Air bag module
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use in forming an air bag module, comprising:
- a reaction device and a cover fastened to each other and forming a container with an internal cavity, said reaction device forming reaction structure on an exterior portion of said container;
an inflatable air bag disposed substantially in said internal cavity in said container, said inflatable air bag being adapted to be forced through said cover and out of said container when gas under pressure is directed into said air bag; and
a retainer member located outside of said container, said retainer member being connected with said air bag;
said retainer member being located so as to be drawn into force transmitting relationship with said reaction structure on said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container, to maintain said air bag anchored to said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container;
wherein said reaction device and said cover have respective portions which are fastened to each other in forming said container, and wherein a segment of said flexible bag is disposed and captured between said respective portions of said reaction device and said cover, said apparatus further comprising means for fastening together said respective portions of said reaction device and said cover and also maintaining said segment of said flexible bag between said respective portions of said reaction device and said cover.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle air bag module comprises a container, a folded air bag disposed substantially inside the container, and an inflator coupled to the container. The container comprises a reaction device and a cover fastened to the reaction device. A retainer frame is located outside the container. A segment of the air bag material is disposed between the cover and the reaction device, and is connected to the retainer frame. The segment of the air bag is captured between the cover and the reaction device as the cover and reaction device are fastened together. Thus, the same structure which fastens the cover to the reaction device also fastens the air bag to the container. Since the retainer is disposed outside of the container, the volume of the container is relatively small, and the module is relatively compact. Also, the retainer is preferably a continuous frame which is drawn into force transmitting relation with the reaction device during deployment of the air bag, to anchor the air bag securely to the reaction device during deployment of the air bag.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for use in forming an air bag module, comprising:
-
a reaction device and a cover fastened to each other and forming a container with an internal cavity, said reaction device forming reaction structure on an exterior portion of said container; an inflatable air bag disposed substantially in said internal cavity in said container, said inflatable air bag being adapted to be forced through said cover and out of said container when gas under pressure is directed into said air bag; and a retainer member located outside of said container, said retainer member being connected with said air bag; said retainer member being located so as to be drawn into force transmitting relationship with said reaction structure on said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container, to maintain said air bag anchored to said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container; wherein said reaction device and said cover have respective portions which are fastened to each other in forming said container, and wherein a segment of said flexible bag is disposed and captured between said respective portions of said reaction device and said cover, said apparatus further comprising means for fastening together said respective portions of said reaction device and said cover and also maintaining said segment of said flexible bag between said respective portions of said reaction device and said cover. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. Apparatus for use in forming an air bag module, comprising:
-
a reaction device and a cover fastened to each other and forming a container with an internal cavity, said reaction device forming reaction structure on an exterior portion of said container; an inflatable air bag disposed substantially in said internal cavity in said container, said inflatable air bag being adapted to be forced through said cover and out of said container when gas under pressure is directed into said air bag; and a retainer member located outside of said container, said retainer member being connected with said air bag; said retainer member being located so as to be drawn into force transmitting relationship with said reaction structure on said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container, to maintain said air bag anchored to said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container; wherein said retainer member comprises a continuous frame member. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. Apparatus for use in forming an air bag module, comprising:
-
a reaction device and a cover fastened to each other and forming a container with an internal cavity, said reaction device forming reaction structure on an exterior portion of said container; an inflatable air bag disposed substantially in said internal cavity in said container, said inflatable air bag being adapted to be forced through said cover and out of said container when gas under pressure is directed into said air bag; and a retainer frame located outside of said container, said retainer frame being connected with said air bag; said retainer frame being located so as to be drawn into force transmitting relationship with said reaction structure on said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container, to maintain said air bag anchored to said reaction device as said inflatable air bag is being forced out of said container.
-
Specification