US5538280A — Anti-ravel airbag fabric reinforcement

Claim 1

Independent Claim 127 words

A process of reinforcing airbag fabric to prevent raveling of yarns during cutting of the fabric, said process comprising the steps of: (a) applying a thin layer of coating comprising a radiation-curable, resin and at least one flame retardant to a pre-selected area of airbag fabric to be cut, said radiation-curable resin being curable and crosslinkable at substantially ambient temperatures; (b) irradiating the coated airbag fabric of step (a) in at least those areas containing the radiation-curable resin under conditions to cure and crosslink the resin into a thin, flexible, nonreactive coating impregnating the airbag fabric and securing the yarn crossovers together to prevent raveling and combout; and (c) cutting the irradiated airbag fabric in the coated areas into the pre-selected configuration, thereby producing a ravel-resistant edge.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 127 words

A process of reinforcing airbag fabric to prevent raveling of yarns during cutting of the fabric, said process comprising the steps of: (a) applying a thin layer of coating comprising a radiation-curable, resin and at least one flame retardant to a pre-selected area of airbag fabric to be cut, said radiation-curable resin being curable and crosslinkable at substantially ambient temperatures; (b) irradiating the coated airbag fabric of step (a) in at least those areas containing the radiation-curable resin under conditions to cure and crosslink the resin into a thin, flexible, nonreactive coating impregnating the airbag fabric and securing the yarn crossovers together to prevent raveling and combout; and (c) cutting the irradiated airbag fabric in the coated areas into the pre-selected configuration, thereby producing a ravel-resistant edge.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The process of claim 1 including the step of sewing the cut fabric into the desired configuration.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The process of claim 1 in which the airbag fabric is coated with the radiation-curable resin and at least one flame retardant in patterns defining a plurality of shapes, irradiated, cut within the zones of irradiated resin, and sewn together to form an airbag.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 45 words

The process of claim 1 in which the airbag fabric is uniformly coated on at least one of its entire surfaces with the radiation-curable resin and at least one flame retardant, irradiated, cut into at least two pieces and sewn together to form an airbag.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process of claim 1, wherein the airbag fabric is woven or knitted.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The process of claim 3 to yield a first panel with a ravel-resistant edge and used in combination with at least one piece of fabric coated with a non-permeable coating of a thermosettable resin.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 6, wherein the thermosettable resin is selected from the group of resins consisting of Neoprene rubbers and silicone rubber.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The process of claims 3, 4 or 6 in which one of the cut pieces includes a centrally located throat opening, also having a thin, flexible coating of reinforcing polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant thereon.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

The process of claim 1 in which the airbag fabric is cut in step (c) with a die or a reciprocating knife.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

An airbag fabric having at least one reinforced, ravel-resistant edge thereon produced by the process of claim 1.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 125 words

An inflatable/deflatable airbag, comprising a first panel of breathable, substantially uncoated fabric having only around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant; a second panel of a breathable, substantially uncoated fabric having only around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant, the second panel having substantially the same configuration as said first panel; said first panel and second panels secured to each other with fastening means around their periphery and within said polymerized resin layers to form a closed, inflatable structure; wherein one of said panels includes an opening for admitting a propellant for rapidly inflating the airbag and wherein said breathable airbag rapidly deflates after inflation.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 125 words

An inflatable/deflatable airbag, comprising a first panel of breathable, substantially uncoated fabric having only around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant; a second panel of a breathable, substantially uncoated fabric having only around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant, the second panel having substantially the same configuration as said first panel; said first panel and second panels secured to each other with fastening means around their periphery and within said polymerized resin layers to form a closed, inflatable structure; wherein one of said panels includes an opening for admitting a propellant for rapidly inflating the airbag and wherein said breathable airbag rapidly deflates after inflation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 42 words

The inflatable/deflatable airbag of claim 11 wherein the panel opposite the panel having the inflation opening has a coated area of an abrasion-resistant thin layer of thermoplastic or thermoset resin, the coated area corresponding substantially and located opposed to the inflation opening.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 82 words

An inflatable/deflatable airbag, comprising at least one panel of breathable, substantially uncoated fabric having around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant; at least one additional panel of a fabric coated with an air impervious thermosetting resin; said panels secured together by stitching to form a closed, inflatable structure; one of said panels including an opening for admitting a gaseous propellant for rapidly inflating the airbag, wherein said airbag deflates rapidly after inflation.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 82 words

An inflatable/deflatable airbag, comprising at least one panel of breathable, substantially uncoated fabric having around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant; at least one additional panel of a fabric coated with an air impervious thermosetting resin; said panels secured together by stitching to form a closed, inflatable structure; one of said panels including an opening for admitting a gaseous propellant for rapidly inflating the airbag, wherein said airbag deflates rapidly after inflation.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 119 words

An inflatable/deflatable airbag, comprising a first panel and a second panel having substantially the same configuration as said first panel, one of said panels being a substantially uncoated, breathable fabric having only around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant to prevent fabric raveling and the other panel is made of a coated, substantially non-breathable fabric. said first and second panels secured to teach other with fastening means around their periphery and within said polymerized resin layer to form a closed, inflatable structure, wherein one of said panels includes an opening for admitting a propellant for rapidly inflating the airbag and wherein said bag, upon impact, deflates rapidly after inflation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 119 words

An inflatable/deflatable airbag, comprising a first panel and a second panel having substantially the same configuration as said first panel, one of said panels being a substantially uncoated, breathable fabric having only around its periphery a coating of a thin, flexible polymerized resin and at least one flame retardant to prevent fabric raveling and the other panel is made of a coated, substantially non-breathable fabric. said first and second panels secured to teach other with fastening means around their periphery and within said polymerized resin layer to form a closed, inflatable structure, wherein one of said panels includes an opening for admitting a propellant for rapidly inflating the airbag and wherein said bag, upon impact, deflates rapidly after inflation.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

A driver's side, passenger side, rear compartment or side airbag accordingly produced by the process of claims 3, 4 or 6.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

A driver's side, passenger side, rear compartment or side airbag according to claims 11, 13 or 14.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

The process of claim 1, wherein the flame retardant is a brominated phthalate ester.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The inflatable/deflatable airbag of claims 11, 13 or 14, wherein the flame retardant is a brominated phthalate ester.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-23	2000-01-22	2000-07-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-23	2004-01-22	2004-07-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-23	2008-01-22	2008-07-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Anti-ravel airbag fabric reinforcement

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