Self-inflating impact-absorbing bag for vehicles

Claim 2

In a safety device for vehicle passengers, the combination comprising: a. a flexible, resilient, deflated bag, said bag being capable of being fully expanded when filled with a gaseous medium; b. a pressure-resistant closed enclosure for said bag; and c. a noninflammable gas producing medium contained within the folded bag, said medium being capable of generating an expanding gas into said bag when the enclosure is opened, thus facilitating expansion of said bag.

Claim 3

The invention as described in claim 1 wherein the pressure resistant enclosure has covers thereon which may be opened.

Claim 4

The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the pressure-resistant enclosure is elongated and has a rectangular cross section.

Claim 5

The invention as described in claim 3 wherein the pressure-resistant enclosure covers are hinged, said covers being held closed during normal operation of the vehicle by releasable impact sensitive latches.

Claim 6

The invention as described in claim 4 wherein said impact-sensitive latches are released by a signal generated by at least one impact-sensitive device in the vehicle.

Claim 7

The invention as described in claim 5 wherein said bag is constructed of nylon film.

Claim 8

The invention as described in claim 6 wherein said bag is seamless.

Claim 9

The invention as described in claim 7 wherein the noninflammable gas generating medium is a fluorinated hydrocarbon.

Claim 10

The invention as described in claim 8 wherein said bag is of sufficient size to fill the space between said enclosure and the passenger when fully expanded to facilitate absorption of impact of the passenger.

Claim 11

The invention as described in claim 9 whErein said bag is provided with means on the surface to permit deflation to facilitate improved shock absorption capability of said bag.

Claim 12

The invention as described in claim 10 wherein said means to permit deflation comprises valve ports.

Claim 13

The invention as described in claim 5, further comprising heat-generating means within said enclosure, responsive to said signal for aiding in the generation of gas.

Claim 14

In a safety device for motor vehicle passengers, the combination comprising: a. a flexible, resilient, deflated bag of nylon film said bag having seamless construction; pressure-resistant a oressure-resistant enclosure for said bag; c. hinged covers for said pressure-resistant enclosure, said hinged covers being held closed by releasable impact-sensitive latches; d. at least one impact-sensitive device to provide a signal to release said latches; e. a noninflammable gas producing fluorinated hydrocarbon within the bag for generating a gaseous medium therein and expanding the bag when the hinged enclosure covers are released; f. an energy source activated by said impact-sensitive device when a signal is generated therein of sufficient magnitude to release said hinged cover latches; and g. heat-generating means within said enclosure responsive to said signal for aiding in the generation of gas from the fluorinated hydrocarbon.

Claim 15

In a safety device for motor vehicle passengers, the combination comprising: a. a flexible, resilient, deflated bag of nylon film said bag having seamless construction; pressure-resistant a oressure-resistant enclosure for said bag; c. hinged covers for said pressure-resistant enclosure, said hinged covers being held closed by releasable impact-sensitive latches; d. at least one impact-sensitive device to provide a signal to release said latches; e. a noninflammable gas producing fluorinated hydrocarbon within the bag for generating a gaseous medium therein and expanding the bag when the hinged enclosure covers are released; f. an energy source activated by said impact-sensitive device when a signal is generated therein of sufficient magnitude to release said hinged cover latches; and g. heat-generating means within said enclosure responsive to said signal for aiding in the generation of gas from the fluorinated hydrocarbon.