Active bolster

• US 9,731,675 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2015
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ABC Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ABC Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Sadr, Changize, Totonchian, Ali, Best, Michael, Ciplijauskas, Rimas, Roychoudhury, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M
• Application Number:
  US14/753,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20150298642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• 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. A vehicle seat comprising:

a body-supporting surface;

a back surface opposite to the body-supporting surface; and

an inflatable blow molded thermoplastic bolster having i) an expansible hollow portion, ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow portion, and iii) an occupant-side wall for projecting away from the seat on inflation of the expansible hollow portion to displace at least one of the body-supporting surface or the back surface, wherein the inflatable blow-molded thermoplastic bolster is self-supporting when in an inflated position and self-supporting in an uninflated position,

wherein the body-supporting surface comprises i) an upper portion for supporting a back of an occupant, and ii) a lower portion for supporting a pair of upper legs of the occupant, and wherein the inflatable bolster is operable to displace at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the body-supporting surface on inflation of the expansible hollow portion, and

wherein the inflatable bolster is operable to displace both the upper portion and the lower portion of the body-supporting surface to fold the occupant around a seat belt.

2. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 1 wherein the body-supporting surface is supported by a first side of the occupant-side wall such that the first side of the occupant-side wall is operable to support an occupant before inflation.

3. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 1 wherein the body-supporting surface is a first side of the occupant-side wall, such that the first side of the occupant-side wall is operable to support an occupant before inflation.