The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 10, 1993
Filed:
Apr. 27, 1992
John E Gordon, Vandalia, OH (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An occupant restraint system comprises an inflatable air bag having an open end which is closed by one side of a base plate having a central circular opening flanked by a plurality of circumferentially-spaced mounting holes. An inflator for the air bag has a cylindrical casing with radial fluid discharge ports for discharging gas. A flange extends radially beyond the casing below the discharge ports and includes four circumferentially-spaced mounting holes which mate with the base plate mounting holes. The inflator acts as a valve to maintain air bag pressure below a predetermined level. This is accomplished by providing guide pins extending through the mated mounting holes. The guide pins carry compression springs which bias the inflator to a first position in which the flange engages the base plate with the discharge ports located above the base plate in operative communication with the air bag. The inflator includes a reaction surface located above the discharge ports which is exposed to air bag pressure. When the force exerted by air bag pressure exceeds a predetermined level, the springs compress and the inflator slides on the pins to a second position in which the discharge ports are located below the base plate out of operative communication with the air bag. Alternatively, the inflator may be supported by a plastically yieldable support which collapses to allow movement of the inflator to the second position.