Hi] 3,861,712 [45] Jan. 21, 1975
A gas bag type safety device having an inflatable confinement which is expanded to a protective condition at the time of a collision the inflated confinement being adapted to be gradually deflated upon being hit by the vehicle occupants so as to reduce an otherwise large repulsive force tending to bounce the occupants violently back against the seats or other structural parts of the vehicle. Such deflation of the inflated confinement is effected through an exhaust duct having its outlet outside of the passenger compartment. The outlet is closed by a cover which opens after a given time interval from the moment of triggering off the inflation of the confinement which cover opens substantially at the same time as the occupants hit the inflated confinement. Instead of a cover one or more membranes can be used which rupture at the time when the occupants hit the inflated confinement.
2 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures
