Interconnectable inflatable airbag cushion module

• US 6,991,255 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Henderson, David, Petersen, Kurt, Vine, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHARMA, RASHMI K
• Application Number:
  US10/180,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/729, 280/730.2, 280/749, 280/728.2, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

An inflatable cushion module is disclosed. The inflatable cushion module is configured to be combined with other inflatable cushion modules to form a modular airbag system. Such modular airbag systems may be used to protect passengers of a vehicle from impact with a side surface of the vehicle. In general, the inflatable cushion module has an airbag and an attachment mechanism for attaching the airbag to the airbag of another module. When combined, the inflatable cushion modules form a single airbag system which can be used to protect the passengers of a vehicle from lateral impact. The airbag system can be configured to protect passengers in a single row of seats as well as passengers in two or more rows of seats.

Claims

1. An inflatable airbag cushion module comprising:

an inflatable airbag having an inflatable zone and an uninflatable perimeter; and

an attachment mechanism connected to the perimeter for attaching the inflatable airbag to another inflatable airbag such that the airbags when attached form a single airbag system,

wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more tethers having a first end connected to the perimeter of the inflatable cushion module and a second end distal from the inflatable cushion configured such that the second end of the tether is attachable to a corresponding tether attached to another airbag.

2. The cushion module of claim 1 further comprising an attachment loop adjacent the second end of the tether, the attachment loop configured for the attachment of the inflatable cushion to the tether of the other inflatable cushion.

3. The cushion module of claim 2 wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the tether of the other inflatable cushion module by a detachable fastener.

4. The cushion module of claim 3, wherein the detachable fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.

5. The cushion module of claim 2, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by a looped knot.

6. An inflatable cushion module comprising:

an inflatable airbag having a tether attachable to a vehicle; and

an attachment mechanism for attaching the inflatable airbag to another inflatable airbag, wherein the inflatable airbags, when attached and installed in a vehicle, form a single tension line from the tether through the airbag and attachment mechanism along a side of a vehicle when the airbags are inflated, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a detachable fastener.

7. The cushion module of claim 6, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an opening adjacent a perimeter of the inflatable airbag, the opening configured to receive therein the fastener.

8. The cushion module of claim 7, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.

9. The cushion module of claim 6, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more tethers having a first end connected to the inflatable cushion module and a second end distal from the inflatable cushion.

10. The cushion module of claim 9, further comprising an attachment loop adjacent the second end of the tether, the attachment loop configured for the attachment of the inflatable cushion to the other inflatable cushion.

11. The cushion module of claim 10, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by the detachable fastener.

12. The cushion module of claim 11, wherein the detachable fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.

13. The cushion module of claim 10, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by a looped knot.

14. An inflatable cushion module comprising:

an inflatable airbag;

a tether having a first end secured to the inflatable airbag and a second end distal from the inflatable airbag; and

an attachment mechanism adjacent the second end of the tether, the attachment mechanism configured for the attachment of the airbag cushion to a corresponding tether secured to another airbag cushion.

15. The cushion module of claim 14, wherein the fastener comprises a permanent fastener.

16. The cushion module of claim 15, wherein the permanent fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, and a rivet.

17. The cushion module of claim 14, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.

18. The cushion module of claim 14, wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises one or more tethers having a first end connected to the inflatable cushion module and a second end distal from the inflatable cushion.

19. The cushion module of claim 18, further comprising an attachment loop adjacent the second end of the tether, the attachment loop configured for the attachment of the inflatable cushion to the other inflatable cushion.

20. The cushion module of claim 19, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by the fastener.

21. The cushion module of claim 20, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.

22. The cushion module of claim 19, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by a looped knot.

23. An inflatable cushion module comprising:

an inflatable airbag;

a package for containing the inflatable airbag in a folded configuration; and

a tether secured to the inflatable airbag for attaching the inflatable airbag to another inflatable airbag by means of a corresponding tether secured to said other inflatable airbag such that the inflatable airbag is connected to the other inflatable airbag after the packaging of the inflatable airbag in the package.

24. The cushion module of claim 23, further comprising a fastener for attaching said tethers.

25. The cushion module of claim 24, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, and a rivet.

26. The cushion module of claim 23, wherein the tethers are knotted or loop-knotted.

27. The cushion module of claim 23, further comprising an attachment loop adjacent the second end of the tether, the attachment loop configured for the attachment of the inflatable cushion to the tether of the other inflatable cushion.

28. The cushion module of claim 27, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by a fastener.

29. The cushion module of claim 28, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.

30. The cushion module of claim 27, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by a looped knot.

31. An inflatable cushion module comprising:

an inflatable airbag having an inflatable zone and an uninflatable perimeter;

a tether having a first end secured to the perimeter of the inflatable airbag and a second end distal from the inflatable airbag; and

an attachment loop adjacent the second end of the tether and formed by the tether, the attachment loop configured for the attachment of the inflatable cushion module to another inflatable cushion.

32. The cushion module of claim 31, wherein the attachment loop is configured to attach the inflatable cushion module to the other inflatable cushion module by a fastener.

33. The cushion module of claim 32, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a clip, a knotted tether, and a loop-knotted tether.