Seat assembly with movable arm having air bag

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat; two arms coupled to the seat; and an airbag coupled to each arm. Each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position adjacent to the other arm. When the arms are in the extended position, the airbag is inflatable toward the seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly, and more particularly to a seat assembly having a movable arm with an air bag. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle is equipped with airbags. In the event of a collision, the inflator activates and provides an inflating medium to the airbag, and the airbag is pressurized and acts as a cushion for the occupant during the collision. The airbags are located at various fixed locations in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle typically includes a driver's seat airbag, which is installed in the steering wheel; a passenger airbag, which is installed in the instrument panel in the forward direction of the vehicle relative to the front passenger seat; and side curtain airbags, which are installed in the roof rails. Summary of the invention

[0003] A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat; two arms coupled to the seat; and an airbag coupled to each arm. Each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position adjacent to the other arm. When the arm is in the extended position, the airbag is inflatable toward the seat.

[0004] The vehicle seat assembly may include a reaction surface positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the airbags when the airbag is in the inflated position, and each of the airbags may be positioned between one of the reaction surfaces and the seat when the airbag is in the inflated position.

[0005] The vehicle seat assembly may include a reaction surface that is deployable relative to the arm from an undeployed position to a deployed position, and the airbag in the inflated position may contact the reaction surface in the deployed position. Each reaction surface in the undeployed position covers one of the airbags in the uninflated position. The reaction surface may rotate relative to the arm between the undeployed position and the deployed position.

[0006] The airbag may be a first airbag, and the vehicle seat assembly may further include a second airbag coupled to each arm. The seat may include a seat bottom and a seat back, and the first airbag may expand toward the seat back, and the second airbag may expand toward the seat bottom. The vehicle seat assembly may include a first reaction surface positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the first airbags in the expanded position, and positioned so that the first airbag is between the first reaction surface and the seat back when the first airbag is in the expanded position, and the vehicle seat assembly may include a second reaction surface positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the second airbags in the expanded position, and positioned so that the second airbag is between the second reaction surface and the seat bottom when the second airbag is in the expanded position. The first airbag may expand upward relative to the seat when inflated.

[0007] The arm can slide between a stowed position and an extended position relative to the seat. The arm can be curved and elongated, and can slide between the stowed position and the extended position along a curved path.

[0008] The vehicle seat assembly may include two armrests spaced apart from the arms. The airbag may be a first airbag, and the vehicle seat assembly may further include a second airbag coupled to each armrest. The vehicle seat assembly may include a reaction surface positioned above one of the second airbags on the armrest relative to the seat, and the reaction surface may be positioned to contact the second airbag in an expanded position. The reaction surface may be a first reaction surface, and the vehicle seat assembly may include a second reaction surface, wherein the second airbag is between the second reaction surface and the seat, and the second reaction surface is positioned to contact the second airbag in an expanded position. The second airbags may abut each other when expanded.

[0009] The arms may latch to each other in the extended position.

[0010] A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, two armrests coupled to opposite sides of the seat, and an airbag coupled to the armrests. The airbags abut each other when inflated.

[0011] The vehicle seat assembly may include a reaction surface positioned above each of the airbags relative to the seat, and the reaction surface may be positioned to contact the airbag in the inflated position. The reaction surface may be a first reaction surface, and the vehicle seat assembly may include a second reaction surface positioned with the airbag between the second reaction surface and the seat, and the second reaction surface may be positioned to contact the airbag in the inflated position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a top view of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat in the passenger compartment with the arms in the stowed position.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seat with the arms in the extended position.

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the seat with the arms in the extended position and the airbag in the inflated position.

[0016] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of one of the arms and the corresponding air bag.

[0017] Figure 6 is a side view of the seat with the arms omitted for illustration.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a front cross-sectional view of the seat.

[0019] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a control system for an air bag. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The seat 38 with attachment features as described herein provides the benefits of airbag protection regardless of the orientation of the seat 38 in the vehicle 30. In the event of a collision, the airbags 60, 62, 72 can deploy and can prevent secondary collisions between an occupant 99 seated in the seat 38 and features of the passenger compartment 32 of the vehicle 30, such as the dashboard, windows, or pillars. In addition, also in the event of a collision, the airbags 60, 62, 72 can prevent loose objects in the passenger compartment 32 from striking the occupant 99 or reduce the severity of such loose objects striking the occupant 99. The airbags 60, 62, 72 can reduce the likelihood that the occupant 99 will "submarine," i.e., slide forward out of position along the seat bottom 44, during a collision; in particular, the airbags 62 can prevent the lower legs of the occupant 99 from sliding forward, and the airbags 60, 72 can press the occupant 99 downward against the anti-submarine ramp 46. The seat 38 with the airbags 60, 62, 72 can thus reduce injuries to the occupant 99 during a collision. At the same time, the seat 38 can allow the occupant greater freedom of movement, possibly by replacing the seat belts. The arms 52 holding the airbags 60, 62 are spaced from the occupant 99 and can be moved manually into position or can be deployed to position in the event of a collision.

[0021] refer to Figure 1 , the vehicle 30 may be an autonomous vehicle. A computer (not shown) may be configured to operate the vehicle 30 completely or to a lesser extent independently of human driver intervention. The computer may be programmed to operate the propulsion system, the braking system, the steering system, and / or other vehicle systems. For purposes of this disclosure, autonomous operation means that the computer controls the propulsion, braking system, and steering; semi-autonomous operation means that the computer controls one or both of the propulsion, braking system, and steering, and the human driver controls the rest; and non-autonomous operation means that the human driver controls the propulsion, braking system, and steering.

[0022] The vehicle 30 includes a passenger compartment 32. The passenger compartment 32 accommodates occupants 99 of the vehicle 30, if any. The passenger compartment 32 may be surrounded and / or defined by a body 34 of the vehicle 30. A floor 36 may define a bottom of the passenger compartment 32. The passenger compartment 32 includes one or more seats 38 for occupants 99 of the vehicle 30, the seats 38 being disposed on and coupled to the floor 36.

[0023] refer to Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 6 to Figure 7, the seat 38 can be a bucket seat, a long seat or other types of seats as shown in the figure. Each seat 38 defines the front direction as the direction faced by the occupant 99 sitting in the seat 38. The seat 38 can be rotatably connected to the base plate 36 via, for example, a pedestal 40. The seats 38 can each rotate around a vertical axis relative to the passenger compartment 32. Each seat 38 can face the vehicle forward direction, the vehicle backward direction or any direction therebetween. No matter which direction the seat 38 faces, it is the forward direction relative to the seat 38.

[0024] The seat 38 may include a seat back 42 and a seat bottom 44 connected to the seat back 42. The seat back 42 may be supported by the seat bottom 44 and may be fixed or movable relative to the seat bottom 44. The seat back 42 and / or the seat bottom 44 may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. In particular, the seat back 42 and / or the seat bottom 44 may be adjustable themselves, in other words, have adjustable components within the seat back 42 and / or the seat bottom 44, and / or may be adjustable relative to each other. The seat back 42 includes a front side 86 that an occupant 99 contacts when sitting in the seat 38; a back side 88 that faces in a direction opposite to the front side 86; and a left side 90 and a right side 92 that face sideways and connect the front side and the back side.

[0025] refer to Figure 6 , the seat bottom 44 may include an anti-submarine slope 46 and a cushion 47. The cushion 47 may cover the anti-submarine slope 46. The anti-submarine slope 46 may be harder than the cushion 47, i.e., require a greater force to compress. The anti-submarine slope 46 may slope upward in the forward direction of the seat. The anti-submarine slope 46 may include a top 48 at the maximum height of the anti-submarine slope 46, and the top 48 may be positioned more than halfway forward relative to the seat bottom 44. The top 48 of the anti-submarine slope 46 may be positioned below the thighs and in front of the hips of an occupant 99 who is at the 50th percentile in height. The anti-submarine slope 46 may be positioned to reduce the likelihood of the occupant 99 "submarine," i.e., sliding under the restraint during a collision.

[0026] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4, one or more tracks 50 are fixed to the seat 38, such as the seat back 42. In this example, the track 50 and the seat back 42 move together as a unit. The track 50 extends generally laterally along the back side of the seat back 42. The track 50 can have a constant cross-section along the length. The track 50 can be curved and can extend along a partial circular path. The track 50 can extend from the left side 90 of the seat back 42 to the right side 92 of the seat back 42 along the back side 88 of the seat back 42, or the two tracks 50 can each extend from the left side 90 or the right side 92 of the seat back 42 to the back side 88 of the seat back 42 without intersecting.

[0027] refer to Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 6 to Figure 7 , two arms 52 are coupled to the seat 38. The arms 52 are slidable relative to the seat 38. The arms 52 are slidably engaged with the track 50. The occupant 99 can slide the arms 52 along the track 50. The arms 52 can be curved (e.g., elongated in a partial circular shape), and the curvature of the arms 52 can match the curvature of the track 50. The friction between the arms 52 and the track 50 can be high enough so that movement of the vehicle 30 does not cause the arms 52 to slide, and low enough so that the occupant 99 can slide the arms 52 to a desired position.

[0028] Each arm 52 is movable from a stowed position beside the seat 38 to an extended position adjacent to the other arm 52 in the extended position. The arms 52 can slide between the stowed position and the extended position relative to the seat 38. In particular, the arms 52 can slide between the stowed position and the extended position along the curved path of the tracking track 50. When the two arms 52 are in the extended position, the arms 52 abut each other in front of the seat back 42 and in front of the occupant 99. In other words, when the two arms 52 are in the extended position, the arms 52 and the seat back 42 completely surround the occupant seating area and extend completely around the occupant 99 sitting in the seat 38. When the two arms 52 are in the stowed position, the arms 52 are positioned beside and behind the seat back 42, i.e., along the left and right sides 90 and 92 and the back side 88, and allow the occupant 99 to sit on the seat 38 and get up from the seat 38.

[0029] The arm 52 may be manually movable between the stowed position and the extended position, i.e., movable by the occupant 99. For example, friction between the arm 52 and the track 50 may allow the occupant 99 to easily slide the arm 52 along the track 50. Alternatively or additionally, the motor 98 may engage the arm 52 and move the arm along the track 50.

[0030] The arms 52 each extend from a rear end 54 to a front end 56. In the stowed position, the rear ends 54 are closer to each other than in the extended position. For example, the rear ends may abut each other in the stowed position. In the extended position, the front ends 56 abut each other. The arms 52, and in particular the front ends 56, may latch to each other in the extended position. For the purposes of this disclosure, "latchable" means releasably mechanically engaged. In particular, the front ends 56 may include latches 94. For example, one front end 56 may include a striker, and the other front end 56 may include a catch that releasably engages with the striker. The latch 94 may be released by operating a release button (not shown).

[0031] The arms 52 each include an airbag portion 58. The airbag portion 58 is disposed at and may include the front end 56. The airbag portion 58 may have a larger cross-sectional area than the remainder of the arm 52.

[0032] refer to Figures 2 to 5 , the upper airbag 60 is connected to each arm 52 and can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unexpanded position shown is expanded to Figure 4 and Figure 5 38. The inflated position shown. In the uninflated position, the upper air bag 60 is positioned in the arm 52 closer to the front end 56 than to the rear end 54. The upper air bag 60 can be adjacent to the front end 56; that is, there is nothing between the upper air bag 60 and the front end 56. The upper air bag 60 in the uninflated position can be positioned in the air bag portion 58. When the arm 52 is in the extended position, the upper air bag 60 can be inflated toward the seat 38. When inflated from the uninflated position to the inflated position, the upper air bag 60 inflates toward the seat back 42 and upward relative to the seat 38. The upper air bag 60 can be sized and positioned to contact the head of an occupant 99 of the 50th percentile height sitting in the seat 38.

[0033] A knee airbag 62 is coupled to each arm 52 and may be deployed from the Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unexpanded position shown is expanded to Figure 4 and Figure 54. In the uninflated position, the knee airbag 62 is positioned in the arm 52 closer to the front end 56 than the rear end 54. The knee airbag 62 may be adjacent to the front end 56; that is, there is nothing between the knee airbag 62 and the front end 56. The knee airbag 62 in the uninflated position may be positioned below the upper airbag 60 in the airbag portion 58. When the arm 52 is in the extended position, the knee airbag 62 may expand toward the seat 38. When expanding from the uninflated position to the inflated position, the knee airbag 62 expands toward the seat bottom 44. The knee airbag 62 may be sized and positioned to contact the knee of an occupant 99 of the 50th percentile height seated in the seat 38. The knee airbag 62 may block forward movement of the lower leg of the occupant 99, thereby assisting the anti-submarine slope 46.

[0034] The reaction surfaces 64, 66 are supported by and connected to the arm 52. The reaction surfaces 64, 66 may be panels, i.e., may be planar. The reaction surfaces 64, 66 may be movably connected to the arm 52, e.g., via a piano hinge, a living hinge, etc., e.g., may be rotationally engaged with the arm 52. The reaction surfaces 64, 66 may rotate between an undeployed position and a deployed position. The reaction surfaces 64, 66 are prevented from rotating beyond the deployed position. In the deployed position, the reaction surfaces 64, 66 are positioned to guide the expansion of the airbags 60, 62 and resist displacement of the airbags 60, 62 when the occupant 99 pushes against the airbags 60, 62 during a collision.

[0035] Each arm 52 supports an upper reaction surface 64 which may be provided as Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unexpanded position shown is similar to Figure 4 and Figure 5The airbag portion 58 of the arm 52 can move between the deployed positions shown. The airbag portion 58 of the arm 52 can support the upper reaction surface 64, and the upper reaction surface 64 can be arranged on the front side and the upper side of the airbag portion 58. The upper reaction surface 64 can rotate between the undeployed position and the deployed position relative to one of the arms 52. Each upper reaction surface 64 is positioned so that one of the upper airbags 60 contacts the upper reaction surface 64 when inflated and inflates between the upper reaction surface 64 and the seat 38, especially the seat back 42. Each upper reaction surface 64 in the undeployed position covers one of the upper airbags 60 in the undeployed position. Each upper airbag 60 in the inflated position contacts one of the upper reaction surfaces 64 in the deployed position and is arranged between the upper reaction surface 64 and the seat 38. When the occupant 99 presses against the upper air bag 60 during a collision, the upper reaction surface 64 resists the movement of the upper air bag 60 , thereby resisting the momentum of the occupant 99 .

[0036] Each arm 52 supports a knee reaction surface 66 which may be positioned as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unexpanded position shown is similar to Figure 4 and Figure 5 4. The airbag portion 58 of the arm 52 may move between the deployed positions shown. The airbag portion 58 of the arm 52 may support the knee reaction surface 66, and the knee reaction surface 66 may be disposed on the rear and bottom sides of the airbag portion 58. The knee reaction surface 66 may rotate relative to one of the arms 52 between the undeployed position and the deployed position. Each knee reaction surface 66 is positioned so that one of the knee airbags 62 contacts the knee reaction surface 66 when inflated and inflates between the knee reaction surface 66 and the seat 38, particularly the seat bottom 44. Each knee reaction surface 66 in the undeployed position covers one of the knee airbags 62 in the undeployed position. Each knee airbag 62 in the inflated position contacts one of the knee reaction surfaces 66 in the deployed position and is disposed between the knee reaction surface 66 and the seat 38. When occupant 99 presses against knee air bag 62 during a collision, knee reaction surface 66 resists the movement of knee air bag 62 , thereby resisting the momentum of occupant 99 .

[0037] refer to Figure 5, the upper reaction surface 64 and the knee reaction surface 66 are rotatably connected to the arm 52 via a hinge 68. Each hinge 68 can have a first hinge portion, which is fixed relative to one of the arms 52; a second hinge portion, which is fixed relative to one of the upper reaction surface and the knee reaction surface; and a pin connecting the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion. The pin can allow rotational movement of the second hinge portion relative to the first hinge portion. The hinge 68 allows the upper reaction surface 64 and the knee reaction surface 66 to rotate between a non-deployed position and a deployed position along a certain range of motion. The stop 96 can prevent the upper reaction surface 64 and the knee reaction surface 66 from rotating about the hinge 68 beyond the range of motion, such as beyond the deployed position. For example, the stop 96 can be an edge of one of the upper reaction surface 64 and the knee reaction surface 66, the edge such as Figure 5 The stop 96 is shown contacting the outer surface of one of the contact arms 52 when in the deployed position, thereby preventing further rotation. In another example, the stop 96 can be a portion of the hinge 68 that is movable within a keyed portion of the hinge 68 that defines the range of motion. In another example, the stop 96 can be an extension or portion of the arm 52 that hinders rotation of the upper reaction surface 64 and the knee reaction surface 66 outside the range of motion.

[0038] refer to Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 6 to Figure 7 , two armrests 70 are coupled to opposite sides of the seat 38. The armrests 70 may be coupled to a left side 90 and a right side 92 of the seat back 42. The armrests 70 are spaced apart from the arm 52, and the armrests 70 may be positioned inboard of the arm 52 relative to the seat 38. The armrests 70 extend generally parallel to the seat bottom 44 in a forward direction relative to the seat 38. The armrests 70 may be located below the height of the elbows of an occupant 99 of the 50th percentile height seated in the seat 38.

[0039] A thigh airbag is coupled to each armrest 70 and can be provided from Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unexpanded position shown is expanded to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the unexpanded position, the thigh airbag 72 is disposed in the armrest 70. When the unexpanded position is expanded to the expanded position, the thigh airbag 72 is disposed in the armrest 70.

[0040] In the inflated position, the thigh airbag 72 inflates toward the seat bottom 44. When in the inflated position, the thigh airbags 72 abut each other. The thigh airbags 72 can be positioned above the top 48 of the anti-submarine ramp 46 and can inflate toward the anti-submarine ramp 46. The thigh airbags 72 can be sized and positioned to contact the thigh of an occupant 99 of the 50th percentile height seated in the seat 38.

[0041] The upper airbag 60, the knee airbag 62 and the thigh airbag 72 can be formed of any suitable airbag material, such as a braided polymer. For example, the upper airbag 60, the knee airbag 62 and the thigh airbag 72 can be formed of braided nylon threads, such as nylon 6-6. Other suitable examples include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester or any other suitable polymer. The braided polymer can include a coating, such as silicone, neoprene, polyurethane, etc. For example, the coating can be a polyorganosiloxane.

[0042] refer to Figure 7 , each armrest 70 supports a thigh reaction surface 74, 76; for example, each armrest 70 may support a first thigh reaction surface 74 and a second thigh reaction surface 76. (The adjectives "first" and "second" are used as identifiers throughout this document and are not intended to indicate importance or order.) Each first thigh reaction surface 74 may be positioned above one of the thigh airbags 72 relative to the seat 38 and positioned so that the thigh airbag 72 contacts the first thigh reaction surface 74 when inflated. Each second thigh reaction surface 76 may be positioned outboard of the thigh airbag 72 relative to the seat 38 and positioned so that one of the thigh airbags 72 contacts the second thigh reaction surface 76 when inflated. The first thigh reaction surface 74 and the second thigh reaction surface 76 may extend generally parallel to the seat bottom 44 in a forward direction relative to the seat 38. When the occupant 99 presses against the thigh air bag 72 during a collision, the thigh reaction surfaces 74 , 76 resist the movement of the thigh air bag 72 , thereby resisting the momentum of the occupant 99 .

[0043] refer to Figure 8 , the vehicle 30 may include a controller 78. The controller 78 is a microprocessor-based controller. The controller 78 includes a processor, a memory, etc. The memory of the controller 78 includes a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor and for electronically storing data and / or databases. The controller 78 may be the same computer responsible for operating the vehicle 30 autonomously or semi-autonomously, or the controller 78 may be a different computer. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 78 may be a restraint device control module.

[0044] The controller 78 can transmit signals through a communication network 80, such as a controller area network (CAN) bus, Ethernet, WiFi, a local interconnect network (LIN), an on-board diagnostic device connector (OBD-II), and / or through any other wired or wireless communication network. The controller 78 can communicate with the collision sensor 82, the inflator 84, the motor 98, and the latch 94 via the communication network 80.

[0045] The collision sensor 82 is adapted to detect a collision with the vehicle 30. The collision sensor 82 may be of any suitable type, such as a post-contact sensor, such as a linear or angular accelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, and a contact switch; and a pre-crash sensor, such as a radar, a lidar, and a vision sensing system. The vision system may include one or more cameras, a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, etc. The collision sensor 82 may be located at a plurality of points in or on the vehicle 30.

[0046] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the inflator 84 can be connected to the upper airbag 60, the knee airbag 62 and the thigh airbag 72, for example, one inflator 84 corresponds to one airbag. After receiving a signal from, for example, the controller 78, the inflator 84 can inflate the airbag with an inflatable medium, such as a gas. The inflator 84 can be a compressed gas inflator. Alternatively, the inflator 84 can be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator that uses a chemical reaction to drive the inflating medium to the airbag. The inflator 84 can be, for example, a cold air inflator.

[0047] In the event of a collision, the collision sensor 82 can detect the collision and transmit a signal to the controller 78 via the communication network 80. If it is not already in the extended position, the controller 78 can transmit a signal to the motor 98 via the communication network 80 to slide the arm 52 to the extended position. If it is not already latched, the controller 78 can transmit a signal to the latch 94 via the communication network to latch. The controller 78 can transmit a signal to the inflator 84 via the communication network 80. The inflator 84 can exhaust and inflate the upper airbag 60, the knee airbag 62, and the thigh airbag 72. The upper airbag 60 can resist the forward momentum of the occupant 99 relative to the seat 38, especially the upper torso and head of the occupant 99. The knee airbag 62 can resist the forward momentum of the occupant 99 relative to the seat 38, especially the legs of the occupant 99. The thigh airbag 72 can reduce the possibility of the occupant 99 diving from the seat 38, and the thigh airbag 72 can resist the lateral momentum of the occupant 99 relative to the seat 38. Regardless of the orientation of the seat 38, the upper airbag 60, the knee airbag 62, and the thigh airbag 72 can provide cushioning for the occupant 99 during a collision. After a preset duration, the controller 78 can transmit a signal to the latch 94 through the communication network 80 to unlock.

[0048] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to have the nature of words of description rather than limitation. In light of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible, and the present disclosure may be practiced in other ways than specifically described.

[0049] According to the present invention, a vehicle seat assembly is provided, the vehicle seat assembly having a seat; two arms, the two arms are connected to the seat, each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position adjacent to the other arm; and an airbag, the airbag is connected to each arm and can be inflated toward the seat when the arm is in the extended position.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by: a reaction surface, which is positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the airbags when the airbag is in the inflated position, and each of the airbags is positioned between one of the reaction surfaces and the seat when the airbag is in the inflated position.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a reaction surface that is deployable relative to the arm from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, and the airbag in the inflated position contacts the reaction surface in the deployed position.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that each reaction surface in the non-deployed position covers one of the airbags in the non-inflated position.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the reaction surface is rotatable relative to the arm between an undeployed position and a deployed position.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the airbag is a first airbag and the vehicle seat assembly further includes a second airbag coupled to each arm.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back, wherein the first airbag is inflatable toward the seat back, and the second airbag is inflatable toward the seat bottom.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by: a first reaction surface, which is positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the first airbags in the inflated position, and is positioned so that the first airbag is between the first reaction surface and the seat back when the first airbag is in the inflated position, and the vehicle seat assembly also includes a second reaction surface, which is positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the second airbags in the inflated position, and is positioned so that the second airbag is between the second reaction surface and the seat bottom when the second airbag is in the inflated position.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the first airbag expands upward relative to the seat when inflated.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the arm is slidable relative to the seat between a stowed position and an extended position.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the arm is curved and elongated and is slidable along a curved path between a stowed position and an extended position.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by two armrests spaced apart from the arms.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the airbag is a first airbag and the vehicle seat assembly further includes a second airbag coupled to each armrest.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a reaction surface positioned above one of the second airbags on the armrest relative to the seat, the reaction surface being positioned to contact the second airbag in the inflated position.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the above invention is also characterized in that: the reaction surface is a first reaction surface, and the vehicle seat assembly also includes a second reaction surface, wherein the second airbag is between the second reaction surface and the seat, and the second reaction surface is positioned to contact the second airbag in the inflated position.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the second airbags abut each other when inflated.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that the arms are latchable to each other in the extended position.

[0066] According to the present invention, a vehicle seating assembly is provided having a seat, two armrests coupled to opposite sides of the seat, and airbags coupled to the armrests, the airbags abutting each other when inflated.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a reaction surface positioned above each of the airbags relative to the seat, the reaction surface being positioned to contact the airbag in the inflated position.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the above invention is also characterized in that: the reaction surface is a first reaction surface, and the vehicle seat assembly also includes a second reaction surface, which is positioned as an airbag between the second reaction surface and the seat, and the second reaction surface is positioned to contact the airbag in the inflated position.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: Seats; two arms coupled to the seat, each arm movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position adjacent the other arm; as well as an air bag coupled to each arm and inflatable toward the seat when the arms are in the extended position, The arm is slidable relative to the seat between the stowed position and the extended position.

2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a reaction surface positioned on the arm to contact a corresponding one of the airbags when the airbag is in the inflated position, each of the airbags being positioned between one of the reaction surfaces and the seat when the airbag is in the inflated position.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 further comprising a reaction surface deployable relative to the arm from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, and wherein the air bag in the inflated position contacts the reaction surface in the deployed position.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein each reaction surface in the non-deployed position covers one of the air bags in the non-inflated position. 5 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3 , wherein the reaction surface is rotatable relative to the arm between the undeployed position and the deployed position.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm is curved and elongated and is slidable along a curved path between the stowed position and the extended position.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 further comprising two armrests spaced apart from the arms.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the airbag is a first airbag, the vehicle seating assembly further comprising a second airbag coupled to each armrest.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising a reaction surface positioned on the armrest relative to the seat above one of the second air bags, the reaction surface positioned to contact the second air bag in an inflated position.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the second air bags abut each other when inflated.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the airbag is a first airbag, the vehicle seating assembly further comprising a second airbag coupled to each arm.

12. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: Seats; two armrests coupled to opposite sides of the seat; an airbag coupled to the armrest, the airbags abutting each other when inflated; as well as Two arms are coupled to the seat and spaced apart from the two armrests, wherein each of the arms is slidable relative to the seat between a stowed position and an extended position.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 12 further comprising a reaction surface positioned above each of the air bags relative to the seat, the reaction surface positioned to contact the air bags in the inflated position.

14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the reaction surface is a first reaction surface and the vehicle seat assembly further comprises a second reaction surface positioned with the air bag between the second reaction surface and the seat, the second reaction surface positioned to contact the air bag in the inflated position.

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