Vehicle occupant restraint apparatus and method of assembly
US5588667A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/201
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a canister (14), an inflator (18), and a restraint assembly (20). The canister (14) has a plurality of tabs (58), a chamber (70), a side opening (62), and a deployment opening (72). The inflator (18) is movable to an installed position in the chamber (70) in a first direction through the side opening (62). The restraint assembly (20) includes an air bag (22) which is expandable from the deployment opening (72) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction upon inflation of the air bag (22) when the restraint assembly (20) is in an installed position engaged with the canister (14). Cooperating structures (48, 50, 52, 54) guide movement of the restraint assembly (20) to its installed position in sliding contact with the canister (14) in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. A closure wall (140) has a closed position blocking movement of the inflator (18) and the restraint assembly (20) from their installed positions. The tabs (58) on the canister (14) are receivable through slots (158) in the closure wall (140) and are bendable into fastening positions in which they retain the closure wall (140) in t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.