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. 08, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 14, 2000
Vincent J. Mramor, Chandler, AZ (US);
Timothy A. Swann, Mesa, AZ (US);
Kevin M. Brown, Mesa, AZ (US);
Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, Mesa, AZ (US);
Bryan W. Shirk, Mesa, AZ (US);
Eric C. Erike, Mesa, AZ (US);
TRW INC, Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
Apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) that has a side structure ( ) and a roof ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof ( ) into a position between the side structure ( ) of the vehicle ( ) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus ( ) also includes a plastic housing ( ) for storing the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) in a stored position. An inflation fluid source ( ) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). A fill tube ( ) directs the inflation fluid into the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The fill tube ( ) is connected to the housing ( ) by plastic connection portions ( ) of the housing that have a surface ( ) in continuous engagement with portions of an outer surface ( ) of the fill tube. The connection portions ( ) and the remaining portions of the housing ( ) are constructed of a single piece of homogeneous plastic material.