US4076277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas column type air bag system
Assignee: Soken Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-03
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1995-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A gas column type air bag system of the type in which an air bag includes a main gas column with a relatively large volume when inflated and a plurality of auxiliary gas columns with a relatively small volume when inflated, branched from the main column and extended toward a passenger, thereby rapidly expanding the air bag to inflate in case of a collision. The ratios both in volume and length among the air bag and the main and auxiliary gas columns are so selected that the air bag may be almost instantaneously expanded to the full by the inflation of the main and auxiliary columns and may be securely maintained in the desired stable inflated shape. The inflated main column serves as a knee restraining pad. The high pressure gas requirement for inflating the air bag may be considerably reduced as compared with the conventional systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Satosi Kuwakado
- 👤 Takao Kasagi
- 👤 Toshihiro Takei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R2021/23115; B60R2021/23169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A gas column air bag system for restraining an occupant in a vehicle having a compartment, upon collision of the vehicle compartment, comprising: a gas source for supplying a high pressure gas in case of said collision; inflatable bag means adapted for being mounted in said compartment said bag means having a bag wall; means defining a first gas column provided inside said inflatable bag means for expansion by the high pressure gas from said gas source and adapted to be mounted in said compartment said first gas column being expansible to a relatively large volume and effective to restrain when expanded, the knees of the occupant; means defining a second gas column of relatively large diameter extending from a substantially axially central portion of said first gas column and having an outer end, said second gas column being expansible within said inflatable bag means toward the occupant concurrently with said first gas column; and four third gas columns extending from the outer end of said second gas column in four diverging directions and having diameters smaller than the diameter of said second gas column, each said third gas column having an outer end jointed in each corner portion of the bag wall and being expansible concurrently with said first and second gas columns; and means for drawing air in said compartment of the vehicle into the interior of said bag means when said bag is expanded by said columns, thereby enabling said bag means to restrain the torso of the occupant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A gas column air bag system for restraining an occupant in a vehicle having a compartment, upon collision of the vehicle compartment, comprising: a gas source for supplying a high pressure gas in case of said collision; inflatable bag means adapted for being mounted in said compartment said bag means having a bag wall; means defining a first gas column provided inside said inflatable bag means for expansion by the high pressure gas from said gas source and adapted to be mounted in said compartment said first gas column being expansible to a relatively large volume and effective to restrain when expanded, the knees of the occupant; means defining a second gas column of relatively large diameter extending from a substantially axially central portion of said first gas column and having an outer end, said second gas column being expansible within said inflatable bag means toward the occupant concurrently with said first gas column; and four third gas columns extending from the outer end of said second gas column in four diverging directions and having diameters smaller than the diameter of said second gas column, each said third gas column having an outer end jointed in each corner portion of the bag wall and being expansible concurrently with said first and second gas columns; and means for drawing air in said compartment of the vehicle into the interior of said bag means when said bag is expanded by said columns, thereby enabling said bag means to restrain the torso of the occupant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gas column type air bag system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second gas column has a conical outer end, and from this conical outer end are branched said third gas columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
254 words
A gas column air bag system for restraining an occupant in a vehicle having an interior compartment, upon a collision of the vehicle compartment comprising: a gas source for supplying a high pressure gas in case of said collision; inflatable bag means adapted for being mounted in said compartment said bag means having a bag wall; a knee gas column provided inside said inflatable bag means for expansion by the high pressure gas from said gas source and adapted to be mounted in said compartment said knee gas column being expansible to a relatively large volume and effective to restrain, when expanded, the knees of the occupant; and a main torso gas column branched from a substantially axially central portion of said knee gas column and having a predetermined diameter and a conical outer end, said main gas column being expansible within said inflatable bag means toward the occupant concurrently with said knee gas column; a plurality of auxiliary torso gas columns extending divergently outwardly from the conical outer end of said main gas column for concurrent expansion therewith, each auxiliary gas column having a diameter of 1/1.5 to 1/2.5 of the diameter of said main gas column and an outer end connected to each corner portion of said bag wall of said inflatable bag means; and means for drawing air in said compartment into the interior of said bag means that when said bag means is expanded by said columns, thereby enabling said inflatable bag means to restrain the torso of the occupant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
254 words
A gas column air bag system for restraining an occupant in a vehicle having an interior compartment, upon a collision of the vehicle compartment comprising: a gas source for supplying a high pressure gas in case of said collision; inflatable bag means adapted for being mounted in said compartment said bag means having a bag wall; a knee gas column provided inside said inflatable bag means for expansion by the high pressure gas from said gas source and adapted to be mounted in said compartment said knee gas column being expansible to a relatively large volume and effective to restrain, when expanded, the knees of the occupant; and a main torso gas column branched from a substantially axially central portion of said knee gas column and having a predetermined diameter and a conical outer end, said main gas column being expansible within said inflatable bag means toward the occupant concurrently with said knee gas column; a plurality of auxiliary torso gas columns extending divergently outwardly from the conical outer end of said main gas column for concurrent expansion therewith, each auxiliary gas column having a diameter of 1/1.5 to 1/2.5 of the diameter of said main gas column and an outer end connected to each corner portion of said bag wall of said inflatable bag means; and means for drawing air in said compartment into the interior of said bag means that when said bag means is expanded by said columns, thereby enabling said inflatable bag means to restrain the torso of the occupant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3843150A
Cited
US3784225A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |