US6056336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag with internal shock absorber
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-06-11
•
Granted: 2000-05-02
•
Expires: 2019-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An external air bag assembly for mounting in a cavity in a bumper of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes an air bag and deployable shock-absorbing bumper assembly contained within the air bag. In a retracted state, the bumper assembly projects outward only a limited degree. When released in conjunction with air bag deployment, the bumper assembly expands forward and forms an additional shock absorbing region. Because both the air bag and the bumper assembly are stored in an undeployed and retracted state, the entire assembly has a low profile while still providing a high degree of impact absorbing protection.
Inventors
- 👤 Bissoondeo Balgobin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/38; B60R19/40; B60R19/18; B60R19/20; B60R19/205; B60R19/04; B60R19/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An air bag system for placement on the exterior of a vehicle comprising: an air bag; and a deployable bumper assembly coupled to an expansion mechanism contained within the air bag, the bumper assembly having a movable forward surface, the forward surface projecting outward from the vehicle a first distance when the bumper assembly is in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the vehicle a second distance which is greater than the first distance when the bumper assembly is in a deployed condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An air bag system for placement on the exterior of a vehicle comprising: an air bag; and a deployable bumper assembly coupled to an expansion mechanism contained within the air bag, the bumper assembly having a movable forward surface, the forward surface projecting outward from the vehicle a first distance when the bumper assembly is in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the vehicle a second distance which is greater than the first distance when the bumper assembly is in a deployed condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The air bag system of claim 1, wherein: the expansion mechanism is selectively expandable and retractable along an axis substantially parallel to the exterior of the vehicle; and a flexible housing surrounding at least an outward facing portion of the expansion mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The air bag system of claim 2, wherein the expansion mechanism comprises: at least one double folding scissor bar; and a hydraulic piston coupled to the folding scissor bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The air bag system of claim 2, wherein the flexible housing comprises steel belted rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The air bag system of claim 1, wherein: said deployable bumper assembly is selectively deployed in response to a control signal; said air bag system further comprising: a gas canister coupled to the air bag; and a canister release mechanism responsive to a said control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The air bag system of claim 5, wherein said control signal is generated by a manually actuated switch suitable for mounting on a dashboard of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
An air bag system for placement in a cavity in the bumper of a vehicle, the bumper having a forward edge, the system comprising: a primary mounting plate within said cavity; a deployable shock-absorber assembly affixed to the primary mounting plate, the shock-absorber assembly being at least substantially contained within said cavity when in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the cavity beyond a leading edge of the bumper when in a deployed condition, the deployable shock-absorber being selectively deployed in response to a first control signal; an air bag encompassing the deployable shock-absorber and affixed to the primary mounting plate; a gas canister coupled to the air bag; a canister release mechanism responsive to a second control signal for deploying the air bag; and a switch for generating said first and second control signals to deploy the air bag and the shock-absorber bumper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
An air bag system for placement in a cavity in the bumper of a vehicle, the bumper having a forward edge, the system comprising: a primary mounting plate within said cavity; a deployable shock-absorber assembly affixed to the primary mounting plate, the shock-absorber assembly being at least substantially contained within said cavity when in a retracted condition and projecting outward from the cavity beyond a leading edge of the bumper when in a deployed condition, the deployable shock-absorber being selectively deployed in response to a first control signal; an air bag encompassing the deployable shock-absorber and affixed to the primary mounting plate; a gas canister coupled to the air bag; a canister release mechanism responsive to a second control signal for deploying the air bag; and a switch for generating said first and second control signals to deploy the air bag and the shock-absorber bumper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The air bag system of claim 7, wherein the shock-absorber assembly comprises: a expansion mechanism which is selectively expandable and retractable along an axis substantially parallel to the exterior of the vehicle; and a flexible housing surrounding at least an outward facing portion of the expansion mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The air bag system of claim 8, wherein the expansion mechanism comprises: at least one double folding scissor bar; a hydraulic piston coupled to the folding scissor bar; and a hydraulic actuator responsive to said first control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The air bag system of claim 9, wherein the flexible housing comprises: a housing mounting plate affixed to the primary mounting plate; and a steel belted rubber strip hingedly connected the housing mounting plate; the air bag being affixed to the primary mounting plate by being sandwiched between the primary mounting plate and the housing mounting plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The air bag system of claim 10, further comprising a rubber pad situated between the air bag and the housing mounting plate 19.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The air bag system of claim 10, wherein said switch is a manually actuated switch configured to be mounted in a dashboard of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1580203A
Cited
DE2017465A1
Cited
US3656790A
Cited
US4176858A
Cited
US4099759A
Cited
JPH02155854A
Cited
GB2248043A
Cited
WO1992009456A1
Cited
USD350516S
Cited
US5431463A
Cited
US5823584A
Cited
US5725265A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |