Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Perimeter or corner structure of sheet
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-12
2001-01-30
Cole, Elizabeth M. (Department: 1771)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Perimeter or corner structure of sheet
C428S192000, C428S193000, C280S728100, CD05S099000, C112S475080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06180204
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates generally to vehicle occupant restraint cushions and more particularly to a simplified inflatable cushion for use in opposing or side relation to a vehicle occupant. The inflatable cushion is formed from a one piece, elongated, somewhat rectangular panel, the fabrication of which involves only simple straight seams.
An inflatable cushion disposed within a supporting structure such as a dash panel, side door or other fixed portion of a car body in opposing relation to a seat in the vehicle plays an important role in protecting the occupants in a vehicle from injury due to collision against the car body. Typically, the inflatable cushion is inflated rapidly by the pressure of a reaction gas released from an inflator during a collision. This gas generation typically takes place when a gas generating agent in the inflator induces a chemical reaction by a collision signal from a collision detecting sensor when the deceleration of the vehicle exceeds a certain level. The gas which is generated by the generator is then conveyed to the inflatable cushion which expands outwardly as it fills with gas to create a protective barrier between the vehicle occupant and the dash panel or other portion of the vehicle body against which the occupant might otherwise be thrown.
Inflatable cushion systems commonly referred to as air bag systems have been used in the past to protect both the operator of the vehicle and passengers. Systems for the protection of the vehicle operator have typically been mounted in the steering column of the vehicle and have utilized cushion constructions directly deployable towards the driver. These driver-side cushions are typically of a relatively simple configuration in that they function over a fairly small, well-defined area between the driver and the steering column.
Inflatable cushions for use in the protection of passengers against frontal or side impacts must generally have a more complex configuration since the position of a vehicle passenger may not be well defined and greater distance may exists between the passenger and the surface of the vehicle against which that passenger might be thrown in the event of a collision.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5520414 (1996-05-01), Bishop
patent: 5558951 (1996-09-01), Nemoto et al.
patent: 5671935 (1997-09-01), Berger et al.
patent: 5836612 (1998-11-01), Lang
Cole Elizabeth M.
Marden Earle R.
Milliken & Company
Moyer Terry T.
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