Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
._ , ' '
AIR BAG SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an air bag system and, more
particularly, to a supplemental arming structure for an air bag
system which will either independently place the conventional air
bag system into a ready mode or is incorporated into existing
vehicle circuitry, e.g. the conventional seat belt system circuit
found in today's vehicles.
The use of supplemental inflatable restraint systems,
commonly called air bag safety systems, in automobiles is known.
However, as presently understood, the air bag system in certain
vehicles will not function unless the corresponding seat belt of
the vehicle driver and/or passenger has been engaged. Absent
seat belt engagement, no current is available from a circuit
associated with the seat belt system. Absent this current, the
arming device of the air bag system cannot place the air bag
system in a ready mode. Absent this ready mode energization, the
air bag will not inflate upon a sufficient vehicle bumper impact.
As known, an appreciable percentage of drivers and/or
. passengers do not wear seat belts. Thus, the presence of an air
bag system in the vehicle, dependent upon seat belt usage, Will
have no effect. Some vehicles may have warning alarms, such as
buzzers, lights and the like, which advise the driver and/or
passenger that the seat belt is not fastened. However, such
alarms normally deactivate after a preset period of time. It is
also known that in some instances these alarms are disconnected
by the user.
_ ~~.94~~2
-2-
Accordingly, in response thereto I have devised an
arming device for an air bag system which will deliver current
to the air bag system so as to place the same in a ready mode
irrespective of the engagement of the seat belt system. My
device presents a specially-designed switch structure, positioned
in the seat and incorporated into a conventional vehicle seat
belt system circuit, which closes upon driver and/or passenger
seating. Upon closure current is delivered to an arming sensor
or initiator in the air bag system so as to place this system in
a ready or standby mode. Accordingly, a sufficient impact on the
front bumper of the vehicle will activate the system, inclusive
of inflation of the air bag. My device enables an air bag system
to function either with or without engagement of the seat belt
system. Thus, in case of seat belt system failure, user
forgetfulness or intentional deactivation of the seat belt
system, at least the safety features of the air bag system will
still be available to the driver and/or passenger.
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention
to provide an improved air bag system.in a vehicle.
Another object of this invention is to provide a
device, as aforesaid, which is placed into a ready mode by a
seated driver and/or passenger.
Still another object of this invention is to provide
a supplemental arming device for the air bag system, as
aforesaid, which provides structure mounted within the seat
proper which is responsive to user seating.
CA 02194852 1999-O1-04
-3-
A further object of this invention is to provide an air
bag system with device, as aforesaid, the supplemental arming
device being made of a pair of flexible bands coupled to a switch
inserted within an electrical circuit, the closure of the switch
delivering current to the air bag system.
A particular object of this invention is to provide an
air bag system, as aforesaid, which can either work independently
or in connection with a seat belt circuit or other vehicle
circuit.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates
to an improvement in a current energized vehicle air bag system
of a vehicle having current responsive means therein for placing
the air bag system in a ready mode, the system including a
normally open circuit, the improvement comprising: a normally
open switch in said circuit for current flow therethrough upon
a switch closure, said switch positioned in the vehicle seat; a
spring biased button in said switch with depression of said
button providing said switch closure; a first band positioned
within the seat in contact with said button; a second band
positioned in the seat and coupled to said first band, whereupon
downward movement of said second band in response to a user
sitting on the vehicle seat depresses said first band and button,
whereby to close said switch and place the air bag system in a
ready mode.
CA 02194852 1999-O1-04
- 3 (a) -
Other objects and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth
by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front diagrammatic view of a vehicle seat
showing the pressure responsive switch structure of the air bag
system within the seat proper;
Fig. 2 is an elevation view showing the first and
second flexible bands of the switch structure shown in the
driver's seat of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a vehicle seat
showing the pressure responsive structure therein;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the pressure responsive
structure of Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale.
z~~4~~~
-4-
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing one type of
circuit utilized in a seat belt system;
Fig. 6 is a general block diagram shoy;ing the
relationship among the pressure responsive structure, seat belt
and air bag systems.
~~~~~~z
-5-
SCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~O
Turning more particularly to the drawings, Fig. 1
diagrammatically shows a driver or passenger seat 1000 of a
vehicle, the seat comprising a vertical back rest 1010 and a
horizontal seat 1020.
As further shown in Fig. 1, a supplemental arming
device 200 in the form of a pressure responsive switch assembly
200 is positioned within the seat structure 1020. This device
200 generally comprises a switch 208 presenting a spring-biased
button 209 which projects through aperture 216 in a first
flexible, horizontal band 210. A second arc-shaped, flexible
band 220 is coupled to band 210 and presents a midpoint 228
generally adjacent the top surface 1022 of seat structure 1020,
As shown in Fig. 2, band 210 presents first and second opposed
tab structures 212, 214 at the ends thereof which are inserted
through slots 222, 224 of flexible band 220. This slot/tab
structure allows the slots 222, 224 to slide along the shanks
213, 215 of tabs 212, 214. The bands 210, 220 preferably
laterally extend across the seat 1020. As such, downward
movement of band 220 causes the ends 217, 219 of the band 210 to
bear against the ends of the slots 222, 224,. This downward
movement is transmitted to band 210 and the button 209 of switch
208 so as to close the switch 208.
One form of seat belt circuitry 300 is shown in Fig.
5, it being understood that the circuit is connected to the
vehicle battery power 500 to provide a current flow therethrough.
2194~5z
-6-
The circuit 300 includes a seat belt beeper/timer unit 310 Wired
to the key ignition 320. Upon turning on the ignition 320,
current will flow to this unit 310 and through the alarm light
330 for a set period of time if the seat belt, as shown by switch
350, is not connected. If connected, the current will flow
through seat belt switch 350 such that light 330 will not be
energized.
Thus, the seat belt system is incorporated into the
circuit 300 such that the circuit will be closed at 350 upon
buckling of the seat belt. If closed, the flashing of the light
alarm 330 will cease. It is understood that in some vehicles the
alarm 330 will cease beeping and/or flashing after a certain
amount of time as determined by the design of the internal timer
310. Thus, the light 330 will turn off irrespective of whether
the seat belt is buckled.
My supplemental arming device 200 is wired 261 263
in parallel into the circuit 300 such that it is not dependent
upon closure of the seat belt switch mechanism 350 to receive
current delivery thereto.
In use the driver or passenger first~sits in the
appropriate seat 1000. If the seat belt is not buckled the
beeper will sound and/or the warning light 330 will flash for a
certain period of time as determined by the timer 310 design.
Of course, it is understood that the type of seat belt alarms may
vary and in some cases the car will not be able to start unless
the seat belt is first engaged. In any case, as shown in the
_. 219~85~
drawings, the leads 261, 263 of switch 208 are wired into the
circuit 300 such that current will flow through the parallel
switch 208 upon closure. Switch closure is caused by a user
sitting in the seat 1000 causing the upper arcuate band 220 to
straighten. This action, due to the tab/slot relationship
between bands 210, 220, depresses the lower band 210 and the
spring biased button 209 which closes switch 208. Upon closure
of the switch means 208 current will flow therethrough Which in
turn is routed to a downstream initiator 920 of the air bag
system 900 so as to place the system 900 in its standby mode.
In the standby mode a sufficient collision on the
bumper 910 of the vehicle will trigger the conventional air
pressure cylinder in the air bag system 93o so r~s to inflate the
air bag.
It is also noted that the switch assembly 200 as
above described, can be inserted in other types of circuits
associated with a seat. The switch assembly 200 can be used to
close a circuit, the circuit indicating the presence of a seated
user within the seat. Thus, the switch assembly 200 can be used
in environments other than the air bag/seat belt systems.
Although the above device has been described as being
incorporated into one type of seat belt system, it is also
understood that my device may be utilized independent of a seat
belt system. Thus, it is to be understood that while certain
forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it
is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are
219~~~~
_8_
included in the following claims and allowable functional
equivalents thereof.
