MULTIPLE PYRO SYSTEM

• US 3,787,074 A
• Filed: 05/28/1971
• Issued: 01/22/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald J. Lewis, Robert L. Stephenson
• Original Assignee: Donald J. Lewis, Robert L. Stephenson
• Inventors: Lewis, Donald J., Stephenson, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/147,913
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 23/281 102/32 280/15AB
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2035 using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21656; assembling of modules B60R21/217

Abstract

This invention relates to the procedure of redundancy, without operational compromise, in the supply of generated gas from a pyrotechnic device to an inflatible bag assembly.

Claims

1. An inflatable assembly comprising a plurality of symmetrically disposed discrete pyrotechnic gas producers mounted in an enclosed housing;

a plurality of ignitors for igniting said producers, each of said ignitors directly associated with separate ones of said producers;

a passageway devoid of gas producer directly connecting said producers to ensure ignition of all of said producers in the event that less than all said ignitors fail to function;

a manifold mounted in said assembly;

a single outlet interconnecting said housing and said manifold said outlet disposed in said passageway centrally of said symetrically disposed producers;

a removable plug normally covering said outlet, said plug removed as a result of increased pressure communicated to it through said passageway by the build-up of gas derived from said gas producers; and

an inflatable unit disposed about and in communication with said manifold.

2. An assembly, in accordance with claim 10, wherein said manifold is provided with a deflecting rib opposite said removable plug in said passageway to diffuse said gas in said manifold.

3. An assembly, in accordance with claim 10, wherein only two of said pyrotechnic gas producers ar provided and said assembly is disposed on the steering wheel of a vehicle.