Patent US6135563A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6135563A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Inflatable belt
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan GK
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Filing: 1999-06-08
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2019-06-08
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable belt includes an envelope-shaped or elongated belt body, which is folded in a long band-shaped configuration, and a cover enclosing the belt body. The belt body is made of a single piece of rectangular base fabric. The rectangular base fabric is folded about a longitudinal return line. The folded halves are then sewn about an outer periphery of an inflatable area so as to have an envelope-shaped or elongated configuration. Thus, the inflatable belt has a uniform thickness and feels better to the vehicle occupant when the inflatable belt is in contact with the vehicle occupant. Also, the inflatable belt has a shorter stitching length, thereby reducing cost, improving productivity, and reducing or preventing gas leakage.
Inventors
- 👤 Daisuke Yoshioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/18; B60R21/23; B60R21/231
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An inflatable belt for a motor vehicle, the inflatable belt comprising: an elongated belt body into which a gas is to be introduced; and a cover enclosing the belt body; wherein the belt body includes a piece of rectangular fabric with a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end folded about a return line, which extends in a longitudinal direction of the belt, the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end being connected to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An inflatable belt for a motor vehicle, the inflatable belt comprising: an elongated belt body into which a gas is to be introduced; and a cover enclosing the belt body; wherein the belt body includes a piece of rectangular fabric with a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end folded about a return line, which extends in a longitudinal direction of the belt, the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end being connected to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piece of rectangular fabric has two projections extending from one of the longitudinal ends of the fabric symmetrically about the return line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable belt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the piece of rectangular fabric has two projections extending from another of the longitudinal ends of the fabric symmetrically about the return line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the belt body has a uniform thickness over the entire length of the belt body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An inflatable belt for a motor vehicle, the inflatable belt comprising: an elongated belt body into which gas is to be introduced; and a cover enclosing the belt body, wherein the belt body includes two pieces of superposed rectangular fabric connected to each other at a periphery of an inflatable area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An inflatable belt for a motor vehicle, the inflatable belt comprising: an elongated belt body into which gas is to be introduced; and a cover enclosing the belt body, wherein the belt body includes two pieces of superposed rectangular fabric connected to each other at a periphery of an inflatable area.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of making an inflatable belt, comprising the steps of: providing a rectangular piece of fabric; folding the rectangular piece of fabric about a return line to form two folded portions such that the return line forms a first longitudinal edge; and connecting the two folded portions together at a periphery to form a second longitudinal edge and two ends of an inflatable area.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of making an inflatable belt, comprising the steps of: providing a rectangular piece of fabric; folding the rectangular piece of fabric about a return line to form two folded portions such that the return line forms a first longitudinal edge; and connecting the two folded portions together at a periphery to form a second longitudinal edge and two ends of an inflatable area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of making an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 6, further comprising folding the connected portions again.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of making an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 6, wherein the two folded portions are connected with stitching.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An inflatable belt as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two pieces of rectangular fabric have a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; and wherein the two pieces of rectangular fabric have projections extending from one of the longitudinal ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An inflatable belt as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pieces of rectangular fabric have projections extending from another of the longitudinal ends of the fabric.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of making an inflatable belt, comprising the steps of: providing two identical rectangular pieces of fabric; and connecting the two rectangular pieces at a periphery of an inflatable area; and folding the connected fabric into a band configuration.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of making an inflatable belt, comprising the steps of: providing two identical rectangular pieces of fabric; and connecting the two rectangular pieces at a periphery of an inflatable area; and folding the connected fabric into a band configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing comprises providing the two rectangular pieces of fabric with a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and with projections extending from one of the longitudinal ends.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing comprises providing the two rectangular pieces of fabric with projections extending from another of the longitudinal ends.
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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) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |