US3784222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety apparatus
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-16
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-07-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during the occurrence of an accident includes an expandable confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during an accident. A unitary assembly for effecting expansion of the confinement includes a percussion actuated explosive valve which is impacted with an actuator in response to the occurrence of an accident to effect operation of the valve to an open condition. Opening the valve enables fluid to flow from a source of fluid to the confinement to effect expansion of the confinement. The actuator can be either a mass which is impacted against the valve in response to the occurrence of an accident or a fixed member against which the valve is impacted. The flow of fluid from the source of fluid is at least partially stabilized by a flow regulator assembly to thereby tend to eliminate ''''peak'''' or excessively high rates of expansion of the confinement.
Inventors
- 👤 R Chute
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/33; B60R2021/26094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident comprising an expandable confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle during an accident, a container having a source of fluid located therein, said source of fluid being operable to provide a flow of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement to said operative condition, said container and said source of fluid being movable relative to each other in response to a change in momentum of the vehicle during an accident, and means for initiating a flow of fluid from said source of fluid to said confinement in response to relative movement of said container and said source of fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident comprising an expandable confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle during an accident, a container having a source of fluid located therein, said source of fluid being operable to provide a flow of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement to said operative condition, said container and said source of fluid being movable relative to each other in response to a change in momentum of the vehicle during an accident, and means for initiating a flow of fluid from said source of fluid to said confinement in response to relative movement of said container and said source of fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Safety apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for initiating said flow of fluid to said confinement includes percussion actuated explosive means, said explosive means being carried by said source of fluid and being actuatable to effect fluid flow from said source of fluid in response to relative movement of said source of fluid and said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
Safety apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said source of fluid includes a reservoir of fluid mounted for movement relative to said container from a first position in which said means for initiating a flow of fluid is spaced apart from said container to a second position in which said means for initiating a flow of fluid engages said container to thereby actuate said means for initiating a flow of fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, and means for establishing a flow of fluid from said source of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement upon the occurence of an accident, said means comprising impact actuatable means operable to provide fluid flow from said source of fluid, and actuator means for impacting with said impact actuatable means in response to the occurrence of an accident, said actuator means being fixedly connected relative to said vehicle and said source of fluid being mounted for movemenT relative to said vehicle under the influence of forces resulting from an accident to effect the impact of said actuator means with said valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, and means for establishing a flow of fluid from said source of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement upon the occurence of an accident, said means comprising impact actuatable means operable to provide fluid flow from said source of fluid, and actuator means for impacting with said impact actuatable means in response to the occurrence of an accident, said actuator means being fixedly connected relative to said vehicle and said source of fluid being mounted for movemenT relative to said vehicle under the influence of forces resulting from an accident to effect the impact of said actuator means with said valve means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |