US3837671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflating means for inflatable vehicle restraint systems
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-06
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A compact inflating means which does not require a device to generate large quantities of gas or movable mechanical parts is provided for use with inflatable restraint systems for vehicles, particularly inflatable restraint systems of the inflatable band type. The inflating means comprises a source of pressurized gas and means to release the pressurized gas in response to an increase of the gas pressure as a result of the pressurized gas being heated. More particularly, the inflating means comprises containing means, pressurized gas stored within the containing means, sealing means normally preventing discharge of the pressurized gas from the containing means and capable of releasing the pressurized gas from the containing means in response to the pressure of the pressurized gas reaching a predetermined level, and heating means actuatable to heat the pressurized gas and thereby increase its pressure to at least the predetermined level, whereby the sealing means releases the pressurized gas.
Inventors
- 👤 B Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:21
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/272; B60R21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An inflatable restraint system for vehicles comprising: A. an inflatable restraint comprising an inflatable band adapted to be positioned about the body of an occupant in an uninflated state; B. sensing means actuatable upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition of the vehicle; and C. inflating means responsive to actuation of said sensing means for inflating said inflatable restraint, said inflating means comprising: a. containing means comprising a gas cartridge, b. pressurized gas stored within said cartridge, c. sealing means comprising a pressure-rupturable seal normally preventing discharge of said pressurized gas from said cartridge and capable of releasing said pressurized gas from said cartridge in response to the pressure of said pressurized gas reaching a predetermined level, and, d. heating means consisting solely of a squib located within said cartridge and responsive to actuation of said sensing means to heat said pressurized gas, without generating a large quantity of additional gas, and thereby increase its pressure to at least said predetermined level, whereby said sealing means releases said pressurized gas and inflates said inflatable band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An inflatable restraint system for vehicles comprising: A. an inflatable restraint comprising an inflatable band adapted to be positioned about the body of an occupant in an uninflated state; B. sensing means actuatable upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition of the vehicle; and C. inflating means responsive to actuation of said sensing means for inflating said inflatable restraint, said inflating means comprising: a. containing means comprising a gas cartridge, b. pressurized gas stored within said cartridge, c. sealing means comprising a pressure-rupturable seal normally preventing discharge of said pressurized gas from said cartridge and capable of releasing said pressurized gas from said cartridge in response to the pressure of said pressurized gas reaching a predetermined level, and, d. heating means consisting solely of a squib located within said cartridge and responsive to actuation of said sensing means to heat said pressurized gas, without generating a large quantity of additional gas, and thereby increase its pressure to at least said predetermined level, whereby said sealing means releases said pressurized gas and inflates said inflatable band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said heating means is electrically actuatable and said sensing means, upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition, detects said condition and transmits an electrical signal in response to such detection to actuate said heating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said containing means includes throttling means to control the rate of flow of gas from said cartridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said throttling means comprises an orifice plug having an opening therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inflating means is located interiorly of said inflatable band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inflatable band is connected to a buckle assembly which includes said inflating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inflatable restraint comprises inflatable bands adapted to be positioned about the lap and shoulder portions of an occupant and wherein a single inflating means is provided to inflate said inflatable bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
Inflating means for use with an inflatable restraint system comprising an inflatable band adapted to be positioned about the body of an occupant in a vehicle in an uninflated state, said inflating means being responsive to actuation of a sensing means actuatable upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition of said vehicle, said inflating means comprising containing means, pressurized gas stored within said containing means, sealing means normally preventing discharge of said pressurized gas from said containing means and capable of releasing said pressurized gas from said containing means in response to the pressure of said pressurized gas reaching a predetermined level, and heating means consisting solely of a squib located within said containing means and actuatable to heat said pressurized gas, without generating a large quantity of additional gas, and thereby increase its pressure to at least said predetermined level, whereby said sealing means releases said pressurized gas and inflates said inflatable band.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
Inflating means for use with an inflatable restraint system comprising an inflatable band adapted to be positioned about the body of an occupant in a vehicle in an uninflated state, said inflating means being responsive to actuation of a sensing means actuatable upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition of said vehicle, said inflating means comprising containing means, pressurized gas stored within said containing means, sealing means normally preventing discharge of said pressurized gas from said containing means and capable of releasing said pressurized gas from said containing means in response to the pressure of said pressurized gas reaching a predetermined level, and heating means consisting solely of a squib located within said containing means and actuatable to heat said pressurized gas, without generating a large quantity of additional gas, and thereby increase its pressure to at least said predetermined level, whereby said sealing means releases said pressurized gas and inflates said inflatable band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An inflatable restraint system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said squib is electrically actuable.
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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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |