US6715790B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Side curtain air bag
Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
•
Filing: 2001-06-25
•
Granted: 2004-04-06
•
Expires: 2021-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Air bag for a vehicle formed from sections of material joined to one another such that interconnected compartments receivable of an inflating medium are formed. The sections of material may be fabric or discrete sheets of film with optional tear propagation arresting devices. Two or more of the sections of material may be at least partially in opposed relationship to one another and then joined to one another at locations other than at a periphery of any of the sections to thereby form the interconnected compartments between the sections of material. The sections of material may also be joined to one another along parallel lines such that the interconnected compartments formed between the sections of material are elongate, i.e., substantially straight, and when inflated will be tubular. The air bag may be sized to deploy along an entire side of a vehicle and also along a portion of the dashboard.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/20; B60R21/213; B60R21/231; B60R21/232; B60R21/233; B60R21/235; B60R21/239; B60R21/26; B60R21/261; B60R21/268; B60R21/276; B60R21/30; B60R21/33; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0004; B60R2021/0009; B60R2021/23107; B60R2021/23153; B60R2021/23161; B60R2021/23169; B60R2021/23324; B60R2021/23504; B60R2021/23519; B60R2021/23523; B60R2021/23533; B60R2021/23557; B60R2021/23571; B60R2021/2358; B60R2021/2359
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a vehicle, a side curtain air bag system comprising: a side air bag arranged to deploy at least along an entire side of the vehicle, said air bag comprising at least one sheet of film and tear propagation arresting means arranged in connection with said at least one sheet of film for arresting the propagation of a tear in said at least one sheet of film; and an inflator for inflating said side air bag with an inflating fluid, said side airbag comprising a plurality of sections of material, said sections of material being joined to one another to form a plurality of substantially straight, interconnected compartments receivable of the inflating fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a vehicle, a side curtain air bag system comprising: a side air bag arranged to deploy at least along an entire side of the vehicle, said air bag comprising at least one sheet of film and tear propagation arresting means arranged in connection with said at least one sheet of film for arresting the propagation of a tear in said at least one sheet of film; and an inflator for inflating said side air bag with an inflating fluid, said side airbag comprising a plurality of sections of material, said sections of material being joined to one another to form a plurality of substantially straight, interconnected compartments receivable of the inflating fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said tear propagation arresting means comprise a thermoplastic elastomeric material arranged on said film sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has a ceiling, further comprising a housing mounted in the ceiling for housing said side air bag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least two of said sections of material are at least partially in opposed relationship to one another, said at least two sections of material being joined to one another at locations other than at a periphery of any of said at least two sections of material to form the interconnected compartments between said at least two sections of material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive for joining said sections of material to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said sections of material are joined to one another along parallel lines to thereby form the substantially straight interconnected compartments, the interconnected compartments being adjacent to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said sections of material are each formed from a discrete sheet of material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A lateral impact protective device for a front vehicle occupant and a rear vehicle occupant in a vehicle, the vehicle having side windows with a bottom part, said lateral impact protective device comprising: an elongated air bag which is convertible from a folded state to an inflated state, said air bag having two opposite lateral ends and being adapted to extend, in the inflated state, from sidewards of the front vehicle occupant as far as sidewards of the rear vehicle occupant; said air bag extending, in the inflated state thereof, as far as the bottom part of the side windows, said air bag, in the inflated state thereof, tapering towards its lower end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A lateral impact protective device for a front vehicle occupant and a rear vehicle occupant in a vehicle, the vehicle having side windows with a bottom part, said lateral impact protective device comprising: an elongated air bag which is convertible from a folded state to an inflated state, said air bag having two opposite lateral ends and being adapted to extend, in the inflated state, from sidewards of the front vehicle occupant as far as sidewards of the rear vehicle occupant; said air bag extending, in the inflated state thereof, as far as the bottom part of the side windows, said air bag, in the inflated state thereof, tapering towards its lower end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lateral impact protective device of claim 8 , wherein said air bag comprises at least one sheet of film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The lateral impact protective device of claim 8 , wherein said air bag comprises a plurality of sections of material, said sections of material being joined to one another to form a plurality of substantially straight, interconnected compartments receivable of a gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The lateral impact protective device of claim 10 , wherein at least two of said sections of material are at least partially in opposed relationship to one another, said at least two sections of material being joined to one another at locations other than at a periphery of any of said at least two sections of material to form the interconnected compartments between said at least two sections of material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lateral impact protective device of claim 10 , wherein said sections of material are joined to one another along parallel lines to thereby form the substantially straight interconnected compartments, the interconnected compartments being adjacent to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lateral impact protective device of claim 10 , wherein said sections of material are each formed from a discrete sheet of material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
A lateral impact protective device for a front vehicle occupant and a rear vehicle occupant in a vehicle, the vehicle having side windows with a bottom part, said lateral impact protective device, comprising: an elongated air bag which is convertible from a folded state to an inflated state, said air bag having two opposite lateral ends and being adapted to extend, in the inflated state, from sidewards of the front vehicle occupant as far as sidewards of the rear vehicle occupant: said air bag extending, in the inflated state thereof, as far as the bottom part of the side windows, said air bag comprising at least one sheet of film and tear propagation arresting means arranged in connection with said at least one sheet of film for arresting the propagation of a tear in said at least one sheet of film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
A lateral impact protective device for a front vehicle occupant and a rear vehicle occupant in a vehicle, the vehicle having side windows with a bottom part, said lateral impact protective device, comprising: an elongated air bag which is convertible from a folded state to an inflated state, said air bag having two opposite lateral ends and being adapted to extend, in the inflated state, from sidewards of the front vehicle occupant as far as sidewards of the rear vehicle occupant: said air bag extending, in the inflated state thereof, as far as the bottom part of the side windows, said air bag comprising at least one sheet of film and tear propagation arresting means arranged in connection with said at least one sheet of film for arresting the propagation of a tear in said at least one sheet of film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lateral impact protective device of claim 14 , wherein said air bag is housed in a ceiling of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
170 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door, comprising: an inflatable element having a non-inflated mode and an inflated mode and adapted to be positioned adjacent the door in the inflated mode; an inflator for supplying gas for inflating said inflatable element; and a sensor operatively coupled to said inflator for sensing a crash condition requiring deployment of said inflatable element and activating said inflator to supply gas for inflating said inflatable element upon sensing such a crash condition; said inflatable element comprising a plurality of sections of material, said section of material being joined to one another to form a plurality of compartments receivable of the gas from said inflator, said inflatable element being arranged to deploy at least along an entire side of the vehicle, said inflatable element comprising at least one sheet of film and tear propagation arresting means arranged in connection with said at least one sheet of film for arresting the propagation of a tear in said at least one sheet of film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
170 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door, comprising: an inflatable element having a non-inflated mode and an inflated mode and adapted to be positioned adjacent the door in the inflated mode; an inflator for supplying gas for inflating said inflatable element; and a sensor operatively coupled to said inflator for sensing a crash condition requiring deployment of said inflatable element and activating said inflator to supply gas for inflating said inflatable element upon sensing such a crash condition; said inflatable element comprising a plurality of sections of material, said section of material being joined to one another to form a plurality of compartments receivable of the gas from said inflator, said inflatable element being arranged to deploy at least along an entire side of the vehicle, said inflatable element comprising at least one sheet of film and tear propagation arresting means arranged in connection with said at least one sheet of film for arresting the propagation of a tear in said at least one sheet of film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said inflatable element is housed in a ceiling of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein at least two of said sections of material are at least partially in opposed relationship to one another, said at least two sections of material being joined to one another at locations other than at a periphery of any of said at least two sections of material to form the interconnected compartments between said at least two sections of material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said sections of material are joined to one another along parallel lines to thereby form the substantially straight interconnected compartments, the interconnected compartments being adjacent to one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said sections of material are each formed from a discrete sheet of material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said compartments are configured to be in gas flow communication with one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 16 , further comprising means for constricting expansion of said air bag.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein said means for constricting expansion of said air bag comprise a network of interlaced material strips.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a vehicle having a passenger compartment having a ceiling and front and rear doors, a safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor associated with said gas generator for sensing a crash condition and activating said gas generator upon sensing of the crash condition; and an inflatable element connected to said gas generator to be inflated by gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element comprising: a first layer to define a front part of said inflatable element; a second layer to define a back part of said inflatable element, with selected parts of said first layer and said second layer being interconnected to define points where said front part and said back part of said inflatable element are secured together forming elongated cells; said inflatable element being housing in the ceiling of the passenger compartment such that said inflatable element extends over both the front and rear doors, whereby, when inflated, said inflatable element is positioned adjacent the front and rear doors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a vehicle having a passenger compartment having a ceiling and front and rear doors, a safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor associated with said gas generator for sensing a crash condition and activating said gas generator upon sensing of the crash condition; and an inflatable element connected to said gas generator to be inflated by gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element comprising: a first layer to define a front part of said inflatable element; a second layer to define a back part of said inflatable element, with selected parts of said first layer and said second layer being interconnected to define points where said front part and said back part of said inflatable element are secured together forming elongated cells; said inflatable element being housing in the ceiling of the passenger compartment such that said inflatable element extends over both the front and rear doors, whereby, when inflated, said inflatable element is positioned adjacent the front and rear doors.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
97 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the selected parts of said first layer and said second layer are interconnected in a plurality of predetermined areas for defining a plurality of links, the elongated cells being defined between the links, each of said cells defining a longitudinal axis, the cells being positioned so that the longitudinal axes of said cells extend generally transversely to a lower edge of said inflatable element such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with gas from said gas generator, the length of the lower edge of said inflatable element is reduced.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The vehicle of claim 25 , wherein said inflatable element is made of interwoven film layers, said links being constituted by selected parts of said first layer and selected parts of said second layer, with the selected parts of said first layer and said second layer being interwoven.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle of claim 25 , wherein the axes of said cells are substantially parallel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said cells are configured to be in gas flow communication with one another.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said cells are immediately adjacent each other.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
219 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door frame and a door contained within the door frame, the safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor operatively connected to the gas generator for sensing a crash condition for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element thereby being adapted to be in a non-inflated mode and in an inflated mode and further being adapted to be positioned adjacent the door in the inflated mode thereof, said inflatable element comprising: a first layer of material defining a front part thereof; a second layer of material defining a back part thereof, selected parts of said first and second layers being interconnected for defining linear links where said first and second layers are directly secured together, said inflatable element thereby incorporating a plurality of substantially parallel elongated cells defined between said links, said cells being configured such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with the gas from said gas generator, a lower edge portion of said inflatable element is tensioned; and said cells being configured to extend substantially from an upper edge portion of said inflatable element to a lower edge portion of said inflatable element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
219 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door frame and a door contained within the door frame, the safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor operatively connected to the gas generator for sensing a crash condition for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element thereby being adapted to be in a non-inflated mode and in an inflated mode and further being adapted to be positioned adjacent the door in the inflated mode thereof, said inflatable element comprising: a first layer of material defining a front part thereof; a second layer of material defining a back part thereof, selected parts of said first and second layers being interconnected for defining linear links where said first and second layers are directly secured together, said inflatable element thereby incorporating a plurality of substantially parallel elongated cells defined between said links, said cells being configured such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with the gas from said gas generator, a lower edge portion of said inflatable element is tensioned; and said cells being configured to extend substantially from an upper edge portion of said inflatable element to a lower edge portion of said inflatable element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said inflatable element, in its non-inflated mode, is adapted to be stored in a housing in a ceiling of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said first layer and said second layer are interconnected at the selected parts thereof by being interwoven with one another at the respective links.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said cells are configured to be in gas flow communication with one another.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said cells are immediately adjacent each other.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said inflatable element, in its inflated mode, is adapted to extend past a B-post of the vehicle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 30 , further comprising a tensioning element for applying tension to said inflatable element when said inflatable element is in its inflated mode.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 36 , wherein said tensioning element is a net arranged in connection with said inflatable element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said inflatable element is made up of only said parallel elongated cells.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein said cells extend from a front end of said inflatable element to a rear end of said inflatable element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein at least one of said cells is configured to extend from an upper edge of said inflatable element to a lower edge of said inflatable element.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein all of said cells are configured to extend from an upper edge of said inflatable element to a lower edge of said inflatable element.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein at least one of said cells is vertically oriented.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein all of said cells are vertically oriented.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
231 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door frame and both a front door and a rear door contained within the door frame, the safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor operatively connected to the gas generator for sensing a crash condition for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element thereby being adapted to be in a non-inflated mode and in an inflated mode and further being adapted to be positioned adjacent both the front door and the rear door in the inflated mode thereof, the inflatable element comprising: a first layer of material defining a front part thereof; a second layer of material defining a back part thereof, selected parts of said first and second layers being interconnected for defining linear links where said first and second layers are directly secured together, said inflatable element thereby incorporating a plurality of substantially parallel elongated cells defined between said links, said cells being configured such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with the gas from said gas generator, a lower edge portion of said inflatable element is tensioned; and said cells being configured to extend substantially from an upper edge portion of said inflatable element to a lower edge portion of said inflatable element.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
231 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door frame and both a front door and a rear door contained within the door frame, the safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor operatively connected to the gas generator for sensing a crash condition for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element thereby being adapted to be in a non-inflated mode and in an inflated mode and further being adapted to be positioned adjacent both the front door and the rear door in the inflated mode thereof, the inflatable element comprising: a first layer of material defining a front part thereof; a second layer of material defining a back part thereof, selected parts of said first and second layers being interconnected for defining linear links where said first and second layers are directly secured together, said inflatable element thereby incorporating a plurality of substantially parallel elongated cells defined between said links, said cells being configured such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with the gas from said gas generator, a lower edge portion of said inflatable element is tensioned; and said cells being configured to extend substantially from an upper edge portion of said inflatable element to a lower edge portion of said inflatable element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 44 , wherein said inflatable element is made up of only said parallel elongated cells.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 44 , wherein said cells extend from a front end of said inflatable element to a rear end of said inflatable element.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 44 , wherein at least one of said cells is configured to extend from an upper edge of said inflatable element to a lower edge of said inflatable element.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 44 , wherein all of said cells are configured to extend from an upper edge of said inflatable element to a lower edge of said inflatable element.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 44 , wherein at least one of said cells is vertically oriented.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 44 , wherein all of said cells are vertically oriented.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
236 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door frame and a door contained within the door frame, the safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor operatively connected to the gas generator for sensing a crash condition for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element thereby being adapted to be in a non-inflated mode and in an inflated mode and further being adapted to be positioned adjacent the door in the inflated mode thereof, said inflatable element comprising: a first layer of material defining a front part thereof; a second layer of material defining a back part thereof, selected parts of said first and second layers being interconnected for defining linear links where said first and second layers are directly secured together, said inflatable element thereby incorporating a plurality of substantially parallel elongated cells defined between said links, said cells being configured such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with the gas from said gas generator, a lower edge portion of said inflatable element is tensioned; and said cells being configured to extend substantially from an upper edge portion of said inflatable element to a lower edge portion of said inflatable element, said inflatable element, in its inflated mode, being adapted to extend past a B-post of the vehicle.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
236 words
A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door frame and a door contained within the door frame, the safety device comprising: a gas generator; a sensor operatively connected to the gas generator for sensing a crash condition for activating the gas generator; and an inflatable element connected to the gas generator for being inflated with gas from said gas generator upon activation of said gas generator, said inflatable element thereby being adapted to be in a non-inflated mode and in an inflated mode and further being adapted to be positioned adjacent the door in the inflated mode thereof, said inflatable element comprising: a first layer of material defining a front part thereof; a second layer of material defining a back part thereof, selected parts of said first and second layers being interconnected for defining linear links where said first and second layers are directly secured together, said inflatable element thereby incorporating a plurality of substantially parallel elongated cells defined between said links, said cells being configured such that, upon inflation of said inflatable element with the gas from said gas generator, a lower edge portion of said inflatable element is tensioned; and said cells being configured to extend substantially from an upper edge portion of said inflatable element to a lower edge portion of said inflatable element, said inflatable element, in its inflated mode, being adapted to extend past a B-post of the vehicle.
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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) | 2007-04-06 | 2007-10-06 | 2008-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-06 | 2011-10-06 | 2012-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-06 | 2015-10-06 | 2016-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |