Inflatable lap belt safety bag

• US 6,957,828 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Foubert, Daniel Nick, Keeslar, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/672,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20050067820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: B60/R02.1/18, 280/733, 280/728.1, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A safety bag comprising a lower portion secured to a lap belt proximate an inflation source, a middle section and an upper section. The upper section is folded into the middle section and the middle section and upper section are folded into the lower section. When the bag inflates, the lower section first inflates to one side away from the inflation source, the middle section next inflates at approximately a right angle to the lower section, and the upper section inflates last back towards the inflation source. Upon inflation, the bag assumes approximately a “C-shape.”

Claims

1. An inflatable lap belt safety bag comprising:

a lower section secured to a lap belt proximate an inflation source;

a middle section; and

an upper section;

wherein the upper section is tucked into the middle section and the upper section and middle section are tucked into the lower section; and

wherein upon inflation, the lower section inflates first to one side away from the inflation source, the middle section inflates next, and the upper section inflates last towards the inflation source.

2. The safety bag of claim 1 wherein upon inflation the bag has approximately a C-shape.

3. The safety bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is adapted to inflate around a user'"'"'s arm.

4. The safety bag of claim 1 wherein the upper section is adapted to inflate to the side of a user'"'"'s head.

5. The safety bag of claim 1 wherein the bag provides protection from both a forward component and a side component.

6. The safety bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is adapted to inflate at an angle of 45°

relative to the front of a user.

7. A lap belt comprising:

a housing; and

an inflatable safety bag wherein the safety bag comprises a lower section, a middle section and an upper section, and wherein the upper section is tucked into the middle section and the upper section and middle section are tucked into the lower section;

and wherein the air bag is folded into the housing and attached to the lap belt; and

wherein upon inflation, the lower section inflates first to one side away from an inflation source, the middle section inflates next, and the upper section inflates last towards the inflation source.

8. The lap belt of claim 7 further comprising a tubing connected at one end to an air source and at another end to the lower section of the air bag.

9. The lap belt of claim 7 wherein upon inflation the bag has approximately a C-shape.

10. The lap belt of claim 7 wherein the bag is adapted to inflate around a user'"'"'s arm.

11. The lap belt of claim 7 wherein the upper section is adapted to inflate to the side of a user'"'"'s head.

12. The lap belt of claim 7 wherein the airbag provides protection from both a forward component and a side component.

13. The lap belt of claim 7 wherein the housing is adapted to inflate the air bag at an angle of 45°

relative to the front of a user.

14. A method for providing a vehicle restraint system comprising:

determining an orientation of a vehicle seat in relation to an expected direction for an impact event;

providing a lap belt comprising;

a housing; and

an inflatable safety bag wherein the safety bag comprises a lower section, a middle section and an upper section, and wherein the upper section is tucked into the middle section and the upper section and middle section are tucked into the lower section;

and wherein the air bag is folded into the housing and attached to the lap belt; and

wherein upon inflation, the lower section inflates first to one side away from an inflation source, the middle section inflates next, and the upper section inflates last towards the inflation source; and

positioning the housing to direct inflation of the air bag towards the expected direction of an impact.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein upon inflation the bag has approximately a C-shape.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the bag is adapted to inflate around a user'"'"'s arm.