AIRBAG INFLATOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A passenger vehicle having an inflatable restraint system comprising:
- a body structure having a roof rail, the roof rail including an outer roof rail member defining an outboard facing surface of the roof rail, and an inner roof rail member connected to the outer roof rail member and defining an inboard facing surface, the inner roof rail member having a recess formed therein; and
an inflatable airbag restraint system including an inflatable airbag connected to the body structure and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag, the airbag operable in a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration wherein the inflator inflates the airbag with a fluid;
wherein the recess is configured and arranged to receive and position a portion of the inflator extending past the inboard facing surface toward the outer roof rail member.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle having and airbag inflator device and method of installation is disclosed. The airbag inflator device is positioned in a recess in a body structure roof rail or enclosed in an interior cavity defined by the roof rail member. The airbag inflator is mounted to the roof rail directly or to a cover plate that when installed forms a part of the roof rail substantially covering an aperture in the roof rail.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A passenger vehicle having an inflatable restraint system comprising:
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a body structure having a roof rail, the roof rail including an outer roof rail member defining an outboard facing surface of the roof rail, and an inner roof rail member connected to the outer roof rail member and defining an inboard facing surface, the inner roof rail member having a recess formed therein; and an inflatable airbag restraint system including an inflatable airbag connected to the body structure and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag, the airbag operable in a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration wherein the inflator inflates the airbag with a fluid; wherein the recess is configured and arranged to receive and position a portion of the inflator extending past the inboard facing surface toward the outer roof rail member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A passenger vehicle having an inflatable restraint system comprising:
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a body structure having a roof rail, the roof rail including an outer roof rail member defining an outboard facing surface of the roof rail, and an inner roof rail member connected to the outer roof rail member and defining an inboard facing surface, wherein the outer roof rail member and inner roof rail member are configured and arranged to form an interior cavity; and an inflatable airbag restraint system including an inflatable airbag connected to the body structure, an inflator, and a gas guide in fluid communication with the airbag and the inflator and extending through the inboard facing surface, the airbag operable in a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration wherein the inflator inflates the airbag with a fluid; wherein the interior cavity is configured and arranged to receive the inflator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of installing an inflatable airbag restraint system in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing an inflator having a canister in fluid communication with an inflator gas guide; providing a roof rail having an inner roof rail member defining an inboard facing surface configured for receiving at least a portion of the inflator through the inboard surface; and mounting the inflator to the inner roof rail member to secure the inflator to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification