Ford Motor. has been granted a patent for a vehicle assembly featuring an elongated bed with two inflatable airbags on opposite sides. The design includes an airbag extension supported by one airbag and a tether connecting both airbags, enhancing safety and structural integrity during inflation. GlobalData’s report on Ford Motor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Ford Motor, Hydrogen fuel cells was a key innovation area identified from patents. Ford Motor's grant share as of June 2024 was 61%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Vehicle bed assembly with inflatable airbags and tether

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Ford Motor Co

The patent US12043205B2 describes an innovative assembly designed for vehicle safety, featuring a vehicle bed that is elongated along a defined axis. This assembly includes two elongated airbags positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle bed, which can be inflated to provide protection. The first airbag supports an airbag extension that abuts the second airbag when inflated. Additionally, a tether connects the first and second airbags, ensuring structural integrity and functionality during deployment. The design allows for multiple airbag extensions and tethers, enhancing the safety features of the assembly.

Further claims detail the integration of inflation chambers within the airbags and their extensions, allowing for a coordinated inflation process. The assembly can also incorporate belt restraints that extend across the vehicle bed, providing additional safety measures. Notably, the patent includes provisions for a second vehicle bed, which can be aligned parallel to the first, and features additional airbags and extensions to bolster safety. The comprehensive design aims to create a robust safety system that can adapt to various vehicle configurations, ensuring occupant protection in the event of a collision.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.