Occupant restraint system

• US 3,930,664 A
• Filed: 05/19/1972
• Issued: 01/06/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Parr, Ben C., Savage, Carl M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rubenstein, Jack D.
• Application Number:
  US05/255,025
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 280/150 AB, 180/90, 137/525
• US Class Current: 280/732
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for protecting at least two passengers, e.g. preventing them from hitting each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/08 automatically movable from an inoperative to an operative position, e.g. in a collision electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

A vehicle body includes a manifold extending transversely of the instrument panel adjacent the windshield. An oval-shaped, slotted diffuser is secured to the manifold and communicates with a source of pressure fluid. An occupant restraint cushion includes an unbilical portion communicating with the diffuser and also includes a pillow portion. The cushion is stored within the manifold. A cover is provided for the manifold. When the source of pressure fluid is communicated with the diffuser, the diffuser expands from an oval shape toward a round shape and relocates the slots during such change in shape. This moves the cover to an open position. The umbilical portion is then projected rearwardly of the body and is located between the windshield and instrument panel when inflated. The pillow portion is erected generally vertically of the body rearwardly of the frontal portion of the instrument panel.

Claims

1. The combination comprising, a vehicle having a windshield, an instrument panel including an upper portion having an elongated opening therein extending generally transversely of the vehicle adjacent the windshield, an elongated manifold within the instrument panel having a base wall and an opposite open upper side generally coextensive with the opening of the upper portion of the instrument panel, an elongated oval-shape diffuser located in the manifold adjacent the base wall, spaced means securing the diffuser to the base wall of the manifold, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion including an occupant engageable portion and an umbilical portion generally coextensive with the opening, means mounting the umbilical portion on the vehicle inwardly of the opening of the instrument panel in communication with the diffuser, the cushion being normally folded and stored within the manifold intermediate the diffuser and the manifold opening, releasable cover means covering the manifold opening and continuing the upper portion of the instrument panel thereover, means communicating the diffuser with a source of pressure fluid upon the occurrence of a predetermined event to inflate the cushion and deploy the cushion from the manifold through the manifold and instrument panel openings, the diffuser expanding from an oval shape toward circular shape upon receipt thereby of pressure fluid, the spaced securing means blocking sinuous deformation of the diffuser upon expansion thereof, the cover means being moved out of the instrument panel opening by the cushion when the cushion deploys, and means communicating the cushion with ambient atmosphere when the pressure within the cushion exceeds a predetermined level.

2. The combination comprising, a vehicle having a windshield, an instrument panel including an upper portion having an elongated opening therein extending generally transversely of the vehicle adjacent the windshield, an elongated manifold within the instrument panel having a base wall and an opposite upper opening generally coextensive with the opening of the upper portion of the instrument panel, an elongated oval-shape diffuser located in the manifold adjacent the base wall thereof, spaced means securing the diffuser to the base wall of the manifold, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion including an umbilical portion and an occupant engageable portion, means mounting the umbilical portion on the vehicle inwardly of the opening of the instrument panel in communication with the diffuser, the cushion being normally folded and stored within the manifold intermediate the diffuser and the manifold opening, means communicating the diffuser with a source of pressure fluid upon the occurrence of a predetermined event to inflate the cushion and deploy the cushion from the manifold through the manifold and instrument panel openings, the diffuser expanding from oval shape toward circular shape upon receipt thereby of pressure fluid, the spaced securing means blocking sinuous deformation of the diffuser upon expansion thereof, a cover coextensive with the instrument panel opening and received therein, means hinging the forward edge thereof to the vehicle, and means releasably securing the rearward edge thereof to the vehicle, the cover being swung forwardly of the vehicle toward the windshield about the forward edge thereof upon inflation and deployment of the cushion.

3. The combination comprising, a vehicle having a windshield, an instrument panel including an upper portion having an elongated opening therein extending generally transversely of the vehicle adjacent the windshield, an elongated manifold within the instrument panel having a base wall and an opposite upper opening generally coextensive with the opening of the instrument panel, an elongated oval-shape diffuser having a portion thereof seated on the base wall of the manifold, means spaced longitudinally of the diffuser and securing the seated portion of the diffuser and the base wall of the manifold to the vehicle, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion including an umbilical portion, means mounting the umbilical portion on the vehicle inwardly of the opening of the instrument panel in communication with the diffuser, the cushion being normally folded and stored within the manifold intermediate the diffuser and the manifold opening, and means communicating the diffuser with a source of pressure fluid upon the occurrence of a predetermined event to inflate the cushion, the diffuser expanding from oval shape toward circular shape upon receipt thereby of pressure fluid, the spaced securing means block sinuous deformation of the diffuser upon expansion thereof.