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:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1998
Ernst M. Faigle, Dryden, MI (US);
Charles E. Steffens, Jr., Washington, MI (US);
Diane D. Ford, Dryden, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (,) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (,) which is folded so as to be deployed from a reaction structure (,) in a first direction to restrain movement of a vehicle occupant in a second, opposite direction. The folded protection device (,) has a cross-section with a configuration defined by pleats (,). Each pleat (,) has an open end (,) and a closed end (,) spaced from the open end (,) in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second directions. An inflator (,) is received within one of the pleats (,′) and has inflation fluid outlet openings (,) adjacent to the closed end (,) of the pleat (,′). A retainer ring (,) engages and supports a peripheral edge portion (,) of the folded protection device (,) in an open configuration. The bag retainer ring (,) and the edge portion (,) of the folded protection device (,) are spaced fully from the inflator (,) on opposite sides of the pleated cross-section of the folded protection device (,).