Vehicle air bag module and method of assembly
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising a receptacle and a reaction device assembled therewith for use in forming a vehicle air bag module,said receptacle comprising wall means for defining a cavity for an inflator and at least part of a vehicle air bag, said wall means defining an opening for deployment of the vehicle air bag from said cavity,said reaction device including a portion located partly within said cavity and dividing said cavity into a first compartment for an inflator and a second compartment for a vehicle air bag, andsaid reaction device further including reinforcement structure for said wall means adjacent a selected portion of said opening to resist deformation of said selected portion of said opening as an air bag is being deployed from said cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag module construction, and several new and useful components are provided for forming an air bag module. One of the new components comprises a receptacle with a specially designed reaction device which (i) is adapted physically to separate the receptacle into distinct compartments for an inflator and an air bag, and (ii) reinforces an open end of the receptacle in the areas most prone to deformation during deployment of the air bag. Another new and useful component comprises a prepackaged air bag unit which is loaded into and fastened to the receptacle as a prepackaged unit. The prepackaged air bag unit maintains the air bag in a predetermined folded configuration (i) before the air bag is coupled to the receptacle, (ii) while the air bag is being coupled to the receptacle, (iii) while the remainder of the module is being assembled, and (iv) after the module is installed in a vehicle.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising a receptacle and a reaction device assembled therewith for use in forming a vehicle air bag module,
said receptacle comprising wall means for defining a cavity for an inflator and at least part of a vehicle air bag, said wall means defining an opening for deployment of the vehicle air bag from said cavity, said reaction device including a portion located partly within said cavity and dividing said cavity into a first compartment for an inflator and a second compartment for a vehicle air bag, and said reaction device further including reinforcement structure for said wall means adjacent a selected portion of said opening to resist deformation of said selected portion of said opening as an air bag is being deployed from said cavity.
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10. Apparatus comprising a prepackaged air bag unit for disposition in a vehicle air bag container, said prepackaged air bag unit comprising:
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a flexible air bag in a predetermined folded configuration and packaging substantially enclosing said air bag and maintaining said air bag in said predetermined folded configuration, said prepackaged air bag unit being adapted to be coupled to said vehicle air bag container in a manner which places a selected portion of said air bag in force transmitting relationship with said vehicle air bag container. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. A method of assembling a vehicle air bag module, including the steps of providing a container with a cavity for an inflator and at least part of a vehicle air bag, providing a prepackaged air bag unit with an air bag folded and compressed in a predetermined folded configuration and packaging substantially enclosing the folded air bag and maintaining the air bag in the predetermined folded configuration, and attaching said prepackaged air bag unit to said container.
- 24. Apparatus comprising a vehicle air bag module comprising a container with an inflator and a prepackaged air bag unit therein, said prepackaged air bag unit comprising an air bag in a predetermined folded configuration and packaging material substantially surrounding said folded air bag and maintaining said folded air bag in said predetermined folded configuration, said prepackaged air bag unit being coupled with a predetermined portion of said container.
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29. Apparatus for use in forming an air bag module comprising:
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a reaction can having walls defining a receptacle, said walls having opposite pairs of inner surfaces with distal portions defining an opening in said reaction can, a folded air bag disposed in said receptacle formed by the walls of said reaction can, said folded air bag having a gas inlet opening; and a continuous retainer member incorporated into said air bag in the area of said gas inlet opening, said continuous retainer member having a shape conforming to the shape of said opening in said reaction can, said continuous retainer member being disposed inside said opening and adjacent the opposite inner surfaces of the distal portions of said walls, and said continuous retainer member being connected to said walls of said reaction can in force transmitting relationship with said opposite inner surfaces of the distal portions of said walls. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification