Lap expanding reactionary airbag
AssigneeSchroth Safety Products GmbH
InventorsPatrick Akoma, Manuel Marroquin, Kasey Garces
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lap expanding reactionary airbag apparatus includes separate expanding lap and chest portions of the airbag. When loaded in a frontal or oblique crash event, the two portions act as a reactionary surface against each other, reducing the chest velocity of a vehicle occupant, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant. This restriction in forward movement results in reduced lumbar injuries.
Claims3
An airbag apparatus configured relative to an occupant, the apparatus comprising:
- a lower chamber disposed proximal to a lap of the occupant, said lower chamber having a substantially wedge-shaped side profile and configured to contain a first volume of air;
- an upper chamber disposed proximal to a chest of the occupant, said upper chamber having a substantially heart-shaped profile having a larger size than the lower chamber and configured to contain a second volume of air larger than the first volume of air;
- and
- an inlet in operable communication with both the lower chamber and the upper chamber.
A restraint system configured relative to an occupant and a seat, the system comprising:
- a seat belt attachable to the seat;
- an airbag apparatus disposed on the seat belt, the airbag apparatus having:
- a lower chamber disposed proximal to a lap of the occupant, said lower chamber having a substantially wedge-shaped side profile and configured to contain a first volume of air;
- an upper chamber disposed proximal to a chest of the occupant, said upper chamber having a substantially heart-shaped profile having a larger size than the lower chamber and configured to contain a second volume of air larger than the first volume of air;
- and
- an inlet in operable communication with both the lower chamber and the upper chamber;
- a coupler attached to the airbag apparatus;
- a fill tube attached to the coupler;
- an inflator attached to the fill tube;
- and
- a cover configured to cover the airbag apparatus, the cover attached to the seat belt.
A method of utilizing an airbag apparatus for the reduction of lumbar injuries in frontal and oblique crash events, the method comprising:
- providing an airbag apparatus configured relative to an occupant, the airbag apparatus having:
- a lower chamber disposed proximal to a lap of the occupant, said lower chamber having a substantially wedge-shaped side profile and configured to contain a first volume of air;
- an upper chamber disposed proximal to a chest of the occupant, said upper chamber having a substantially heart-shaped profile having a larger size than the lower chamber and configured to contain a second volume of air larger than the first volume of air;
- and
- an inlet in operable communication with both the lower chamber and the upper chamber;
- a coupler attached to the airbag apparatus;
- a fill tube attached to the coupler;
- an inflator attached to the fill tube;
- and
- a cover configured to cover the airbag apparatus, the cover attached to a seat belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.