead airbag as in claim 32 wherein a second patch is attached to the second side panel.

34. An overhead airbag as in claim 32 wherein the patch is attached to the first side panel and the second side panel.