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:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 21, 2000
Ernst M. Faigle, Dryden, MI (US);
Tracy S. Sparks, Attica, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) and an inflation fluid source ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes a structure ( ) having a vent opening ( ) for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device ( ). The apparatus ( ) also includes a member ( ) movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening ( ) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid ( ) through the vent opening. The apparatus ( ) includes an electrically energizable mechanism ( ) to move the member ( ) from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening ( ). The mechanism ( ) can also move the member ( ) from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( ).