US3853331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable occupant restraint system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-12-21
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable occupant restraint system includes an inflatable occupant restraint cushion and an inflator for inflating the cushion. A roll-over sensing arrangement for actuating the inflator includes, in one embodiment, normally open switches mounted on the shock absorbers on each side of the body. The switches on each side are in series with each other and with the inflator across a source of power. When a roll-over occurs and the shock absorbers on one side of the body are substantially fully extended, their respective switches are closed to actuate the inflator. In another embodiment, the normally open switches on the shock absorbers on one side of the body are in series with each other, with the inflator and source of power, and with normally closed switches on the shock absorbers on the other side of the body. The normally closed switches are opened when the shock absorbers are extended beyond their normal position.
Inventors
- 👤 T Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0018; B60R2021/01308
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In combination with a vehicle including a sprung body, an unsprung mass supporting the body, a plurality of extendible and retractable shock absorbers connected between the sprung body and unsprung mass and arranged in pairs along the respective sides of the sprung body, an occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, means for inflating the cushion, means on each shock absorber sensing substantially full extension thereof, and control means responsive to the sensing means of one of the pairs of shock absorbers sensing substantially full extension of their respective shock absorbers occurring upon roll-over separation of the sprung body and unsprung mass for actuating the inflating means to inflate the cushion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In combination with a vehicle including a sprung body, an unsprung mass supporting the body, a plurality of extendible and retractable shock absorbers connected between the sprung body and unsprung mass and arranged in pairs along the respective sides of the sprung body, an occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, means for inflating the cushion, means on each shock absorber sensing substantially full extension thereof, and control means responsive to the sensing means of one of the pairs of shock absorbers sensing substantially full extension of their respective shock absorbers occurring upon roll-over separation of the sprung body and unsprung mass for actuating the inflating means to inflate the cushion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
In combination with a vehicle including a sprung body, an unsprung mass supporting the body, a plurality of extendible and retractable shock absorbers connected between the sprung body and unsprung mass and arranged in pairs along the respective sides of the sprung body, an occupant restraint system comprising, a source of power, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, means actuated by the source of power for inflating the cushion, switch means on each shock absorber actuated upon substantially full extension thereof, and control means responsive to the switch means of one of the pairs of shock absorbers sensing substantially full extension of their respective shock absorbers occurring upon roll-over separation of the sprung body and unsprung mass for connecting the inflating means across the source of power to actuate the inflating means to inflate the cushion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
In combination with a vehicle including a sprung body, an unsprung mass supporting the body, a plurality of extendible and retractable shock absorbers connected between the sprung body and unsprung mass and arranged in pairs along the respective sides of the sprung body, an occupant restraint system comprising, a source of power, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, means actuated by the source of power for inflating the cushion, switch means on each shock absorber actuated upon substantially full extension thereof, and control means responsive to the switch means of one of the pairs of shock absorbers sensing substantially full extension of their respective shock absorbers occurring upon roll-over separation of the sprung body and unsprung mass for connecting the inflating means across the source of power to actuate the inflating means to inflate the cushion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination with a vehicle including a sprung body, an unsprung mass supporting the body, a plurality of extendible and retractable shock absorbers connected between the sprung body and unsprung mass and arranged in pairs along the respective sides of the sprung body, an occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, means for inflating the cushion, first means on each shock absorber sensing substantially full extension thereof, second means on each shock absorber sensing generally full retraction thereof, and control means rEsponsive to the first sensing means of one pair of shock absorbers sensing substantially full extension of their respective shock absorbers and the second sensing means of the other pair of shock absorbers sensing generally full retraction of their respective shock absorbers occurring upon roll-over separation of the sprung body and unsprung mass for actuating the inflating means to inflate the cushion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination with a vehicle including a sprung body, an unsprung mass supporting the body, a plurality of extendible and retractable shock absorbers connected between the sprung body and unsprung mass and arranged in pairs along the respective sides of the sprung body, an occupant restraint system comprising, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, means for inflating the cushion, first means on each shock absorber sensing substantially full extension thereof, second means on each shock absorber sensing generally full retraction thereof, and control means rEsponsive to the first sensing means of one pair of shock absorbers sensing substantially full extension of their respective shock absorbers and the second sensing means of the other pair of shock absorbers sensing generally full retraction of their respective shock absorbers occurring upon roll-over separation of the sprung body and unsprung mass for actuating the inflating means to inflate the cushion.
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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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |