US7232001B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collision air bag and flotation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2005-08-22
•
Granted: 2007-06-19
•
Expires: 2025-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of nested inflatable air bags. A plurality of inflators are provided for inflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively. A collision sensor produces a collision sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object. A controller receives the collision sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of the plurality of nested inflatable air bags between vehicle and an object. A plurality of pressure relief members are connected to the plurality of nested inflatable air bags for sequentially deflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon sequential impact of the plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam Hakki
- 👤 A-Hamid Hakki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/20; B60R19/205; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0134; B60R21/34; B60R21/36; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0016; B60R2021/0065; B60R2021/0088; B60R2021/0093; B60R21/02; B60R21/13; B60R2021/138; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R21/233; B60R2021/23324; B60R2021/23332; B60R21/239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object, comprising: a plurality of nested inflatable air bags; an enclosure located on the vehicle for containing said plurality of nested inflatable air bags; a plurality of inflators for inflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively; a collision sensor for producing a collision sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object; a controller receiving said collision sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags between vehicle and an object; and a plurality of pressure relief members connected to said plurality of nested inflatable air bags for sequentially deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon sequential impact of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object, comprising: a plurality of nested inflatable air bags; an enclosure located on the vehicle for containing said plurality of nested inflatable air bags; a plurality of inflators for inflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively; a collision sensor for producing a collision sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object; a controller receiving said collision sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags between vehicle and an object; and a plurality of pressure relief members connected to said plurality of nested inflatable air bags for sequentially deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon sequential impact of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of nested inflatable air bags comprises a second and a third inflatable air bag being located within a first inflatable air bag and with said third inflatable air bag being located within said second inflatable air bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said collision sensor for detecting the object comprises a radar sensor for sensing a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said collision sensor for detecting the object comprises a laser sensor for sensing a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said collision sensor for detecting the object comprises an ultrasonic sensor for sensing a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said collision sensor for detecting the object comprises a mechanical sensor for sensing a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said collision sensor for detecting the object comprises a road proximity sensor for detecting a preselected increasing distance between the vehicle and a road surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said collision sensor for detecting the object comprises a tilt sensor for sensing a preselected increasing distance between the vehicle and the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein including an immersion sensor for producing an immersion sensor output upon detecting the immersion of a portion of the vehicle within water; and said controller receiving said immersion sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags to provide flotation for the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags are individually and simultaneously inflated by each of said plurality of inflators, respectively upon receipt of said sensor output from said controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pressure relief members comprise a plurality of rupture devices cooperating with said plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively; and each of said rupture devices rupturing at predetermined differential pressures for deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon impact of each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pressure relief members comprises each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags having a specifically designed burst pressure for rupturing said plurality of nested inflatable air bags at a predetermined differential pressure, respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pressure relief members comprise a plurality of rupture devices cooperating with said plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively; and each of said rupture devices rupturing at differential pressure less than 18 times the force of gravity (18 g) for deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon impact of each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pressure relief members comprise a plurality of rupture devices cooperating with said plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively; each of said rupture device rupturing at predetermined differential pressures for deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon impact of each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object, respectively; and an outer inflatable air bag of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags rupturing prior to an inner inflatable air bag of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags for providing a sequential deflation of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon sequential impact of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of pressure relief members comprises a frangible seam in each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of pressure relief members comprises a frangible region in each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of pressure relief members comprises a frangible closure in each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
234 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object, comprising: a plurality of nested inflatable air bags comprising a first inflatable air bag, a second inflatable airbag and a third inflatable air bag; said plurality of inflatable air bags being disposed in a nested relationship with said second and third inflatable air bags being located within said first inflatable air bag and with said third inflatable air bags being located within said second inflatable air bag; an enclosure located on the vehicle for containing said plurality of nested inflatable air bags; a plurality of inflators comprising a first through fourth inflator for inflating said first through fourth inflatable air bag, respectively; a sensor for producing a sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object; a controller receiving said sensor output for enabling said first through fourth inflator to individually and simultaneously inflate said first through fourth inflatable air bags, respectively, between vehicle and an object; and a plurality of pressure relief members deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon impact of each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object, respectively wherein said first inflatable air bag deflates prior to said second inflatable air bag and said second inflatable air bag deflates prior to said third inflatable air bag.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
234 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object, comprising: a plurality of nested inflatable air bags comprising a first inflatable air bag, a second inflatable airbag and a third inflatable air bag; said plurality of inflatable air bags being disposed in a nested relationship with said second and third inflatable air bags being located within said first inflatable air bag and with said third inflatable air bags being located within said second inflatable air bag; an enclosure located on the vehicle for containing said plurality of nested inflatable air bags; a plurality of inflators comprising a first through fourth inflator for inflating said first through fourth inflatable air bag, respectively; a sensor for producing a sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object; a controller receiving said sensor output for enabling said first through fourth inflator to individually and simultaneously inflate said first through fourth inflatable air bags, respectively, between vehicle and an object; and a plurality of pressure relief members deflating said plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon impact of each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object, respectively wherein said first inflatable air bag deflates prior to said second inflatable air bag and said second inflatable air bag deflates prior to said third inflatable air bag.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 18 , wherein each of said plurality of pressure relief members is actuated as the deceleration force of the vehicle less than eighteen time the force of gravity (18 g).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 18 , wherein including a fourth inflatable air bag being disposed within said third inflatable air bag; and said fourth inflatable air bag being void of a pressure relief member for enabling said fourth inflatable air bag to provide flotation for the vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
A pre-impact inflation air bag system as set forth in claim 18 , including an immersion sensor for producing an immersion sensor output upon detecting the immersion of a portion of the vehicle within water; and said controller receiving said immersion sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags to provide flotation for the vehicle in the water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5898126A
Cited
US5911434A
Cited
US6062596A
Cited
US5865464A
Cited
US6715790B2
Cited
US6012735A
Cited
US5951043A
Cited
US5842718A
Cited
US5829777A
Cited
US5813694A
Cited
US6186543B1
Cited
US6273464B2
Cited
US6767030B2
Cited
US6533318B2
Cited
US6019387A
Cited
US5827996A
Cited
US5871233A
Cited
US5851023A
Cited
US5857696A
Cited
US6155600A
Cited
US6168201B1
Cited
US5848803A
Cited
US5921287A
Cited
US5947511A
Cited
US6003938A
Cited
US5646613A
Cited
US5845932A
Cited
US5944341A
Cited
US6155593A
Cited
US6142508A
Cited
US6425601B1
Cited
US5893579A
Cited
US5871231A
Cited
US5909895A
Cited
US6113133A
Cited
US5967545A
Cited
US5938236A
Cited
US6527886B1
Cited
US6497774B2
Cited
US5833262A
Cited
US5916687A
Cited
US6142520A
Cited
US6120058A
Cited
US5961142A
Cited
US6029996A
Cited
US5944344A
Cited
US5873598A
Cited
US5934701A
Cited
US6027138A
Cited
US5988674A
Cited
US5951041A
Cited
US5918899A
Cited
US6129377A
Cited
US5877677A
Cited
US6345841B2
Cited
US6209911B1
Cited
US5899485A
Cited
US6017056A
Cited
US6127564A
Cited
US6416599B1
Cited
US5806888A
Cited
US6050600A
Cited
US6065771A
Cited
US6062594A
Cited
US6045151A
Cited
US5964478A
Cited
US6245695B1
Cited
US5997032A
Cited
US6562161B1
Cited
US6193271B1
Cited
US6010149A
Cited
US6039342A
Cited
US6327759B1
Cited
US6672339B2
Cited
US6473948B1
Cited
US6126197A
Cited
US6050596A
Cited
US6464249B1
Cited
US5890736A
Cited
US6134806A
Cited
US5829778A
Cited
US6095557A
Cited
US6276717B1
Cited
US6053531A
Cited
US6180204B1
Cited
US6334245B2
Cited
US6520538B2
Cited
US5945359A
Cited
US5931498A
Cited
US6457741B2
Cited
US6341797B1
Cited
US6561539B1
Cited
US6302431B1
Cited
US6244624B1
Cited
US6739619B2
Cited
US6568706B2
Cited
US6340171B1
Cited
US6095602A
Cited
US6074003A
Cited
US6231069B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-06-18 | 2010-12-18 | 2011-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-06-18 | 2014-12-18 | 2015-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-06-18 | 2018-12-18 | 2019-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |