US5022676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Air bag assembly and method therefor
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Inc
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Filing: 1990-01-25
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Granted: 1991-06-11
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Expires: 2010-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An air bag (60) employing a method of fabrication in which the air bag is placed in an initially folded configuration and thereafter compressed and/or heated in a manner that the air bag achieves a set such a reduced size or volume is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Rogerson
- 👤 Sean P. Donovan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/237; B60R2021/2375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An air bag or cushion (60), comprising flexible material, defining a first volume when inflated by inflation gas, a second volume when in a non-inflated initially folded configuration having at least two proximately positioned folds in the material, and a folded, non-inflated reduced volume configuration, the reduced volume configuration achieved by loading the initially folded configuration to simultaneously compress the at least two folds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
An air bag or cushion (60), comprising flexible material, defining a first volume when inflated by inflation gas, a second volume when in a non-inflated initially folded configuration having at least two proximately positioned folds in the material, and a folded, non-inflated reduced volume configuration, the reduced volume configuration achieved by loading the initially folded configuration to simultaneously compress the at least two folds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The air bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the loading is at a level less than that which would cause a reduction in the tensile strength of the material defining the air bag and sufficient to cause the material to achieve a set.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The air bag as defined in claim 2 wherein the initially folded configuration is compressed at a load range of up to 10,000 pounds per square inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The air bag as defined in claim 2 wherein the compressive loading is applied for a predetermined time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The air bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the reduced volume configuration is further achieved by heating the air bag material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air bag as defined in claim 5 wherein the air bag material is heated to a temperature of approximately 177° C. (350° F).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The air bag (60) as defined in claim 5 wherein the material is heated prior to the application of the compressive load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The air bag (60) as defined in claim 5 wherein the material is heated during the application of the load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The air bag (60) as defined in claim 1 wherein the loading of the air bag is achieved by compressing the initially folded air bag between two substantially parallel plates (62,64).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The air bag (60) as defined in claim 9 wherein the loading of the air bag is achieved by placing the initially folded air bag into a lower fixture including a cavity having dimensions substantially equal to the planar folded size of the initially folded air bag and compressively loading the air bag while in the lower fixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The air bag (60) as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower fixture is a housing portion of an air bag module (20).
Claim 13
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of forming an air bag (60) comprising flexible material, into a desired folded configuration including at least two proximately positioned folds in the material, comprising the steps of: 12.1 initially folding the air bag material to a configuration having desired dimensions; 12.2 compressively loading the folded material so as to simultaneously compress the at least two folds.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of forming an air bag (60) comprising flexible material, into a desired folded configuration including at least two proximately positioned folds in the material, comprising the steps of: 12.1 initially folding the air bag material to a configuration having desired dimensions; 12.2 compressively loading the folded material so as to simultaneously compress the at least two folds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of loading includes loading the material to a level such that a set is introduced into the material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 13 wherein the step of loading includes applying the load for a predetermined time period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 13 wherein the step of loading includes loading the material when same is at an increased temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assembly (20) usable in an occupant safety restraint system comprising: an air bag means (60), comprising flexible material, defining a first volume when inflated by inflation gas, a second volume when in a non-inflated, initially folded configuration having at least two proximately positioned folds in the material, and a reduced volume configuration achieved by loading the initially folded configuration to simultaneously compress the at least two folds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assembly (20) usable in an occupant safety restraint system comprising: an air bag means (60), comprising flexible material, defining a first volume when inflated by inflation gas, a second volume when in a non-inflated, initially folded configuration having at least two proximately positioned folds in the material, and a reduced volume configuration achieved by loading the initially folded configuration to simultaneously compress the at least two folds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly (20) as defined in claim 16 comprising: first means (28,32) for enclosing the air bag (60), including a flexible, tearable front cover (28); wherein the air bag means disposed within the first means in a sufficiently compact form so as not to outwardly deform the front cover.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein the first means includes a housing (32) into which the air bag is received wherein the front cover (28) cooperates with the housing (32) to enclose the air bag (60).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly (24) as defined in claim 18 wherein the retainer means (34) secures a portion of the air bag (60) against the housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly as defined in claim 19 including second means (24) for supporting the first means and air bag means (60) in an orientation to provide protection for an occupant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly (20) as defined in claim 16 including wherein the reduced volume configuration is further achieved by loading the air bag while same is at an increased temperature to permit material forming the air bag to achieve a set.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein the reduced volume configuration of the air bag (60) is achieved by placing the air bag in the housing (32) in its initial folded configuration and compressively loading the air bag relative to the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3907330A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |