US5921576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Airbag device
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
•
Filing: 1997-06-13
•
Granted: 1999-07-13
•
Expires: 2017-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having at least one airbag which can be inflated by at least one gas generator and is arranged beneath a wall element or a housing of a paneling part. To provide an airbag device which is easy to install, in the folded-together state, the airbag is fastened to the wall element or the housing. Consequently, the paneling element, on the one hand, and the airbag, on the other hand, together form a preassembled module. The wall element or housing designed in this way as a module support is provided with an arresting member by which the entire preassembled module can be fastened to the vehicle body and/or to other paneling parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Ruprecht Sinnhuber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R21/23138; B60R21/20; B60R21/21; B60R21/213; B60R21/217; B60R2021/23107; B60R21/26; B60R21/261; B60R2021/2612; B60R2021/2615; B60R21/215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having a body, the airbag device comprising: a panelling part having a wall element; at least one airbag; at least one gas generator operative to inflate the at least one airbag, the airbag having an uninflated folded-together state, the panelling part and the at least one airbag forming a preassembled module; arresting means provided on the preassembled module for fastening the module to at least one of the vehicle body and other panelling parts; stable articulation means for fastening the wall element to the vehicle body, the wall element being movable between a rest position and a predetermined opening state position in a direction away from a side window of the vehicle the wall element being configured to cover the folded together airbag in the rest position, the stable articulation means being configured so that the wall element maintains the predetermined opening state position when moved by inflation of the airbag so that unfolding of the airbag is directed by the wall element along at least one of the side window and a vertical pillar of the vehicle: a supply line in fluid communication with the gas generator; and a propellant line connection connected to the airbag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having a body, the airbag device comprising: a panelling part having a wall element; at least one airbag; at least one gas generator operative to inflate the at least one airbag, the airbag having an uninflated folded-together state, the panelling part and the at least one airbag forming a preassembled module; arresting means provided on the preassembled module for fastening the module to at least one of the vehicle body and other panelling parts; stable articulation means for fastening the wall element to the vehicle body, the wall element being movable between a rest position and a predetermined opening state position in a direction away from a side window of the vehicle the wall element being configured to cover the folded together airbag in the rest position, the stable articulation means being configured so that the wall element maintains the predetermined opening state position when moved by inflation of the airbag so that unfolding of the airbag is directed by the wall element along at least one of the side window and a vertical pillar of the vehicle: a supply line in fluid communication with the gas generator; and a propellant line connection connected to the airbag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, and further comprising a housing containing the wall element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the wall element has a predetermined point of weakness at which the housing can be destroyed to produce an inflation opening by a filling pressure introduced into the airbag by the gas generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one gas generator is at most slightly covered by the housing, and further comprising the supply line connected to the gas generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An airbag device according to claim 2, and further comprising retaining means for electrical lines, the retaining means being provided on a rear side of the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An airbag device according to claim 2, and further comprising the propellant line connection mounted to the housing and in fluid connection with the supply line, the supply line being configured so that at least portions thereof are formed as integral component parts of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the wall element has a predetermined point of weakness at which the wall element can be destroyed to produce an inflation opening by a filling pressure introduced into the airbag by the gas generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the arresting means is mounted to the wall element and includes first means configured to remain in a closed position during filling of the airbag as a stable articulation, and second means configured to assume a release state in preparation for one of swiveling and pivoting movement of the wall element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
An airbag device according to claim 8, wherein the second means includes at least one clip element configured to engage behind one of a retaining flange and a retaining wall of the vehicle body through a detent opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the wall element is configured to form an airbag receiving chamber with at least a portion of the vehicle body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the panelling part is configured to cover a profiled portion of the vehicle body, the wall element being a component part of the panelling part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An airbag device according to claim 11, wherein the wall element is configured to be connectable to one of a vertical pillar, a side wall rail, a window channel support, a door rail, a diagonally running frame element and a roof frame of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is configured to have a cavity formed as an airbag receiving chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An airbag device according to claim 13, wherein the panelling part is configured to cover a profiled portion of the vehicle body, the housing being a component part of the panelling part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An airbag device according to claim 14, wherein the housing is configured to be connectable to one of a vertical pillar, a side wall rail, a window channel support, a door rail, a diagonally running frame element and a roof frame of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the supply line is configured so that it has at least portions that are integral component parts of the wall element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gas generator is at most slightly covered by the wall element, and further comprising the supply line connected to the gas generator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the propellant line connection is provided in a region of the wall element where there is an increased risk of head impact for at least one of the vehicle occupants in a mounted state of the wall element to the vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the propellant line connection is arranged and configured so that when the airbag device is installed in the vehicle the propellant line connection is in a region at which a vertically running pillar of the vehicle abuts a roof frame of the vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the propellant line connection is arranged and configured so that when the airbag device is installed in the vehicle the propellant line connection is in a region at which an approximately horizontal running profiled element abuts a vertical pillar of the vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the panelling part is configured as a module support for a module formed of the gas generator and the airbag.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, and further comprising retaining means for electrical lines, the retaining means being provided on a rear side of the wall element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
An airbag device according to claim 22, and further comprising elements of an electrical line system, the electrical line system elements being formed as an integral part of the wall element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the stable articulation means is formed as at least one pivot bearing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the stable articulation means is formed as a yielding region in the wall element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein at least one region of the wall element is configured so that it is stable and does not undergo any significant change in position when the airbag unfolds, so as to define the predetermined opening state position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
130 words
An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having a body, the airbag device comprising: a panelling part having a wall element; at least one airbag; at least one gas generator operative to inflate the at least one airbag, the gas generator being arranged beneath the wall element of the panelling part, the airbag having an uninflated folded-together state in which the airbag is fastened to the wall element by attachment to the gas generator, the panelling part and the at least one airbag forming a preassembled module; arresting means provided on the preassembled module for fastening the module to at least one of the vehicle body and other panelling parts; and means molded into the wall element for holding at least one of the airbag and the gas generator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
130 words
An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having a body, the airbag device comprising: a panelling part having a wall element; at least one airbag; at least one gas generator operative to inflate the at least one airbag, the gas generator being arranged beneath the wall element of the panelling part, the airbag having an uninflated folded-together state in which the airbag is fastened to the wall element by attachment to the gas generator, the panelling part and the at least one airbag forming a preassembled module; arresting means provided on the preassembled module for fastening the module to at least one of the vehicle body and other panelling parts; and means molded into the wall element for holding at least one of the airbag and the gas generator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
135 words
An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having a body, the airbag device comprising: a panelling part having a wall element; at least one airbag; at least one gas generator operative to inflate the at least one airbag, the gas generator being arranged beneath the wall element of the panelling part, the airbag having an uninflated folded-together state in which the airbag is fastened to the wall element by attachment to the gas generator, the panelling part and the at least one airbag forming a preassembled module; arresting means provided on the preassembled module for fastening the module to at least one of the vehicle body and other panelling parts; a housing containing the wall element; and means molded into the housing for holding at least one of the airbag and the gas generator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
135 words
An airbag device for occupants of a vehicle having a body, the airbag device comprising: a panelling part having a wall element; at least one airbag; at least one gas generator operative to inflate the at least one airbag, the gas generator being arranged beneath the wall element of the panelling part, the airbag having an uninflated folded-together state in which the airbag is fastened to the wall element by attachment to the gas generator, the panelling part and the at least one airbag forming a preassembled module; arresting means provided on the preassembled module for fastening the module to at least one of the vehicle body and other panelling parts; a housing containing the wall element; and means molded into the housing for holding at least one of the airbag and the gas generator.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |