Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first means operable to provide a first flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second means normally operable to block the first flow path and provide a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for selecting the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second means from the first flow path and thereby select the first flow path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first means operable to provide a first flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second means normally operable to block the first flow path and provide a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for selecting the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second means from the first flow path and thereby select the first flow path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first means operable to provide a first flow Path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second means normally operable to block the first flow path and provide a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, means normally blocking the second flow path, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for removing the blocking means to thereby select the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second means from the first flow path to thereby select the first flow path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first means operable to provide a first flow Path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second means normally operable to block the first flow path and provide a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, means normally blocking the second flow path, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for removing the blocking means to thereby select the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second means from the first flow path to thereby select the first flow path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first flow control orifice means operable to provide a first flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second flow control orifice means closing the first orifice means and providing a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, means normally blocking the second orifice means, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for removing the blocking means to open the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second orifice means from the first orifice means to open the first flow path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first flow control orifice means operable to provide a first flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second flow control orifice means closing the first orifice means and providing a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, means normally blocking the second orifice means, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for removing the blocking means to open the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second orifice means from the first orifice means to open the first flow path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint cushion system including a source of pressure fluid and an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, the combination comprising, a passage of predetermined orifice area communicating with the cushion, first means communicating the passage and source and defining an orifice of lesser area than the passage to restrict flow between the source and the passage, second means communicating the passage and source and defining an orifice of at most equal area to that of the passage, means normally blocking flow through the first and second means to seal the passage from the source, means for removing the blocking means from the second means upon receipt by the vehicle of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to permit generally unrestricted flow through the second means to the cushion, and means for removing the blocking means from the first means upon receipt by the vehicle body of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time lesser than the amplitude and time of the first pulse to provide restricted flow through the first means to the cushion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a vehicle occupant restraint cushion system including a source of pressure fluid and an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, the combination comprising, a passage of predetermined orifice area communicating with the cushion, first means communicating the passage and source and defining an orifice of lesser area than the passage to restrict flow between the source and the passage, second means communicating the passage and source and defining an orifice of at most equal area to that of the passage, means normally blocking flow through the first and second means to seal the passage from the source, means for removing the blocking means from the second means upon receipt by the vehicle of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to permit generally unrestricted flow through the second means to the cushion, and means for removing the blocking means from the first means upon receipt by the vehicle body of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time lesser than the amplitude and time of the first pulse to provide restricted flow through the first means to the cushion.