Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Utility Patent
1999-05-27
2001-01-02
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S730200
Utility Patent
active
06168186
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to inflatable restraint systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to a head air bag system for an automotive vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide an inflatable restraint system in a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle to augment protection traditionally afforded vehicle occupants through the use of seat belts. In some automotive vehicles, the inflatable restraint system may be an air bag system disposed within an occupant compartment in the automotive vehicle in close proximity to either a driver occupant or one or more passenger occupants. Typically, the air bag system includes an air bag module attached to vehicle structure and having an air bag for deployment through an opening in a cover to extend in an occupant compartment of the automotive vehicle. The deployed air bag restrains movement of the occupant to help protect the occupant from forcefully striking parts of the automotive vehicle as a result of a collision. In the case of head air bags, the air bag module can be mounted in the roof rail.
Although the above head air bag system has worked well, it is desirable to provide a head protection for a rear occupant in an automotive vehicle. It is also desirable to provide a head air bag system for a rear occupant in an automotive vehicle that deploys quickly for immediate impacts, but also provides extended inflation for rollovers and other longer duration events, there is a need in the art to provide an improved head air bag system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a head air bag system for a C-pillar in an automotive vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a head air bag system for a C-pillar with a trim molding and bracket which acts as a head absorption for occupants.
To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is a head air bag system for an automotive vehicle including a bracket mounted to a C-pillar of the automotive vehicle and an inflator mounted to the bracket. The head air bag system also includes an air bag operatively connected to the inflator. The head air bag system further includes a trim molding housing the inflator, bracket and the air bag. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended adjacent a head of a rear occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.
One advantage of the present invention is that an improved head air bag system is provided for an automotive vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the head air bag system provides an air bag for the head of a rear occupant in the automotive vehicle. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the head air bag system is mounted to a C-pillar of the automotive vehicle. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the head air bag system provides better performance for rear occupants of an automotive vehicle. A further advantage of the present invention is that the head air bag system provides additional head protection during side impact conditions. Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the head air bag system provides head protection for rear occupants using C-pillar trim molding.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5678852 (1997-10-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5704637 (1998-01-01), Matsuura et al.
patent: 5791683 (1998-08-01), Shibata et al.
Khoudari Bassam Georges
Mahmood Nicole M.
Welch Jeffrey Allen
Weston Douglas Stephen
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Marra Kathryn A.
Rice Kenneth R.
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