Patent US5098124A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5098124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Padding to reduce injuries in automobile accidents
Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
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Filing: 1990-09-06
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-09-06
Abstract
Abstract Padding for use on vehicle doors for protection of occupants in side impact accidents is composed of a plurality of cells. Each cell is filled with air and sealed except for an orifice. The flow of the air through the orifice provides the damping required to absorb the energy of the impacting occupant. Each cell contains a spring, usually in the form of foam rubber, to maintain the cell in its inflated shape. The plurality of cells provides for better control over the motion of the occupant. The padding can also be used on any surface of the passenger compartment including knee bolsters, headrests, A and B pillars, roofs structures, roof and seats.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
- 👤 Ferevdoon Shokoohi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F13/00; F16F13/04; F16F13/06; B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/045; F16F9/00; F16F9/02; F16F9/04; F16F9/0472; F16F9/0481; B60R2021/003; B60R2021/0039; B60R2021/0051; B60R2021/0407; B60R21/0428
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A padding for cushioning and absorbing energy from an object which impacts against it, said padding comprising a plurality of padding cells arranged substantially side by side to form a cushion surface, each padding cell including: (a) an enclosed chamber containing a gas and having side walls formed of substantially impervious flexible material and an end wall having a flow restrictor means for controlling the flow of said gas therethrough, said chamber being adapted to be collapsed from an initial position with full internal volume to a final, collapsed position with substantially less internal volume; and (b) means for restoring said chamber to its initial position, said means being disposed away from said flow restrictor means to permit the unimpeded flow of said gas to and through said flow restrictor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A padding for cushioning and absorbing energy from an object which impacts against it, said padding comprising a plurality of padding cells arranged substantially side by side to form a cushion surface, each padding cell including: (a) an enclosed chamber containing a gas and having side walls formed of substantially impervious flexible material and an end wall having a flow restrictor means for controlling the flow of said gas therethrough, said chamber being adapted to be collapsed from an initial position with full internal volume to a final, collapsed position with substantially less internal volume; and (b) means for restoring said chamber to its initial position, said means being disposed away from said flow restrictor means to permit the unimpeded flow of said gas to and through said flow restrictor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The padding defined in claim 1, wherein said cells have a maximum width, between opposite side walls, which is not substantially greater than the size of the object which is expected to impact against it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said restoring means comprises foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said restoring means comprises fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said restoring means comprises at least one spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said restrictor means comprises a hole in said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the flow through said restrictor means is substantially proportional to the viscosity of said gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein means are provided to vary the area of said restrictor means in response to pressure inside said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the flow through said restrictor means is substantially controlled by the inertia of the gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said padding is disposed on to a motor vehicle door.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said padding is disposed on to a motor vehicle knee bolster.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said padding is disposed on to a motor vehicle headrest.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said padding is disposed on to a motor vehicle roof structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said padding is disposed on to a motor vehicle roof support pillar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one chamber has restrictor means of different size than that of another chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said padding is incorporated in a motor vehicle seat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention in accordance with claim 16 wherein said seat additionally comprises an anti-submarining structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gas is maintained above atmospheric pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber contains substantially no volume in its collapsed position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |