Low mount, easily assembled, air bag passive restraint module
First Claim
1. An air bag module for an automotive vehicle comprising,a housing having a closed end and an open end,a flange on the open end of said housing,foldable first bag means normally folded in said housing adjacent the closed end and having first and second openings to the interior thereof, the first of the openings being adapted for connection to a source of gas for the inflation of said first bag means,pressure responsive orifice means associated with the second opening of said first bag means for controlling gas flow outwardly of said first bag means through the second opening, and,foldable second bag means normally folded in said housing between the open end thereof and said first bag means, said second bag means having an opening that is attached in gas sealing relation to said flange.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low-mount, air bag module for the passenger side of an automobile uses two bags that are folded within a housing that is open at one end. One of the bags is for restraining the knees of the passenger to prevent forward sliding in the event of a crash, the other bag being for restraining the torso. The knee bag is inside the torso bag and they are both attached directly to the inflator, the knee bag being arranged to be inflated first. The torso bag then is inflated to prevent forward rotation of the passenger from the hips.
105 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An air bag module for an automotive vehicle comprising,
a housing having a closed end and an open end, a flange on the open end of said housing, foldable first bag means normally folded in said housing adjacent the closed end and having first and second openings to the interior thereof, the first of the openings being adapted for connection to a source of gas for the inflation of said first bag means, pressure responsive orifice means associated with the second opening of said first bag means for controlling gas flow outwardly of said first bag means through the second opening, and, foldable second bag means normally folded in said housing between the open end thereof and said first bag means, said second bag means having an opening that is attached in gas sealing relation to said flange.
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15. An air bag module for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a housing having a closed end and an open end, a flange on the open end of said housing, foldable first bag means normally folded in said housing adjacent the closed end and having first and second openings to the interior thereof, the first of the openings being adapted for connection to a source of gas for the inflation of said first bag means, check valve means for controlling gas flow outwardly of said first bag means through the second opening, and foldable second bag means normally folded in said housing between the open end thereof and said first bag means, said second bag means having an opening that is attached in gas sealing relation to said flange, wherein said first bag means when inflated initially functions as a deployment cushion to move said second bag means outwardly of said housing, and then functions as a knee cushion that is adapted for engagement by the knees of an occupant seated in the vehicle, and wherein said second bag means is inflated by gases passing through said first bag means and said check valve means upon the attainment of a predetermined gas pressure in said first bag means, said second bag means functioning when inflated as a torso bag to prevent forward rotation of the occupant from the hips, the first bag means and said second bag means remaining inflated during the function time to maintain the occupant in a seated position.
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Specification