Apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant's legs

US6217059A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• TRW Limited · US
• TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Kevin M. Brown · Mesa, US
• Cris C. Cabral · Mesa, US
• Albert N. Felix · Phoenix, US
• Juede P. Pajela · Gilbert, US
• Alexander Heilig · Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 16, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 16, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/23176
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A safety apparatus (70) for helping to protect an occupant (30) of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision comprises an air bag system including at least one inflatable air bag (80) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The air bag (80), when inflated, unlocks at least one of the occupant's knees (50) to minimize forces transmitted through at least the corresponding one of the occupant's legs (40) to the occupant's pelvis (36). Seat belt webbing (74) restrains forward movement of the occupant (30) relative to the vehicle (10) when the occupant's knee (50) is unlocked.