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:
Sep. 01, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1997
Daniel E Coleman, Mesa, AZ (US);
Thomas O Minor, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a reaction structure (16), an inflator (14) for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device (12), an initiator (102) for initiating a flow of inflation fluid from the inflator (14), and a tubular connector (104) containing the initiator (102). The connector (104) engages the inflator (14), and extends through an aperture (176) in the reaction structure (16). A fastener (182) engages the connector (104) to fasten the connector (104), the initiator (102) and the inflator (14) to the reaction structure (16). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus (10) further includes a diffuser (150) with a circular end wall (152) and a cylindrical side wall (154) projecting axially from the end wall (152). The side wall (154) of the diffuser (150) has fluid flow openings (156), and has an annular edge portion (158) crimped against a rim structure (160) on the inflator (14). A mounting stud (162) projects radially from the diffuser (150) and extends through an aperture (178) in the reaction structure (16). Another fastener (180) engages the mounting stud (182) to fasten the diffuser (150) and the inflator (14) to the reaction structure (16).