The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 09, 1999
Brandon S. Marriott, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Nathan A. Schimmoller, Troy, MI (US);
Steven C. Bell, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Abstract
A vehicle occupant safety device ( ) comprising: an air bag ( ) initially in a folded configuration and when inflated by inflation gases expands to an inflated configuration to protect the occupant; an inflator ( ) for providing inflation gases to inflate the air bag; a shroud ( ) comprising a plurality of frangible straps, preferably loosely positioned about the exterior of the folded air bag for controlling the trajectory of the inflating air bag by initially restricting the forward extension of the air bag by interaction with the shroud ( ) and thereafter directing the air bag to inflate along a passageway defined by the shroud which is oriented at a downward angle relative to the occupant. Once the air bag exits the shroud it is free to inflate laterally and upwardly to protect the occupant. In one embodiment the shroud includes a tearable strap ( ).