초록 ▼

An inflatable air bag, in its uninflated state, is folded against a seat belt that is secured around the waist of a vehicle occupant and is enclosed by a tubular webbing making the assembly appear as a typical seat belt. Upon a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, the air bag inflates and takes an L-sh

An inflatable air bag, in its uninflated state, is folded against a seat belt that is secured around the waist of a vehicle occupant and is enclosed by a tubular webbing making the assembly appear as a typical seat belt. Upon a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, the air bag inflates and takes an L-shaped form against an occupant of a vehicle. A rearward protrusion from the upright portion of the L bears against the upper torso portion of the occupant. The rearward protrusion does not bear against the face of either a fifth, fiftieth or ninety-fifth percentile occupant. When inflated the air bag in addition to the rearward protrusion, has a torso section, a waist section and a lap section. The waist section functions to bear against the occupant to push the occupant back into the seat. The torso and lap sections function to push the occupant back and down into the seat. The deployment sequence of the inflation of the sections is determined by the method of folding the air bag against the seat belt. A deflation member operates to release the inflation fluid from the air bag a predetermined time after inflation of the air bag.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inflatable air bag for restraining an occupant in a seat during a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, the air bag comprising:an inflatable envelope of a fabric material; a fluid-receiving inlet attached to said envelope to receive inflation fluid for inflating said envelope, wherein said inflata

1. An inflatable air bag for restraining an occupant in a seat during a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, the air bag comprising:an inflatable envelope of a fabric material; a fluid-receiving inlet attached to said envelope to receive inflation fluid for inflating said envelope, wherein said inflatable envelope has generally an L shape when inflated, and wherein the L shape comprises: a torso section for protecting the body of the occupant between the waist and the neck; a lap section for protecting the body of the occupant between the waist and the knees; and a rearwardly protruding section extending from the torso section for protecting the body of the occupant below the neck; and a seat belt connected to one surface of said envelope between the torso and the lap sections forming a waist section allowing fluid communication between said torso and lap sections.