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:
Jun. 25, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 05, 1994
Douglas J Rizzi, East Pointe, MI (US);
Paul T Saccone, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Raymon K Simonsen, III, Mesa, AZ (US);
Pondget P Wipasuramonton, Rochester, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for use in inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) comprises a container (15) for containing inflation fluid. The container (15) has an inner surface (26) which defines an opening extending into the container. A plug (40) is located in the opening. The plug (40) includes a first passage for inflation fluid to flow from the container (15) into an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12). The plug (40) includes a second passage through which pressurized inflation fluid is directed into the container (15). The second passage has a first portion (190) and a second portion (192) communicating with the first portion. The first portion (190) communicates with a fill hole (194) located on a flat outer surface portion (199) of the plug (40) and the second portion (192) communicates with a chamber (18) in the container (15). A ball (195) of a check valve (196) seals the first and second portions ( 190, 192) of the second passage to prevent inflation fluid from flowing out of the container (15) after the container has been filled with pressurized inflation fluid. A closure member (198) is then friction welded to the flat outer surface portion (199) and over the fill hole (194) to provide a hermetic seal between the closure member and the flat outer surface portion.