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:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2000
Paul A. Bowers, Ray, MI (US);
Timothy A. Swann, Mesa, AZ (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus (,) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (,) includes an inflatable protection device (,), an inflator (,), and a fill tube (,). The inflator (,) is electrically actuated to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (,). The inflator (,) has a longitudinal axis (,), a first end portion (,) with a fluid outlet (,), a central portion (,), and a second end portion (,) opposite the first end portion. The fill tube (,) extends from a location adjacent the second end portion (,) of the inflator (,) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator (,) into the protection device (,). A directing assembly,) directs inflation fluid from the fluid outlet (,) of the inflator (,) to the fill tube (,). The directing assembly (,) includes a shroud (,) with a chamber (,). The chamber (,) receives the inflator (,). A manifold (,) is located at the second end portion (,) of the inflator. The manifold (,) is in fluid communication with the fill tube (,) and the chamber (,). The shroud (,) defines a fluid flow passage (,) between the fluid outlet (,) of the inflator (,) and the manifold (,).