Air-bag

• US 7,766,369 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: McHugh, Christopher, Bradburn, Alan, Finn, Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/587,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,009 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/728.2, 139/384.R, 442/181
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23542 Weaving
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/02 Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 13/004 with weave pattern being non-standard or providing special effects
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2505/124 Air bags

Abstract

An air-bag is disclosed which is formed from fabric (12, 13) and has an inflatable region (1), and at least one protruding mounting tab (9). The or each mounting tab (9) is formed from fabric woven to have a random or quasi-random, distribution of floats. In a preferred embodiment, the floats each pass over between two and eight underlying yarns.

Claims

1. An air-bag, the air-bag being formed from fabric and having an inflatable region and at least one mount, each mount being formed from fabric, woven to have a random or quasi-random distribution of floats, wherein the random or quasi-random distribution of floats are configured to have a non-repeating irregular weave for improved tear resistance.

2. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein the floats each pass over between two and eight underlying yarns.

3. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein each mount is formed from two adjacent layers of fabric.

4. An air-bag according to claim 3, wherein the two adjacent layers of fabric forming the mount are stitched together.

5. An air-bag according to claim 3, wherein the two adjacent layers of fabric forming the mount are laser-cut.

6. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein each mount is a protruding mounting tab.

7. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein each mount is apertured.

8. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein the air-bag is an inflatable curtain.

9. An air-bag according to claim 8, wherein the inflatable curtain has an inflatable region formed by two super-imposed layers of fabric which are secured together at selected regions to form individual inflatable cells, there being a gas supply duct in fluid communication with the inflatable cells.

10. An air-bag, the air-bag being an inflatable curtain, the air-bag being formed from fabric and having an inflatable region formed by two super-imposed layers of fabric which are secured together at selected regions to form individual inflatable cells, there being a gas supply duct in fluid communication with the inflatable cells, the air-bag being provided with at least one mount, each mount being formed from fabric woven to have a random or quasi-random distribution of floats, each mount being in the form of a protruding mounting tab, the mounting tab being provided with an aperture, wherein the random or quasi-random distribution of floats are configured to have a non-repeating irregular weave for improved tear resistance.

11. An air-bag, the air-bag including an inflatable region having an upper-most edge seam and at least one mounting tab extending upwardly therefrom, the at least one mounting tab including an aperture and being formed from fabric woven to have a random distribution of floats, the random distribution of floats configured to have a non-repeating irregular weave for improved tear resistance.

12. The air-bag of claim 11, wherein the floats of the random distribution of floats each include a length such that the floats will pass over eight transversely extending yarns.

13. The air-bag of claim 11, wherein the air-bag is an inflatable curtain.