US20010035657A1 - Device for protecting a vehicle against impact - Google Patents

Device for protecting a vehicle against impact Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20010035657A1
US20010035657A1 US09/821,157 US82115701A US2001035657A1 US 20010035657 A1 US20010035657 A1 US 20010035657A1 US 82115701 A US82115701 A US 82115701A US 2001035657 A1 US2001035657 A1 US 2001035657A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
skin
reinforcement
inflatable
flat
cushions
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/821,157
Other versions
US6443510B2 (en
Inventor
Michel Gibeau
Jean-Jacques Laporte
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to ALSTOM reassignment ALSTOM ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GIBEAU, MICHEL, LAPORTE, JEAN-JACQUES
Publication of US20010035657A1 publication Critical patent/US20010035657A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6443510B2 publication Critical patent/US6443510B2/en
Assigned to ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA reassignment ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA CONFIRMATIVE DEED OF ASSIGNMENT Assignors: ALSTOM
Assigned to ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES reassignment ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES CONFIRMATIVE DEED OF TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP Assignors: ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
Assigned to ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES reassignment ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES CHANGE OF ADDRESS Assignors: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
    • B60R19/20—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D15/00—Other railway vehicles, e.g. scaffold cars; Adaptations of vehicles for use on railways
    • B61D15/06—Buffer cars; Arrangements or construction of railway vehicles for protecting them in case of collisions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
    • B60R19/20—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable
    • B60R19/205—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for protecting a vehicle against impact, and more particularly to a device comprising an inflatable element which, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected.
  • the protection device of the invention preferably applies to the rail industry, in particular to trams or the like, for which the inflatable protective element is particularly bulky.
  • the object of the present invention is thus to propose a device for protecting a vehicle against impact, which device ensures rapid deployment of the inflatable element and is simple to make and of low cost.
  • the invention provides a device for protecting against impact, the device comprising an inflatable element which, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected.
  • the inflatable element includes a skin which is deployed by means of inflatable reinforcement having a volume that is much smaller than the volume of the skin, pressurizing and deploying the inflatable reinforcement ensuring rapid deployment of the skin and simultaneously causing the internal volume of the inflatable element to be filled with air, by suction, via inlet means carried by the skin.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, lateral section-view of a rail vehicle equipped with a protection device of the invention in the deployed position;
  • FIG. 2 is a section view on line II-II of FIG. 1 of the vehicle equipped with the device of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable reinforcement of FIG. 2 shown on its own.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a variant embodiment of the inflatable reinforcement of the device of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a rail vehicle 5 of the tram type equipped with a device for providing protection against impact, the device being constituted by an inflatable element 1 .
  • the inflatable element 1 includes a large-volume skin 2 that is made of fabric and that is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and which, once deployed, fits closely over the front face of the vehicle to be protected.
  • the skin 2 surrounds inflatable reinforcement 3 which is of a volume that is much smaller than the volume of the skin 2 .
  • the inflatable reinforcement 3 is connected via a duct 6 to a supply 4 of compressed gas carried by the tram 5 .
  • the duct 6 includes a controlled valve (not shown in the figures) that is closed under normal conditions, and that enables the reinforcement 3 to be pressurized in order to inflate it rapidly.
  • the inflatable reinforcement 3 is constituted by two flat, vertical cushions 3 a and 3 b that are parallel to the front face of the tram 5 , and by two flexible tubes 3 c providing communication between the flat cushions 3 a, 3 b.
  • the two tubes 3 c are disposed perpendicularly to the two flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and hold the two flat cushions 3 a and 3 b parallel to each other and at a distance from each other once the reinforcement 3 is inflated.
  • the flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and the tubes 3 c are dimensioned in such a manner that, once inflated, the size of the inflatable reinforcement 3 substantially corresponds to the size of the deployed skin 2 .
  • the walls of the skin 2 include air inlet check valves (not shown in the figures) enabling air to pass therethrough under the effect of the suction created inside the skin 2 .
  • the flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and the tubes 3 c are not connected to the skin 2 so that the inflatable reinforcement 3 can be deployed freely inside the skin 2 .
  • the inflatable element 1 constituted by its skin 2 and by its inflatable reinforcement 3 , is in a folded state at the front of the tram, inside a compartment provided for this purpose.
  • the skin 2 is porous, or includes calibrated openings disposed on the surface of the skin 2 , enabling air to be expelled progressively from inside the skin 2 under the effect of excess pressure created by an impact.
  • the inflatable reinforcement 3 also helps to cushion the shock by deforming progressively under impact and provides some control over the deformation of the inflatable element 1 under impact.
  • FIG. 4 shows a variant embodiment of the invention in which the flexible tubes 3 c of the inflatable reinforcement 3 are replaced by a third flat cushion 3 d disposed perpendicularly to the two flat cushions 3 a, 3 b and providing communication between said two flat cushions 3 a and 3 b.
  • This variant embodiment enables the reinforcement 3 to be more rigid.
  • Such a device enabling a large-volume inflatable element to be deployed by means of inflatable reinforcement having a volume that is much smaller than that of the inflatable element, has the advantage of making it possible, as a result of the small volume of the inflatable reinforcement, for said inflatable reinforcement to be pressurized very rapidly, thereby enabling the inflatable element to be deployed rapidly.
  • the small volume of the inflatable reinforcement enables a low-capacity gas supply to be used, thereby enabling the weight and bulkiness of the supply to be reduced.
  • it is possible, given the small quantity of gas required for deploying the reinforcement to inflate the reinforcement by means of a pyrotechnic gas generator of the type normally used for inflating air bags in motor vehicles.
  • the inflatable reinforcement could thus have a shape different from that described above in order to deploy the skin, e.g. it could be constituted by a network of flexible tubes having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that fits closely to the edges of the skin of the inflatable element.
  • the inflatable reinforcement could be connected to the inside or the outside surface of the skin, e.g. by adhesive or by passing tubes belonging to the reinforcement through specific sheaths carried by the skin.
  • Such a variant embodiment has the advantage of ensuring excellent geometrical positioning of the elements of the inflatable reinforcement when it is deployed, thereby enabling an inflatable element to be designed that is of complex shape that fits perfectly over the surface to be protected.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
  • Steering Control In Accordance With Driving Conditions (AREA)

Abstract

A device for protecting a vehicle against impact, the device comprising an inflatable element which, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected, wherein said inflatable element includes a skin which is deployed by means of inflatable reinforcement having a volume that is much smaller than the volume of the skin, pressurizing and deploying said inflatable reinforcement ensuring rapid deployment of said skin and simultaneously causing the internal volume of the inflatable element to be filled with air, by suction, via inlet means carried by said skin.

Description

  • The invention relates to a device for protecting a vehicle against impact, and more particularly to a device comprising an inflatable element which, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected. [0001]
  • The protection device of the invention preferably applies to the rail industry, in particular to trams or the like, for which the inflatable protective element is particularly bulky. [0002]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • It is known from [0003] document GB 2 020 234 to use an inflatable protective cushion at the front of a rail vehicle to cushion shock during impact with a human being or any other obstacle. It is also known from that document to inflate the cushion prior to impact by injecting gas under high pressure into the inflatable cushion, the gas being stored, under normal conditions, in tanks carried by the vehicle.
  • However, when the inflatable cushion is large in volume, such a device has the drawback of requiring a long period of time to inflate the protective cushion. Unfortunately, the inflatable cushion must be deployed very rapidly for the protective device to be effective even when the cushion is triggered to open shortly before impact. [0004]
  • Another drawback of that device is the need to have large-capacity gas cylinders to enable the protective element to be inflated under pressure, which cylinders are costly and make the rail vehicle heavy and bulky. In addition, it is difficult to envisage the use of a pyrotechnic gas generator for such a device, by analogy with devices used for motor vehicles, since said generator would then present a significant potential danger as a result of the power required to inflate a large-volume inflatable cushion and of the toxicity of the gas. [0005]
    • OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The invention seeks to remedy those drawbacks. [0006]
  • The object of the present invention is thus to propose a device for protecting a vehicle against impact, which device ensures rapid deployment of the inflatable element and is simple to make and of low cost. [0007]
  • The invention provides a device for protecting against impact, the device comprising an inflatable element which, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected. [0008]
  • In the invention, the inflatable element includes a skin which is deployed by means of inflatable reinforcement having a volume that is much smaller than the volume of the skin, pressurizing and deploying the inflatable reinforcement ensuring rapid deployment of the skin and simultaneously causing the internal volume of the inflatable element to be filled with air, by suction, via inlet means carried by the skin.[0009]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The objects, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and of a variant embodiment, given as non-limiting examples, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0010]
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, lateral section-view of a rail vehicle equipped with a protection device of the invention in the deployed position; [0011]
  • FIG. 2 is a section view on line II-II of FIG. 1 of the vehicle equipped with the device of the invention; [0012]
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable reinforcement of FIG. 2 shown on its own; and [0013]
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a variant embodiment of the inflatable reinforcement of the device of the invention. [0014]
    • MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • To make the drawings easier to understand, only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. [0015]
  • FIG. 1 shows a [0016] rail vehicle 5 of the tram type equipped with a device for providing protection against impact, the device being constituted by an inflatable element 1.
  • The inflatable element [0017] 1 includes a large-volume skin 2 that is made of fabric and that is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and which, once deployed, fits closely over the front face of the vehicle to be protected. The skin 2 surrounds inflatable reinforcement 3 which is of a volume that is much smaller than the volume of the skin 2. The inflatable reinforcement 3 is connected via a duct 6 to a supply 4 of compressed gas carried by the tram 5. The duct 6 includes a controlled valve (not shown in the figures) that is closed under normal conditions, and that enables the reinforcement 3 to be pressurized in order to inflate it rapidly.
  • In the embodiment shown in FIGS. [0018] 1 to 3, the inflatable reinforcement 3 is constituted by two flat, vertical cushions 3 a and 3 b that are parallel to the front face of the tram 5, and by two flexible tubes 3 c providing communication between the flat cushions 3 a, 3 b. The two tubes 3 c are disposed perpendicularly to the two flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and hold the two flat cushions 3 a and 3 b parallel to each other and at a distance from each other once the reinforcement 3 is inflated. The flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and the tubes 3 c are dimensioned in such a manner that, once inflated, the size of the inflatable reinforcement 3 substantially corresponds to the size of the deployed skin 2.
  • To ensure that the [0019] skin 2 is filled with air when it is deployed under the action of the reinforcement 3 inflating, the walls of the skin 2 include air inlet check valves (not shown in the figures) enabling air to pass therethrough under the effect of the suction created inside the skin 2.
  • In the embodiment shown, the [0020] flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and the tubes 3 c are not connected to the skin 2 so that the inflatable reinforcement 3 can be deployed freely inside the skin 2.
  • The operation of the protection device is described below: [0021]
  • Under normal working conditions, the inflatable element [0022] 1, constituted by its skin 2 and by its inflatable reinforcement 3, is in a folded state at the front of the tram, inside a compartment provided for this purpose.
  • When the risk of a collision is detected, either automatically, or following the intervention of a driver, compressed gas from the supply [0023] 4 is injected into the inflatable reinforcement 3, which, under the pressure, deploys instantly inside the skin 2. The flat cushions 3 a and 3 b and the tubes 3 c thus bear against the walls of the skin 2 and force the inflatable element 1 to deploy, simultaneously causing air to pass through the inlet valves of the skin 2. The protection device is thus ready to cushion impact against any object.
  • To favor cushioning the impact, the [0024] skin 2 is porous, or includes calibrated openings disposed on the surface of the skin 2, enabling air to be expelled progressively from inside the skin 2 under the effect of excess pressure created by an impact. Naturally, the inflatable reinforcement 3 also helps to cushion the shock by deforming progressively under impact and provides some control over the deformation of the inflatable element 1 under impact.
  • FIG. 4 shows a variant embodiment of the invention in which the [0025] flexible tubes 3 c of the inflatable reinforcement 3 are replaced by a third flat cushion 3 d disposed perpendicularly to the two flat cushions 3 a, 3 b and providing communication between said two flat cushions 3 a and 3 b. This variant embodiment enables the reinforcement 3 to be more rigid.
  • Such a device, enabling a large-volume inflatable element to be deployed by means of inflatable reinforcement having a volume that is much smaller than that of the inflatable element, has the advantage of making it possible, as a result of the small volume of the inflatable reinforcement, for said inflatable reinforcement to be pressurized very rapidly, thereby enabling the inflatable element to be deployed rapidly. In addition, the small volume of the inflatable reinforcement enables a low-capacity gas supply to be used, thereby enabling the weight and bulkiness of the supply to be reduced. Finally, in a variant embodiment, it is possible, given the small quantity of gas required for deploying the reinforcement, to inflate the reinforcement by means of a pyrotechnic gas generator of the type normally used for inflating air bags in motor vehicles. [0026]
  • Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown which has been given only by way of example. [0027]
  • The inflatable reinforcement could thus have a shape different from that described above in order to deploy the skin, e.g. it could be constituted by a network of flexible tubes having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that fits closely to the edges of the skin of the inflatable element. [0028]
  • Thus, in a variant embodiment not shown, the inflatable reinforcement could be connected to the inside or the outside surface of the skin, e.g. by adhesive or by passing tubes belonging to the reinforcement through specific sheaths carried by the skin. Such a variant embodiment has the advantage of ensuring excellent geometrical positioning of the elements of the inflatable reinforcement when it is deployed, thereby enabling an inflatable element to be designed that is of complex shape that fits perfectly over the surface to be protected. [0029]

Claims (7)

1. A device for protecting a vehicle against impact, the device comprising an inflatable element which, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected, wherein said inflatable element includes a skin which is deployed by means of inflatable reinforcement having a volume that is much smaller than the volume of the skin, pressurizing and deploying said inflatable reinforcement ensuring rapid deployment of said skin and simultaneously causing the internal volume of the inflatable element to be filled with air, by suction, via inlet means carried by said skin.
2. A device according to
claim 1
, wherein said reinforcement is deployed freely inside the skin.
3. A device according to
claim 1
, wherein said reinforcement is constituted by two flat, parallel cushions, and flexible tubes providing communication between the flat cushions and ensuring that said flat cushions are spaced apart when said inflatable reinforcement is put under pressure.
4. A device according to
claim 1
, wherein said reinforcement is constituted by two flat, parallel cushions, and by a third flat cushion disposed perpendicularly to the two flat cushions and providing communication between the two flat cushions.
5. A device according to
claim 1
, wherein said reinforcement is connected to the surface of the skin.
6. A device according to
claim 1
, wherein said air inlet means are constituted by an inlet check valve.
7. A device according to
claim 1
, wherein said skin is porous, or includes calibrated openings, so as to enable the air to be expelled progressively during impact.
US09/821,157 2000-04-04 2001-03-30 Device for protecting a vehicle against impact Expired - Lifetime US6443510B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0004254 2000-04-04
FR0004254A FR2806997B1 (en) 2000-04-04 2000-04-04 DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A VEHICLE AGAINST SHOCK

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010035657A1 true US20010035657A1 (en) 2001-11-01
US6443510B2 US6443510B2 (en) 2002-09-03

Family

ID=8848826

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/821,157 Expired - Lifetime US6443510B2 (en) 2000-04-04 2001-03-30 Device for protecting a vehicle against impact

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US6443510B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1142770B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001301551A (en)
AT (1) ATE267730T1 (en)
AU (1) AU765011B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2343599C (en)
DE (1) DE60103443T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2220685T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2806997B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1142770E (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005070742A1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2005-08-04 Bombardier Transportation Gmbh Method for preventing a track-bound vehicle from overrunning an obstacle and track-bound vehicle

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2811624B1 (en) * 2000-07-12 2002-12-06 Alstom EXHAUST DEVICE FOR AN INFLATABLE ELEMENT AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A VEHICLE AGAINST IMPACT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH AN EXHAUST DEVICE
DE102005044286A1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-04-05 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Motor vehicle with a spray water container
US7461877B2 (en) * 2006-04-10 2008-12-09 Pauline Elizabeth Bailey Bumper protection system
DE102007053477A1 (en) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-27 Braitsch, Günter Collision protection system for e.g. rail vehicle, has molded cushion made of elastic and energy absorbing material mounted on vehicle front, where cushion is molded in higher position in center of travel direction than on sides
ATE508913T1 (en) * 2007-06-14 2011-05-15 Global Safety Textiles Gmbh SAFETY VEHICLE
WO2014122212A1 (en) * 2013-02-07 2014-08-14 Bombardier Transportation Gmbh Rail vehicle having a device for pedestrian protection and device for pedestrian protection
CA3044650C (en) 2019-05-29 2020-07-14 Bombardier Transporation Gmbh External airbag assembly for a rail vehicle

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2316503B2 (en) * 1973-04-03 1977-09-15 Ausscheidung in: 23 65 558 Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München BUMPER FOR VEHICLES
US4061385A (en) * 1975-11-17 1977-12-06 Abraham Schwartzberg Impact absorbing bumper
FI55632C (en) 1978-03-20 1979-09-10 Turunen Pekka J SAEKERHETSBUFFERT FOER SPAORBUNDEN TRAFIK
US4815777A (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-03-28 Campbell Kenneth J Selectively movable protective molding and methods of constructing and utilizing same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005070742A1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2005-08-04 Bombardier Transportation Gmbh Method for preventing a track-bound vehicle from overrunning an obstacle and track-bound vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2220685T3 (en) 2004-12-16
JP2001301551A (en) 2001-10-31
CA2343599A1 (en) 2001-10-04
EP1142770B1 (en) 2004-05-26
DE60103443D1 (en) 2004-07-01
DE60103443T2 (en) 2005-06-16
CA2343599C (en) 2006-12-19
EP1142770A1 (en) 2001-10-10
AU3338201A (en) 2001-10-11
US6443510B2 (en) 2002-09-03
FR2806997B1 (en) 2006-06-02
ATE267730T1 (en) 2004-06-15
AU765011B2 (en) 2003-09-04
PT1142770E (en) 2004-09-30
FR2806997A1 (en) 2001-10-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9428138B2 (en) Rollover passenger protection
EP1358091B1 (en) Bumper airbag and system
US9308883B1 (en) Low-volume seat-mounted airbag with knee restraint
US6966576B1 (en) Airbag restraint system
US6471240B2 (en) Inflatable side curtain
EP0590845B1 (en) Side impact air bag
US6464250B1 (en) Inflatable curtain with slidable tether
JP2837955B2 (en) Protection system for head bruise due to side impact
US6361068B1 (en) Folded inflatable side curtain with tether
US7073619B2 (en) Vehicle frontal airbag system
US20050087998A1 (en) Bumper airbag and system
US7083023B2 (en) Actuating device for a safety means
US6497183B2 (en) Inflatable air bag release and membrane protection device
EP2524843B1 (en) A pedestrian air-bag retraction mechanism
US3844581A (en) Inflatable safety belt and head bag
GB2338688A (en) Inflatable trim panel
ITVR20100042A1 (en) COVERAGE ASSEMBLY FOR A SEAT AND SEAT SUITABLE FOR A USER PROTECTION.
US6443510B2 (en) Device for protecting a vehicle against impact
CN112440922A (en) Far-end protection safety airbag, vehicle seat and vehicle
CN106414186B (en) Device for passenger protection in vehicle and automotive seat
CN115214519B (en) Side airbag assembly and method of assembly
CN102371964A (en) Curtain airbag cushion and curtain airbag module using the same
US9623828B2 (en) Inflatable curtain and method for placing an inflatable curtain in a stored condition
SE9603521L (en) Impact absorbing device for vehicles
WO2019073826A1 (en) Side airbag device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ALSTOM, FRANCE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GIBEAU, MICHEL;LAPORTE, JEAN-JACQUES;REEL/FRAME:011895/0683

Effective date: 20010606

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA, FRANCE

Free format text: CONFIRMATIVE DEED OF ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:ALSTOM;REEL/FRAME:031938/0577

Effective date: 20061016

AS Assignment

Owner name: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES, FRANCE

Free format text: CONFIRMATIVE DEED OF TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP;ASSIGNOR:ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA;REEL/FRAME:031980/0523

Effective date: 20130331

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES, FRANCE

Free format text: CHANGE OF ADDRESS;ASSIGNOR:ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES;REEL/FRAME:043382/0290

Effective date: 20150930