[11]
`[45]
`
`4,173,356
`Nov. 6, 1979
`
`Primary Examiner—John P. Silverstrim
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Basile and Weintraub
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`The inflatable apparatus, such as an air bag for a vehi
`cle, includes an inflatable body structure which is
`folded along predetermined lines into a compact shape
`and volume when the body structure is collapsed or
`deflated. The valve means is operably connected to the
`inflatable body structure to facilitate inflation of the
`apparatus. The inflatable structure is formed and folded
`in such a fashion that upon operation of the valve, the
`body structure inflates in a manner wherein the folds
`puff up simultaneously effecting an even, smooth infla
`tion of the structure to a very large shape and volume
`which is much greater than the compact predetermined
`folded shape and volume. One version of the air bag is
`utilized for the driver of the vehicle, and a second ver
`sion of the air bag is utilized to accommodate two pas
`sengers simultaneously.
`
`3 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures
`
`United States Patent [19]
`Ross
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. ..................
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 280/743
`
`[54] INFLATABLE APPARATUS AND METHODS
`OF CONSTRUCTING AND UTILIZING
`SAME
`[76] Inventor: Tsuneyo Ross, 22301 Winshall, St.
`Clair Shores, Mich. 48081
`[21] Appl. No.: 455,192
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 27, 1974
`[51] Int. Cl* .............................................. B60R 21/08
`[58] Field of Search ................................ 280/150 AB;
`206/DIG. 30, 182/137; 244/147, 148
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,663,524 12/1953 Smith ................................... 244/148
`3,560,018
`2/1971 Goetz ..
`...... 280/150 AB
`3,628,809 12/1971
`Cirillo ..
`...... 280/150 AB
`3,640,546
`2/1972 Brawn ........................... 280/150 AB
`3,690,695
`9/1972 Jones ........
`...... 280/150 AB
`3,708, 181
`1/1973 Mazelsky .
`...... 280/150 AB
`3,799,578
`3/1974 Hamasaki ...................... 280/150 AB
`
`[56]
`
`
`
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`U.S. Patent
`Nov. 6, 1979
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`U.S. Patent
`Nov. 6, 1979
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`U.S. Patent
`Nov. 6, 1979
`U.S. Patent Nov. 6, 1979
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`1
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`INFLATABLE APPARATUS AND METHODS OF
`CONSTRUCTING AND UTILIZING SAME
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`The present invention relates to an inflatable appara
`tus and methods of manufacturing and utilizing same. In
`particular, the present invention relates to novel air bags
`which are folded in an accordion-style so that proper air
`flow characteristics are achieved which are necessary
`to accomplish the safe and proper release and/or infla
`tion of automobile-mounted air bags.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Since the advent of various active and passive re
`straints recently been developed in connection with
`automobile safety devices, attention has been focused
`on several impact cushioning devices, such as the au
`tomobile-mounted air bag.
`Several important problems and difficulties have
`been encountered in connection with automobile air
`bags, especially in view of the fact that a different type
`of bag is required to accommodate passengers of a vehi
`cle, as opposed to the air bag which accommodates the
`person or driver behind the steering wheel of a vehicle.
`However, in both situations, the air bags developed
`25
`heretofore failed to solve the problems of providing a
`very compact shape and profile for the bag in its col
`lapsed position, and providing air bags which would
`achieve proper air flow characteristics which are neces
`sary to safely release such an automobile-mounted air
`bag.
`The present invention, which is described in detail
`hereinbelow, avoids the pitfalls and drawbacks of the
`previously-developed inflatable devices, and in addition
`provides a unique folded air bag which achieves the
`35
`required air flow characteristics during safe release or
`inflation thereof.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention provides an inflatable appara
`tus which includes an inflatable body structure that is
`folded in a predetermined fashion into a compact prede
`termined shape and volume when the inflatable body
`structure is in a condition of deflation. First means is
`affixed to and operably interconnected with the inflat
`45
`able body structure for facilitating the inflation of the
`inflatable body structure. The inflatable body structure
`is formed and folded in such a predetermined fashion
`that the simultaneous aerating of the folds is effected
`and the structure inflates to a substantially large shape
`and volume which is much greater than the aforemen
`tioned compact predetermined shape and volume.
`The present invention also provides a novel method
`of constructing and utilizing the inflatable apparatus,
`which method makes use of folding techniques similar
`55
`to those employed in origami, which is the art or pro
`cess of Japanese paper folding.
`In a first preferred embodiment of the present inven
`tion, there is provided a steering wheel mounted bag
`which is folded into a plurality of adjacent pleats, each
`pleat consisting of an inverted V and its complement,
`and each pleat formed by doubling the material over on
`itself and pressing the resulting inward fold into place.
`In a second preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an automobile-mounted
`passenger bag which accommodates two passengers in
`the vehicle simultaneously. In this embodiment, the
`base is folded longitudinally, the side of the passenger
`
`4,173,356
`2
`bag adjacent the window is tucked inwardly, the nozzle
`is exposed, and the middle seat edge is pointed out
`wardly in a tuck position.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates a partial top plan view of an auto
`mobile showing a first embodiment of the present inven
`tion inflated to accommodate the driver of the automo
`bile, and also showing a second embodiment of the
`present invention inflated to accommodate two passen
`gers seated alongside the driver of the automobile.
`FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of the first embodi
`ment of the present invention shown in an initial stage
`of inflation thereof.
`FIG. 3 is another view of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 2 but illustrated in a more advanced condition of
`inflation.
`FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and
`3, but in a still more advanced stage of inflation wherein
`the inner folded portion of the inflatable structure is in
`the process of being inverted outwardly.
`FIG. 5 shows the apparatus of FIGS. 2 through 4 in
`a fully inflated condition.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the inflatable
`structure of the first embodiment of the present inven
`tion in a deflated unfolded state so that the structure in
`FIG. 6 is really two thicknesses with the air nozzle
`means removed as a first stage in illustrating the method
`of constructing and utilizing this first embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIG. 7 shows the apparatus of FIG. 6 folded into a
`semicircular configuration.
`FIG. 8 shows the apparatus of FIG. 7 in a further
`stage of folding wherein there is a tucked-in section
`indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 8.
`FIG. 9 depicts the apparatus of FIG. 8 in a still fur
`ther stage of folding wherein two sections have been
`tucked in.
`FIG. 10 shows a section of the FIG. 9 apparatus
`taken along the line 10–10.
`FIG. 11 illustrates the apparatus of FIGS. 9 and 10 in
`a still more advanced stage of folding.
`FIG. 12 is a top plan view of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 shows the apparatus of FIGS. 11 and 12 in a
`still more advanced stage of folding thereof.
`FIG, 14 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 13 which
`has been folded into its final compact configuration for
`mounting in a vehicle in a collapsed storing position.
`FIG. 15 is a view of the FIG. 14 apparatus taken
`along the line 15–15 but slightly expanded in order to
`more clearly illustrate the novel folding technique.
`FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIGS.
`14 and 15 including the air nozzle means, but which has
`been unfolded into a configuration similar to that of
`FIG. 6 in order to illustrate the unique predetermined
`fold lines therein.
`FIG. 17 is a section of the FIGS. 6 and 16 apparatus,
`again in an unfolded and deflated condition taken along
`the line 17–17.
`FIG. 18 illustrates a partial top plan view of a blank
`or pattern from which a second embodiment of the
`present invention may be fabricated.
`FIG. 19 illustrates the second embodiment of the
`present invention in a condition prior to full inflation,
`wherein the outer phantom lines indicate a further stage
`of inflation thereof.
`FIG. 20 shows the passenger air bag apparatus in a
`collapsed condition thereof.
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`4
`bag 4 is folded into a plurality of overlapping radial
`sections or sectors which are disposed in a fan-type
`arrangement, while at the same time providing proper
`air flow characteristics necessary to achieve safe release
`or inflation of the air bag 4.
`With reference to FIG.6, there is shown a top plan
`view of theinflatable body structure 9 depicted in a full
`substantially circular configuration in a deflated, un-
`With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the front
`folded state. The bag is laid out flat, two thicknesses,
`seat 1, the steering wheel 2, and the dashboard 3 of an
`one on top of the other, and is ready to be folded. The
`automobile. There is further illustrated a first embodi-
`nozzle aperture 30 is on the underside at this point. FIG.
`mentof the novel inflatable apparatus, or steering wheel
`7 showsthe samestructure in FIG. 6 folded over on top
`bag 4, which is shown fully inflated accommodating
`ofitself forming a semicircular configuration, the nozzle
`and protecting the driver 5. FIG. 1 also depicts a second
`aperature 30 being on the outside of as opposedto inside
`of the resulting fold. FIG.8 illustrates the next step in
`embodiment of the novel inflatable apparatus, or pas-
`senger bag 6, which is depicted in a fully inflated condi-
`the folding sequence wherein the illustrated top plan
`view showsa circular sector having an included angle
`tion simultaneously accommodating and protecting a
`passenger 7 occupying the middle of the front seat 1,
`of approximately 135°.
`and a passenger 8 occupying a portion of the front seat
`Thecircular sector shown in FIG.8 is accomplished
`1 adjacent the side window of the automobile.
`by bringing the folded line AC in FIG. 7 inward and
`aligning it vertically as shown by the dotted line AC in
`Referring to FIG. 2,
`there is shown the steering
`wheel bag 4 which comprises an inflatable body struc-
`FIG. 8. A duplicate inward folding is done along line
`ture 9, and first means, such as an air inlet valve or
`BC of FIG.7, resulting in a folded body structure 9 as
`nozzle 10, which is affixed to and operably intercon-
`depicted in FIG. 9. The dotted lines represent the inside
`nected with the inflatable body structure 9 to facilitate
`folds of AC and BC whose configuration and orienta-
`tion are best shownin FIG. 10 which forms a section of
`inflation of the body structure 9.
`the FIG. 9 apparatus. FIG. 10 illustrates how the two
`It should be noted that FIG.2 is actually a section of
`in-folded sections 13 and 14 are oriented relative to the
`the steering wheel bag 4 which has been shownslightly
`inflated or expandedtoillustrate that the inflatable body
`exterior planar portions of the apparatus.
`structure 9 comprises an exterior portion 11 and an
`FIGS. 11 and 13 illustrate the next step in the folding
`sequence wherein the fold along the line EC (there
`interior or in-folded portion 12.
`being an E’C directly underneath this) is brought in-
`FIGS.3, 4 and 5 showafurther progressive sequence
`of the inflation of the steering wheel bag 4 which is
`ward and aligned vertically as shown by the dotted line
`EC in FIG. 13. The same inward folding is done with
`illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The arrowsleading into the
`the folds along the lines E’C, GC, and G'C (whichlies
`interior of the inflatable body structure 9 from the air
`inlet valve or nozzle 10 are merely for the purpose of
`directly under GC).
`After such a series of folding operations the bag looks
`illustrating the direction of air entry during inflation of
`the bag 4. In FIG. 3 there is shown that the inflatable
`like FIG. 14, clearly showing the compact predeter-
`bag structure 9 initially inflates to a bifurcated configu-
`mined shape and volumeofthe inflatable body structure
`9 in its collapsed folded condition. In FIG. 15, the appa-
`ration wherein the in-folded portion 12 is being pushed
`in a direction remote from theair inlet valve 10. FIG. 4
`ratus of FIG. 14 has been slightly exploded or expanded
`shows the apparatus in a further stage of inflation
`along line 15—15 to show theorientation of the various
`folds of the device. The various folds, the formation of
`wherein the in-folded portion 12 is movedstill further
`away from the air inlet valve 10 in a position to where
`which has been described in detail above, result in a
`it is inverted to a concave configuration. In FIG. 5 the
`plurality of adjacent accordian pleats which are seen in
`steering wheel bag 4 is shown in the samefully inflated
`FIG. 15. Each pleat appears as an inverted V and its
`condition as depicted in FIG.1. It should be noted how
`complement. For example, one such pleat would consist
`of the inverted V with its vertex at point M and the
`the originally in-folded portion 12 has now been shaped
`complement V with its vertex at the point B. A second
`to lie smoothly and continuously with the exterior por-
`tion 11.
`pleat consists of the inverted V with its vertex at the
`point K and its complement with its vertex at the point
`FIGS.6 through 16illustrate the novel folding tech-
`E.
`niques and methods of constructing and utilizing the
`steering wheel bag 4, and also serve to show how the
`inflatable body structure 9 is folded in a unique prede-
`termined fashion into a compact predetermined shape
`and volume whentheinflatable body structure 9 is in a
`condition of deflation or collapse. The method offold-
`ing can best be seen by using a paper circle to represent
`the bag as seen in FIG. 6, and by following the steps
`hereafter indicated. For example, the semicircular con-
`figuration shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by folding the
`circle in FIG.6 to halfitself. It should be understood in
`FIG. 10 where the body structure is in a deflated and
`folded condition that although there are really two
`thicknesses of material when the bodyis in this state as
`explained in describing FIG.6, for the purpose of ease
`of illustration only one thickness is shown. In addition,
`these figures serve to illustrate how the steering wheel
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`FIG.21 showsthe apparatus of FIG. 19 in a partially
`inflated or expanded condition.
`FIG. 22 depicts the apparatus of FIG. 21 but being
`shownin a fully inflated condition.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSOF THE
`PRESENT INVENTION
`
`In FIG. 16 the inflatable body structure 9 has been
`unfolded deflated to the configuration previously
`shownin FIG.6, in ordertoillustrate the various lines
`along which the structure 9 has been folded, which is
`described hereinabove in connection with FIGS. 7
`through 15. FIG. 17 is a section of the flattened, de-
`flated device taken along the line 17—17 of FIG. 16 or
`FIG.6 to illustrate the orientation of the body structure
`9 with relation to the air inlet valve or nozzle 10.
`The foregoing detailed description of the present
`invention has been concerned primarily with a pre-
`ferred first embodiment comprising a steering wheel
`bag 4. Whatfollowsis a detailed description of a second
`embodiment of the present invention relating to the
`passenger bag 6 whichis illustrated in FIG. 1 in its fully
`inflated condition servicing and protecting passengers 7
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`and 8. The FIGS. 18 through 22 relate to the passenger
`connection with other vehicles, and also with any struc
`ture wherein it is necessary to provide a structure which
`bag 6 and its unique methods of construction and utiliza
`can initially be stored in a compact shape and volume,
`tion.
`and subsequently be inflated to a substantially large
`With reference to FIG. 18, there is shown a partial
`top plan view of a blank 17 from which the passenger
`shape and volume which is much greater than the com
`bag 6 may be fabricated. In FIG. 18 only one half of the
`pact shape and volume in the mentioned stored condi
`blank 17 is shown, and the line designated 18 represents
`tion. It is manifest that the present invention may be
`equally utilized in rocket-powered equipment, power
`the center line of two such halves. The two halves of
`the blank 17 will be utilized to fabricate an inflatable
`boats, airborne vehicles, snowmobiles, etc.
`body structure 19 of the passenger bag 6. One possible
`It is obvious that the invention as described herein
`10
`way of accomplishing this is to fold the two halves of
`above in connection with two specific embodiments
`the blank or pattern 17 about the center line 18 and
`thereof is also capable of numerous variations without
`using various seaming, molding or other suitable tech
`departing from the inventive concept. For example, it is
`niques to bind and seal the edges of the two halves of
`possible to modify the passenger bag 6 to accommodate
`one or any number of persons simultaneously, perhaps
`the blank 17. It should be understood that the present
`invention is not limited to this particular above-men
`even including the driver of the vehicle depending, of
`tioned technique for forming the inflatable body struc
`course, upon the configuration and structure of the
`ture 19. Rather, the present invention contemplates and
`vehicle in question. It is also possible for the inventive
`embraces various techniques for forming the inflatable
`concept to be utilized in connection with inflatable
`body structure 19, including techniques which involve
`apparatus which use variations of the specific origami
`forming the inflatable body structure in one piece or the
`folding techniques described hereinabove.
`unitary structure initially.
`The forms of the invention which have been de
`The solid line configuration shown in FIG. 19 illus
`scribed in detail hereinabove are merely some preferred
`trates the passenger bag 6 in a folded condition. FIG. 20
`embodiments, and are not to be considered as limiting
`represents a view of the air bag 6 in its collapsed condi
`the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
`25
`tion. It should be noted at this point that it is possible to
`The present invention contemplates and embraces all
`fold the passenger bag 6 into other compact shapes and
`variations of the invention falling within the scope of
`profiles, other than the specific ones depicted in FIGS.
`the appended claims.
`19, 20 and 21. With reference to such figures, it should
`In both embodiments described above, the final
`be noted that the inflatable body structure 19 is folded
`stored and collapsed condition of the air bags 4 and 6
`longitudinally. The side of the inflatable body structure
`are obtained by folding such bags accordion-style so
`19 which is adjacent a passengers window is tucked in
`that the air inlet nozzle 10 or 22, respectively, is cen
`as represented by the reference numeral 20. It should
`trally and symmetrically oriented relative to the accor
`dion-style folds. This central positioning of the nozzle
`also be noted that the portion of the body structure 19
`adjacent the middle portion of the front seat 1 of the
`10 or 22, respectively, permits the air bag 4 or 6 to be
`35
`automobile is also tucked in as represented by the refer
`inflated with the proper and most effective air flow
`ence numeral 21 and is pointing outwardly towards the
`characteristics.
`steering wheel 2 of the automobile. The passenger bag 6
`I claim:
`1. A safety bag adapted to be inflated in a vehicle in
`also includes a nozzle or air inlet valve 22 which is
`exposed on the inflatable body structure 19.
`order to cushion an occupant of the vehicle, said safety
`FIG. 21 shows the passenger bag 6 partially inflated
`bag having a deflated, folded condition and an inflated,
`to illustrate the accordion-style folding of the inflatable
`unfolded condition, said bag when in said deflated
`body structure 19 which aids in achieving the proper air
`folded condition comprising:
`flow characteristics necessary to attain proper and safe
`a plurality of adjacent accordion pleats whose fold
`inflation and release of the passenger bag 6. Reverting
`lines radiate from a central point of the deflated
`bag, said fold lines converging at the central point
`to FIG. 19, it should be noted that as inflation of the
`passenger bag 6 proceeds, the tucked in window side
`and diverging at the opposite end, such that said
`pleats are circle-sector shaped, said bag being
`portion 20 of the inflatable body structure 19 will ex
`pand or pop out to the position indicated by the phan
`mounted on said vehicle at said central point.
`tom line designated 23. Similarly, as inflation of the
`2. The safety bag described in claim 1 comprising
`50
`passenger bag 6 proceeds, the middle seat portion 21 of
`means affixed to and operably interconnected with the
`safety bag at said central point for facilitating the infla
`the inflatable body structure 19 will expand or pop out
`to the position indicated by phantom line configuration
`tion of the safety bag.
`represented by the reference numeral 24.
`3. A method of folding an inflatable safety bag of
`FIG. 22 shows the passenger bag 6 in its fully inflated
`generally spherical shape and having a gas inlet orifice,
`said method comprising: flattening said bag into a circu
`condition, similar to that depicted in FIG. 1, and also
`serves to indicate the various fold lines along which the
`lar configuration with said orifice at the center thereof,
`inflatable body structure 19 had been folded prior to
`folding said circular configuration into a semi-circular
`configuration, folding said circular configuration into a
`inflation thereof.
`While the foregoing description has been set forth in
`quadrant configuration by inverting the fold of said
`60
`connection with air bags for an automobile, it should be
`semi-circular configuration to form two additional
`understood that the present invention relates to and
`folds, all of said folds converging at said center.
`contemplates utilizing the novel inflatable apparatus in
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