John Albert Lafond

US Patent:

7350804, Apr 1, 2008

Filed:

Nov 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/983867

Inventors:

Ali Emam Bakhsh - Rochester Hills MI, US
Ayad G. Nayef - Sterling Heights MI, US
John A. LaFond - Waterford MI, US
John D. Vaughn - Riverview MI, US

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Washington MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/16

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

An apparatus () helps protect an occupant of a vehicle () that has a side structure () and a roof (). The apparatus () includes a first portion () including at least one inflatable chamber (). The first portion () is inflatable away from the vehicle roof () between the side structure () of the vehicle () and a vehicle occupant (). The apparatus () also includes a second portion () that includes at least one inflatable chamber. The second portion () is inflatable away from the vehicle roof () between the side structure () of the vehicle () and a vehicle occupant (). The second portion () when inflated extends below the first portion () and adjacent a thorax () of a vehicle occupant () when inflated. Fluid communication between the chambers of the first portion () and second portion () is substantially blocked.