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:
Apr. 15, 1997
Filed:
Jan. 05, 1996
Stuart M Frey, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag (12), comprises a pressure vessel (14) having a closure wall (50) and a means (52) for forming a first opening in the closure wall (50). The pressure vessel (14) defines a chamber (18) containing a source for inflation. A breakaway section (72) of the closure wall (50) has an inner surface (140) which defines the first opening (136). The breakaway section (72) breaks away when a predetermined pressure level in the chamber (18) is reached. When the breakaway section (72) breaks away, a second opening (138) in the closure wall (50) is formed. Means (60, 48, 32) are provided for directing the inflation fluid from the second opening (138) into the vehicle occupant protection device (12). After the breakaway section (72) has broken away from the closure wall (50), a member (36) coaxial with the first opening (136) and in close axial proximity to the closure wall (50) has an outer surface (96) which projects through the first opening (136). Thereafter, the outer surface (96) of the member (36) supports and retains the breakaway section (72).