John J Gordon
Engineers in Provo, UT

5224732, Jul 6, 1993

Jul 16, 1991

7/731004

Charles Y. Warner - Orem UT
John J. Gordon - Provo UT
Ralph C. Warner - Salt Lake City UT
Mark H. Warner - Provo UT
Karl H. Wenger - Salt Lake City UT

B60R 2122

280730

An inflatable protective system provides cushioning and containment for the head, thorax, and pelvis of an occupant of a vehicle during side impact of the vehicle by another object. The system includes an inflatable bag that is attached to a mounting plate, which extends over the lower section of a side panel assembly of the vehicle. The inflatable bag includes an upper portion foldable into a stowed position facing the occupant's thorax when seated on the seat. A deployment envelope including at least one sheet of bearing material and at least one sheet of friction reducing material is sandwiched between the bag and a cushioning panel, which is detachably connected to an inner side of the side panel assembly, to enhance the smooth deployment of the bag. An inflator responsive to an impact against the side panel assembly inflates the lower portion of the bag, which expands laterally toward the thorax and pelvis of the occupant to form a shock absorbent cushion and barrier for restraining the occupant's thorax and pelvis from moving into the side panel assembly. The entire cushioning panel is propelled across the lateral spacing between the side panel assembly and the seat toward the occupant to make initial cushioned contact with the seat and the occupant and to initiate lateral movement of the occupant away from the side panel assembly.