Structural assembly
AssigneeMorton International, Inc.
InventorBradley W. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The assembly is useful in protecting occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision. It includes a substantially closed rigid tubular metal element connected to a source of generating fluid pressure, such as a gas-generating inflator. The element is in flattened condition when installed. At the time of an imminent accident, the inflator generates fluid pressure to enlarge the flattened tubular element to increase its rigidity, strength, and resistance to buckling.
Claims23
A structural assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongate rigid tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape including opposite side wall portions, said element being transversely collapsed from its original shape to a collapsed shape wherein the side wall portions of the tubular element are compacted into tight accordion folds, the interior of the collapsed element being substantially closed to the atmosphere,
- (b) an activatable means for generating fluid pressure having a fluid discharge opening connected to the interior of the collapsed rigid tubular element,
- whereby the fluid pressure generated by the activatable means, when activated, restores the collapsed tubular element to substantially its original cross-sectional shape.
A method of reinforcing a portion of a vehicle in the event of impact thereto, the method including the steps of:
- (a) providing in the vehicle an elongate rigid tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape including opposite side wall portions, said tubular element being in a collapsed shape wherein the side wall portions of the tubular element are compacted into tight accordion folds, the interior of the collapsed element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, and a sensor activatable fluid pressure generating means in fluid communication with the closed interior of the collapsed tubular element;
- and
- (b) actuating the fluid pressure-generating means by the sensor sensing an impending impact, thereby rapidly pressurizing the interior of the collapsed tubular element by fluid pressure generated by the fluid pressure-generating means and restoring the collapsed tubular element to substantially its original cross-sectional shape.
A structural assembly for installation in a motor vehicle, said structural assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongate rigid metal tubular element having a flattened shape, the interior of the element being substantially closed to the atmosphere,
- (b) an activatable means for generating fluid pressure, said activatable means having a discharge opening connected to the interior of the flattened metal tubular element, whereby fluid pressure generated upon activation of the means for generating fluid pressure can inflate the tubular element to an unflattened shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.