US3887214A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system and means for supporting same
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-29
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during the occurrence of an accident includes an expandable confinement. The confinement has a collapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition for restraining movement of the occupant during the accident. A break-away dash panel is provided for at least in part enclosing the confinement when the confinement is in its inoperative condition. A deformable curved support is provided for the mounting of the apparatus to the vehicle dashboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Darrell S Brawn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system comprising: a. an inflatable confinement expandable from a collapsed nonoperative configuration to an expanded operative configuration for restraining a vehicle occupant; b. fluid supply means operable in response to a vehicle collision to release pressurized fluid for inflating said confinement; c. means for directing said released fluid into said confinement, said directing means including diffuser means, said confinement in the collapsed configuration being disposed about said diffuser means; d. means for supporting said fluid supply and said diffuser means on the vehicle, said supporting means having portions thereof arcuately shaped and formed in contra-curvature, said portions being deformable to absorb at least part of the energy of the vehicle occupant upon impact of the occupant with said diffuser means; and e. a plurality of separate closure sections disposed over said collapsed confinement with each of said closure sections having a protective casing and a core of resilient deformable material, said sections being operable to absorb at least a portion of the energy of said occupant upon impact therewith, said sections being operable on expansion of said confinement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system comprising: a. an inflatable confinement expandable from a collapsed nonoperative configuration to an expanded operative configuration for restraining a vehicle occupant; b. fluid supply means operable in response to a vehicle collision to release pressurized fluid for inflating said confinement; c. means for directing said released fluid into said confinement, said directing means including diffuser means, said confinement in the collapsed configuration being disposed about said diffuser means; d. means for supporting said fluid supply and said diffuser means on the vehicle, said supporting means having portions thereof arcuately shaped and formed in contra-curvature, said portions being deformable to absorb at least part of the energy of the vehicle occupant upon impact of the occupant with said diffuser means; and e. a plurality of separate closure sections disposed over said collapsed confinement with each of said closure sections having a protective casing and a core of resilient deformable material, said sections being operable to absorb at least a portion of the energy of said occupant upon impact therewith, said sections being operable on expansion of said confinement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system comprising: a. an inflatable confinement expandable from a collapsed nonoperative configuration to an expanded operative configuration for restraining a vehicle occupant; b. fluid supply means operable in response to a vehicle collision to release pressurized fluid for inflating said confinement; c. means for directing said released fluid into said confinement, said directing means including diffuser means, said confinement in the collapsed configuration being disposed about said diffuser means; d. means for supporting said fluid supply and said diffuser means on the vehicle, said supporting means having portions thereof arcuately shaped and formed in contra-curvature, said portions being deformable to absorb at least part of the energy of the vehicle occupant upon impact of the occupant with said diffuser means; and e. a plurality of separate closure sections disposed over said collapsed confinement with each of said closure sections having a protective casing and a core of resilient deformable material, said sections being operable to absorb at least a portion of the energy of said occupant upon impact therewith, said sections being operable on expansion of said confinement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system comprising: a. an inflatable confinement expandable from a collapsed nonoperative configuration to an expanded operative configuration for restraining a vehicle occupant; b. fluid supply means operable in response to a vehicle collision to release pressurized fluid for inflating said confinement; c. means for directing said released fluid into said confinement, said directing means including diffuser means, said confinement in the collapsed configuration being disposed about said diffuser means; d. means for supporting said fluid supply and said diffuser means on the vehicle, said supporting means having portions thereof arcuately shaped and formed in contra-curvature, said portions being deformable to absorb at least part of the energy of the vehicle occupant upon impact of the occupant with said diffuser means; and e. a plurality of separate closure sections disposed over said collapsed confinement with each of said closure sections having a protective casing and a core of resilient deformable material, said sections being operable to absorb at least a portion of the energy of said occupant upon impact therewith, said sections being operable on expansion of said confinement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a member having portions thereof formed in convexo-concave configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |