US4167276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained air bag system
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1976-12-17
•
Granted: 1979-09-11
•
Expires: 1996-12-17
Abstract
Abstract The air bag safety system is a self-contained, modular apparatus including: an inflatable bag, an inflating unit connected to the bag, and a sensor. The inflating unit provides gas for inflating the bag. The sensor is disposed adjacent to the apparatus and is responsive to a predetermined level of deceleration of a vehicle for activating the inflating unit. The system also includes a fail-safe interlock to prevent the sensor from activating the inflating unit when the system is not properly mounted or internal parts fail in service.
Inventors
- 👤 Lon E. Bell
- 👤 Brian K. Hamilton
- 👤 William R. Dickie
- 👤 Robert M. Wulbrecht
- 👤 Donald G. Radke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2035; B60R21/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An integral, modular, self-contained safety apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a mounting member for attaching said apparatus to a support inside said vehicle; said apparatus comprising: a container secured to said mounting member; an inflatable safety restraint disposed in said container; an inflating means connected to said inflatable restraint for supplying a gas to inflate said restraint; a sensor disposed adjacent to said mounting member responsive to a predetermined level of deceleration of said vehicle; a pyrotechnic primer disposed adjacent to said mounting member for actuating said inflating means; means for firing said pyrotechnic primer in response to said sensor responding to said predetermined level of deceleration; and interlock means engaging said support when said mounting means attaches said apparatus to said support for automatically placing said sensor in a condition for actuation when said mounting member attaches said apparatus to said support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An integral, modular, self-contained safety apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a mounting member for attaching said apparatus to a support inside said vehicle; said apparatus comprising: a container secured to said mounting member; an inflatable safety restraint disposed in said container; an inflating means connected to said inflatable restraint for supplying a gas to inflate said restraint; a sensor disposed adjacent to said mounting member responsive to a predetermined level of deceleration of said vehicle; a pyrotechnic primer disposed adjacent to said mounting member for actuating said inflating means; means for firing said pyrotechnic primer in response to said sensor responding to said predetermined level of deceleration; and interlock means engaging said support when said mounting means attaches said apparatus to said support for automatically placing said sensor in a condition for actuation when said mounting member attaches said apparatus to said support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a roller band means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said roller band means comprises at least one movable mass and a flexible band looped at least partially around said mass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said roller band means comprises a pair of rollers, said band looped around a portion of said rollers, a housing having parallel surfaces engaging said band, and means applying tension to said band, one of said surfaces terminating at an edge, plunger means movable with respect to said surfaces and means actuating said plunger means when said rollers move beyond said edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
An integral, modular, self-contained safety apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a mounting member for attaching said apparatus to a support inside said vehicle; said apparatus comprising: a container secured to said mounting member; an inflatable safety restraint disposed in said container; an inflating means connected to said inflatable restraint for supplying a gas to inflate said restraint upon actuation; a sensor responsive to a predetermined level of deceleration of said vehicle, for actuating said inflating means; and interlock means engaging said support when said mounting member attaches said apparatus to said support for automatically placing said sensor in a condition for actuation when said mounting member attaches said apparatus to said support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
An integral, modular, self-contained safety apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a mounting member for attaching said apparatus to a support inside said vehicle; said apparatus comprising: a container secured to said mounting member; an inflatable safety restraint disposed in said container; an inflating means connected to said inflatable restraint for supplying a gas to inflate said restraint upon actuation; a sensor responsive to a predetermined level of deceleration of said vehicle, for actuating said inflating means; and interlock means engaging said support when said mounting member attaches said apparatus to said support for automatically placing said sensor in a condition for actuation when said mounting member attaches said apparatus to said support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sensor comprises a source of electrical energy, means releasing said energy in response to the presence of said predetermined level of deceleration and means for activating said inflating means in response to release of said electrical energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said source of electrical energy is a piezoelectric device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said source of electrical energy comprises a coil and a magnet movable relative to said coil by said energy releasing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said source of electrical energy is a battery, and said means releasing said energy includes a switch connecting said source to said inflating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sensor comprises a mechanical sensor responsive without any source of electrical energy including: a roller band means responsive to said predetermined amount of deceleration; a support means upon which said roller band means is mounted and providing a path of movement for a portion of said roller band means during said deceleration; a trigger means located adjacent to said support means and extending into said path of movement for a port of said roller band means; a hammer means located adjacent to said trigger means and releasable by a portion of said trigger means; a pyrotechnic primer for actuating said inflating means; said pyrotechnic primer being activated by said hammer means; and a biasing means biasing said hammer means towards said primer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sensor comprises a movable means and said interlock means comprises a lever, a first portion of said lever releasably engaging said mass, a second portion of said lever engaging and being moved by said support when said apparatus is attached to said support, movement of said second portion causing release of said mass by said first portion to place said sensor in said condition for actuation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said mass comprises a roller band means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for automatically re-engaging said interlock means upon removal of said mounting member from said support.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including a pyrotechnic primer for actuating said inflating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3452175A
Cited
US3532360A
Cited
US3601081A
Cited
US3655928A
Cited
US3688063A
Cited
US3819203A
Cited
US3827715A
Cited
US3982774A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-10 | 1983-03-12 | 1983-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-10 | 1987-03-12 | 1987-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-10 | 1991-03-12 | 1991-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |