Occupant leg protection system

• US 6,938,919 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Abe, Kazuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US10/630,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20040026903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/728.2, 280/752, 280/753, 280/731
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together

Abstract

An occupant leg protection system is arranged below a steering column as a protection system for an automobile. The protection system includes an inflatable airbag; a casing for housing the airbag; and a gas generator for inflating the airbag. A recessed section facing the steering column is provided at a backside of the casing.

Claims

1. An occupant leg protection system arranged below a steering column of a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag;

a casing attached to the vehicle for housing the airbag and having a recessed section at a backside thereof so that the recessed section can accommodate the steering column when pushed, said casing including a first storage section and a second storage section with the recessed section in between so that one part of the airbag is stored in the first storage section and another part of the airbag is stored in the second storage section; and

a gas generator attached to the casing and stored in the first storage section for inflating the airbag.

2. An occupant leg protection system according to claim 1, wherein said gas generator is attached to the casing at a position other than the recessed section.

3. An occupant leg protection system according to claim 1, wherein a rear part of the airbag is fixed to the recessed section.

4. An occupant leg protection system arranged below a steering column of a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag;

a casing attached to the vehicle for housing the airbag; and

a gas generator attached to the casing for inflating the airbag at a location away from a position facing the steering column, said gas generator extending from a back surface of the casing away from the steering column.