US3614129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle passenger restraint arrangement including a compartmentalized air bag
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1969-09-29
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle passenger restraint arrangement including an air bag divided into compartments and adapted to be impacted by the body of a vehicle passenger during periods of rapid vehicle deceleration. These compartments are of various sizes with large compartments positioned to be impacted by parts of the body of the passenger having relatively large areas such as the chest. Small compartments are positioned to be impacted by body areas having relatively small areas such as the knees. This arrangement of compartments provides that the resistance to passenger movement offered by the air bag when the bag is deformed due to impact thereupon substantially is equalized regardless of the area of the impacting body part.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Sobkow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R21/233; B60R21/04; B60R21/045; B60R2021/0293; B60R2021/0407; B60R2021/0414; B60R2021/23324
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A passenger restraint arrangement for a motor vehicle having body structure defining a passenger compartment and a forwardfacing passenger seat located within said compartment, said arrangement including a deformable air bag adapted to be positioned forwardly of a seated passenger supported on said seat and to be impacted by and to restrain movement of said passenger during rapid vehicle deceleration, said air bag including flexible wall means for dividing said bag into a plurality of compartments, a first group of said compartments being located generally forward of the knees and lower torso of said seated passenger, a second group of said compartments being located generally forward of the upper torso of said seated passenger, the compartments of said second group being larger in volume than the compartments of said first group, and each of said compartments being interconnected with at least one other compartment by apertures formed through said flexible wall means between adjacent compartments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A passenger restraint arrangement for a motor vehicle having body structure defining a passenger compartment and a forwardfacing passenger seat located within said compartment, said arrangement including a deformable air bag adapted to be positioned forwardly of a seated passenger supported on said seat and to be impacted by and to restrain movement of said passenger during rapid vehicle deceleration, said air bag including flexible wall means for dividing said bag into a plurality of compartments, a first group of said compartments being located generally forward of the knees and lower torso of said seated passenger, a second group of said compartments being located generally forward of the upper torso of said seated passenger, the compartments of said second group being larger in volume than the compartments of said first group, and each of said compartments being interconnected with at least one other compartment by apertures formed through said flexible wall means between adjacent compartments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The passenger restraint arrangement of claim 1, wherein the pressure within said air bag normally is atmospheric pressure, said bag being deformed and the pressure therein increased due to impact thereon by said passenger, and a pressure relief valve venting said air bag to the atmosphere and limiting the pressure buildup within said bag due to bag deformation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |