Side impact head strike protection system

Claim 2

A safety system for protecting occupants of vehicles comprising: (a) a braided tube enclosing an inner bladder running the length of the tube, said tube having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface; (b) said tube mounted proximate to said first end at a first position in the vehicle; (c) said tube mounted proximate to said second end at a second position in the vehicle; (d) means for generating gas flow into said inner bladder, thereby inflating the braided tube; (e) crash sensor means connected to said means for generating gas, said crash sensor means being capable of initiating generation of gas flow into said inner bladder upon detection of an impact, wherein said tube in its uninflated state is substantially longer than the straight-line distance between said first and second positions in the vehicle, wherein upon inflation, said tube increases its diameter and decreases its length substantially such that said tube deploys under tension in a substantially straight line between the first and second positions in the vehicle.

Claim 3

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said inner bladder is comprised of a gas-retentive material.

Claim 4

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said inner bladder is comprised of an elastomeric material.

Claim 5

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said tube is pivotally mounted proximate said first end.

Claim 6

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said tube is pivotally mounted proximate said second end.

Claim 7

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said tube is pivotally mounted proximate said first end and pivotally mounted proximate said second end.

Claim 8

The safety system of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to said first end for mounting.

Claim 9

The safety system of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to said second end for mounting.

Claim 10

The safety system of claim 1, further comprising straps attached to said first end and to said second end for mounting.

Claim 11

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said braided tube comprises continuous fibers impregnated with a high-elongation elastomer.

Claim 12

The safety system of claim 1, wherein said inner bladder comprises at least one layer of an elastomeric material.

Claim 13

The safety system of claim 11, wherein said at least one layer is joined at a seam running the length of said bladder.

Claim 14

The safety system of claim 11, wherein said bladder is seamless.

Claim 15

The safety system of claims 11, 12 or 13 wherein said outer surface of said bladder is bonded to said inner surface of said braided tube.

Claim 16

The safety system of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said inner bladder is larger than the diameter of said braided tube such that said inner bladder is only partially inflated when said braided tube is fully deployed.

Claim 17

A safety system for protecting occupants of vehicles comprising: (a) a braided tube enclosing an inner bladder running the length of the tube, said braided tube having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface; (b) said braided tube mounted proximate to said first end to a first position in the vehicle; (c) said tube mounted proximate to said second end to a second position in the vehicle; (d) means for generating gas in said inner bladder, thereby inflating the braided tube, said inner bladder comprised of at least one layer of elastomeric material; (e) crash sensor means connected to said means for generating gas, said crash sensor means being capable of initiating generation of gas flow into said inner bladder upon detection of an impact, wherein upon inflation of said inner bladder, said braided tube increases its diameter and decreases its length substantially such that said braided tube deploys under tension in a substantially straight line between the first and second positions in the vehicle.

Claim 18

A safety system for protecting occupants of vehicles comprising: (a) a braided tube enclosing an inner bladder running the length of the tube, said braided tube having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface; (b) said braided tube mounted proximate to said first end to a first position in the vehicle; (c) said tube mounted proximate to said second end to a second position in the vehicle; (d) means for generating gas in said inner bladder, thereby inflating the braided tube, said inner bladder comprised of at least one layer of elastomeric material; (e) crash sensor means connected to said means for generating gas, said crash sensor means being capable of initiating generation of gas flow into said inner bladder upon detection of an impact, wherein upon inflation of said inner bladder, said braided tube increases its diameter and decreases its length substantially such that said braided tube deploys under tension in a substantially straight line between the first and second positions in the vehicle.

Claim 19

The safety system of claim 16, wherein said inner bladder comprises a bonded seam running the length of the bladder.

Claim 20

The safety system of claim 17, wherein said inner bladder has an outer surface, and the outer surface of said inner bladder is bonded to the inner surface of the braided tube.

Claim 21

The safety system of claim 16, wherein the inner bladder is seamless.

Claim 22

The safety system of claim 19, wherein said inner bladder has an outer surface, and the outer surface of said inner bladder is bonded to the inner surface of the braided tube.

Claim 23

The safety system of claim 16, wherein the braided tube is attached to the first position by a pivotable mount.

Claim 24

The safety system of claim 16, wherein the braided tube is attached to the second position by a pivotable mount.

Claim 25

A safety system for protecting occupants of motor vehicles comprising: (a) a braided tube enclosing an inner bladder running the length of the tube, said braided tube having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface; (b) at least one attachment strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of said at least one attachment strap connected to the first end of the braided tube, the second end of said at least one attachment strap mounted to a first position in the vehicle; (c) said tube mounted proximate to said second end to a second position in the vehicle; (d) means for generating gas flow into said inner bladder, thereby inflating the braided tube, said inner bladder comprised of at least one layer of elastomeric material; (e) crash sensor means connected to said means for generating gas, said crash sensor means being capable of initiating generation of gas flow into said inner bladder upon detection of an impact, wherein upon inflation of said inner bladder, said braided tube increases its diameter and decreases its length substantially such that said braided tube deploys under tension in a substantially straight line between the first and second positions in the vehicle.

Claim 26

A safety system for protecting occupants of motor vehicles comprising: (a) a braided tube enclosing an inner bladder running the length of the tube, said braided tube having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface; (b) at least one attachment strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of said at least one attachment strap connected to the first end of the braided tube, the second end of said at least one attachment strap mounted to a first position in the vehicle; (c) said tube mounted proximate to said second end to a second position in the vehicle; (d) means for generating gas flow into said inner bladder, thereby inflating the braided tube, said inner bladder comprised of at least one layer of elastomeric material; (e) crash sensor means connected to said means for generating gas, said crash sensor means being capable of initiating generation of gas flow into said inner bladder upon detection of an impact, wherein upon inflation of said inner bladder, said braided tube increases its diameter and decreases its length substantially such that said braided tube deploys under tension in a substantially straight line between the first and second positions in the vehicle.

Claim 27

The safety system of claim 23, wherein said inner bladder comprises a bonded seam running the length of the bladder.

Claim 28

The safety system of claim 24, wherein said inner bladder has an outer surface, and the outer surface of said inner bladder is bonded to the inner surface of the braided tube.

Claim 29

The safety system of claim 23, wherein the inner bladder is seamless.

Claim 30

The safety system of claim 26, wherein said inner bladder has an outer surface, and the outer surface of said inner bladder is bonded to the inner surface of the braided tube.

Claim 31

The safety system of claim 23, wherein said inner bladder comprises an upper layer and a lower layer of elastomeric material, and wherein the ends of said upper and lower layer are turned inward and sealed to each other by an adhesive.

Claim 32

The safety system of claim 28, wherein said braided tube comprises an upper layer and a lower layer, and the ends of said upper layer and said lower layer are bound together by stitching, thus forming the first end and the second end of the braided tube.

Claim 33

A safety system for protecting the occupants in a vehicle having a window opening and a first pillar and a second pillar on either side of the window opening comprising: (a) a first tube having a first end and a second end; (b) the first end of the first tube being pivotally mounted to the first pillar at a first position; (c) the second end of the first tube being pivotally mounted to the second pillar at a second position, said first tube being stowed around a portion of the periphery of the window opening between the first pillar and the second pillar; (d) means for generating gas in the first tube; (e) crash sensor means connected to the means for generating gas flow into the first tube such that when the crash sensor detects an impact, it initiates generation of gas by the means for generating gas in the first tube; (f) a second tube having a first end and a second end; (g) the first end of the second tube being pivotally mounted to the first pillar at a third position; and (h) the second end of the second tube being pivotally mounted to the second pillar at a fourth position, said second tube being stowed around a portion of the periphery of the window opening between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein, upon inflation, the first tube and the second tube increase their diameter and decrease their length substantially, forming two semi-rigid members stretching under tension from the first pillar to the second pillar.

Claim 34

A safety system for protecting the occupants in a vehicle having a window opening and a first pillar and a second pillar on either side of the window opening comprising: (a) a first tube having a first end and a second end; (b) the first end of the first tube being pivotally mounted to the first pillar at a first position; (c) the second end of the first tube being pivotally mounted to the second pillar at a second position, said first tube being stowed around a portion of the periphery of the window opening between the first pillar and the second pillar; (d) means for generating gas in the first tube; (e) crash sensor means connected to the means for generating gas flow into the first tube such that when the crash sensor detects an impact, it initiates generation of gas by the means for generating gas in the first tube; (f) a second tube having a first end and a second end; (g) the first end of the second tube being pivotally mounted to the first pillar at a third position; and (h) the second end of the second tube being pivotally mounted to the second pillar at a fourth position, said second tube being stowed around a portion of the periphery of the window opening between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein, upon inflation, the first tube and the second tube increase their diameter and decrease their length substantially, forming two semi-rigid members stretching under tension from the first pillar to the second pillar.

Claim 35

The safety system of claim 30, further comprising means for generating gas flow into the second tube.

Claim 36

The safety system of claim 31, wherein the means for generating gas flow into the second tube is at least one fluid connection between the first tube and the second tube.

Claim 37

The safety system of claim 30, further comprising means for generating gas flow into the second tube, said crash sensor means being connected to the means for generating gas in the second tube such that when the crash sensor detects an impact, it initiates generation of gas by the means for generating gas flow into the second tube.

Claim 38

The safety system of claim 30, further comprising a first fluid connection between the first tube and the second tube, said first fluid connection fluidly connecting the first end of the first tube to the first end of the second tube.

Claim 39

The safety system of claim 34, further comprising a second fluid connection between the first tube and the second tube, said second fluid connection fluidly connecting the second end of the first tube to the second end of the second tube.

Claim 40

The safety system of claim 30, further comprising means for equalizing pressure between the first tube and the second tube.

Claim 41

The safety system of claim 36, wherein the means for equalizing the pressure between the first tube and the second tube is at least one fluid connection between the first tube and the second tube.

Claim 42

The safety system of claim 30, wherein the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube are mounted to the first pillar using a single pivotable mount.

Claim 43

The safety system of claim 38, wherein the second end of the first tube and the second end of the second tube are mounted to the second pillar using a single pivotable mount.

Claim 44

An inflatable tubular structure comprising: (a) a braided tube of continuous fibers, said fibers crossing each other at fiber crossing points and forming first and second angles at the fiber crossing points, the first angles having longitudinal bisectors and the second angles having circumferential bisectors; (b) an inner bladder running the length of the braided tube; (c) means for connecting said inner bladder to a source of inflating gas; and (d) means for mounting said braided tube at fixed positions on a vehicle, wherein when the braided tube is inflated and the diameter of the tube increases, the first angles increase and the second angles decrease, resulting in a substantial decrease of the length of the braided tube.

Claim 45

An inflatable tubular structure comprising: (a) a braided tube of continuous fibers, said fibers crossing each other at fiber crossing points and forming first and second angles at the fiber crossing points, the first angles having longitudinal bisectors and the second angles having circumferential bisectors; (b) an inner bladder running the length of the braided tube; (c) means for connecting said inner bladder to a source of inflating gas; and (d) means for mounting said braided tube at fixed positions on a vehicle, wherein when the braided tube is inflated and the diameter of the tube increases, the first angles increase and the second angles decrease, resulting in a substantial decrease of the length of the braided tube.

Claim 46

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein said continuous fibers are selected from at least one of Kevlar, nylon, dacron and polyester fibers.

Claim 47

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein the unconstrained length of the braided tube decreases by 20% to 50% upon inflation.

Claim 48

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein prior to inflation the first angles are acute, and upon inflation of the unconstrained tubular structure the first angles become obtuse.

Claim 49

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein the means for connecting said inner bladder to a source of inflating gas are means for connecting said inner bladder to a source for generating gas located inside the braided tube.

Claim 50

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein the means for connecting said inner bladder to a source of inflating gas are means for connecting said inner bladder to a source located external to the braided tube.

Claim 51

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein the inner bladder comprises a seam running the length of the bladder.

Claim 52

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein the inner bladder is uniformly bonded to the inner surface of the braided tube.

Claim 53

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein the ends of the inner bladder are flattened and sealed with an adhesive, and wherein the ends of the braided tube are flattened and bound together by stitching.

Claim 54

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein said inner bladder is comprised of a gas-retentive material.

Claim 55

The inflatable tubular structure of claim 40, wherein said inner bladder is comprised of an elastomeric material.