Compact vehicle air bag apparatus
US4971354A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R22/46
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compact air bag apparatus which comprises an inflatable air bag secured to the vehicle shoulder belt. The depolyment of the air bag is controlled, in the automatic mode of operation, by electronic sensors mounted to the vehicle, the sensors being operative only when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed. In the manual mode of operation, excessive movement of the shoulder belt, typically caused by a collision, causes the air bag to deploy regardless of vehicle speed. The air bag, once deployed, is designed to stay inflated, allow the driver to see and continue to control the vehicle after the collision, and to protect the driver from collision impact occurring both from the front of the vehicle and the left side thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.