US3625543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety apparatus
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1969-09-15
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant or occupants of a vehicle during a collision includes a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of the occupant during an accident. The safety apparatus also includes structure providing a fluid supply for inflating the confinement and a diffuser means in fluid communication with the structure and the confinement to direct fluid from the structure to expand the confinement from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition. The safety apparatus also has a housing means, a portion of which defines a chamber for receiving the diffuser means and the confinement when in the collapsed condition. The housing means also includes means for attaching the fluid supply externally thereof. The safety apparatus is constructed as a unitized assembly for installation in a vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald H Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A vehicle safety apparatus for location in an opening in a structural portion of a vehicle, said safety apparatus comprising a unitary construction including a housing member, a confinement located in said housing member, saId confinement having a collapsed condition in which it is located in said housing member and an expanded condition for restricting movement of an occupant of a vehicle during an accident, means for expanding said confinement from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, said means comprising a fluid reservoir and a diffuser member, said diffuser member comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and being located in said housing member and having passage means for directing fluid flow therefrom into said confinement, said fluid reservoir being located outside of said housing member and extending along side said diffuser member, means associated with one end of said fluid reservoir and effecting fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, fluid conduit means for communicating with said one end of said fluid reservoir for directing fluid from said one end of said fluid reservoir in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said diffuser member and into one end of said diffuser member, said diffuser member, fluid reservoir and said fluid conduit means thereby forming a generally U-shaped configuration, and fastening means for securing said housing member, diffuser member and fluid reservoir together as a unit to enable said unit to be inserted into said opening in the structural portion of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A vehicle safety apparatus for location in an opening in a structural portion of a vehicle, said safety apparatus comprising a unitary construction including a housing member, a confinement located in said housing member, saId confinement having a collapsed condition in which it is located in said housing member and an expanded condition for restricting movement of an occupant of a vehicle during an accident, means for expanding said confinement from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, said means comprising a fluid reservoir and a diffuser member, said diffuser member comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and being located in said housing member and having passage means for directing fluid flow therefrom into said confinement, said fluid reservoir being located outside of said housing member and extending along side said diffuser member, means associated with one end of said fluid reservoir and effecting fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, fluid conduit means for communicating with said one end of said fluid reservoir for directing fluid from said one end of said fluid reservoir in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said diffuser member and into one end of said diffuser member, said diffuser member, fluid reservoir and said fluid conduit means thereby forming a generally U-shaped configuration, and fastening means for securing said housing member, diffuser member and fluid reservoir together as a unit to enable said unit to be inserted into said opening in the structural portion of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vehicle safety apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said unitary structure includes cover means for said housing member and which closes a chamber in which said confinement is located, said cover means including first and second portions which separate to allow said confinement to expand to said expanded condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle safety apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing member has a geometric configuration which guides the expansion of the confinement from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |