Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Ali S Emambakhsh

Roy C Turnbull

Russell E Stein

Marie C Kravetz

Gwendolyn C Hatten

Kimberly A Schwerin

An inflatable air bag (10) includes axially spaced inboard and outboard side sections (200, 202) and an intermediate section (204) extending between the side sections. The air bag has a primary chamber (160) which has a generally U-shaped configuration when inflated. A base portion (162) of the primary chamber (160) extends between the inboard and outboard side sections (200, 202) of the air bag (10) and receives inflation fluid from an inflator (186). Axially spaced first and second inflatable side portions (164,166) of the primary chamber (160) are in fluid communication with the base portion (162) of the primary chamber at opposite axial sides of the base portion. The air bag also (10) includes a secondary chamber (170). At least one secondary panel (20) of the air bag (10) has at least one ambient air aspiration opening (40) for aspirating ambient air into the secondary chamber (170). The secondary chamber (170) is located between the first and second inflatable side portions (164, 166) of the primary chamber (160). The inboard side section (200) of the air bag (10) consists of the first side portion (164) of the primary chamber (160). The outboard side section (202) of the air bag (10) consists of the second side portion (166) of the primary chamber (160). The secondary panel (20) is movable, upon inflation of the primary chamber (160), to draw ambient air through the aspiration opening (40) into the secondary chamber (170) to inflate the secondary chamber upon inflation of the primary chamber.

Inflatable vehicle occupant restraint

An air bag module (10) includes an air bag (14) and an inflator (18). A canister (16) defines a chamber (42) for receiving a housing (190) of the inflator (18). Each one of a pair of straps (20, 22) has an upper end portion (202, 222) located in a first recessed portion (70, 72) on a first upper flange (50) of the canister (16). Each strap (20, 22) has a lower end portion (204, 224) located in a first recessed portion (130, 132) on a first lower flange (110) of the canister (16). The canister (16) has a plurality of second recessed portions (170, 172) forming standoffs which project into the chamber (42) for engaging spaced surface portions (194, 196) of the inflator housing (190). The straps (20, 22) clamp the inflator housing (190) against the second recessed portions (170, 172) of the canister (16).

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Ali S Emambakhsh