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US5069478A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electromagnetic inflator used in compact vehicle air bag apparatus

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-07-24
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2010-07-24
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Abstract

Abstract A compact air bag apparatus which comprises an inflatable bag secured to the vehicle shoulder belt. The deployment of the bag is controlled by electronic sensors mounted to the vehicle, the sensors being operative when a collision condition is detected. The air bag is also deployed when a voice sensor is activated by the driver. The air bag, once deployed, is designed to stay inflated, allow the driver to see and continue to control the vehicle after the collision, and to protect the driver from collision impact occurring both from the front of the vehicle and the left side thereof.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ki I. Kim

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 22:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/18; B60R21/26; B60R21/268

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 171 words
Safety apparatus for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a shoulder belt for restraining an occupant of the vehicle comprising: inflatable bag mounted on a portion of said shoulder belt and movable between a collapsed, inoperative position and an inflated, operative position, for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during a collision; means operatively associated with said air bag for automatically inflating said bag when energized by a sensor signal, said inflating means comprising a container for pressurized gas, first and second magnetic means mounted within said container, said first magnetic means positioned adjacent a member having an opening which allows gas to exit from said container, said first magnetic means being in a first position when said sensor signal is generated and in a second position when said sensor is not generated, gas being released from said container to inflate said bag when said member is in said first position; and sensor means operatively associated with said vehicle for generating said sensor signal when a collision condition is detected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 171 words
Safety apparatus for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a shoulder belt for restraining an occupant of the vehicle comprising: inflatable bag mounted on a portion of said shoulder belt and movable between a collapsed, inoperative position and an inflated, operative position, for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during a collision; means operatively associated with said air bag for automatically inflating said bag when energized by a sensor signal, said inflating means comprising a container for pressurized gas, first and second magnetic means mounted within said container, said first magnetic means positioned adjacent a member having an opening which allows gas to exit from said container, said first magnetic means being in a first position when said sensor signal is generated and in a second position when said sensor is not generated, gas being released from said container to inflate said bag when said member is in said first position; and sensor means operatively associated with said vehicle for generating said sensor signal when a collision condition is detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container is mounted within the interior of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said seat belt portion is removable from the remainder of said shoulder belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 98 words
Safety apparatus for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a shoulder belt for restraining an occupant of the vehicle comprising: an inflatable bag mounted on a portion of said shoulder belt and movable between a collapsed, inoperative position and an inflated, operative position, for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during a collision, said seat belt portion being removable from the remainder of said shoulder belt; means for automatically inflating said bag when energized by a sensor signal; and sensor means operatively associated with said vehicle for generating said sensor signal when a collision condition is detected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 98 words
Safety apparatus for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a shoulder belt for restraining an occupant of the vehicle comprising: an inflatable bag mounted on a portion of said shoulder belt and movable between a collapsed, inoperative position and an inflated, operative position, for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during a collision, said seat belt portion being removable from the remainder of said shoulder belt; means for automatically inflating said bag when energized by a sensor signal; and sensor means operatively associated with said vehicle for generating said sensor signal when a collision condition is detected.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3841654A Cited
US3897081A Cited
US4348037A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-12-02 1995-06-03 1995-12-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-12-02 1999-06-03 1999-12-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-12-02 2003-06-03 2003-12-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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