Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Patent
1998-02-04
1999-03-30
Culbreth, Eric D.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
280735, 280741, 2807431, B60R 2116
Patent
active
058878947
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a safety arrangement and more particularly, relates to a safety arrangement for use in a motor vehicle. The safety arrangement comprises an air-bag.
It has been proposed previously to provide an air-bag in a motor vehicle to provide protection for the occupant of a vehicle in the event that an accident should arise. Typically, such an air-bag is inflated by a gas generator which is activated by a sensor responsive either to an impact on part of the vehicle, or to deceleration of the vehicle in excess of a predetermined limit.
It has been proposed previously to provide two gas generators for one air-bag (DE-A-4,032,757), only one gas generator being activated if the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the air-bag is wearing a safety belt, but both gas generators being activated if the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the air-bag is not wearing a seat belt. It has also been proposed to provide an air-bag with two gas generators (DE-A-4,341,500), only one of the gas generators being activated when the occupant of the motor vehicle to be protected by the air-bag is leaning forwards at the moment that the air-bag is to be inflated, but both of the gas generators being activated when the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the air-bag is in the correct position.
If only one gas generator is used to inflate an air-bag that is associated with two gas generators, when the bag is inflated it is only "partially" inflated, and consequently the position and condition of the bag will be very indefinite and uncontrolled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved safety device.
According to this invention there is provided a safety arrangement comprising an air-bag, gas generator means to generate gas to inflate the air-bag, an opening formed in the air-bag connected to the gas generator to receive gas from the gas generator, means being provided to restrict the movement of at least part of the surface of the air-bag away from the opening, the means being releasable in response to a predetermined signal.
Preferably one or more points on the surface of the air-bag are connected by straps or the like to a fixed point, the means being provided to release the connection to the fixed point in response to the signal.
The strap or straps may be located inside the bag or may be located outside the bag.
Preferably a plurality of separate points on the surface of the bag are initially connected to the fixed point.
In one embodiment the plurality of points on the surface are connected to the first straps, which in turn are connected to the fixed point via a second strap.
Conveniently both ends of the second strap are initially connected to the fixed point, the second strap running through loops provided at the ends of the first straps.
In an alternative embodiment at least the first straps are connected to the plurality of points on the surface, one end of each first strap being connected to a respective one of a first group of the points, the other end of each first strap being connected to a respective one of a second group of the points, the first straps being initially slidingly connected to the fixed point.
Preferably the first straps are slidingly connected to the fixed point via a second strap.
Advantageously both ends of the second strap are initially connected to the fixed point, each of said first straps thus passing through the loop defined by the second strap.
In one embodiment the means to release the strap or straps comprise a bolt, which initially retains the strap or straps in position, and a pyrotechnic charge adapted to move the bolt to a strap-releasing position.
In an alternative embodiment the means to release the strap or straps comprise a movable knife adapted to be moved to cut part of the strap or straps.
Preferably the movable knife is associated with a pyrotechnic charge, the pyrotechnic charge being adapted to generate gas to move the knife to a cutting position.
In a further embodime
REFERENCES:
patent: 5004266 (1991-04-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5181737 (1993-01-01), Lenzen et al.
patent: 5249825 (1993-10-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5362101 (1994-11-01), Sugiura et al.
patent: 5460405 (1995-10-01), Faigle et al.
Boyault Jean-Pierre
Castagner Berhard
Vavalidis Kyriakos
Autoliv Development AB
Culbreth Eric D.
Spencer George H.
Voorhees Catherine
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