Vehicle air bag module and method of assembly

• US 5,195,775 A
• Filed: 03/16/1992
• Issued: 03/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Komerska, Anthony J., Wallner, John P., Shellabarger, Richard E., Lecznar, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/851,807
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/730, 280/731, 280/732, 280/743
• US Class Current: 280/732
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for use in forming an air bag assembly 20 including a receptacle 28, an air bag 26, a continuous frame 62, and fastening elements 150. The receptacle 28 has walls 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 defining an internal cavity 46 in which the air bag 26 is disposed in a folded form and a front opening 48 through which the air bag 26 is deployed. At least some of the walls of the receptacle 28 have a series of holes 142 adjacent the front opening 48. The air bag 26 has a mouth which forms a gas inlet opening and the continuous frame 62 is incorporated into the air bag mouth and secures the air bag 26 to the receptacle 28. The continuous frame 62 is disposed inside the front opening 48 within the internal cavity 46 and includes a series of holes 140 positioned to align with the series of holes 142 in the walls of the receptacle. The fastening elements 150 extend through the series of holes 142 in the walls of the receptacle 28 and through the series of holes 140 in the continuous frame 62 to connect the continuous frame 62 to the walls in a force transmitting relationship.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in forming an air bag assembly comprising a receptacle, an air bag a continuous frame, and fastening elements;

said receptacle having walls defining an internal cavity in which said air bag is disposed in a folded form and a front opening through which said air bag is deployed;

at least some of said wall of said receptacle having a series of holes adjacent said front opening;

said air bag having a mouth which forms a gas inlet opening;

said continuous frame being incorporated into said mouth of said air bag and securing said mouth of said air bag to said receptacle;

said continuous frame being disposed inside said front opening within said internal cavity and including a series of holes aligned with said series of holes in said walls of said receptacle; and

said fastening elements extending through said series of holes in said walls of said receptacle and through said series of holes in said continuous frame to connect said continuous frame to said walls in a force transmitting relationship.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said front opening is a substantially rectangular opening and wherein said continuous frame comprises a substantially rectangular member.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said series of holes in said walls of said receptacle are adjacent said front opening.

4. An air bag assembly comprising a receptacle, an air bag unit, and a cover;

said receptacle including a pair of spaced apart, parallel side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, and an end wall which together form an internal cavity with a front opening;

said side walls including means for securing an inflator to said receptacle;

said air bag unit including a retainer device which is received into said front opening, an air bag which is attached to said retainer device, and fastening elements which secure said retainer device to said receptacle;

said retainer device including a continuous frame having openings;

said fastening elements extending through said openings in said continuous frame;

said air bag being stored in said internal cavity in a folded predeployment condition prior to inflation;

said cover positioned to protect said airbag in its predeployment condition and being rupturable by said air bag during deployment thereof.

5. An air bag assembly as set forth in claim 4 further comprising an inflator located within said internal cavity and positioned to supply inflation fluid to said air bag.

6. An air bag assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said inflator includes a threaded shaft and wherein said securing means comprises an opening in one of said side walls, said opening receiving said threaded shaft whereby said inflator may be bolted to said one of said side walls.

7. An air bag assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said inflation fluid passes through said retainer device to inflate said air bag.

8. An air bag assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said continuous frame includes rounded corners.