Active bolster

• US 9,085,275 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2014
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABC Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Salflex Polymers Limited
• Inventors: Sadr, Changize, Totonchian, Ali, Best, Michael, Ciplijauskas, Rimas, Roychoudhury, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M
• Application Number:
  US14/453,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20140346759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/751
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0407 using gas or liquid as energy absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/132 Roll bars for convertible vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2074 in head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23146 seat mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23176 specially adapted for foot protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting the occupant in a roll-over situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23519 Resin for coating fabric B60R2021/23514
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0428 associated with the side doors or panels, e.g. displaced towards the occupants in case of a side collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/13 Roll-over protection electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 : in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 : Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 : Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 : specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 : characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 : characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the inflatable bolster comprising:

a hollow body including

an outside wall configured to face a mating surface of the vehicle, the outside wall being provided with one or more integral bolster mounting tabs formed as part of the outside wall, and

an inside wall opposite the outside wall and configured to face an interior of the vehicle;

an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the hollow body to thereby inflate the hollow body, the inflator being mounted to the hollow body; and

attachment means for attaching the hollow body to the mating surface, the attachment means comprising a fastening clip mounted on each of the one or more integral bolster mounting tabs, wherein the fastening clip is configured to provide a snap-fit connection of the hollow body to the mating surface of the vehicle.

2. The inflatable bolster of claim 1, wherein the fastening clip is attached to the integral bolster mounting tab using a rivet.

3. An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the inflatable bolster comprising:

a polymeric hollow body including

an outside wall configured to face a mating surface of the vehicle, the outside wall having formed therein one or more insert apertures, and

an inside wall opposite the outside wall and configured to face an interior of the vehicle;

an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the hollow body to thereby inflate the hollow body, the inflator being mounted to the hollow body; and

attachment means for attaching the hollow body to the mating surface, the attachment means comprising a mounting insert positioned in each of the one or more insert apertures, wherein the mounting insert is configured for mechanical attachment of the hollow body to the mating surface of the vehicle.

4. The inflatable bolster of claim 3, wherein the mounting insert is a threaded stud insert configured to cooperate with a fastening nut to secure the hollow body to the mating surface through mechanical compression.

5. The inflatable bolster of claim 3, wherein the mounting insert is a tab insert configured to cooperate with a fastening clip to secure the hollow body to the mating surface through a mechanical snap-fit connection.