US3836167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle safety apparatus
Assignee: Irvin Aerospace Canada Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-09-27
•
Granted: 1974-09-17
•
Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An inflator system for a vehicle safety apparatus including an inflatable bag which uses a gas container having two exit orifices either or both of which may be used at the time of a collision to inflate the bag.
Inventors
- 👤 K Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01558; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R2021/23107; B60R21/263; B60R2021/2633; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1647; Y10T137/1669; Y10T137/1782
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A vehicle safety apparatus comprising: a inflatable bag, a gas diffuser attached to the bag and having first and second opposed ends, a source for gas under pressure, a first normally closed orifice between said source and a first end of said diffuser, a second normally closed orifice between said source and said second end of said diffuser, the diameter of said second orifice being larger than the diameter of said first orifice, sensing means for sensing at least two levels of severity of collision, first responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open said first orifice and establish communication between said source and said first end of said diffuser when said severity is above a first predetermined level, and second responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open said second orifice and establish communication between said source and said second end of said diffuser only when said severity of collision is above a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A vehicle safety apparatus comprising: a inflatable bag, a gas diffuser attached to the bag and having first and second opposed ends, a source for gas under pressure, a first normally closed orifice between said source and a first end of said diffuser, a second normally closed orifice between said source and said second end of said diffuser, the diameter of said second orifice being larger than the diameter of said first orifice, sensing means for sensing at least two levels of severity of collision, first responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open said first orifice and establish communication between said source and said first end of said diffuser when said severity is above a first predetermined level, and second responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open said second orifice and establish communication between said source and said second end of said diffuser only when said severity of collision is above a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first orifice has a diameter of about 0.3 inch and said second orifice has a diameter of about 0.6 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
A vehicle safety apparatus comprising: an inflatable gag, a gas diffuser attached to the bag and having first and second opposed ends, a source for gas under pressure, a first normally closed orifice between said source and a first end of said diffuser, a second normally closed orifice between said source and said second end of said diffuser, said second orifice being larger than said first orifice, sensing means for sensing at least three levels of severity of collision, first responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open solely said first orifice and establish communication between said source and said first end of said diffuser when said severity is above a first predetermined level and below a second predetermined level, second responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open solely said second orifice and establish communication between said source and said second end of said diffuser when said severity of collision is above said second predetermined level and below a third predetermined level, and third responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open both of said orifices and establish communication between said source and both of said ends of said diffuser when said severity of collision is above said third predetermined level, said third predetermined level being greater than said second predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
219 words
A vehicle safety apparatus comprising: an inflatable gag, a gas diffuser attached to the bag and having first and second opposed ends, a source for gas under pressure, a first normally closed orifice between said source and a first end of said diffuser, a second normally closed orifice between said source and said second end of said diffuser, said second orifice being larger than said first orifice, sensing means for sensing at least three levels of severity of collision, first responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open solely said first orifice and establish communication between said source and said first end of said diffuser when said severity is above a first predetermined level and below a second predetermined level, second responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open solely said second orifice and establish communication between said source and said second end of said diffuser when said severity of collision is above said second predetermined level and below a third predetermined level, and third responsive means automatically responsive to said sensing means to open both of said orifices and establish communication between said source and both of said ends of said diffuser when said severity of collision is above said third predetermined level, said third predetermined level being greater than said second predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first orifice has a diameter of about 0.3 inch and said second orifice has a diameter of about 0.6 inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3527472A
Cited
US3582107A
Cited
US3625543A
Cited
US3684309A
Cited
US3663035A
Cited
US3642303A
Cited
US3713667A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |