US3927901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle equipped with inflatable air bags for passenger accident protection
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1973-03-16
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1993-03-16
Abstract
Abstract In a motor vehicle, a safety assembly consisting of a pressurized gas tank and several inflatable air bags connected to the tank through automatic valves whereby the tank is sensitive to impact to cause inflation of the air bags.
Inventors
- 👤 Per Olaf Weman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/26005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a vehicle equipped with at least one inflatable air bag for protecting at least one passenger of the vehicle in case of an accident, wherein an inflation assembly for said bag comprises: a pressurized gas tank having a front portion and at least one branch portion in a continuous configuration extending from said front portion of said pressurized gas tank, said branch portion connecting said front portion to said at least one inflatable air bag, said front portion mounted in the front region of the vehicle and extending transversely of the vehicle longitudinal axis from one side to the opposite side of the vehicle; and at least one automatic valve, said one automatic valve connected between the pressurized gas tank and each associated inflatable air bag, said pressurized gas tank inflating said air bag upon impact during an accident, without the use of separate sensors, due to a sudden increase in pressure within the gas tank which causes said valve to open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a vehicle equipped with at least one inflatable air bag for protecting at least one passenger of the vehicle in case of an accident, wherein an inflation assembly for said bag comprises: a pressurized gas tank having a front portion and at least one branch portion in a continuous configuration extending from said front portion of said pressurized gas tank, said branch portion connecting said front portion to said at least one inflatable air bag, said front portion mounted in the front region of the vehicle and extending transversely of the vehicle longitudinal axis from one side to the opposite side of the vehicle; and at least one automatic valve, said one automatic valve connected between the pressurized gas tank and each associated inflatable air bag, said pressurized gas tank inflating said air bag upon impact during an accident, without the use of separate sensors, due to a sudden increase in pressure within the gas tank which causes said valve to open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflation assembly for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the valves is mounted on an associated air bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A motor vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressurized gas tank is of an approximately T-shaped configuration and a central portion of said pressurized gas tank extends underneath the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An inflation assembly for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressurized gas tank has an approximately U-shaped configuration and a central portion of said pressurized gas tank extends along the front of the motor vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflation assembly for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressurized gas tank extends about the contours, including along the sides, of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflation assembly for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressurized gas tank or a portion thereof forms a part of a front bumper bar assembly of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inflation assembly for a vehicle as defined in claim 6 wherein said pressurized gas tank is filled with a gaseous fluid At a pressure in the range from 28 to 142 psig.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inflation assembly for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a compressor driven by the engine of the motor vehicle, said pressurized gas tank being coupled to said compressor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle as defined in claim 8 wherein said pressurized gas tank is connected to the combustion air intake duct of the engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable air bag assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein on said pressurized gas tank is mounted a conventional tire inflator valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2834606A
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US3162433A
Cited
US3370886A
Cited
US3495675A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |