Valve
First Claim
1. A valve for an air-bag, the valve comprising a fixed component, the fixed component having a mount to mount the component to an air-bag or a gas generator housing, the fixed component defining at least one aperture, the valve incorporating a moveable component configured to be exposed to pressure from inflating gas within the air-bag, the moveable component also being configured to be slidably engaged with the fixed component and having at least one aperture formed therein, the components having an initial position in which the aperture in fixed component is totally off-set from the or each aperture in the movable component, and the movable component being movable relative to the fixed component, under the action of gas pressure within the air-bag, to a position in which at least part of the or each aperture formed in the movable component is co-aligned with the aperture in the fixed component thus creating a vent flow passage for gas from the interior of the air-bag or the gas generator housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve is disclosed for an air-bag for use as a safety device in a motor vehicle. The valve comprises a fixed component (1) which has a mount such as a mounting flange (2) for mounting the fixed component (1) to an air-bag or gas generator housing. The fixed component (1) defines at least one aperture (5). The valve also incorporates a moveable component (6) which is configured to be slidingly engaged with the fixed component and which has at least one other aperture (11) formed therein. The two components (1), (6) have an initial position in which the aperture (5) in the fixed component is off-set from the or each aperture (11) in the moveable component. The moveable component is moveable relative to the fixed component to a position in which at least part of the or each aperture (11) formed in the moveable component (6) is co-aligned with the aperture (5) in the fixed component (1) so as to create a vent flow passage for gas from the interior of the air-bag or gas generator housing.
11 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A valve for an air-bag, the valve comprising a fixed component, the fixed component having a mount to mount the component to an air-bag or a gas generator housing, the fixed component defining at least one aperture, the valve incorporating a moveable component configured to be exposed to pressure from inflating gas within the air-bag, the moveable component also being configured to be slidably engaged with the fixed component and having at least one aperture formed therein, the components having an initial position in which the aperture in fixed component is totally off-set from the or each aperture in the movable component, and the movable component being movable relative to the fixed component, under the action of gas pressure within the air-bag, to a position in which at least part of the or each aperture formed in the movable component is co-aligned with the aperture in the fixed component thus creating a vent flow passage for gas from the interior of the air-bag or the gas generator housing.
Specification