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. 31, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 21, 1997
Michael J White, Jr, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Mark O Olson, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An air bag module (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (30) comprising a main panel (50) which has a deflated condition and which is inflatable into a position adjacent to an occupant for helping to protect the occupant. The module (10) also includes an inflator assembly (32, 34) actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the main panel (50) of the inflatable device (30). The inflator assembly (32, 34) has at least one fluid outlet (36) disposed within the main panel (50) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator assembly into the main panel. The inflatable device (30) also includes a shield (60) disposed within the main panel (50). The shield (60) overlies the fluid outlet (36) when the inflatable device (30) is in the deflated condition. The shield (60) is rupturable at a predetermined weakened portion (152) in response to the flow of inflation fluid from the fluid outlet (36) to enable flow of inflation fluid into the main panel (50) of the inflatable device (30). The shield (60) blocks contact between the initial flow of inflation fluid, which may contain hot particles, and the main panel (50).