The head-protecting airbag apparatus is mounted on a vehicle whose third-row seat is so put away as to stand proximate to the inner side of a window. The airbag has three shielding portions, and includes a dividing recess between the third shielding portion and second shielding portion. In the event that the third shielding portion engages the folded seat during the course of airbag deployment, the dividing recess separates the lower edge of a region between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion, so that the second shielding portion is not hindered from smooth development.

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-205879 of Kino et al., filed on Jul. 14, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a head-protecting airbag apparatus mounted on a vehicle having three rows of seats.

2. Description of Related Art

In the prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200959 is illustrative of a head-protecting airbag apparatus mounted on a vehicle having three rows of seats. This apparatus includes an airbag which is folded and housed in the upper edge of windows inside the vehicle, and is deployable to cover the interior side of windows when fed with inflation gas from an inflator. In the conventional head-protecting airbag apparatus, the airbag includes three shielding portions inflatable with inflation gas so as to cover the interior side of three windows each of which is located at the side of the first to third row seats.

In the vehicle having three rows of seats, the third-row seat is often unoccupied. When the third-row seat is unoccupied, the seat may be folded or put away to provide more loading space. When the conventional airbag having three shielding portions deploys while the third-row seat is folded up, however, if the third-row seat is so put away as to stand proximate to the interior side of window, the third shielding portion adapted to cover the interior side of a window located at the side of the third-row seat is likely to engage the folded seat, and therefore be hindered from smooth development. Moreover, this may affect the first and second shielding portions deployable to cover the side of the first and second row seats which are occupied by vehicle occupants, and result in hindering the smooth deployment of the first and second shielding portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates to solve the above-mentioned problems, and therefore, has an object to provide a head-protecting airbag apparatus whose shielding portions of an airbag for covering the interior side of first and second row windows develop and inflate smoothly in the event of absence of a passenger in the third-row seat, when the airbag includes three inflatable shielding portions for covering the interior side of windows.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a head-protecting airbag apparatus which

is mountable on a vehicle having three rows of seats, a third-row seat of the vehicle being so put away as to stand proximate to an interior side of a window,

the apparatus including an airbag secured at an upper edge thereof to a vehicle body along an upper edge of windows, while being folded and housed in the upper edge of the windows, the airbag, when fed with inflation gas by an inflator, protruding downward from a housing and deploying to cover the interior side of the windows,

the airbag including a gas admissive portion admitting inflation gas inside thereof, and a non-admissive portion admitting no inflation gas,

the gas admissive portion including a first, second, and third shielding portions each adapted to cover the interior side of each window at a complete inflation of the airbag, wherein:

the airbag includes a dividing recess extending upward from a lower edge of the airbag, in an area of the non-admissive portion between the third shielding portion adapted to cover the interior side of a window located at the side of the third-row seat and the second shielding portion adapted to cover the interior side of a window located at the side of a second-row seat; and

the dividing recess, in the event that the third shielding portion engages the folded third-row seat during the course of airbag deployment, separates a lower edge of a region between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion, so that the second shielding portion is not hindered from smooth development.

In the airbag apparatus of the present invention, the airbag is provided with the dividing recess extending upward from the lower edge, in an area of the non-admissive portion located between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion. In the event that the third shielding portion engages the third-row seat during the course of airbag deployment when the third-row seat is not occupied by a passenger and therefore folded or put away as to stand proximate to the inner side of the third-row window, the recess separates the lower edge region between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion, thereby the second shielding portion is not hindered from smooth development. Accordingly, the first and second shielding portions are capable of developing and inflating smoothly for covering the interior side of the windows located at the sides of the first and second-row seats.

Therefore, in the head-protecting airbag apparatus of the present invention, the shielding portions of the airbag for covering the interior side of the first- and second-row windows are capable of developing and inflating smoothly in the event of absence of a passenger in the third-row seat, although the airbag includes three inflatable shielding portions for covering the interior side of the windows.

When the airbag deploys on the condition that a passenger is seated in the third-row seat, the third shielding portion deploys and covers the interior side of the window located at the side of the third-row seat, as the first and second shielding portions do. Accordingly, the third shielding portion securely protects the head of the passenger seated in the third-row seat.

In the above-described airbag apparatus, the dividing recess may be provided at its leading end with a punched out portion recessed in a generally arcuate shape. The punched out portion will serve to relieve a stress concentration that would otherwise be created on the leading end of the dividing recess in the event that the third shielding portion engages the third-row seat folded and located proximate the interior side of the third-row window during airbag deployment.

In the above-described airbag apparatus, the dividing recess is preferably a slit formed merely by making a cut in an airbag material. With this arrangement, unlike the case where the dividing recess is formed by cutting a portion with certain width out of the non-admissive portion, a region of the non-admissive portion around the slit covers the interior side of the window and its surroundings such as a pillar sufficiently. That is, the airbag has a larger coverage area.

In the case where the dividing recess is a slit, it will also be appreciated that the dividing recess is a breakable portion that is breakable into a slit when the third shielding portion engages the folded third-row seat during the course of airbag deployment for separating the second shielding portion and third shielding portion.

With this arrangement, the breakable portion does not break unless the third shielding portion hits the third-row seat. Hence the airbag completes inflation with the region between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion intact or unseparated. Therefore, the airbag has a large coverage area for covering the interior side of the window and its surroundings including a pillar. When the third shielding portion engages the folded third-row seat, the breakable portion breaks, and separates the lower edge region between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion. Hence the third shielding portion does not affect the development of the second shielding portion, but allows the first and second shielding portions to deploy smoothly and cover the interior side of the windows located at the sides of the first and second-row seats.

In a case where the second shielding portion includes more than one vertical chambers disposed one behind another, each of which extends along the vertical direction, and each of the vertical chambers reduces its dimension in the longitudinal direction of vehicle when inflated, it will be appreciated that, when the airbag is completely inflated, the dividing recess is located rearward of a straight line connecting a rear end and lower end region of the second shielding portion and a mounting region of the airbag to the vehicle body located at an immediate rear of the second shielding portion, in such a manner as not to interrupt the straight line.

With this arrangement, the dividing recess does not sever the straight line connecting the rear end and lower end region of the second shielding portion and the mounting portion located at the immediate rear of the second shielding portion. Accordingly, when the airbag is completely inflated, a tension force is created between the rear end and lower end region of the second shielding portion and the above mounting portion, generally along the straight line.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. All modifications within the appended claims and equivalents relative thereto are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1illustrates a head-protecting airbag apparatus M embodying the present invention. The airbag apparatus M is mountable on a vehicle V with three rows of seats, S1, S2, S3which seats are arranged one behind another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The airbag apparatus M is mounted on a front pillar FP and a roof side rail RR along the upper edge of windows or side windows W1, W2and W3through the region above a rear pillar RP. When not in service, the third-row seat S3is so folded or put away as to stand proximate to the interior side of window W3, as indicated by double-dotted lines inFIG. 6.

The head-protecting airbag apparatus M includes an airbag19, only one inflator9, mounting brackets10and14, and an airbag cover17.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the airbag cover17is constructed of lower edge regions of a pillar garnish3arranged in the front pillar FP, and of the roof head lining4arranged in the roof side rail RR. The airbag cover17is adapted to cover the vehicle's inner side I of the airbag19in the folded and housed condition, and is so openable when pushed by the inflating airbag19as to allow the airbag to protrude into vehicle interior.

Referring toFIG. 1, the inflator9for supplying the airbag19with inflation gas has a substantially columnar shape. The inflator9includes gas discharge ports (unillustrated) for discharging the gas at its leading end or front end. The leading end region of the inflator9including the vicinity of the gas discharge ports is inserted into a later-described gas inlet port25of the airbag19, and then a clamp12is mounted around the rear end25avicinity of the gas inlet port25. Thus the inflator9is connected to the airbag19. The inflator9is secured to an inner panel2as part of the vehicle body1at a position above a first middle pillar P1, by a mounting bracket10for holding the inflator9and mounting bolts11securing the bracket10to the inner panel2.

The airbag19is provided in its upper edge19awith mounting portions41(FIGS. 1 and 3), and is secured to the inner panel2along the upper edge of the windows W1, W2and W3, at the mounting portions41. When fed with inflation gas by the inflator9, the airbag19develops from the folded-up state and protrudes downward from a housing P (FIGS. 2 and 6), and deploys to cover the interior side of the windows W1, W2and W3, and the first and second middle pillars P1and P2. As shown inFIG. 3, the airbag19includes a gas admissive portion22which admits inflation gas G inside thereof, and a non-admissive portion33which admits no inflation gas.

In this specific embodiment, the admissive portion22includes a gas feed path24, a gas inlet port25, a first shielding portion27, a second shielding portion28and a third shielding portion29.

As shown inFIG. 3, the gas feed path24is arranged in the vehicle's longitudinal direction along the upper edge19aof the airbag19, and serves to guide the inflation gas G discharged from the inflator9into the first, second and third shielding portions27,28and29located below the gas feed path24. In a position slightly offset forward from the longitudinal center of the gas feed path24is a gas inlet port25to be connected with the inflator9. The inlet port25projects upward from the gas feed path24, and communicates with the gas feed path24. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas inlet port25opens toward its rear end25a. The inlet port25is connected to the inflator9with the clamp12.

Referring toFIG. 3, the first shielding portion27is adapted to cover the inner side of the window W1located at the side of the first-row seat S1at a complete inflation of the airbag19. The second shielding portion28is adapted to cover the inner side of the window W2located at the side of the second-row seat S2at the complete inflation of the airbag19. The third shielding portion29is adapted to cover the inner side of the window W3located at the side of the third-row seat S3at the complete inflation of the airbag19. Each of the first and second shielding portions27and28includes in its area a plurality of vertical chambers31extending along the vertical direction. The vertical chambers31are disposed one behind another by being partitioned by a later-described thickness regulating portion35. In the foregoing embodiment, each of the first and second shielding portions27and28has two vertical chambers31. Each of the vertical chambers31communicates with the gas feed path24at its upper end, whereas it is closed at its lower end. Thus the vertical chambers31admit inflation gas G from the upper end communicated with the gas feed path24. The third shielding portion29is partitioned by a later-described partitioning member36in the front and upper end region thereof, whereas it is communicated with the gas feed path24in its upper end and rear end vicinity region. The third shielding portion29admits inflation gas G from the upper end and rear end vicinity region.

The non-admissive portion33includes a peripheral portion34defining the margin of the gas admissive portion22, a plurality of thickness regulating portions35for regulating thicknesses of the first and second shielding portions27and28at the complete inflation, so that the shielding portion27and28inflate in a plate shape, a panel portion38located between the first and second shielding portions27and28, a panel portion39located between the second and third shielding portions28and29, a partitioning portion36projecting rearward from the panel portion39located forward of the third shielding portion29, and mounting portions41provided along the upper edge19aof the airbag19.

As shown inFIG. 3, the panel portion38extends continuously in a longitudinal direction between the first shielding portion27and the second shielding portion28. Further, as shown inFIG. 3, a lower edge of the first panel portion extends directly and continuously between a lower edge of the first shielding portion and a lower edge of the second shielding portion, when the airbag is deployed.

Each of the thickness regulating portions35extends linearly in the vertical direction inside the first/second shielding portion27/28, and is connected at its lower end with a region34aof the peripheral portion34defining the lower edge of the first and second shielding portions27and28. The partitioning portion36projects rearward from a rear end and upper end region of the panel portion39in such a manner as to partition the third shielding portion29and the gas feed path24. The partitioning portion36extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of vehicle, and its leading end is located generally in the longitudinal center of the third shielding portion29.

The non-admissive portion33further includes a joint cloth42is located in the front end of the airbag19. The joint cloth42is coupled to the vicinity of the front edge of the first shielding portion27of the airbag19by sewing work. When the airbag19is completely inflated, the joint cloth42is located in the vicinity of the lower part of the front pillar FP. The joint cloth42also has a mounting portion41.

In this specific embodiment, the airbag19is manufactured by joining flexible cloth members of plain-woven fabric, for example, woven by polyester yarn, polyamide yarn or the like. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 4, the airbag is made by joining a vehicle's inner wall20and a vehicle's outer wall21, which are cloth members as described above, at predetermined regions both by sewing work with sewing yarn43and by adhesion with an adhesive44, into a bag shape. Out of the non-admissive portion33, the peripheral portion34, the thickness regulating portions35, and the partitioning portion36are also formed by joining the walls20and21by sewing work and adhesion. In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the thickness regulating portions35and the partitioning portion36are formed simultaneously with the peripheral portion34, i.e., by a single stroke of sewing work and adhesion. That is, the stitch line and adhesion area forming the peripheral portion34, the thickness regulating portions35, and the partitioning portion36are all continuous. Furthermore, the adhesive44desirably has elasticity in order to prevent gas leakage from seams of the sewing yarn43, and in order to relieve a tension force applied to the walls20and21at the complete inflation of the airbag19. The foregoing embodiment uses silicone rubber for the adhesive44. No adhesive is used to connect the joint cloth42with the remaining region of the airbag19.

The mounting portions41are located at a plurality of (six, in the illustrated embodiment) positions in the upper edge19aof the airbag19. Except in the joint cloth42, each of the mounting portions41has a two-ply structure of the walls20and21, and is provided with a mounting hole41ato put a mounting bolt15therethrough.

The panel portions38and39are located between the first and second shielding portions27and28and between the second and third shielding portions28and29, respectively, below the gas feed path24. The panel portions38and39are adapted to secure an entire contour of the airbag19, and also to shorten the time to complete airbag inflation by reducing the volume of the gas admissive portion22.

The panel portion39arranged between the second and third shielding portions28and29is provided with a dividing recess or a slit40. The slit40extends upward from the lower edge39aof the panel portion39, and serves to separate the lower edge39aforward and rearward. In the foregoing embodiment, the dividing recess40is formed merely by making a cut by any cutter in the walls20and21, without cutting a portion out of the walls20and21. The slit40extends straightly in such a slanting manner that its lower end is located forward whereas its upper end located rearward. The upper end of the slit40is positioned in the vicinity of the partitioning portion36. The vertical length of the slit40is set to such a dimension that, when the third shielding portion29engages the folded seat S3during the course of airbag deployment, the third shielding portion29does not hinder the inflation of the second shielding portion28, but allows the same to complete inflation smoothly.

Manufacturing of the airbag19is now described. Firstly, the adhesive44is applied to the locations of the peripheral portion34, the thickness regulating portions35and the partitioning portion36, in an inner side of, for example the vehicle's outer wall21, out of the walls20and21for forming the airbag19. Then the vehicle's inner wall20is overlaid on the vehicle's outerwall21, and the are a coated by the adhesive44is pressed so the adhesive force uniformly acts over the entire area of the peripheral portion34, the thickness regulating portions35and the partitioning portion36. Subsequently, the walls20and21are sewn up with the sewing yarn43at the adhered area, and then the joint cloth42is sewn to the remaining region of the airbag19. Thereafter, the panel portion39is slit up by a cutter to provide the slit40. Thus the airbag19is completed. It will also be appreciated that each of the walls20and21is preliminarily provided with a slit40.

To mount the airbag apparatus M on the vehicle V, the airbag19is firstly folded up. More specifically, the airbag19is folded up in a bellows fashion as illustrated inFIG. 2, on numerous creases C (FIG. 3) extending along the longitudinal direction of vehicle so that the lower edge19bof the airbag19is brought close to the upper edge19a. The folded-up airbag19is wrapped at predetermined positions with a breakable wrapping member (not shown) for keeping the folded-up configuration. Subsequently, the mounting brackets14are attached to the mounting portions41, and the inflator9is connected to the gas inlet port25with the clamp12. Then the bracket10is mounted around the inflator9to form an airbag module.

Thereafter, the individual mounting brackets10and14are located at predetermined positions of the inner panel2, and fixed thereto with bolts11and15. Then, an unillustrated lead wire extending from a suitable control for actuating the inflator is connected to the inflator9. If then the pillar garnish3, the roof head lining4, and further the pillar garnishes5,6and7are attached to the vehicle body1, the airbag apparatus M is mounted on the vehicle V.

When the inflator9is actuated after the airbag apparatus M is mounted on the vehicle V, the inflation gas G discharged from the inflator9flows into the airbag19(FIG. 3), and the airbag19then breaks the wrapping member, pushes and opens the airbag cover17constructed of the lower edges of the pillar garnish3and roof head lining4, and inflates to cover the inner side of windows W1, W2and W3, the first and second middle pillars P1and P2, and the rear pillar RP, while protruding downward as shown inFIG. 1(double-dotted lines) andFIG. 5.

In the airbag apparatus M of the foregoing embodiment, the airbag19is provided with the slit40serving as the dividing recess which slit or recess extending upward from the lower edge39aof the panel portion39, in the area of the panel portion39or the non-admissive portion33located between the second shielding portion28and the third shielding portion29. In the airbag apparatus M, in the event that the third shielding portion29engages the third-row seat S3during the course of airbag deployment (FIG. 7) when the third-row seat S3is not occupied by a passenger and therefore folded as to stand proximate to the inner side of the third-row window W3, the slit40separates the lower edge region between the second shielding portion28and the third shielding portion29, thereby the second shielding portion28is not hindered from smooth development. Accordingly, the first and second shielding portions27and28are capable of developing and inflating smoothly to cover the inner side of the windows W1and W2located at the sides of the first and second-row seats S1and S2.

Therefore, in the head-protecting airbag apparatus M embodying the present invention, the shielding portions27and28of the airbag19for covering the inner side of the first-and second-row windows W1and W2are capable of developing and inflating smoothly in the event of absence of a passenger in the third-row seat, although the airbag19includes three inflatable shielding portions27,28and29for covering the interior side of the windows W1, W2and W3.

When the airbag19deploys on the condition that a passenger is seated in the third-row seat S3, the third shielding portion29deploys and covers the inner side of the window W3located at the side of the third-row seat S3, as shown inFIG. 5, as the first and second shielding portions27and28do. Accordingly, the third shielding portion29securely protects the head of the passenger seated in the third-row seat S3when completely inflated.

In the airbag apparatus M, moreover, the dividing recess is the slit40formed by making a cut in or slitting up the airbag material instead of cutting a portion out of the material. Unlike the case where the dividing recess is an indentation or the like with a certain width formed by cutting a portion out of the panel portion39, a region39bof the panel portion39around the slit40covers the inner side of the window W3and the second middle pillar P2next to the window W3and so on sufficiently. That is, the airbag19has a larger coverage area.

Alternatively, the dividing recess may have a punched out portion or a notch at the leading end, as a slit40A shown inFIG. 8. The notch40bformed at the leading end40aof the slit40A is recessed in a generally arcuate shape. With this arrangement, in the event that the third shielding portion engages the third-row seat during the course of airbag deployment when the third-row seat is put away as to stand proximate to the inner side of the third-row window, the notch40bserves to relieve as tress concentration that would otherwise be created on the leading end40aof the slit40A, so that the panel portion39is prevented from being torn from the leading end40a.

If not considering retaining a wide coverage area by a slit serving as a dividing recess, the dividing recess may alternatively be formed as shown inFIG. 9. The dividing recess46shown extending upward from the lower edge of the panel portion39inFIG. 9is made by cutting in the panel portion39in such a manner as to provide a band-shaped flap47, and folding back the flap47from the root region. As can be seen fromFIG. 9, the flap47is provided at its leading end with a slot or a hole47ato insert a mounting bolt15therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the flap47is folded back toward the exterior side of the airbag19, and is secured at the leading end to the vehicle body1together with a mounting portion41of the airbag located above the third shielding portion29. In this case, too, leading ends of the cuts for providing the recess46and the flap47, or the root regions of the flap47may be provided each with a punched out portion or a notch46a, which notch being recessed in a generally arcuate shape, as a dividing recess46A shown inFIG. 10.

In the airbag apparatus M, each of the first and second shielding portions27and28of the airbag19has more than one vertical chamber31extending along the vertical direction, and the vertical chambers31are disposed one behind another. Each of the chambers31reduces its longitudinal dimension when completely inflated. At this time, a great tension force is generated along the longitudinal direction of the airbag19between a foremost mounting portion41A and a rearmost mounting portion41B (FIG. 3). In the airbag apparatus M, the slit40separates the lower edge region of the airbag between the second shielding portion28and the third shielding portion29. Accordingly, in addition to the tension force described above (a first tension force), a second tension force is created in the vicinity of the rear edge of the second shielding portion28, along a straight line L (a single-dotted line inFIG. 3) connecting a rear end and lower end region of the second shielding portion28and a mounting portion41C located at an immediate rear of the second shielding portion28. As shown inFIG. 3, the mounting portion41C, which is located rearward of the second shielding portion28, is rearward of the an upper end of the slit40. Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiment, the slit40is so arranged rearward of the straight line L as not to interrupt the line L. Therefore, the second tension is smoothly generated generally along the straight line L. The slit40shown in the foregoing embodiment is slanted generally along the line L, locating the lower end forward and the upper end rearward. However, the arrangement of the slit40should not be limited thereby, but it may be disposed as shown inFIG. 11at40B, for example generally vertically at a position proximate to the front edge of the third shielding portion29, but not interrupting the line L. The slit may be so disposed as to intersect the line L, as shown by a double-dotted lime inFIG. 11at40C, if not considering the tension farce to be generated between the rear end and lower end region of the second shielding portion28and the mounting portion41C at the rear of the second shielding portion28at a complete inflation of the airbag.

FIG. 12illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the airbag, at19A. In the airbag19A, the dividing recess is shown as a breakable portion49constructed of a perforated line or intermittent cuts. The airbag19A has an identical construction to the above-described airbag19except the breakable portion49, and therefore, descriptions of common members will be omitted by designating them with common reference numerals.

The breakable portion49is constructed of a straight perforated line or numerous intermittent cuts. Alike the slit40in the above-described airbag19, the breakable portion49is disposed in a slanting manner having its lower end forward and its upper end rearward. In the foregoing embodiment, the breaking strength of the breakable portion49is so set that it breaks only when the third shielding portion29engages the folded third-row seat S3during airbag deployment.

When the airbag19A deploys on the condition that the third-row seat S3is occupied by a passenger, the third shielding portion29does not hit the seat S3during airbag deployment. Accordingly, the airbag19A completes inflation with no breakage of the breakable portion49, as shown inFIG. 13. In other words, the airbag19A completes inflation with an intact, or unseparated region between the second shielding portion28and the third shielding portion29. Therefore, in this circumstance, the airbag19A has a large coverage area for covering the interior side of the window W3and its surroundings such as the second middle pillar P2. When the third shielding portion29engages the folded third-row seat S3, the portion49breaks into a slit, and separates the lower edge region between the second shielding portion28and the third shielding portion29. The third shielding portion29does not affect the development of the second shielding portion28, but allows the first and second shielding portions27and28to deploy smoothly and cover the interior side of the windows W1and W2located at the sides of the first and second-row seats S1and S2, as shown inFIG. 14.

Although the airbag19and airbag19A of the foregoing embodiments are manufactured by joining predetermined regions of two predetermined-shaped cloth members with sewing yarn and adhesive, the present invention should also be applicable to an airbag manufactured by hollow-weaving method, for example.

In the foregoing embodiments, what is called a cold cutter is used to cut the cloth members or the vehicle's inner wall20and outer wall21in order to provide the dividing recesses in the airbags19and19A. However, means to form the recesses should not be limited thereby, but it will also be appreciated to employ a hot cutting means like a laser cutter to provide a dividing recess. A laser cutter melts and resolidifies the periphery of the recess, which will prevent the cloth members from fraying therefrom.

With respect to the folding manner of the airbag, furthermore, the airbags19and19A of the embodiments are bellows-folded in such a manner as to bring the lower edge19bof the airbag close to the upper edge19a. However, it will also be appreciated, for example, to fold a region of the gas feed path24in a bellows-fashion, whereas roll-fold regions of the first, second and third shielding portions27,28and29located below the path24toward the vehicle's outer wall from the lower edge19b.