PRESSURE RELIEF PANELS FOR GAS BAG EQUIPPED VEHICLES

• US 3,694,003 A
• Filed: 01/11/1971
• Issued: 09/26/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald G. Radke
• Original Assignee: Donald G. Radke
• Inventors: Radke, Donald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/105,443
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,15B 296/84K,137R 244/121,122AF 180/82,111,112,113,69C 292/DIG.65 49/141 98/2.18
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/164 combined with vehicle venting means for reducing or avoiding the passenger compartment overpressure during inflation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety

Abstract

A pressure relief means is provided in a vehicle equipped with a gas bag restraint system for use in the event the vehicle is involved in an impact. A biased panel, in communication with the passenger compartment and the vehicle surroundings, is held down against the bias of the panel, which urges the panel open. Upon impact of the vehicle, the gas bags inflate, tending to increase the pressure in the passenger compartment. Simultaneously, the panel hinges are detonated, causing the panel to open to prevent the buildup of pressure in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An assembly for prevention of pressure buildup in a vehicle equipped with a gas bag restraint system comprising:

a. at least one panel, disposed in said vehicle, in communication with the passenger compartment of said vehicle and the vehicle surroundings;

b. biased hinge means connecting said panel to the vehicle and urging said panel toward the open position;

c. hold down means connecting said panel to the vehicle and maintaining said panel in the closed position against the urging of said biaSed hinge means; and

d. detonator means, connected to said hold down means, for exploding said hold down means upon impact of said vehicle whereby said panel is opened during gas bag inflation to permit air into the passenger compartment to flow outside the compartment during inflation.

2. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, including electrical circuit means in communication with said detonator means, said means comprising a voltage source, an impact sensitive switch responsive to impact of said vehicle and in electrical communication with said voltage source, whereby said detonator means is exploded by a signal generated by the closing of said switch.

3. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hold down means comprises at least one hook-like device pivotably connected to said panel, said device disposed about a pin, connected to said vehicle.

4. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biased hinge means comprises at least one spring loaded hinge.

5. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said panel is disposed in the roof section of said vehicle.

6. A method for prevention of pressure buildup in the passenger compartment of a vehicle due to gas bag inflation comprising the steps of:

disposing at least one panel on said vehicle in communication with said passenger compartment and said vehicle surroundings;

providing said panel with a biased hinge means urging it in the open position;

maintaining said panel closed by hold down means which acts against said biased hinge means; and

disconnecting said hold down means upon impact of said vehicle whereby said panel is disposed in the open position due to the urging of said biased hinge means simultaneous with inflation of said bag filling a portion of said compartment within the vehicle upon impact, to permit air in the passenger compartment to flow outside the compartment during inflation.

7. A method, in accordance with claim 6, wherein said disconnecting of said hold down means is accomplished by detonating said hold down means.

8. A method, in accordance with claim 7, wherein said detonating of said hold down means is accomplished by transmitting a signal to said detonating means, disposed on said hold down means, said signal generated by an electrical circuit completed by closing of an impact sensitive switch.