Sealing and reinforcing strips principally for airbag assembly joints

• US 7,681,917 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Automotive US, Inc. (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Automotive US, Inc. (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Roland, Sophie, Obadia, Jean Marc, Lecoeuvre, Jean Francois, Guillo, Jean Roger, Jeanne, Francois, Bouquier, Benoit
• Primary Examiner(s): SINGH-PANDEY, ARTI R
• Application Number:
  US11/471,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20060292949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/730.1, 280/728.1, 280/730.2, 280/743.2, 442/183, 442/185, 442/189, 442/208
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/02 characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer layer formed of metallic wires B32B15/02; layer formed of natural mineral fibres B32B19/02; layer formed of wood fibres B32B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23585 Vulcanisation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23595 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2400/263 in the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2483/00 Presence of polysiloxane
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/21 Paper; Textile fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/35 Heat-activated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/20 Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3911 Natural or synthetic rubber sheet or film

Abstract

Highly-deformable sealing strips integrating with fabric assemblies (principally of airbags) are detailed. The strips reduce gas leakage from occurring. They also function as mechanical reinforcements of the assemblies.

Claims

1. An airbag comprising:

a. a first panel;

b. a second panel; and

c. a strip joining the first and second panels and comprising

a material highly deformable in the weft direction, not substantially deformable in the warp direction, and having first and second sides.

2. An airbag according to claim 1 further comprising a seam sewn into the first and second panels.

3. An airbag according to claim 1 in which each of the first and second panels has an interior surface and the strip joins the interior surfaces of the first and second panels.

4. An airbag according to claim 1 in which each of the first and second panels has an exterior surface and the strip joins the exterior surfaces of the first and second panels.

5. An airbag according to claim 1 in which the strip further comprises silicone elastomer coated onto at least one of the first and second sides.

6. An airbag according to claim 5 in which the silicone elastomer is curable through vulcanization.

7. An airbag according to claim 6 in which the strip is vulcanized by polyaddition reaction.

8. An airbag according to claim 5 in which the silicone elastomer is extruded onto the first side of the material.

9. An airbag according to claim 8 in which the silicone elastomer is extruded onto the second side of the material.

10. An airbag according to claim 1 in which the material is formed by knitting, warp knitting, braiding, or weaving.