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:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1999
Michael J White, Jr, Almont, MI (US);
Michelle M Abraham, Macomb, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) comprises a cushioning device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition in which the cushioning device (14) is inflated between an occupant of a vehicle (12) and the side structure (16) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a fill tube (24) having a portion located in the cushioning device (14) that directs inflation fluid into the cushioning device (14) to inflate the cushioning device (14). A support device (40) has a portion that attaches to the fill tube (24) and supports the fill tube (24) and the cushioning device (14) in the vehicle (12). A fastener (170) fixedly connects the support device (40) and the fill tube (24) to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The fastener (170) has a portion that cooperates with a tool for securing the fastener (170) to the vehicle (12). The support device (40) has a fastener receiving portion (44) for blocking movement of the tool transverse to the axis (178) and preventing engagement of the tool with cushioning device (14).