Bolster deployment pattern
First Claim
1. An inflatable bolster,said bolster comprising a housing,said housing defining a substantially closed volume for receiving a fluid under pressure,said bolster having a source of pressurized fluid,said housing defining an occupant face and a mounting face,said housing having a lateral length L in the direction substantially parallel to said occupant face, wherein said bolster comprises at least one extension structure for extending the lateral length L of said bolster upon pressurization of said bolster,wherein said bolster is a unitary structure, andsaid at least one extension structure comprises at least one first expandable area and said lengthening of said lateral length L occurs, at least in part, by expanding said at least one first expandable area, andsaid housing comprises a main portion and at least one auxiliary portion, said main portion defining said lateral length L and said auxiliary portion extending away from said occupant face prior to pressurization of said bolster, said auxiliary portion comprising, at least in part, said at least one extension structure,wherein said auxiliary portion has a length L1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of length L prior to pressurization of said bolster;
- and wherein said auxiliary portion moves hingedly relative to said main portion upon said pressurization to extend the lateral length L of said bolster by an amount substantially equal to L1.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An inflatable bolster,
said bolster comprising a housing, said housing defining a substantially closed volume for receiving a fluid under pressure, said bolster having a source of pressurized fluid, said housing defining an occupant face and a mounting face, said housing having a lateral length L in the direction substantially parallel to said occupant face, wherein said bolster comprises at least one extension structure for extending the lateral length L of said bolster upon pressurization of said bolster, wherein said bolster is a unitary structure, and said at least one extension structure comprises at least one first expandable area and said lengthening of said lateral length L occurs, at least in part, by expanding said at least one first expandable area, and said housing comprises a main portion and at least one auxiliary portion, said main portion defining said lateral length L and said auxiliary portion extending away from said occupant face prior to pressurization of said bolster, said auxiliary portion comprising, at least in part, said at least one extension structure, wherein said auxiliary portion has a length L1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of length L prior to pressurization of said bolster; and wherein said auxiliary portion moves hingedly relative to said main portion upon said pressurization to extend the lateral length L of said bolster by an amount substantially equal to L1. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An inflatable bolster,
said bolster comprising a housing, said housing defining a substantially closed volume for receiving a fluid under pressure, said bolster having a source of pressurizing fluid, said housing defining an occupant face and a mounting face, said housing having a lateral length L in the direction substantially parallel to said occupant face, wherein said bolster comprises extension structure for extending the lateral length L of said bolster upon pressurization of said bolster, and wherein said bolster is a unitary structure; -
and wherein said bolster comprises at least one first expandable area and said lengthening of said lateral length L occurs, at least in part, by expanding said expandable area; and wherein said housing comprises a main portion and at least one auxiliary portion, said main portion defining said lateral length L and said auxiliary portion extending away from said occupant face, said auxiliary portion comprising, at least in part, said extension structure; and wherein said bolster further includes flow restriction means for permitting flow of pressurization fluid from said main portion to said auxiliary portion; and wherein said flow restriction means includes at least one hollow rib; and wherein said restriction means defines a flow path which is serpentine. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification