Abstract:
An airbag arrestor mountable about a vehicle steering column carrying a steering wheel and a airbag module is non-axially movable with respect to the vehicle steering wheel and steering column during airbag inflation by containing and redirecting airbag inflation gasses oppositely from the steering wheel through an open end of the airbag arrestor enclosure secured about the steering column. The airbag arrestor includes a flexible, ballistic grade material enclosure having a sidewall extending between an open end and an opposed closed end. An attachment in the form of a strap constructed of a ballistic grade material is tightenable about the sidewall of the enclosure adjacent the open end to non-axially movably secure the enclosure about the vehicle steering column.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the priority date of the co-pending provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/241,313, filed Oct. 18, 2000 in the name of Robert D. Burgess and entitled “VEHICLE AIRBAG ARRESTOR”, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Today&#39;s vehicles are provided with passenger restraint devices, such as inflatable airbags, which are mounted in various locations within the vehicle, including within the steering wheel. 
     Sensors mounted at appropriate locations within the vehicle provide a signal to an inflation device when a predetermined amount of force contact is made with another object. The inflation device generates or supplies a quantity of gas to inflate the airbag and thereby cushion the forward movement of the driver of the vehicle and resulting from a front collision. 
     While airbags have proven to be effective in saving people&#39;s lives by minimizing injuries during a front vehicle collision, it has been found that in certain circumstances the airbag inflation device may be armed, but may not have gone off. This armed stated lasts for a predetermined period of time, such as two minutes, before the inflation device resets itself to an inactive state. 
     Frequently, in serious collisions, the driver is trapped within the surrounding vehicle body and literally, the vehicle body must be cut away from the driver in order to remove the driver from the vehicle. The so-called “jaws of life” are used in such a situation. A further complication in vehicle collisions is that an emergency person, such as a fireman, E.M.S., etc., may be required to attend to a driver trapped within a vehicle until the vehicle sheet metal is cut away or removed to enable the driver to be removed from the vehicle. Such emergency persons may be required to give resuscitation, C.P.R., or other medical assistance until the driver can be removed from the vehicle and attended to in a more adequate facility, such as a hospital, E.M.S. vehicle, etc. 
     In such a circumstance, the emergency person&#39;s head can be situated between the airbag in the vehicle steering wheel and the driver&#39;s head. This places the emergency persons head in a precarious position, particularly where the airbag inflation sensor may have been activated, but, for some reason, the inflation device has not yet activated to inflate the airbag. 
     In the event that the airbag inflates under its considerable force and speed when the emergency person&#39;s head is between the airbag and the driver&#39;s head, the emergency person&#39;s head will be forced into the driver&#39;s head, thereby creating the potential for serious injury to the emergency person as well as to the driver. 
     One attempt to address this problem is an emergency service device in the form of a circular steel plate with two large hooks protruding from an upper portion. The rear side of the steel plate is fitted with a series of triangle deflators which engage and rip open the airbag. The main body of the steel plate is slotted to accommodate the adjustable placement of a secondary inner body in the form of a rectangular steel plate with two hooks protruding from a lower portion. When assembled together, the upper and lower portions of the two steel plates can be adjusted to accommodate different steering wheel dimensions. A tensioning knob extends through the circular plate and allows adjustment of the lower hooks on the inner plate. Once the hooks are securely in place, the tensioning knob is tightened. A dust cover is fastened around the steering wheel and the plate/hook assembly and tightened in place about the steering column by a strapping band. Ventilation openings are provided between the inner surface of the dust cover and the steering column when the dust cover strap is tightened. 
     However, this prior attempt at an airbag arrestor addresses the aforementioned problems with a complicated, multi-part device which requires several attachment steps and a tightening operation to secure the main device in place, and an additional installation step to add the dust cover. This takes time and can be a cumbersome task in the typically confined space existing in a crushed vehicle after a collision. At the same time, the dust cover in this device provides only a dust containment enclosure for the smoke and debris emitted by the airbag module during airbag inflation. The dust cover is not intended to suppress the entire airbag inflation as it is only provided as a dust and debris control enclosure. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to alleviate these potential problems. It would also be desirable to provide a device which contains the inflation of a vehicle airbag without significant expansion of the airbag. It would also be desirable to provide an airbag containment device which can be easily employed by an emergency person, preferably by one hand. It would also be desirable to provide an airbag containment device which can be repeatedly used in many emergency situations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is an vehicle airbag arrestor which uniquely arrests and contains the inflation pressures in the vehicle airbag when the airbag arrestor is mounted about a vehicle steering wheel and steering column. 
     In one aspect, the airbag arrestor of the present invention includes a flexible, high strength enclosure having an open end. An attachment means is mountable about the enclosure to non-axially movably mount the enclosure about a vehicle steering column and a vehicle steering wheel containing an airbag module. The high strength, yet flexible nature of the material employed to form the airbag arrestor enclosure enables the enclosure to be easily mounted about a vehicle steering wheel and airbag module and a portion of the vehicle steering column and be securely fixed in place by the attachment means; while at the same time having sufficient strength to resist any substantial axial movement of the end of the enclosure with respect to the vehicle steering column and steering wheel so as to contain and redirect the explosive forces generated during airbag inflation. 
     The attachment means is, in one aspect, in the form of a strap or cord which is carried on the enclosure or is attachable to the enclosure. A connector can be mounted on the strap to enable a free end of the strap to be tightened about the enclosure to conform a sidewall of the enclosure adjacent to the open end tightly about the vehicle steering column while still allowing ventilation through the open end of the enclosure. 
     In another aspect, the connector includes at least one and possibly two biased latched members mounted in a body through which both ends of the strap or cord extend. Either free end of the cord can be drawn in one direction away from the body to tighten the cord about the enclosure. However, the latch members prevent reverse loosening movement of the strap thereby maintaining the strap in the tightened position until the associated latch member is moved to an unlatched position. In this position, one end of the strap or cord can be pulled through the latch thereby loosening the strap for removal of the enclosure from the steering column. 
     The airbag arrestor of the present invention overcomes certain deficiencies found in prior art airbag arrestors in that the present airbag arrestor may be easily and quickly installed and secured in a fixed, substantially non-axially movable position about a vehicle steering column and steering wheel without requiring an excessive number of mounting steps. The present airbag arrestor may be secured in place about the vehicle steering column by an essentially one hand operation which can be crucial in emergency conditions. 
     The present airbag arrestor uniquely confines and redirects the explosive gasses generated during airbag inflation away from the outer end of the airbag arrestor enclosure. This provides increased safety to emergency personnel which may have his or her head positioned between the airbag in the vehicle steering wheel and the driver while giving emergency care or attempting to remove the driver from the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an airbag arrestor according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged, perspective view of the latch device mounted on one end of the airbag arrestor shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the airbag arrestor of  FIGS. 1 and 2  mounted in a use position on a vehicle steering column and steering wheel; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate latch which may be employed in the airbag arrestor of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of yet another latch which may be employed with the airbag arrestor of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and to  FIGS. 1-3  in particular, there is depicted a first aspect of an airbag arrestor  10  according to the present invention. The airbag arrestor  10  is in the form of an enclosure  12  formed of a strong, but flexible material. The enclosure  12  has a generally cylindrical portion  14  extending from a first end  16  to an opposed second end  18 . A generally flat end wall  20  is formed at the second end  18  of the sidewall  14 . The enclosure  12  is preferably formed of a one-piece construction, although the sidewall  14  and the end wall  20  may be formed as separate panels or members which are securely joined together, such as by stitching, etc. 
     The first end  16  defines an interior opening end having a diameter sufficient to enable the first end  16  to be slid over a vehicle steering wheel  22  shown in phantom in FIG.  3 . 
     Although the enclosure  12  preferably has the shape shown in  FIG. 1 , it will be understood that the enclosure  12  may take other shapes, such as a generally spherical shape extending from the first end  16 . 
     In general, the enclosure  12  is formed with a steering wheel encompassing portion formed adjacent to the end wall  20  and a steering column attachment portion adjacent to the first end  16 . 
     The enclosure  12  has a suitable length to facilitate easy mounting over a vehicle steering wheel  22  while enabling the first end  16  to be cinched down or tightened to a small diameter to hold the enclosure  12  securely and substantially non-movably on a vehicle steering column  24  to which the steering wheel  22  is mounted. The sidewall  14  may have a length sufficient to dispose the first end  16  over the steering column  24  axially over any elongated levers, such as a transmission shift lever, windshield wiper control lever, etc., which are typically mounted on vehicle steering columns to control various vehicle operating circuits and devices. Alternately, the sidewall  14  may have an elongated length sufficient to enable the first end  16  to be disposed entirely over all such levers and further along the length of the steering column  24  while enabling the first end  16  to be cinched down to a small diameter substantially in tight engagement with the outer diameter of the steering column  24 . 
     The enclosure  12  is preferably formed of a lightweight, flexible, yet strong material. One preferred material is ballistic material used in soft body armor. KEVLAR is a typical fiber employed in such soft body armor. While the use of ballistic material is preferred, it will be understood that the enclosure  12  may be formed of other strong, but flexible materials having sufficient strength to not expand to any significant degree despite the full force inflation of an airbag within the interior of the enclosure  12  as described hereafter. 
     Attachment means  30  are mounted on the enclosure  12 , generally adjacent the first end  16  as shown in FIG.  1  and in greater detail in FIG.  2 . The attachment means  30  functions to enable the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  to be expanded to its full open diameter; yet to be able to be cinched or tightly secured in a significantly smaller diameter in secure, substantially non-movable engagement about the vehicle steering column  24 . Ideally, the attachment means  30  provide such tightening engagement of the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  about a vehicle steering column  24  through a one-handed operation as described hereafter. 
     One aspect of the attachment means  30  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The attachment means  30  include an elongated strap  32  preferably formed of a strong, lightweight, flexible material, such as ballistic material, i.e., ballistic grade NYLON, etc. The strap  32  has a first end  34  and an opposed second end  36 . Portions of the strap  32  are wound about shafts or legs  38  and  40 , respectively, mounted in a connector  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second end  36  of the strap  32  is wound about the shaft  40  at one end of the connector  42  after the portion of the strap  32  adjacent to the second end  34  is passed underneath one end leg  46  of the connector  42 , around the shaft  40  and then into engagement with an adjoining portion of the strap  32 . Securement means, such as stitching  48 , are employed to join the second end  36  of the strap  32  to an adjoining portion of the strap  32 . 
     The upper portion  50  of the strap  32  extends from the point of attachment to the second and is slidably mounted about the first end  16  of the enclosure  12 , such as by passing the strap  32  through loops or other securement means  52  formed on the enclosure  12 . Thus, the portion  50  of the strap  32  extends completely around the periphery of the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  to a portion  54  shown in  FIG. 2  which loops around the first shaft  38  in the connector  42 , passes under an opposite end leg  56 , and terminates in the first end  34 . 
     In this arrangement, the first end  34  of the strap  32  is movable away from the connector  30  to tighten the strap  32  and the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  in a smaller diameter in tight engagement with the exterior of the vehicle steering column  24  as shown in FIG.  3 . The end portion of the strap  32  extending from the first end  34  is held underneath the end leg  56  of the connector  42  to tightly retain the strap  34  in any tightened diameter. Upward movement on the leg  56  of the connector  30  will release the cinching force thereby enabling the strap  32  to be re-expanded to its normal, enlarged diameter. 
     Use of the airbag arrestor  10  will now be described in conjunction with FIG.  3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an airbag  60  is mounted within the vehicle steering wheel  22  rotatably affixed to the vehicle steering column  24 . Although not shown in  FIG. 3 , a conventional transmission shift lever, windshield wiper control lever, headlight control lever, etc., are normally mounted on the vehicle steering columns. However, an ignition key switch  62  is depicted by way of example only. 
     First, the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  will be expanded to its fullest diameter and the open first end  16  will be slid over the steering wheel  22 . The enclosure  12  will be pulled over the steering wheel  22  until the end wall  20  is disposed in contact with or in close proximity to the steering wheel  22 . The attachment means or strap  30  will then be grasped at one end, such as the free first end  34 , and pulled to tightly compress the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  into secure engagement with the exterior surface of the vehicle steering column  24 . 
     In this position, the airbag arrestor  10  of the present invention is securely mounted on the steering column  24  so as not to exhibit any substantial axial movement away from the steering wheel  22  in a direction toward the vehicle driver. However, due to the flexible nature of the side wall  14  and end wall  20  of the enclosure  12 , some expansion in overall size may occur; but not to any significant amount. The enclosure  12  will contain any inflation of the airbag  60 . The gases used to inflate the airbag  60  will escape through the first end  16  of the enclosure  12 . 
     After the airbag arrestor  10  is no longer needed, the connector  32  is released and the strap  30  expanded to its full diameter enabling the enclosure  12  to be removed from the vehicle steering wheel  22 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts yet another aspect of a connector  70  that may be used in the airbag arrestor  10  of the present invention. The connector  70  includes a latch body  72  having a first end  74  about which the second end of the strap  32  is wound and secured to itself by the stitching  48  as described above. A pivotal latch member  76  is mounted about a shaft  77  at the other end of the body  72 . The latch member  76  is biased downwardly at a first end  78  by means of a biasing means, such as a coil spring  80 , mounted above the shaft  78  and acting on the opposed end of the latch member  76 . 
     The first end  78  of the latch member  76  is provided with a secure gripping surface  82 , such as knurling, serrated teeth, etc., which dig into and engage the strap  72  looped around one end of the body  72 . 
     A hand release surface  84  is provided at the opposite end of the latch member  76  for pivoting the latch member  76  in the direction to disengage the gripping surface  82  from the strap  32  thereby enabling the strap  32  to be retracted with respect to the body  72  so as to enable the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  to be expanded to its fullest diameter. 
     At the same time, the first end  74  and the strap  32  may be pulled under force through the latch member  76 . The gripping surface  82  prevents reverse movement of the strap  32  unless the hand release surface  84  is engaged to pivot the gripping surface  82  away from the strap  32 . 
     Another aspect of the latch or connector member according to the present invention is shown in FIG.  5 . In this aspect, a strap  92  is in the form of a cord, formed of ballistic grade NYLON, for example, having first and second free ends  94  and  96 , respectively. Both ends of the strap  92  extend through bores in a latch body  98 . From the latch body  98 , the two ends of the cord  92  extend through a folded-over portion on the first end  16  of the enclosure  12 . 
     The latch body  98  carries two identical latch members  100  and  102 , each of which is provided with a gripping surface  104  at one end. The gripping surfaces  104  are disposed in the bores in the latch body  98 . Biasing springs  106  carried on the latch body  98  bias the latch members  100  and  102  into a position in which the gripping surfaces  104  fixedly engage the two portions of the cords  92  to prevent reverse movement of the two portions of the cords through the body  98 . However, downward pivotal movement of one end of either latch member  100  and  102  will disengage the gripping surface  104  from the respective portion of the cord  92  thereby enabling the respective portion of the cord  92  to be pulled through the latch body  98  to enable the diameter of the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  to be expanded. 
     Reverse directional pulling of either end  94 ,  96  of the cord  92  away from the latch body  98  reduces the length of the cord  92  within the first end  16  of the enclosure  12  thereby reducing the diameter of the first end  16  to enable the first end  16  to conform in snug engagement with the vehicle steering column. 
     Thus, there has been disclosed an airbag arrestor which uniquely arrests and contains the inflation pressures in a vehicle airbag when the airbag arrestor is mounted about a vehicle steering wheel and steering column. The airbag arrestor includes a flexible enclosure which can be easily mounted in a substantially non-expandable manner about a vehicle steering wheel. Attachment means in the form of a strap or cord is carried at an open end of the enclosure and extends through a connector to enable the first end of the enclosure to be cinched into a tightened, small diameter shape in secure engagement about a vehicle steering column, typically by a one-handed operation, to prevent substantial axial movement of the airbag arrestor enclosure along the vehicle steering column under airbag inflation forces.