US3762741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Occupant restraint cushion
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An occupant restraint cushion includes radially spaced inner and outer cylindrical walls. End partitions join the end edges of the inner and outer walls and cooperate with axially spaced intermediate partitions to divide the cylindrical space between the inner and outer walls into a plurality of side-by-side pressure fluid receiving chambers. The intermediate partitions are apertured for cross communication of the chambers. A generally cruciform shaped end wall extends across each end opening of the inner wall and has the arms thereof joined to the inner surface of the inner wall. Arcuate cutouts of the end walls open to the inner surface of the inner wall and define therewith ambient atmosphere induction inlets. A valve member of flexible material is provided for each inlet. The valve member has one end secured to the end wall adjacent a respective cutout and has the sides thereof secured to the inner surface of the inner wall to define therewith an ambient atmosphere induction passage. The end walls include pressure relief openings sealed by rupturable membranes. A manifold or diffuser extends between the inner and outer walls axially of the cushion and opens to each pressure fluid receiving chamber for inflation of such chambers and shaping of the cushion when the diffuser is connected with a pressure fluid source. The induction passages permit the introduction of ambient atmosphere into the interior of the inner wall when the pressure fluid chambers are inflated and remain open as long as there is no pressure differential. Upon occupant engagement with the cushion, the increase in pressure within the interior of the inner wall forces the valve members against the inner surface of the inner wall to close the induction passages. Ambient atmosphere escapes from within the interior of the inner wall when a predetermined pressure therewithin ruptures the membranes.
Inventors
- 👤 L Fleck
- 👤 R Hickling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R2021/23115; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/788; Y10T137/7882; Y10T137/7885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
In combination with a vehicle body and a source of pressure fluid, an occupant restraint cushion comprising, inner and outer spaced flexible walls of generally annular shape, outer end wall means interconnecting the flexible walls adjacent the ends thereof and cooperatively defining therewith a pressure fluid inflatable outer cushion, intermediate wall means spaced relative to the end wall means and dividing the outer cushion into a plurality of longitudinally side-by-side interconnected pressure fluid receiving compartments mutually reinforcing each other against independent movement, means communicating the compartments with the pressure fluid source for inflation of the compartments to form the outer cushion to annular shape, inner end wall means secured to the inner flexible wall adjacent the ends thereof and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inflatable inner cushion, each inner end wall means including at least one cutout cooperatively defining with the inner flexible wall an ambient atmosphere inducing inlet, and a flexible valve member secured to each inner end wall means adjacent the cutout therein and to the inner flexible wall inwardly of the inlet and cooperating with the inner flexible wall in defining normally open ambient atmosphere induction passages communicating the inner cushion with the ambient atmosphere through the ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, the induction passages permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the inner cushion upon inflation of the compartments of the outer cushion and shaping of the outer cushion to annular shape, the increase in ambient pressure within the inner cushion upon occupant engagement with the outer cushion closing the flexible valve members against the inner flexible wall to thereby close the induction passages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
In combination with a vehicle body and a source of pressure fluid, an occupant restraint cushion comprising, inner and outer spaced flexible walls of generally annular shape, outer end wall means interconnecting the flexible walls adjacent the ends thereof and cooperatively defining therewith a pressure fluid inflatable outer cushion, intermediate wall means spaced relative to the end wall means and dividing the outer cushion into a plurality of longitudinally side-by-side interconnected pressure fluid receiving compartments mutually reinforcing each other against independent movement, means communicating the compartments with the pressure fluid source for inflation of the compartments to form the outer cushion to annular shape, inner end wall means secured to the inner flexible wall adjacent the ends thereof and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inflatable inner cushion, each inner end wall means including at least one cutout cooperatively defining with the inner flexible wall an ambient atmosphere inducing inlet, and a flexible valve member secured to each inner end wall means adjacent the cutout therein and to the inner flexible wall inwardly of the inlet and cooperating with the inner flexible wall in defining normally open ambient atmosphere induction passages communicating the inner cushion with the ambient atmosphere through the ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, the induction passages permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the inner cushion upon inflation of the compartments of the outer cushion and shaping of the outer cushion to annular shape, the increase in ambient pressure within the inner cushion upon occupant engagement with the outer cushion closing the flexible valve members against the inner flexible wall to thereby close the induction passages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
274 words
In combination with a vehicle body and a source of pressure fluid, an occupant restraint cushion comprising, inner and outer spaced flexible walls of generally annular shape, an outer imperforate end wall interconnecting the flexible walls adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith a pressure fluid inflatable outer cushion, a plurality of intermediate walls spaced relative to the end walls and dividing the outer cushion into a plurality of longitudinally side-by-side interconnected pressure fluid receiving compartments mutually reinforcing each other against independent movement, means communicating the compartments with the pressure fluid source for inflation of the compartments to form the outer cushion to annular shape, an inner end wall secured to the inner flexible wall adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inflatable inner cushion, each inner end wall including a plurality of cutouts opening to the inner flexible wall and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inducing inlet, and a flexible valve member secured to each inner end wall adjacent each cutout therein and to the inner flexible wall inwardly of the inlet and cooperating with the inner flexible wall in defining a plurality of normally open ambient atmosphere induction passages communicating the inner cushion with the ambient atmosphere through the ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, the induction passages permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the inner cushion upon inflation of the compartments of the outer cushion and shaping of the outer cushion to annular shape, the increase in ambient pressure within the inner cushion upon occupant engagement with the outer cushion closing the flexible valve members against the inner flexible wall to thereby close the induction passages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
274 words
In combination with a vehicle body and a source of pressure fluid, an occupant restraint cushion comprising, inner and outer spaced flexible walls of generally annular shape, an outer imperforate end wall interconnecting the flexible walls adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith a pressure fluid inflatable outer cushion, a plurality of intermediate walls spaced relative to the end walls and dividing the outer cushion into a plurality of longitudinally side-by-side interconnected pressure fluid receiving compartments mutually reinforcing each other against independent movement, means communicating the compartments with the pressure fluid source for inflation of the compartments to form the outer cushion to annular shape, an inner end wall secured to the inner flexible wall adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inflatable inner cushion, each inner end wall including a plurality of cutouts opening to the inner flexible wall and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inducing inlet, and a flexible valve member secured to each inner end wall adjacent each cutout therein and to the inner flexible wall inwardly of the inlet and cooperating with the inner flexible wall in defining a plurality of normally open ambient atmosphere induction passages communicating the inner cushion with the ambient atmosphere through the ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, the induction passages permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the inner cushion upon inflation of the compartments of the outer cushion and shaping of the outer cushion to annular shape, the increase in ambient pressure within the inner cushion upon occupant engagement with the outer cushion closing the flexible valve members against the inner flexible wall to thereby close the induction passages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
280 words
In combination with a vehicle body and a source of pressure fluid, an occupant restraint cushion comprising, inner and outer spaced flexible walls of generally cylindrical shape, an outer imperforate end wall interconnecting the flexible walls adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith a pressure fluid inflatable outer cushion, a plurality of intermediate walls spaced relative to the end walls and dividing the outer cushion into a plurality of longitudinally side-by-side interconnected pressure fluid receiving compartments mutually reinforcing each other against independent movement, means communicating the compartments with the pressure fluid source for inflation of the compartments to form the outer cushion to annular shape, an inner end wall secured to the inner flexible wall adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inflatable inner cushion, each inner end wall including a plurality of arcuate cutouts opening to the inner flexible wall and cooperatively defining therewith a plurality of ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, and a flexible valve member secured to each inner end wall adjacent each cutout therein and to the inner flexible wall inwardly of the inlets and cooperating with the inner flexible wall in defining a plurality of normally opeN generally oval shaped ambient atmosphere induction passages communicating the inner cushion with the ambient atmosphere through the ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, the induction passages permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the inner cushion upon inflation of the compartments of the outer cushion and shaping of the outer cushion to annular shape, the increase in ambient pressure within the inner cushion upon occupant engagement with the outer cushion closing the flexible valve members against the inner flexible wall to thereby close the induction passages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
280 words
In combination with a vehicle body and a source of pressure fluid, an occupant restraint cushion comprising, inner and outer spaced flexible walls of generally cylindrical shape, an outer imperforate end wall interconnecting the flexible walls adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith a pressure fluid inflatable outer cushion, a plurality of intermediate walls spaced relative to the end walls and dividing the outer cushion into a plurality of longitudinally side-by-side interconnected pressure fluid receiving compartments mutually reinforcing each other against independent movement, means communicating the compartments with the pressure fluid source for inflation of the compartments to form the outer cushion to annular shape, an inner end wall secured to the inner flexible wall adjacent each end thereof and cooperatively defining therewith an ambient atmosphere inflatable inner cushion, each inner end wall including a plurality of arcuate cutouts opening to the inner flexible wall and cooperatively defining therewith a plurality of ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, and a flexible valve member secured to each inner end wall adjacent each cutout therein and to the inner flexible wall inwardly of the inlets and cooperating with the inner flexible wall in defining a plurality of normally opeN generally oval shaped ambient atmosphere induction passages communicating the inner cushion with the ambient atmosphere through the ambient atmosphere inducing inlets, the induction passages permitting the induction of ambient atmosphere into the inner cushion upon inflation of the compartments of the outer cushion and shaping of the outer cushion to annular shape, the increase in ambient pressure within the inner cushion upon occupant engagement with the outer cushion closing the flexible valve members against the inner flexible wall to thereby close the induction passages.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |