Inflatable headliner system
AssigneeJohnson Controls Technology Company
InventorsWilliam R. Beland, Kirk Meyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable headliner system is mounted below a vehicle roof. It deforms upon an accident/impact toward vehicle occupants. In the preferred embodiment, inflatable portions surround a central section of an inflatable layer. Individual portions may be separated by passageways. If cross bows are employed in the vehicle roof structure, an embodiment utilizes inflatable portions beneath the cross bows.
Claims33
An inflatable headliner system for a vehicle comprising:
- an inflatable headliner;
- a vehicle roof;
- and
- an inflatable layer integrated with the headliner and arranged to deform the headliner when inflated and urge it downwardly with respect to the vehicle roof.
An occupant protection system for a vehicle in which an inflatable headliner, at the time of a deployment event, is deformed toward vehicle occupants, the protection system comprising:
- a vehicle roof including at least side rails and front and rear headers;
- an inflatable headliner located between the inner surface of the roof and the vehicle interior;
- and
- wherein the inflatable headliner includes an inflatable layer.
An inflatable headliner system comprising:
- a vehicle having a roof including at least one cross bow;
- an inflatable headliner including an inflatable layer having at least one inflatable portion;
- and
- wherein an inflatable portion extends beneath a cross bow.
A method for enhancing a vehicle occupant's safety in the event of an accident/impact comprising:
- providing an inflatable headliner between a vehicle roof and a vehicle cockpit arranged to deform upon an accident/impact;
- and
- inflating the inflatable headliner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.