Safety cushion attachable to belt-type restraints

Safety cushion apparatus attachable to belt-type restraints for protecting vehicle occupants including,

• an elongated inflatable cushion folded and compacted to conform to the shape of a belt-type restraint to which it is to be attached,
• releasable means to fasten said folded and compacted inflatable cushion to the belt-type restraint in conforming relationship therewith and for support thereby, and
• a tubular cover to enclose said folded and compacted inflatable cushion, said cover including longitudinally disposed releasable means to allow opening thereof and expansion of said inflatable cushion upon inflation thereof,
• wherein said cover and inflatable cushion are fixedly attached along longitudinal contiguous surfaces with flap portions of said cover extending to opposite sides of said cushion, and
• wherein said releasable means to allow opening of said cover comprises hook and loop fastening means having a first component attached to one flap portion of said cover and a second component attached to the other flap portion thereof.

Safety cushion apparatus attachable to belt-type restraints for protecting vehicle occupants including,

• an elongated inflatable cushion folded and compacted to conform to the shape of a belt-type restraint to which it is to be attached,
• releasable means to fasten said folded and compacted inflatable cushion to the belt-type restraint in conforming relationship therewith and for support thereby,
• a gas generator positioned internally of said inflatable cushion,
• wherein said gas generator is attached to said inflatable cushion at a position such that support therefor is directly provided by the belt-type restraint, and
• a tubular cover to enclose said folded and compacted inflatable cushion, said cover including longitudinally disposed releasable means to allow opening thereof and expansion of said inflatable cushion upon inflation thereof, said cover and inflatable cushion being fixedly attached along longitudinal contiguous surfaces with flap portions of said cover extending to opposite sides of said cushion, and wherein said releasable means to allow opening of said cover comprises hook and loop fastening means having a first component attached to one flap portion of said cover and a second component attached to the other flap portion thereof.

Safety cushion apparatus attachable to belt-type restraints for protecting vehicle occupants including,

• an elongated inflatable cushion folded and compacted to conform to the shape of a belt-type restraint to which it is to be attached,
• releasable means to fasten said folded and compacted inflatable cushion to the belt-type restraint in conforming relationship therewith and for support thereby, and
• a gas generator positioned internally of said inflatable cushion,
• wherein said gas generator is attached to said inflatable cushion at a position therein such that the belt-type restraint provides support directly therefor,
• wherein said releasable means comprises hook and loop fastening means having a first component attached to the side of the belt-type restraint that is nearest to the body of the vehicle occupant to be protected and a second component attached to said inflatable cushion,
• wherein said inflatable cushion is made of neoprene coated rib nylon sheet and includes seams that are sealed with silicone rubber, leakage through said seams of gas from the interior of said cushion upon actuation of said gas generator and the generation of gas thereby being such that hardening of the exterior surface of said inflatable cushion upon inflation thereof is impeded and said cushion is effective to soften, for the vehicle occupant, the shock of the sudden impact of a crash and to maintain the belt-type restraint with an appropriate degree of tautness.