公开(公告)号：US06382661B1

公开(公告)日：2002-05-07

申请号：US09717960

申请日：2000-11-20

Applicant: Daniel R. Sutherland

Inventor： Daniel R. Sutherland

IPC: B60R2116

CPC classification number: B60R21/231 ,  B60R21/2032 ,  B60R2021/2615 ,  B62D1/06 ,  B62D1/08 ,  Y10T74/20834

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision comprises a steering wheel (11) including a steering wheel armature (12). The steering wheel armature (12) has a centrally located hub portion (20), a circumferentially extending rim portion (22), and at least one spoke (24, 46) extending between the rim portion and the hub portion. At least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134) is mounted on the steering wheel armature (12). An actuatable inflator (100), when actuated, inflates the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134). The inflator (100) forms at least a portion of the at least one spoke (24, 46) of the steering wheel armature (12).

Abstract translation: 一种用于在车辆碰撞的情况下帮助保护车辆乘员的装置（10）包括包括方向盘电枢（12）的方向盘（11）。 方向盘电枢（12）具有中心定位的轮毂部分（20），周向延伸的轮辋部分（22）和在轮辋部分和轮毂部分之间延伸的至少一个辐条（24,46）。 至少一个充气车辆乘员保护装置（122,132,134）安装在方向盘电枢（12）上。 可致动的充气机（100）在致动时使充气车辆乘员保护装置（122,132,134）膨胀。 充气器（100）形成方向盘电枢（12）的至少一个辐条（24,46）的至少一部分。

公开(公告)号：US06298747B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-09

申请号：US09296058

申请日：1999-04-21

Applicant: Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Paul A. Bowers

Inventor： Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Paul A. Bowers

IPC: G05G114

CPC classification number: G05G1/30 ,  Y10T74/20528

Abstract: A foot pedal (12, 42) for controlling operation of a vehicle is supported for movement relative to the vehicle. A cushion (22, 60), inflatable by inflation fluid, is connected with and, when inflated, extends from the pedal (12, 42).

Abstract translation: 用于控制车辆的操作的脚踏板（12,42）被支撑以相对于车辆移动。 通过充气流体充气的缓冲垫（22,60）与踏板（12,42）相连接并且在膨胀时从踏板（12,42）延伸。

公开(公告)号：US06182525B2

公开(公告)日：2001-02-06

申请号：US09258108

申请日：1999-02-25

Applicant: Paul A. Bowers ,  Daniel R. Sutherland

Inventor： Paul A. Bowers ,  Daniel R. Sutherland

IPC: G05G114

CPC classification number: G05G1/405 ,  B60K20/02 ,  B60K23/02 ,  B60R21/09 ,  B60T7/065 ,  Y10T74/20528

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity (18, 20) of a driver of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision. The apparatus (12) comprises one or more pedals (40, 42, 44) having an operative condition in which the pedals are engageable by a foot (20) of the driver to control a vehicle operation. The pedals (40, 42, 44) have an inoperative condition in which the pedals are not engageable by the driver's foot (20) to control a vehicle operation. A mechanism (50, 52, 54) moves the pedals (40, 42, 44) from the operative condition to the inoperative condition in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在车辆碰撞的情况下帮助减少对车辆（10）的驾驶员的下肢（18,20）的伤害的装置（12）。 装置（12）包括具有操作状态的一个或多个踏板（40,42,44），其中踏板可由驾驶员的脚部（20）接合以控制车辆操作。 踏板（40,42,44）具有不能操作的状态，其中踏板不能被驾驶员脚（20）接合以控制车辆操作。 在车辆碰撞的情况下，机构（50,52,54）将踏板（40,42,44）从操作状态移动到不工作状态。

公开(公告)号：US6155597A

公开(公告)日：2000-12-05

申请号：US309954

申请日：1999-05-11

Applicant: Paul A. Bowers ,  Daniel R. Sutherland

Inventor： Paul A. Bowers ,  Daniel R. Sutherland

IPC: B60R21/16 ,  B60R21/213 ,  B60R21/233 ,  B60R21/2338 ,  B60R21/22

CPC classification number: B60R21/2338 ,  B60R21/232 ,  B60R2021/23386

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (14) has an inflated condition wherein the vehicle occupant protection device is located between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. When in the inflated condition, the vehicle occupant protection device (14) has a given length measured in the direction of vehicle travel. The length of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) increases as measured in the direction of vehicle travel as the vehicle occupant protection device deflates from the inflated condition to a deflated condition. A first spring connector (52) connects the vehicle occupant protection device (14) to the vehicle (12). The first spring connector (52) applies force to the vehicle occupant protection device (14) as it deflates and maintains tension in the deflating vehicle occupant protection device.

Abstract translation: 车辆乘员保护装置（14）具有充气状态，其中车辆乘员保护装置位于车辆（12）的侧部结构（16）和车辆乘员之间。 当处于充气状态时，车辆乘员保护装置（14）具有沿车辆行驶方向测量的给定长度。 车辆乘员保护装置（14）的长度随着车辆乘员保护装置从膨胀状态下降到放气状态而在车辆行驶方向上测量时增加。 第一弹簧连接器（52）将车辆乘员保护装置（14）连接到车辆（12）。 第一弹簧连接器（52）在排气并且维持放气车辆乘员保护装置中的张力时对车辆乘员保护装置（14）施加力。

公开(公告)号：US6123355A

公开(公告)日：2000-09-26

申请号：US40857

申请日：1998-03-18

Applicant: Daniel R. Sutherland

Inventor： Daniel R. Sutherland

IPC: B60R21/16 ,  B60R21/213 ,  B60R21/215 ,  B60R21/231 ,  B60R21/232 ,  B60R21/261 ,  B60R21/22

CPC classification number: B60R21/231 ,  B60R21/232 ,  B60R2021/21531 ,  B60R2021/23107 ,  B60R2021/23192 ,  B60R2021/2615 ,  B60R2021/2617 ,  B60R21/213

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a roof (46) and a side structure (40) includes a first vehicle occupant protection device (20). The first protection device (20) is inflatable into a position between the side of the occupant's head and the vehicle side structure (40). A first inflation fluid source (14) directs inflation fluid into the first inflatable device to inflate the first inflatable device. A second vehicle occupant protection device (22) is inflatable into a position between the top of the occupant's head and the vehicle roof (46). A second inflation fluid source (16) is actuatable independently of the first inflation fluid source for directing inflation fluid into the second inflatable device to inflate the second inflatable device. Control means (30, 32) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for selectively actuating the second inflation fluid source (16) at a predetermined period of time after actuation of the first inflation fluid source (14).

Abstract translation: 一种用于帮助保护具有屋顶（46）和侧面结构（40）的车辆（12）的乘员的乘员安全设备（10）包括第一车辆乘员保护装置（20）。 第一保护装置（20）可充气到乘客头部侧面与车辆侧结构（40）之间的位置。 第一充气流体源（14）将膨胀流体引导到第一可充气装置中以使第一充气装置膨胀。 第二车辆乘员保护装置（22）可充气到乘员头部的顶部与车顶（46）之间的位置。 第二充气流体源（16）可独立于第一充气流体源致动，用于将充气流体引导到第二可充气装置中，以使第二充气装置膨胀。 控制装置（30,32）响应于至少一个感测到的车辆状态，用于在第一充气流体源（14）致动之后的预定时间段内选择性地致动第二充气流体源（16）。

公开(公告)号：US06536802B1

公开(公告)日：2003-03-25

申请号：US10015116

申请日：2001-11-13

Applicant: Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Kevin M. Brown ,  Kirk W. Christiansen ,  Dirk Schultz ,  Bryan W. Shirk ,  Timothy A. Swann ,  Eric C. Erike ,  Vincent J. Mramor ,  Roy D. Van Wynsberghe

Inventor： Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Kevin M. Brown ,  Kirk W. Christiansen ,  Dirk Schultz ,  Bryan W. Shirk ,  Timothy A. Swann ,  Eric C. Erike ,  Vincent J. Mramor ,  Roy D. Van Wynsberghe

IPC: B60R21045

CPC classification number: B60R21/206 ,  B60R21/045 ,  B60R2021/0051

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly (22) comprises a structural carrier member (30) which is formed as one piece and has a first section (40) defining a first chamber (54) for receiving and supporting a first component (110). The structural carrier member (30) has a second section (80) defining a second chamber (92) for receiving and supporting a second component (130). The first component (110) comprises a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (114) received in the first chamber (54). The structural carrier member (30) further defines a deployment opening (55) through which the first protection device (114) is inflatable from the first chamber (54). The second component (130) comprises an occupant knee protection device (132) received in the second chamber (92) for helping to protect the vehicle occupant's legs in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract translation: 仪表板组件（22）包括形成为一体的结构承载构件（30），并且具有限定用于接收和支撑第一部件（110）的第一腔室（54）的第一部分（40）。 结构承载构件（30）具有限定用于接收和支撑第二部件（130）的第二腔室（92）的第二部分（80）。 第一部件（110）包括容纳在第一腔室（54）中的第一可充气车辆乘员保护装置（114）。 结构承载构件（30）还限定了展开开口（55），第一保护装置（114）可通过该展开开口从第一室54充气。 第二部件（130）包括容纳在第二腔室（92）中的乘员膝盖保护装置（132），用于在车辆碰撞的情况下帮助保护车辆乘员的腿部。

公开(公告)号：US07625005B2

公开(公告)日：2009-12-01

申请号：US11214653

申请日：2005-08-30

Applicant: Al A. Saberan ,  Joseph C. Popek ,  Ali Emam Bakhsh ,  Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Paul A. Bowers ,  Michael J. White, Jr.

Inventor： Al A. Saberan ,  Joseph C. Popek ,  Ali Emam Bakhsh ,  Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Paul A. Bowers ,  Michael J. White, Jr.

IPC: B60R21/26

CPC classification number: B60R21/213 ,  B60R21/232 ,  B60R21/26

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes at least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) including a first portion (50) inflatable to cover a first portion (20) of a vehicle and a second portion (52) inflatable to cover a second portion (30) of a vehicle. A single inflator (70) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A first conduit (52) has a portion terminating in the first portion (50) of the protection device (14). A second conduit (62) has a portion terminating in the second portion (60) of the protection device (14). The first and second conduits (52 and 62) are adapted to move relative to each other from a first condition in which the conduits are positioned for installation in the vehicle (12) to a second condition in which the conduits are positioned next to each other.

Abstract translation: 一种用于帮助保护车辆（12）的乘员的装置（10）包括至少一个充气车辆乘员保护装置（14），其包括可充气以覆盖车辆的第一部分（20）的第一部分（50）和 可膨胀以覆盖车辆的第二部分（30）的第二部分（52）。 单个充气器（70）提供充气流体以使保护装置（14）膨胀。 第一导管（52）具有终止于保护装置（14）的第一部分（50）中的部分。 第二导管（62）具有终止于保护装置（14）的第二部分（60）中的部分。 第一和第二管道（52和62）适于从其中管道定位的第一状态相对于彼此移动以安装在车辆（12）中，使得管道彼此相邻定位的第二状态 。

公开(公告)号：US06196576B1

公开(公告)日：2001-03-06

申请号：US09133296

申请日：1998-08-12

Applicant: Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Paul A. Bowers

Inventor： Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Paul A. Bowers

IPC: B60R2122

CPC classification number: B60R21/207 ,  B60N2/829 ,  B60N2/888 ,  B60R2021/0011 ,  B60R2021/0048

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat (12) having a cover (32) which is extendible from an initial condition to an extended condition for restraining an occupant of the seat (12). The seat (12) has a first volume enclosed by the cover (32) when the cover (32) is in the initial condition. The seat (12) has a second, greater volume enclosed by the cover (32) when the cover (32) is in the extended condition. The second enclosed volume of the seat (12) is greater than the first enclosed volume sufficient for enlargement of the seat (12) from the first enclosed volume to the second enclosed volume to enhance the degree to which the seat (12) can restrain movement of a seated vehicle occupant under the influence of vehicle crash forces. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) is supported on the seat (12). The protection device (18) is movable against the cover (32) so as to extend the cover (32) from the initial condition to the extended condition upon inflation of the protection device (18) from a stored condition to a fully deployed condition.

Abstract translation: 一种装置（10）包括具有盖（32）的车辆座椅（12），所述盖子从初始状态延伸到用于限制座椅（12）的乘员的伸展状态。 当盖（32）处于初始状态时，座（12）具有由盖（32）包围的第一容积。 当盖（32）处于伸展状态时，座（12）具有由盖（32）包围的第二较大容积。 座椅（12）的第二封闭容积大于足以将座椅（12）从第一封闭容积扩大到第二封闭容积的第一封闭容积，以增强座椅（12）可以抑制运动的程度 在车辆碰撞力的影响下坐着的乘客。 充气车辆乘员保护装置（18）支撑在座椅（12）上。 保护装置（18）能够抵靠盖（32）移动，以便在将保护装置（18）从储存状态充气到完全展开状态时将盖（32）从初始状态延伸到延长状态。

公开(公告)号：US06189916B1

公开(公告)日：2001-02-20

申请号：US09211194

申请日：1998-12-15

Applicant: Paul A. Bowers ,  Daniel R. Sutherland

Inventor： Paul A. Bowers ,  Daniel R. Sutherland

IPC: B60R2120

CPC classification number: B60R21/207 ,  B60R21/215 ,  B60R21/216 ,  B60R21/2176

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for mounting in a portion (20) of a vehicle includes a module (12). The module (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (30), an inflation fluid source (32), a cover (40) for the vehicle occupant protection device and the inflation fluid source, and bolts (38) for mounting the module in the vehicle portion. The module cover (40) encloses the inflation fluid source (32) and the protection device (30) when the protection device is in a deflated condition. The module cover (40) is made from a material which is flexible and wrapped around the vehicle occupant protection device (30) and the inflation fluid source (32). The apparatus also includes a deployment door (14), and tabs (90) (104) for releasably mounting the deployment door on the vehicle portion (20) for movement relative to the vehicle portion upon inflation of the protection device (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a flexible tether (16) connecting the deployment door (14) with the module (12) for limiting movement of the deployment door away from the module beyond a predetermined distance upon inflation of the protection device (30).

Abstract translation: 一种用于安装在车辆的一部分（20）中的车辆乘员安全装置（10）包括模块（12）。 模块（12）包括充气车辆乘员保护装置（30），充气流体源（32），用于车辆乘员保护装置的盖（40）和充气流体源，以及用于安装模块 在车辆部分。 当保护装置处于放气状态时，模块盖（40）包围充气流体源（32）和保护装置（30）。 模块盖（40）由柔性且围绕车辆乘员保护装置（30）和充气流体源（32）缠绕的材料制成。 该装置还包括展开门（14）和用于将展开门可释放地安装在车辆部分（20）上以便在保护装置（30）膨胀时相对于车辆部分运动的翼片（90）（104）。 装置（10）还包括将展开门（14）与模块（12）连接的柔性系绳（16），用于在保护装置（30）膨胀时限制展开门远离模块的移动超过预定距离， 。

公开(公告)号：US06135497A

公开(公告)日：2000-10-24

申请号：US106650

申请日：1998-06-29

Applicant: Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Michael James White, Jr. ,  Robert I. Phillion

Inventor： Daniel R. Sutherland ,  Michael James White, Jr. ,  Robert I. Phillion

IPC: B60R21/00 ,  B60R21/08 ,  B60R21/06

CPC classification number: B60R21/08 ,  B60R2021/0006

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection curtain (12) which is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position extending across a vehicle window (15). The apparatus (10) further includes a track (44 or 48) and a runner (34). The runner (34) is connected to the curtain (12) to draw the curtain (12) from the retracted position to the deployed position upon movement of the runner (34) along the track (44 or 48) from a first position to a second position. The track (44 or 48) defines a plurality of intermediate positions to which the runner (34) is movable transversely of the track (44 or 48) in a direction toward the window (15). The track (44 or 48) blocks return movement of the runner (34) from each of the intermediate positions toward the initial position under the influence of tension imparted to the curtain (12) by a vehicle occupant moving against the curtain (12) in a direction outward of the window (15).

Abstract translation: 一种装置（10）包括车辆乘员保护帘（12），其可从缩回位置移动到延伸穿过车窗（15）的展开位置。 装置（10）还包括轨道（44或48）和转轮（34）。 当跑道（34）沿着轨道（44或48）移动时，从第一位置移动到第二位置，转轮（34）连接到帘幕（12），以将帘幕（12）从缩回位置拉到展开位置 第二名 轨道（44或48）限定了多个中间位置，所述转轮（34）能够沿着朝向窗口（15）的方向横向于轨道（44或48）横向移动。 轨道（44或48）阻止了由在车辆乘员抵抗帘幕（12）移动的施加到帘幕（12）的张力的影响下，从每个中间位置向转向器（34）移动的转轮（34）的运动。 窗口（15）外的方向。