Patent · US Expired

Expandable rigid knee airbag system

US6874811B2 · kind B2 · utility

36Cited by
9References
45Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 11, 2002
Grant dateApr 5, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 11, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2021/23528
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An inflatable rigid knee airbag system for assisting in positioning and decelerating a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The system includes an inflatable knee airbag having a front panel, an annular, accordion-folded bellows panel, and a rear panel having an inflation orifice and mounting brackets; and a pyrotechnic inflator. The system helps to improve the kinematics of a vehicle occupant in relation to a primary airbag cushion by bolstering the knees of the occupant. The system of the invention may be mounted in a vehicle in a panel under the steering column, in the door of a glove box, or in the lower section of the instrument panel of the vehicle directly in front of the occupant's lower legs.

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