US3628809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passenger safety apparatus for vehicles
Assignee: Kidde Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-01
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during a collision by inflating a bag to cushion and restrain the occupant. The pressure vessel for inflating the bag is provided with an outlet opening connected to the bag and an open-ended tubular section aligned with the outlet opening. A valve member is positioned in the outlet opening and a piston positioned in the tubular section is connected to the valve member to balance the greater portion of the pressure force acting on the valve member. The piston carries a mass to move the valve member and open the outlet in response to a predetermined rate of change of speed. The tubular section of the container is adapted to extend into the engine compartment of the vehicle and the piston carries a pressure gauge and a valved fill port so that the container can be serviced from the engine compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 John Cirillo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/205; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/33; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0753; Y10T137/0971; Y10T137/0989
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
Apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: an inflatable device to cushion and restrain the occupant when said device is inflated; a container for holding a fluid medium under pressure for inflating the inflatable device, said container having an outlet connected to an inlet of said inflatable device; valve means in said container movable to seal said outlet; said valve means including first means having a pressure surface communicating with the fluid medium for producing a first force in response to the pressure of the fluid to move said valve means in a direction to effect the seal; second means connected to said valve means and having a pressure suRface communicating with the fluid medium for producing a second force in response to the pressure of the fluid at least partially to offset the effect of the fluid pressure on said first means, said second force having a maximum value substantially the same as said first force; and an inertia responsive mass connected to said valve means and responsive to not less than a predetermined rate of change of velocity of the vehicle to move said valve means to open the outlet, to permit the pressurized fluid to move into the said inflatable device to inflate said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
Apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: an inflatable device to cushion and restrain the occupant when said device is inflated; a container for holding a fluid medium under pressure for inflating the inflatable device, said container having an outlet connected to an inlet of said inflatable device; valve means in said container movable to seal said outlet; said valve means including first means having a pressure surface communicating with the fluid medium for producing a first force in response to the pressure of the fluid to move said valve means in a direction to effect the seal; second means connected to said valve means and having a pressure suRface communicating with the fluid medium for producing a second force in response to the pressure of the fluid at least partially to offset the effect of the fluid pressure on said first means, said second force having a maximum value substantially the same as said first force; and an inertia responsive mass connected to said valve means and responsive to not less than a predetermined rate of change of velocity of the vehicle to move said valve means to open the outlet, to permit the pressurized fluid to move into the said inflatable device to inflate said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means connected to said container for releasably holding said valve means in sealing relationship with said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The aPparatus of claim 2 wherein said holding means comprises at least one retaining element secured to said container and to said valve means to effect the seal, said element being adapted to shear to free said valve means upon movement of said inertia responsive means in response to said predetermined rate of change of velocity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second means is formed as part of said inertia responsive mass and further comprising a tubular section formed on said container, said section having an inner end open to the fluid medium, said inertia responsive mass being located within said section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first means of said valve means comprises a first piston member having means for effecting a fluidtight seal of said container outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second means comprises a second piston member located within said tubular section, said section piston having means for effecting a fluidtight seal of said section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said inertia responsive mass is carried by said second piston member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the area of the pressure surface of said first piston member is greater than the area of the pressure surface of said second piston member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein means for indicating the pressure in said container are carried by said second piston member so as to be accessible from the outer end of the tubular section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein means for introducing fluid medium under pressure into said container are carried by said second piston member so as to be accessible from the outer end of said tubular section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said tubular section projects outwardly from said container to extend from the passenger compartment of the vehicle into a service compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said tubular section is positioned at one end of said container, the outlet of said container being positions at the other end substantially in alignment with said tubular section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising a substantially rigid elongated shaft member, one end of said shaft being connected to said first piston and the other end being connected to said second piston, said shaft extending substantially longitudinally through the center of said container.
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) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |