Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-21
2001-01-23
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S728100, C280S740000, C280S742000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176512
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision, and is particularly directed to an apparatus for directing the flow of inflation fluid into an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, or air bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to use an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, or air bag, to help protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. The air bag is inflated by inflation fluid from an actuatable air bag inflator. The inflator may include a pyrotechnic gas generant, a stored gas supply, or a combination of stored gas and pyrotechnic material for heating the stored gas. The inflator is actuated in response to a signal indicative of vehicle deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude. The inflation fluid is then directed from the inflator into the air bag to inflate the air bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision. The apparatus comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a mouth section with a first opening through which inflation fluid flows to inflate the occupant protection device, an inflator for providing the inflation fluid, and a member located between the mouth section of the occupant protection device and the inflator. The member has a second opening for directing the inflation fluid from the inflator into the first opening. The second opening in the member has first and second portions. The second portion of the second opening in the member overlies the first opening in the mouth section of the occupant protection device. Inflation fluid from the inflator thus enters the occupant protection device by flowing through the second portion of the second opening in the member and then through the first opening in the mouth section. The mouth section of the occupant protection device includes a deflector part blocking inflation fluid flow through the first portion of the second opening in the member into the occupant protection device. The deflector part of the mouth section lies adjacent the first opening in the mouth section.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5172933 (1992-12-01), Strasser
patent: 5487560 (1996-01-01), Emambakhsh
patent: 5494314 (1996-02-01), Kriska et al.
patent: 5848805 (1998-12-01), Sogi et al.
patent: 5857696 (1999-01-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5951044 (1999-09-01), Berger
Culbreth Eric
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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