PROBLEM

To provide a motorcycle airbag device that contributes to the stabilization of the deployment behavior and the deployment posture of the airbag.

RESOLUTION MEANS

The present invention is an airbag device mounted on a motorcycle having a gas generator that generates an expansion gas, where the airbag is expanded by the expansion gas, and by deploying in front of the occupant, restrains forward movement of the occupant. Furthermore, the airbag has a stepped portion that protrudes forward when deployed and is supported by a structural portion around the top of the handlebars of the motorcycle.

PROBLEM

To provide a motorcycle airbag device that contributes to the stabilization of the deployment behavior and the deployment posture of the airbag.

RESOLUTION MEANS

The present invention is an airbag device mounted on a motorcycle having a gas generator that generates an expansion gas, where the airbag is expanded by the expansion gas, and by deploying in front of the occupant, restrains forward movement of the occupant. Furthermore, the airbag has a stepped portion that protrudes forward when deployed and is supported by a structural portion around the top of the handlebars of the motorcycle.

In one aspect, an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a frontal curtain airbag. The airbag has overlying panels that are interconnected. The airbag is deployable a deployed condition in which the airbag spans across a width of a windshield opening of the vehicle. A restraining panel is separate from and extends widthwise over the panels of the airbag. The restraining panel is connected to the airbag and has a width configured to cause opposing end portions of the deployed airbag to be bent toward one another and into a curved configuration. Pressurization in the deploying airbag tensions the restraining panel widthwise. The tensioned restraining panel maintains the bend in the deploying airbag so that an effective airbag depth is measured between the restraining panel and the airbag.

Vehicle safety systems comprising seatbelts and inflatable cushions deployable therefrom. Some embodiments comprise a first vertical seatbelt having a first inflatable cushion coupled thereto and a second vertical seatbelt having a second inflatable cushion coupled thereto. The first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion may be configured to inflate at an at least substantially static location relative to an adjacent seat and may be configured to deploy adjacent to an occupant's chest and to inhibit movement of an occupant's head during an impact event. The system may further comprise a horizontal seatbelt coupled with one or both of the first vertical seatbelt and the second vertical seatbelt.

Vehicle safety systems comprising seatbelts and inflatable cushions deployable therefrom. Some embodiments comprise a first vertical seatbelt having a first inflatable cushion coupled thereto and a second vertical seatbelt having a second inflatable cushion coupled thereto. The first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion may be configured to inflate at an at least substantially static location relative to an adjacent seat and may be configured to deploy adjacent to an occupant's chest and to inhibit movement of an occupant's head during an impact event. The system may further comprise a horizontal seatbelt coupled with one or both of the first vertical seatbelt and the second vertical seatbelt.

A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an airbag module (12) including an inflator (18) and a frontally acting airbag (16), wherein the airbag (16) includes an inflator-side inflation end (46) as well as a first free end (56) located in the inflated state of the airbag (16) within a vehicle interior. In a first period during deployment of the airbag (16), the first free end (56) is still connected via a tether (74) to the airbag module (12), wherein the tether (74) becomes detached upon reaching a predetermined tensile force. When folding the airbag (16), the non-inflated airbag (16) is spread so that a second free end (58) is maximally distant from the inflation end (46) and a first outer wall portion is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the airbag (16), and the first free end (56) is located in the vicinity of the inflation end (46) and a second outer wall portion is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the airbag (16), wherein a third outer wall portion of the airbag (16) is folded back onto itself at least in a portion. The two lateral areas of the spread airbag (16) are folded toward the center, and subsequently the airbag (16) is rolled up from the second free end (58).

A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an airbag module (12) including an inflator (18) and a frontally acting airbag (16), wherein the airbag (16) includes an inflator-side inflation end (46) as well as a first free end (56) located in the inflated state of the airbag (16) within a vehicle interior. In a first period during deployment of the airbag (16), the first free end (56) is still connected via a tether (74) to the airbag module (12), wherein the tether (74) becomes detached upon reaching a predetermined tensile force. When folding the airbag (16), the non-inflated airbag (16) is spread so that a second free end (58) is maximally distant from the inflation end (46) and a first outer wall portion is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the airbag (16), and the first free end (56) is located in the vicinity of the inflation end (46) and a second outer wall portion is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the airbag (16), wherein a third outer wall portion of the airbag (16) is folded back onto itself at least in a portion. The two lateral areas of the spread airbag (16) are folded toward the center, and subsequently the airbag (16) is rolled up from the second free end (58).

A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an airbag module (12) which includes an airbag (16) as well as an inflator (18) which upon activation supplies filling gas for the airbag (16). The airbag (16) is folded prior to activation into an airbag package (14) so that a main package (48) which contains a restraint part (52) of the airbag (16) constituting a major part of the airbag volume as well as a connecting portion (50) is formed which comprises a neck (54) of the airbag (16) connecting the restraint part (52) to the inflator (18), wherein the restraint part (52) is folded differently from the neck (54).

A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an airbag module (12) which includes an airbag (16) as well as an inflator (18) which upon activation supplies filling gas for the airbag (16). The airbag (16) is folded prior to activation into an airbag package (14) so that a main package (48) which contains a restraint part (52) of the airbag (16) constituting a major part of the airbag volume as well as a connecting portion (50) is formed which comprises a neck (54) of the airbag (16) connecting the restraint part (52) to the inflator (18), wherein the restraint part (52) is folded differently from the neck (54).

Disclosed herein is an airbag apparatus that includes a pair of main cushions installed to respective left and right sides of a seat back and deployed forward when gas is delivered to an internal filling chamber, to restrain a passenger from sides, and a pair of auxiliary cushions coupled to respective front ends of the main cushions while in communication with the main cushions and deployed laterally at one ends thereof to restrain the passenger from a front.