US3862669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Occupant restraint system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-11-24
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1992-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle includes an inflatable occupant restraint, an impact bar receptive of impact forces, and a pair of telescopic piston and cylinder type struts mounting the impact bar on controlled mechanically deformable portions of the frame. Diaphragm sealed passages communicate the struts with the inflatable restraint. The cylinders of the struts contain a pressure fluid medium and are fixed to the deformable portion of the frame. The pistons are secured to the impact bar and move within the fluid medium to absorb lower level impact forces. Shear rings engaged by the pistons limit the stroke thereof and set the limit of absorption of lower level forces by the struts. When the pistons engage the shear rings, the impact forces are transferred through the struts to the deformable portion of the frame for mechanical deformation thereof and the absorption of higher level impact forces. The cylinders communicate with the restraint across rupturable diaphragms. Piercing rods are mounted on the pistons in spaced relationship to the diaphragms. When the pistons engage the shear ring, the piercing rods remain spaced from the diaphragms. The shear rings fail at the high level energy absorption limit of the frame and the pistons then move the piercing rods into the diaphragms to rupture them and permit flow of the pressure fluid medium from the cylinders to the restraint.
Inventors
- 👤 Brook A Lindbert
- 👤 Wesley L Mccollum
- 👤 Edward H Mertz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/33; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26; B60R19/32; B60R21/26; B60R21/26005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher force level limit, an impact member receptive of impact forces, a strut including a piston member movable within a cylinder member, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable portion of the frame to mount said impact member thereon, means operable upon movement of the piston member wihin the cylinder member for absorbing lower level impact forces received by the impact members, a shearable member engageable by the piston member to limit the range of movement thereof and set a lower level force absorption limit, said shearable member rigidifyinG said strut and being capable of transferring higher level impact forces up to said higher force level limit from said impact member to said deformable portion of the frame to deform such portion and absorb such forces when said piston member has moved through said range and engages said shearable member, and means operable by said piston member upon shearing of said shearable member at said higher force level limit and additional movement of said piston member for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher force level limit, an impact member receptive of impact forces, a strut including a piston member movable within a cylinder member, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable portion of the frame to mount said impact member thereon, means operable upon movement of the piston member wihin the cylinder member for absorbing lower level impact forces received by the impact members, a shearable member engageable by the piston member to limit the range of movement thereof and set a lower level force absorption limit, said shearable member rigidifyinG said strut and being capable of transferring higher level impact forces up to said higher force level limit from said impact member to said deformable portion of the frame to deform such portion and absorb such forces when said piston member has moved through said range and engages said shearable member, and means operable by said piston member upon shearing of said shearable member at said higher force level limit and additional movement of said piston member for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
267 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher level impact force absorption limit, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, energy absorbing means including telescopic piston and cylinder members, means securing one of said telescopic members to said impact member and the other of said telescopic members to said deformable portion of the frame, said cylinder member including an energy absorbing pressurized fluid medium and said piston member including a wall member movable within the medium under impact forces received by the impact member for absorbing the energy of such impact forces, a shear member engaged by the wall member to limit the range of movement of the piston member and set a lower level impact force absorption limit, engagement of said wall member with said shear member under higher level impact forces exceeding said lower limit transferring such higher level impact forces to said deformable portion of the frame to deform such portion, said shear member being capable of transferring such higher level impact forces up to said higher level limit and being sheared by said wall member when said limit is exceeded to permit further movement of said piston member, passage means communicating said cylinder member with said restraint, means normally blocking said passage means, and means operable by said piston member upon further movement thereof for removing said blocking means to inflate said occupant restraint by said fluid medium when the impact forces exceed said higher level impact force absorption limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
267 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher level impact force absorption limit, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, energy absorbing means including telescopic piston and cylinder members, means securing one of said telescopic members to said impact member and the other of said telescopic members to said deformable portion of the frame, said cylinder member including an energy absorbing pressurized fluid medium and said piston member including a wall member movable within the medium under impact forces received by the impact member for absorbing the energy of such impact forces, a shear member engaged by the wall member to limit the range of movement of the piston member and set a lower level impact force absorption limit, engagement of said wall member with said shear member under higher level impact forces exceeding said lower limit transferring such higher level impact forces to said deformable portion of the frame to deform such portion, said shear member being capable of transferring such higher level impact forces up to said higher level limit and being sheared by said wall member when said limit is exceeded to permit further movement of said piston member, passage means communicating said cylinder member with said restraint, means normally blocking said passage means, and means operable by said piston member upon further movement thereof for removing said blocking means to inflate said occupant restraint by said fluid medium when the impact forces exceed said higher level impact force absorption limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
251 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restaint, a frame, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, energy absorbing means including a pair of relatively movable members, one member including an energy absorbing medium and the other member being movable relative to the medium for absorbing lower level impact forces within a first range up to a lower level force absorption limit, releasable means limiting the relative movement of said members to said first range, said frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion for absorbing higher level impact forces within a second range up to a higher level force absorption limit, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable frame portion, said impact member and said one member being movable relative to said deformable frame portion and said other member to absorb lower level impact forces within said first range up to said lower level force limit, said impact member, said one member, and said other member moving as a unit relative to said deformable frame portion under higher level impact forces to deform said deformable frame portion and absorb higher level impact forces up to said higher level force limit, said limiting means releasing said relatively movable members for movement through a third range when the impact forces exceed said higher level force limit, and means operable by said relatively movable members upon relative movement thereof through said third range for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
251 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restaint, a frame, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, energy absorbing means including a pair of relatively movable members, one member including an energy absorbing medium and the other member being movable relative to the medium for absorbing lower level impact forces within a first range up to a lower level force absorption limit, releasable means limiting the relative movement of said members to said first range, said frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion for absorbing higher level impact forces within a second range up to a higher level force absorption limit, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable frame portion, said impact member and said one member being movable relative to said deformable frame portion and said other member to absorb lower level impact forces within said first range up to said lower level force limit, said impact member, said one member, and said other member moving as a unit relative to said deformable frame portion under higher level impact forces to deform said deformable frame portion and absorb higher level impact forces up to said higher level force limit, said limiting means releasing said relatively movable members for movement through a third range when the impact forces exceed said higher level force limit, and means operable by said relatively movable members upon relative movement thereof through said third range for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
259 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, energy absorbing means including a pair of relatively moveAble members, one member including an energy absorbing medium and the other member being movable relative to the medium for absorbing lower level impact forces within a first range up to a lower level force absorption limit, means engageable by said other member to limit the relative movement of said members to said first range, said frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion for absorbing higher level impact forces within a second range up to a higher level force absorption limit, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable frame portion, said impact member and said one member being movable relative to said deformable frame portion and said other member to absorb lower level impact forces within said first range up to said lower level force limit, said impact member, said one member, and said other member moving as a unit relative to said deformable frame portion under higher level impact forces to deform said deformable frame portion and absorb higher level impact forces up to said higher level force limit, means removing said engageable means to release said relatively movable members for movement through a third range when the impact forces exceed said higher level force limit, and means operable by said relatively movable members upon relative movement thereof through said third range for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
259 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, energy absorbing means including a pair of relatively moveAble members, one member including an energy absorbing medium and the other member being movable relative to the medium for absorbing lower level impact forces within a first range up to a lower level force absorption limit, means engageable by said other member to limit the relative movement of said members to said first range, said frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion for absorbing higher level impact forces within a second range up to a higher level force absorption limit, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable frame portion, said impact member and said one member being movable relative to said deformable frame portion and said other member to absorb lower level impact forces within said first range up to said lower level force limit, said impact member, said one member, and said other member moving as a unit relative to said deformable frame portion under higher level impact forces to deform said deformable frame portion and absorb higher level impact forces up to said higher level force limit, means removing said engageable means to release said relatively movable members for movement through a third range when the impact forces exceed said higher level force limit, and means operable by said relatively movable members upon relative movement thereof through said third range for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher force level limit, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, a pair of relatively movable members, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable portion of the frame to mount said impact member thereon, means operable upon relative movement of the members for absorbing lower level impact forces received by the impact bar, means limiting the range of relative movement of said members to set a lower level force absorption limit and cause said relatively movable members and impact member to move as a unit relative to said deformable portion under higher level impact forces to deform said deformable portion and absorb such forces up to said higher force level limit, means operable by said members upon additional relative movement thereof for inflating said occupant restraint, and means releasing said limiting means and permitting such additional relative movement of said members to inflate said restraint when the impact forces exceed said higher force level limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher force level limit, and an impact member receptive of impact forces, a pair of relatively movable members, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable portion of the frame to mount said impact member thereon, means operable upon relative movement of the members for absorbing lower level impact forces received by the impact bar, means limiting the range of relative movement of said members to set a lower level force absorption limit and cause said relatively movable members and impact member to move as a unit relative to said deformable portion under higher level impact forces to deform said deformable portion and absorb such forces up to said higher force level limit, means operable by said members upon additional relative movement thereof for inflating said occupant restraint, and means releasing said limiting means and permitting such additional relative movement of said members to inflate said restraint when the impact forces exceed said higher force level limit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
212 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher force level limit, an impact member receptive of impact forces, a pair of relatively movable members, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable portion of the frame to mount said impact member thereon, means operable upon relative movement of the members through a first range for absorbing lower level impact forces received by the impact bar, shearable means engageable between said members upon movement thereof through said first range to block additional relative movement thereof and thereby set a lower level force absorption limit, said shearable means and said relatively movable members thereafter transferring higher level impact forces from said impact member to said deformable portion of the frame to deform such portion and absorb such forces up to said higher force level limit, said shearable means being shearable by said members when said higher force level limit is exceeded to permit said relatively movable members to additionally move relative to each other, and means operable by said members upon said additional relative movement thereof for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
212 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing higher level impact forces up to a higher force level limit, an impact member receptive of impact forces, a pair of relatively movable members, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable portion of the frame to mount said impact member thereon, means operable upon relative movement of the members through a first range for absorbing lower level impact forces received by the impact bar, shearable means engageable between said members upon movement thereof through said first range to block additional relative movement thereof and thereby set a lower level force absorption limit, said shearable means and said relatively movable members thereafter transferring higher level impact forces from said impact member to said deformable portion of the frame to deform such portion and absorb such forces up to said higher force level limit, said shearable means being shearable by said members when said higher force level limit is exceeded to permit said relatively movable members to additionally move relative to each other, and means operable by said members upon said additional relative movement thereof for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
205 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing high level impact forces within a range up to a high level force limit, an impact member receptive of impact forces, a pair of relatively movable members, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable frame portion to mount said impact member thereon, energy absorbing means operative upon relative movement of said members through a set range to absorb low level impact forces up to a low level force limit, means operative upon movement of said members through said set range to block further relative movement of said members whereby said members and said impact member thereafter move as a unit relative to said deformable portion of the frame under the high level impact forces to deform such frame portion and absorb such high level forces up to said high level force limit, means removing said blocking means and permitting further relative movement of said members when the impact forces exceed said high level force limit, and means operable by said members upon further relative movement thereof for inflating said occupant restraint.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
205 words
The combination comprising, an automotive vehicle having an inflatable occupant restraint, a frame including a controlled mechanically deformable portion capable of absorbing high level impact forces within a range up to a high level force limit, an impact member receptive of impact forces, a pair of relatively movable members, means securing one of said members to said impact member and the other of said members to said deformable frame portion to mount said impact member thereon, energy absorbing means operative upon relative movement of said members through a set range to absorb low level impact forces up to a low level force limit, means operative upon movement of said members through said set range to block further relative movement of said members whereby said members and said impact member thereafter move as a unit relative to said deformable portion of the frame under the high level impact forces to deform such frame portion and absorb such high level forces up to said high level force limit, means removing said blocking means and permitting further relative movement of said members when the impact forces exceed said high level force limit, and means operable by said members upon further relative movement thereof for inflating said occupant restraint.
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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) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |