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Air bag device for vehicles

  • US 5,152,550 A
  • Filed: 08/07/1991
  • Issued: 10/06/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. For use in a vehicle having collision sensing means mounted thereon to rapidly generate a signal in response to a collision, cushioning apparatus to be mounted in said vehicle and deployed upon collision to protect an occupant in said vehicle from injury, said cushioning apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a reservoir containing prior to collision a pressurized fluid and having an outlet,(b) an inflatable cushion having an inlet, said inflatable cushion being inflated solely by said pressurized fluid from said reservoir in the event of a collision,(c) a frangible plate interposed between the outlet of said reservoir and the inlet of said inflatable cushion and preventing the passage of pressurized fluid from said reservoir to said inflatable cushion, said frangible plate having an upstream side facing the outlet of said reservoir and a downstream side opposite said upstream side, said frangible plate rapidly shattering into discrete fragments when struck,(d) first means to support said frangible plate around the periphery thereof so as to leave the major central area of said frangible plate unobstructed,(e) a striking member adjacent the downstream side of said frangible plate and having a longitudinal axis, a first end to strike said frangible plate and rapidly shatter said frangible plate, a second end opposite said first end, and a transverse cross-section substantially smaller than the major central area of said frangible plate,(f) second means mounting said striking member for movement along said longitudinal axis toward the downstream side of said frangible plate,(g) third means to rapidly apply a force to the second end of said striking member in response to a signal generated by said collision sensing means to drive said striking member along said longitudinal axis toward the downstream side of said frangible plate so that the first end of said striking member shatters said frangible plate,(h) whereby to provide a passage generally annularly disposed about said striking member and of area adequate to permit the rapid flow therethrough of said pressurized fluid from said reservoir into said inflatable cushion in response to a signal generated by said collision sensing means, said pressurized fluid being the sole fluid to inflate said cushion,(i) filter means mounted in said passage and generally annularly disposed about said striking member and interposed between said frangible plate and the inlet of said inflatable cushion.

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