Head air bag system

• US 6,168,186 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Khoudari, Bassam Georges, Weston, Douglas Stephen, Welch, Jeffrey Allen, Mahmood, Nicole M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/321,289
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 280/740, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0435 associated with the side or roof pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2163 with energy absorbing or elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle includes a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle, an inflator mounted to the bracket, and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator. The air bag system also includes a trim molding housing the inflator, bracket and the air bag. The air bag is inflated by the inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

Claims

1. A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle;

an inflator mounted to said bracket;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator; and

a trim molding attached to said bracket for covering the C-pillar and housing said inflator, bracket and said air bag, wherein said air bag is inflated by said inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

2. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air bag comprises a first panel and a second panel and being connected together.

3. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 1 including a fastener for securing a portion of said trim molding to said bracket.

4. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 3 including a seal attached to the C-pillar and having a lip overlapping an edge of said trim molding.

5. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bracket extends longitudinally and has at least one pair of opposed attachment arms extending transversely.

6. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 2 including a clamp to clamp on open end of said air bag to said inflator.

7. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inflator is generally cylindrical in shape.

8. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said inflator includes a radial to axial flow adapter to direct the flow of inflation axially into said air bag.

9. A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle;

an inflator mounted to said bracket;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

a trim molding housing said inflator, bracket and said air bag, wherein said air bag is inflated by said inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle;

said bracket extending longitudinally and having at least one pair of opposed attachment arms extending transversely; and

wherein said bracket includes a tension strap attachment extending transversely.

10. A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle;

an inflator mounted to said bracket;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

a trim molding housing said inflator, bracket and said air bag, wherein said air bag is inflated by said inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle;

said bracket extending longitudinally and having at least one pair of opposed attachment arms extending transversely; and

wherein said each of said attachment arms has either one of a return edge and accordion portion at an end thereof.

11. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said bracket includes at least one mounting stud adapted to extend through the C-pillar.

12. A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle;

an inflator mounted to said bracket;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

a trim molding attached to said bracket for covering the C-pillar and housing said inflator, bracket and said air bag; and

at least one fastener for securing a portion of said trim molding to said bracket, wherein said air bag is inflated by said inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

13. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 12 including a seal attached to the C-pillar and having a lip overlapping an edge of said trim molding.

14. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bracket extends longitudinally and has at least one pair of opposed attachment arms extending transversely.

15. A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle;

an inflator mounted to said bracket;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

a trim molding housing said inflator, bracket and said air bag; and

at least one fastener for securing a portion of said trim molding to said bracket, wherein said air bag is inflated by said inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle; and

wherein said each of said attachment arms has either one of a return edge and accordion portion at an end thereof.

16. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said inflator extends axially and is generally cylindrical in shape.

17. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said inflator includes a radial to axial flow adapter to direct the flow of inflation axially into said air bag.

18. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 17 including a clamp to clamp on open end of said air bag to said inflator.

19. A head air bag system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said bracket includes at least one mounting stud adapted to extend through the C-pillar.

20. A head air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of an automotive vehicle;

an inflator mounted to said bracket;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

a trim molding attached to said bracket for covering the C-pillar and housing said inflator, bracket and said air bag;

at least one fastener for securing an inboard portion of said trim molding to said bracket; and

a seal attached to the C-pillar and having a lip overlapping an outboard edge of said trim molding, wherein said air bag is inflated by said inflator adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.