US3768832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crash restraining activating system
Assignee: Rocket Research Co
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Filing: 1971-06-14
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A crash restraint device for an automobile comprising an inflatable bag mounted forward of the automobile passenger seat. A bag inflating device comprising either a chemical composition which upon ignition by an electric current undergoes combustion to supply an inflating gas, or a container of compressed gas which is opened by electrically activated opening means. An electrical current generator responsive to crash impact comprising a magnetized inertial mass in proximity to an inductance coil. Upon crash, the inertial mass passes through the inductance coil to generate a current which in turn initiates inflation of the bag. There are forward bags and side bags activated by, respectively, a forward impact oriented generator and lateral impact oriented generators.
Inventors
- 👤 E Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0136; B60R21/0132; B60R21/017; G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
In an occupant carrying vehicle having an occupant carrying location and structure spaced from said location, a crash restraint system for protecting an occupant in said location from impact with said structure, said system comprising: a. a collapsed inflatable so disposed and mounted in said vehicle that upon being inflated the inflatable is positioned between said structure and said occupant carrying location; b. a gas source to supply an inflating gas for the inflatable; c. an electrically actuated initiating device for said gas source to cause said gas sourcE to provide gas to inflate said bag, and d. means to generate an electric current to activate said gas source initiating device, said current generator means comprising: 1. a magnetized inertial mass, a releasable connection mounting said mass in the vehicle in a manner such that upon crash impact of a predetermined value said releasable connection releases said mass and said inertial mass is caused to travel a predetermined activating path; 2. an inductance coil so disposed relative to the path of the inertial mass that a voltage is induced in said coil by movement of the inertial mass on its path, and 3. conducting means to connect said coil to the gas source initiating device, in a manner that upon crash impact a voltage is imposed from said coil across said initiating device to actuate said initiating device so that said gas source is caused to inflate said inflatable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
In an occupant carrying vehicle having an occupant carrying location and structure spaced from said location, a crash restraint system for protecting an occupant in said location from impact with said structure, said system comprising: a. a collapsed inflatable so disposed and mounted in said vehicle that upon being inflated the inflatable is positioned between said structure and said occupant carrying location; b. a gas source to supply an inflating gas for the inflatable; c. an electrically actuated initiating device for said gas source to cause said gas sourcE to provide gas to inflate said bag, and d. means to generate an electric current to activate said gas source initiating device, said current generator means comprising: 1. a magnetized inertial mass, a releasable connection mounting said mass in the vehicle in a manner such that upon crash impact of a predetermined value said releasable connection releases said mass and said inertial mass is caused to travel a predetermined activating path; 2. an inductance coil so disposed relative to the path of the inertial mass that a voltage is induced in said coil by movement of the inertial mass on its path, and 3. conducting means to connect said coil to the gas source initiating device, in a manner that upon crash impact a voltage is imposed from said coil across said initiating device to actuate said initiating device so that said gas source is caused to inflate said inflatable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
an inductance coil so disposed relative to the path of the inertial mass that a voltage is induced in said coil by movement of the inertial mass on its path, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
an inductance coil so disposed relative to the path of the inertial mass that a voltage is induced in said coil by movement of the inertial mass on its path, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said inertial mass has at least two magnetic poles arranged to pass in sequence by the inductance coil so as to generate two voltages in sequence in the inductance coil so as to provide safety redundant activating pulses to the activating device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said gas source comprises a chemical composition which reacts to provide combustion products which inflate said bag, and said initiating means comprises an igniter which initiates combustion of said composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
conducting means to connect said coil to the gas source initiating device, in a manner that upon crash impact a voltage is imposed from said coil across said initiating device to actuate said initiating device so that said gas source is caused to inflate said inflatable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
conducting means to connect said coil to the gas source initiating device, in a manner that upon crash impact a voltage is imposed from said coil across said initiating device to actuate said initiating device so that said gas source is caused to inflate said inflatable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said gas source comprises a container of compressed gas, and said initiating means comprises electrically activated opening means to open said compressed gas container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein there is a first current generator arranged to be responsive to velocity changes of the vehicle in a forward direction and arranged to initiate inflation of a forward crash restraint bag, and there is a second current generator arranged to be responsive to a velocity change in a lateral direction, and arranged to cause inflation of a lateral crash restraint inflatable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said second current generator also causes inflation of said forward crash restraint inflatable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said coil defines a center passageway, and said magnetized inertial mass is disposed to travel through said center passageway in response to crash impact.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |