Inflatable personal restraint systems having web-mounted inflators and associated methods of use and manufacture
First Claim
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1. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant seated in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
- a first shoulder web having an end portion operably coupled to the vehicle, wherein the first shoulder web is configured to extend over a first shoulder of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle;
a second shoulder web configured to extend over a second shoulder of the occupant;
an airbag carried by the first shoulder web; and
a gas source carried by the first shoulder web and operably coupled to the airbag, wherein the gas source is configured to inflate the airbag, wherein the inflated airbag has a generally inverted “
L”
shape with a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion extends in a generally vertical direction adjacent to the first shoulder web when inflated, and wherein the second bag portion extends outwardly from the first bag portion in a generally lateral direction in front of the upper torso and head of the occupant when inflated, and wherein the second bag portion extends across the second shoulder web when inflated.
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Abstract
Inflatable restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle are disclosed herein. An inflatable restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an airbag carried by a web. The web has an end portion coupled to a vehicle and is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant. The restraint system further includes a gas source that is also carried by the web. The gas source is operably coupled to the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a rapid deceleration or other dynamic event.
308 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant seated in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
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a first shoulder web having an end portion operably coupled to the vehicle, wherein the first shoulder web is configured to extend over a first shoulder of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle; a second shoulder web configured to extend over a second shoulder of the occupant; an airbag carried by the first shoulder web; and a gas source carried by the first shoulder web and operably coupled to the airbag, wherein the gas source is configured to inflate the airbag, wherein the inflated airbag has a generally inverted “
L”
shape with a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion extends in a generally vertical direction adjacent to the first shoulder web when inflated, and wherein the second bag portion extends outwardly from the first bag portion in a generally lateral direction in front of the upper torso and head of the occupant when inflated, and wherein the second bag portion extends across the second shoulder web when inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
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a web retractor attached to the vehicle; a first shoulder web having an end portion operably coupled to the retractor, wherein the first shoulder web is configured to extend around at least a portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle; a second shoulder web; an airbag carried by the first shoulder web; an inflator carried by the first shoulder web; a fluid conduit operably coupled between the airbag and the inflator; and a sensor operably coupled to the inflator, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the inflator in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, and wherein the inflator is configured to dispense gas into the airbag through the conduit in response to the signal, wherein the airbag includes a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion is attached to the first shoulder web and inflates in a generally upward direction adjacent to the first shoulder web, wherein the second bag portion inflates in a generally lateral direction from the first bag portion in front of the upper torso and head of the occupant, and wherein the second bag portion inflates laterally across the second shoulder web. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
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a first shoulder web, wherein the first shoulder web is configured to extend around at least a portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle; a second shoulder web; an airbag carried by the first shoulder web; an inflator; a fluid conduit operably coupled between the airbag and the inflator; a sensor; and an electrical link operably coupling the sensor to the inflator, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the inflator via the electrical link in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, and wherein the inflator is configured to dispense gas into the airbag through the conduit in response to the signal, wherein the airbag includes a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion is attached to the first shoulder web and inflates in a generally upward direction adjacent to the first shoulder web, wherein the second bag portion inflates in a generally lateral direction from the first bag portion in front of the upper torso and head of the occupant and across the second shoulder web. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
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first and second shoulder webs for restraining an occupant in the vehicle; an airbag attached to the first shoulder web, wherein the airbag has a generally inverted “
L”
shape when inflated with a first bag portion that extends in a generally vertical direction adjacent to the first shoulder web and a second bag portion that extends from the first bag portion in a generally lateral direction in front of the upper torso and head of the occupant, and wherein the second bag portion inflates laterally across the second shoulder web; andmeans for inflating the airbag in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, wherein the means for inflating the airbag is carried on at least one of the first shoulder web and the second shoulder web. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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detecting a rapid deceleration of the vehicle; and inflating an airbag in response to the detected deceleration, wherein the airbag is carried by a first shoulder web operably coupled to the vehicle, and wherein the airbag is inflated with a gas source carried by the first shoulder web, the airbag having a generally inverted “
L”
shape when inflated with a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion extends in a generally vertical direction adjacent to the first shoulder web when inflated, and wherein the second bag portion extends from the first bag portion in a generally lateral direction in front of the upper torso and head of the occupant and across a second shoulder web when inflated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification