Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-18
2001-10-09
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S736000, C280S740000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299200
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus and particularly relates to an air bag module including an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact to the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to inflate an air bag to help protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact to a vehicle of a magnitude above a predetermined threshold. The air bag is stored in a deflated condition, together with an inflator, in a vehicle roof, for example. In the event of a side impact to the vehicle of a magnitude above the predetermined threshold, the inflator is actuated. The air bag is then inflated into a position between the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat and the adjacent side structure of the vehicle such as a door or window of the vehicle or a body panel of the vehicle. The air bag helps protect the vehicle occupant from forcefully striking or being struck by parts of the side structure of the vehicle. The air bag can also help protect the vehicle occupant from objects which might intrude into the vehicle, such as a pole or a tree, during the side impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event of a side impact to the vehicle or a rollover of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position adjacent to the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. The apparatus also comprises an inflator electrically actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device. The inflator has a longitudinal axis, a first end portion having a fluid outlet, a central portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The apparatus further comprises a fill tube extending from a location adjacent the second end portion of the inflator for directing inflation fluid from the inflator into the protection device. The apparatus still further comprises an assembly for directing inflation fluid from the fluid outlet of the inflator to the fill tube. The assembly comprises a shroud having a chamber for receiving the inflator. A manifold is located at the second end portion of the inflator and is in fluid communication with the fill tube and the chamber. The shroud defines a fluid flow passage between the fluid outlet of the inflator and the manifold.
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patent: 6231069 (2001-05-01), Yokoyama
Bowers Paul A.
Swann Timothy A.
Dickson Paul N.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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