US5775726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Roof-mounted air bag
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
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Filing: 1996-05-29
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2016-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A passive vehicle occupant restraint system is provided for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to the other side thereof, and a roof having an outer roof surface, a quantity of insulation material inside of the outer roof surface and a headliner beneath and overlying the insulation material. The restraint system includes a first inflatable cushion mounted between the insulation material and the headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of the vehicle, and an inflator operatively connected with the inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of inflating gas for inflating the cushion.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin M. Timothy
- 👤 Mark W. Osmond
- 👤 Jonathan A. Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R13/00; B60R13/02; B60R13/0212; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/214; B60R13/08; B60R13/0815; B60R2013/0287; B60R2021/01006; B60R2021/01306; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R2021/23192
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to an opposite side thereof, an outer roof surface, a quantity of insulation material inside of said outer roof surface and a headliner covering said insulation material, said restraint system comprising: a first inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of said vehicle: said inflatable cushion being inflatable to an increased thickness while still being retained between said quantitv of insulation material and said headliner in such a manner as to provide a cushion, when inflated, between a head of a passenger and the outer roof surface, and an inflator operatively connected with said inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of gas for inflating said cushion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to an opposite side thereof, an outer roof surface, a quantity of insulation material inside of said outer roof surface and a headliner covering said insulation material, said restraint system comprising: a first inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of said vehicle: said inflatable cushion being inflatable to an increased thickness while still being retained between said quantitv of insulation material and said headliner in such a manner as to provide a cushion, when inflated, between a head of a passenger and the outer roof surface, and an inflator operatively connected with said inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of gas for inflating said cushion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 and further including a second inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of said rear passenger area; and wherein said inflator is further operatively coupled to said second inflatable cushion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said inflator is mounted between said headliner and said outer roof surface and generally between said first and second inflatable cushions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 and further including a second inflator operatively coupled with both of said inflatable cushions, and responsive to said predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of inflating gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4 and further including means operatively linking said first and second inflators for simultaneous response to said predetermined triggering signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said second inflator is also mounted between said headliner and said outer roof surface and located generally between said first and second inflatable cushions in a side-by-side relation to said first inflator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 6 and further including roll-over sensor means operatively coupled to said first and second inflators and mounted to said vehicle in such a manner as to produce said predetermined triggering signal in response to a roll-over of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said vehicle has a plurality of roof posts supporting said roof and wherein said roll-over sensor means comprise a plurality of roll-over sensors operatively coupled with first said and second inflators and respectively mounted on ones of said roof posts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 and further including roll-over sensor means operatively coupled with said inflator and mounted to said vehicle for producing said predetermined triggering signal in response to a roll-over of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said vehicle has a plurality of roof posts supporting said roof and wherein said roll-over sensor means comprises a plurality of roll-over sensors, respectively mounted on ones of said roof posts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said inflatable cushion is fabricated of a puncture-resistant material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to an opposite side thereof, an outer roof surface, and a quantity of insulation material inside of said outer roof surface, said restraint system comprising: a headliner overlying said insulation material; a first inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of said vehicle: said inflatable cushion being inflatable to an increased thickness while still being retained between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner in such a manner as to provide a cushion, when inflated, between a head of a passenger and the outer roof surface, and an inflator operatively connected with said inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of gas for inflating said cushion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
162 words
A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to an opposite side thereof, an outer roof surface, and a quantity of insulation material inside of said outer roof surface, said restraint system comprising: a headliner overlying said insulation material; a first inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of said vehicle: said inflatable cushion being inflatable to an increased thickness while still being retained between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner in such a manner as to provide a cushion, when inflated, between a head of a passenger and the outer roof surface, and an inflator operatively connected with said inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of gas for inflating said cushion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said headliner is elastically expandable to accommodate inflation of said inflatable cushion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said headliner is mounted relative to said roof with sufficient slack to accommodate inflation of said inflatable cushion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
178 words
A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to an opposite side thereof, an outer roof surface, a quantity of insulation material inside of said outer roof surface and a headliner covering said insulation material, said restraint system comprising: a first inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of said vehicle; an inflator operatively connected with said inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of inflating gas for inflating said cushion; and roll-over sensor means operatively coupled with said inflator and mounted to said vehicle for producing said predetermined triggering signal in response to a roll-over of said vehicle, wherein said vehicle has a plurality of roof posts supporting said roof and wherein said roll-over sensor means comprises a plurality of roll-over sensors, respectively mounted on ones of said roof posts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
178 words
A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a front seat including a seat back defining generally a front passenger area to one side thereof and a rear passenger area to an opposite side thereof, an outer roof surface, a quantity of insulation material inside of said outer roof surface and a headliner covering said insulation material, said restraint system comprising: a first inflatable cushion mounted between said quantity of insulation material and said headliner and overlying at least a portion of the front passenger area of said vehicle; an inflator operatively connected with said inflatable cushion and responsive to a predetermined triggering signal for producing a quantity of inflating gas for inflating said cushion; and roll-over sensor means operatively coupled with said inflator and mounted to said vehicle for producing said predetermined triggering signal in response to a roll-over of said vehicle, wherein said vehicle has a plurality of roof posts supporting said roof and wherein said roll-over sensor means comprises a plurality of roll-over sensors, respectively mounted on ones of said roof posts.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |