Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Larry E Cisney

Pongdet Paul Wipasuramonton

Gregory S Bayley

Terrence J Coultas

A method and apparatus are provided for igniting a body (60) of ignitable gas generating material which generates gas for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12). The method includes the step of igniting a body (202) of pyrotechnic material which, when ignited, emits combustion products. The method further includes the step of igniting the body (60) of gas generating material by dispersing the combustion products over an ignitable surface portion (116) of the body (60) of gas generating material. The combustion products are dispersed by moving the body (202) of pyrotechnic material from a first location to a second location when the body (202) of pyrotechnic material is burning. The first and second locations are spaced from each other across the ignitable surface portion (116) of the body (60) of gas generating material.

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Imlay City, MI, United States of America

Larry E Cisney