Air bag module

US6290252A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Limited · US

Inventors

• Vincent J. Mramor · Chandler, US
• Timothy A. Swann · Mesa, US
• Kevin M. Brown · Mesa, US
• Roy D. Van Wynsberghe · Mesa, US
• Bryan W. Shirk · Mesa, US
• Eric C. Erike · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 18, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/2171
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) comprises a canister (30) and an inflatable device (80) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. The inflatable device (80) has a first portion (82) fixed in the apparatus (10) and also has a second portion (86). The apparatus (10) includes an inflation fluid source (96) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (80). A cover (50) for covering at least a portion of the canister (30) has a first portion (54) and a second portion (52). The first portion (54) of the cover (50) moves upon inflation of the inflatable device (80) to provide an opening (60) through which the second portion (86) of the inflatable device is deployed. The first portion (82) of the inflatable device (80) engages and is fixed to the second portion (52) of the cover (50) by structure (100) free of a retaining ring inside the canister (30) when the inflatable device is deflated and when the inflatable device is inflated.