US5385367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable seatbelt system
Assignee: Takata Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-30
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable seatbelt system designed so that the thickness of the webbing, when maintained in a strap-like configuration, is minimized, and it is possible to eliminate the webbing folding process and to reduce the amount of base fabric used and yet possible to reliably inflate the webbing when an emergency situation occurs. A shoulder belt (2) is formed from a tubular webbing (17), a tube (16) inserted in the webbing (17), and a cover (15) covering the webbing (17). The tube (16) is made of an elastic material which can be formed relatively thin and which has heat resistance and relatively high strength, e.g., urethane rubber or silicone rubber. The cover (15) is made of a resin material, e.g., polyester. The webbing (17) is made of a knitted fabric formed into a tubular configuration by weft knitting. By the use of the knitted fabric, the webbing (17) is stretchable to a large extent in the lateral direction but does not practically stretch in the longitudinal direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshihiko Tanaka
- 👤 Tsuneo Chikaraishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/28; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/18; D; D04; D04B; D04B1/00; D04B1/14; D04B1/16; D04B21/00; D04B21/14; D04B21/16; D10; D10B; D10B2403/00; D10B2403/02; D10B2403/024; D10B2403/0241; D10B2403/02411; D10B2403/03; D10B2403/031; D10B2403/0312; D10B2505/00; D10B2505/12; D10B2505/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An inflatable seat belt system for a vehicle, which comprises: gas generating means for generating a gas when deceleration acting on the vehicle in an emergency exceeds a first set deceleration, which indicates collision of the vehicle; webbing having a portion brought into contact with an occupant's body, at least a part of said contact portion being formed as a bag-shaped portion; said bag-shaped portion being completely formed of a knitted fabric; said webbing being arranged in such manner that when no gas is generated from said gas generating means, said webbing is maintained in the shape of a strap with a predetermined width, and when a gas is generated from said gas generating means, said bag-shaped portion is inflated by the gas; a tongue connected to said webbing; a buckle device provided with said gas generating means on one end thereof and removable engaged with said tongue; and a retractor operating in such manner that when the deceleration on the vehicle is not higher than a second set deceleration, which is lower than said first set deceleration, said retractor allows said webbing to be freely wound up and unwound, and when the deceleration on the vehicle exceeds said second set deceleration, said retractor prevents unwinding of said webbing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An inflatable seat belt system for a vehicle, which comprises: gas generating means for generating a gas when deceleration acting on the vehicle in an emergency exceeds a first set deceleration, which indicates collision of the vehicle; webbing having a portion brought into contact with an occupant's body, at least a part of said contact portion being formed as a bag-shaped portion; said bag-shaped portion being completely formed of a knitted fabric; said webbing being arranged in such manner that when no gas is generated from said gas generating means, said webbing is maintained in the shape of a strap with a predetermined width, and when a gas is generated from said gas generating means, said bag-shaped portion is inflated by the gas; a tongue connected to said webbing; a buckle device provided with said gas generating means on one end thereof and removable engaged with said tongue; and a retractor operating in such manner that when the deceleration on the vehicle is not higher than a second set deceleration, which is lower than said first set deceleration, said retractor allows said webbing to be freely wound up and unwound, and when the deceleration on the vehicle exceeds said second set deceleration, said retractor prevents unwinding of said webbing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 1, wherein said knitted fabric is produced by weft knitting in which stitches formed in a lateral direction are connected in a longitudinal direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 1, wherein said knitted fabric is produced by warp knitting in which stitches formed in a longitudinal direction are connected to adjacent stitches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 1, wherein a tube inflatable by said gas is inserted into said bag-shaped portion of said webbing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 4, wherein said tube is made of one of urethane rubber and silicone rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 1, wherein said tongue is connected to said bag-shaped portion of said webbing; said tongue has a gas flow hole, and said buckle device includes said gas generating means on one end thereof and a gas flow hole communicating with said gas generating means, said gas flow holes of said tongue and said buckle device are aligned in an axial direction of said tongue and said buckle device; and said gas flow hole in said tongue and said gas flow hole in said buckle device form a gas flow passage for passing the gas generated by said gas generating means in said axial direction toward said bag-shaped portion of said webbing when said tongue is engaged with said buckle device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 2, wherein a tube inflatable by said gas is inserted into said bag-shaped portion of said webbing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 3, wherein a tube inflatable by said gas is inserted into said bag-shaped portion of said webbing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
An Inflatable seat belt system according to claim 2, wherein said tongue is connected to said bag-shaped portion of said webbing; said tongue has a gas flow hole, and said buckle device includes said gas generating means on one end thereof and a gas flow hole communicating with said gas generating means, said gas flow holes of said tongue and said buckle device are aligned in an axial direction of said tongue and said buckle device; and said gas flow hole in said tongue and said gas flow hole in said buckle device form a gas flow passage for passing the gas generated by said gas generating means in said axial direction toward said bag-shaped portion of said webbing when said tongue is engaged with said buckle device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 3, wherein said tongue is connected to said bag-shaped portion of said webbing; said tongue has a gas flow hole, and said buckle device includes said gas generating means on one end thereof and a gas flow hole communicating with said gas generating means, said gas flow holes of said tongue and said buckle device are aligned In an axial direction of said tongue and said buckle device; and said gas flow hole In said tongue and said gas flow hole in said buckle device form a gas flow passage for passing the gas generated by said gas generating means in said axial direction toward said bag-shaped portion of said webbing when said tongue is engaged with said buckle device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 4, wherein said tongue is connected to said bag-shaped portion of said webbing; said tongue has a gas flow hole, and said buckle device includes said gas generating means on one end thereof and a gas flow hole communicating with said gas generating means, said gas flow holes of said tongue and said buckle device are aligned in an axial direction of said tongue and said buckle device; and said gas flow hole in said tongue and said gas flow hole in said buckle device form a gas flow passage for passing the gas generated by said gas generating means in said axial direction toward said bag-shaped portion of said webbing when said tongue is engaged with said buckle device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 5, wherein said tongue is connected to said bag-shaped portion of said webbing; said tongue has a gas flow hole, and said buckle device includes said gas generating means on one end thereof and a gas flow hole communicating with said gas generating means, said gas flow holes of said tongue and said buckle device are aligned in an axial direction of said tongue and said buckle device; and said gas flow hole in said tongue and said gas flow hole in said buckle device form a gas flow passage for passing the gas generated by said gas generating means in said axial direction toward said bag-shaped portion of said webbing when said tongue is engaged with said buckle device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
213 words
An inflatable seat belt system for a vehicle, which comprises: gas generating means for generating a gas when deceleration acting on the vehicle in an emergency exceeds a first set deceleration, which indicates collision of the vehicle; webbing having a portion brought into contact with an occupant's body, at least a part of said contact portion being formed as a bag-shaped portion; said bag-shaped portion being formed of a knitted fabric having warp threads inserted therein; said webbing being arranged in such manner that when no gas is generated from said gas generating means, said webbing is maintained in the shape of a strap with a predetermined width, and when a gas is generated from said gas generating means, said bag-shaped portion is inflated by the gas; a tongue connected to said webbing; a buckle device provided with said gas generating means on one end thereof and removable engaged with said tongue; and a retractor operating in such manner that when the deceleration on the vehicle is not higher than a second set deceleration, which is lower than said first set deceleration, said retractor allows said webbing to be freely wound up and unwound, and when the deceleration on the vehicle exceeds said second set deceleration, said retractor prevents unwinding of said webbing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
213 words
An inflatable seat belt system for a vehicle, which comprises: gas generating means for generating a gas when deceleration acting on the vehicle in an emergency exceeds a first set deceleration, which indicates collision of the vehicle; webbing having a portion brought into contact with an occupant's body, at least a part of said contact portion being formed as a bag-shaped portion; said bag-shaped portion being formed of a knitted fabric having warp threads inserted therein; said webbing being arranged in such manner that when no gas is generated from said gas generating means, said webbing is maintained in the shape of a strap with a predetermined width, and when a gas is generated from said gas generating means, said bag-shaped portion is inflated by the gas; a tongue connected to said webbing; a buckle device provided with said gas generating means on one end thereof and removable engaged with said tongue; and a retractor operating in such manner that when the deceleration on the vehicle is not higher than a second set deceleration, which is lower than said first set deceleration, said retractor allows said webbing to be freely wound up and unwound, and when the deceleration on the vehicle exceeds said second set deceleration, said retractor prevents unwinding of said webbing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inflatable scat belt system according to claim 13, wherein said bag-shaped portion of said webbing is formed by weft knitting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 13, wherein said bag-shaped portion of said webbing is formed by warp knitting.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 13, wherein a tube inflatable by said gas is inserted into said bag-shaped portion of said webbing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
128 words
An inflatable seat belt system according to claim 13, wherein said tongue is connected to said bag-shaped portion of said webbing; said tongue has a gas flow hole, and said buckle device includes said gas generating means on one end thereof and a gas flow hole communicating with said gas generating means, said gas flow holes of said tongue and said buckle device are aligned in an axial direction of said tongue and said buckle device; and said gas flow hole in said tongue and said gas flow hole in said buckle device form a gas flow passage for passing the gas generated by said gas generating means in said axial direction toward said bag-shaped portion of said webbing when said tongue is engaged with said buckle device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |