To prevent occupants seated side by side from impacting each other in an accident, an air bag is arranged between the seating locations and below the seating surface so that it will expand upwardly upon actuation.
An air bag assembly (80) configured to deploy in a generally vertical direction from the roof of a vehicle, comprising: an air bag (100) having at least one inflatable chamber (110, 112) defined by a material so configured, the inflatable chamber including a top (top end) and an opposite bottom (bottom end); first mounting elements (192, 196) for mounting the air bag to a mounting surface such as the roof of the vehicle and for providing, proximate the top end of the inflatable chamber, a wide and stable base portion from which the air bag extends; an external tether enveloping the material forming the inflatable chamber and positioned on opposing sides of the inflatable chamber, the external tether connected to the air bag proximate the bottom end of the chamber and including respective tether ends connected to the first mounting elements.
A airbag restraint system for inhibiting passengers in bucket seats from colliding with one another during an accident. The airbag restraint system includes a housing member being designed for being coupled to an interior of the vehicle whereby the housing member is positioned between the bucket seats. An inflation assembly is positioned in the housing member and is operationally coupled to the vehicle. An airbag member is operationally coupled to the inflation assembly. The airbag member is positioned in the housing when the airbag member is deflated. The inflation assembly inflates the airbag member whereby the airbag member extends from the housing member when the inflation assembly is actuated by an accident. The airbag member is designed for extending between the bucket seats to inhibit collision of the passengers with each other.
Crash protective surrounds for a vehicle passenger. Permanently inflated cushions are mounted within the fenders and behind the rear seat. A rear seat cushion and a front seat cushion are expandable in a vertical direction and then across the passenger seats. The front cushion and rear cushion tilt forward away from the passenger limiting bag expansive forces against the passenger.
