Patent · US Expired

Seat mounted side air bag with deployment force concentrator

US6045151A · kind A · utility

148Cited by
11References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 28, 1997
Grant dateApr 4, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 28, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2021/161
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A seat assembly having a side air bag with a force concentrator at least partially surrounding the air bag to concentrate and direct the force of the inflating air bag to a designed deployment seam to cause the seam to rupture and allow the air bag to deploy therethrough. The force concentrator avoids the application of the air bag deployment force on the trim cover material and thus reduces the influence of the trim cover on the air bag deployment and prevents stretching of the trim cover. The force concentrator forms a non-stretchable structure at least partially surrounding the air bag which carries the air bag force and directs it to the deployment seam. This produces a consistent deployment of the air bag from one seat assembly to the next and also over time as the trim cover and seat wears.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.