Continuous circumference diffuser reaction canister
First Claim
Patent Images
1. For use in an inflatable restraint system for a motor vehicle, the combination comprising:
- a reaction canister having a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel,a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion, and an inflator having an elongated cylindrical shape and including a gas flow outlet arrangement that renders the inflator substantially thrust neutral,said diffuser tube being arranged to permit installation therein of said inflator as a last operation of assembly,with said diffuser and cap portions being formed in one piece with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister, andwith said top and said bottom panels extending in one piece to said cover from said diffuser and cap portions, respectively, of said diffuser tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Featured for use in the reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a continuous circumference diffuser tube. The diffuser tube may be a one-piece, two-piece or clamshell type all of which functionally are the same although the clamshell type is more versatile. The diffuser tube provides for the attachment of brackets for installation of the reaction canister in the instrument panel of a vehicle, provides a secure reliable attachment for the inflatable bag or protective cushion, and a secure installation of the inflator. The diffuser tube completely encloses the inflator and allows a last operation of assembly thereof.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. For use in an inflatable restraint system for a motor vehicle, the combination comprising:
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a reaction canister having a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel, a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion, and an inflator having an elongated cylindrical shape and including a gas flow outlet arrangement that renders the inflator substantially thrust neutral, said diffuser tube being arranged to permit installation therein of said inflator as a last operation of assembly, with said diffuser and cap portions being formed in one piece with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister, and with said top and said bottom panels extending in one piece to said cover from said diffuser and cap portions, respectively, of said diffuser tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. For use is an inflatable restraint system for a motor vehicle, the combination comprising:
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a reaction canister having a top panel and a bottom panel, and a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion, with one at least of said diffuser and cap portions being formed integrally with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister, wherein said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister each have a first edge and a second edge, wherein said diffuser tube has a first end and a second end, wherein said reaction canister further includes, a first end plate and a second end plate positioned in contacting relation with said first and second edges, respectively, of said top panel and said bottom panel and with said first and second ends, respectively, of said diffuser tube, said top and bottom panels forming a cavity in said reaction canister, an inflatable bag housed in said cavity in said reaction canister, said inflatable bag having an inlet opening for the flow of inflating gas therein positioned in cooperative relation with said diffuser tube and being attached thereto at a position closely adjacent said inlet opening, an elongated inflator having a first end and a second end and adapted to be inserted in said diffuser tube and having support means provided at each end for the retention thereof in said diffuser tube, and a portion of said second end plate adjacent the second end of said diffuser tube being cut out to allow said inflator to be inserted in said diffuser tube in cooperative relation therewith from outside the reaction canister and diffuser tube as a last operation of the assembly thereof with said inflatable bag housed in said cavity of said reaction canister. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A reaction canister, inflator and diffuser combination for a motor vehicle inflatable restraint system characterized in that said reaction canister has a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel, said inflator is substantially thrust neutral, and said diffuser comprises a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion and is arranged to permit installation of said inflator as a last operation of assembly, and characterized in that said diffuser and cap portions are formed in one piece with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister, and further characterized in that said top and said bottom panels extend in one piece to said cover from said diffuser and cap portions, respectively, of said diffuser tube.
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12. A reaction canister and diffuser combination for a motor vehicle inflatable restraint system characterized in that said reaction canister has a top panel and a bottom panel and said diffuser comprises a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion and is arranged to permit installation of an inflator as a last operation of assembly, and characterized in that said diffuser and cap portions are formed in one piece with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister,
said reaction canister and diffuser combination being further characterized in that said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister each have a first edge and a second edge, wherein said diffuser tube has a first end and a second end, wherein said reaction canister further includes a first end plate and a second end plate positioned in contacting relation with said first and second edges, respectively, of said top panel and said bottom panel and with said first and second ends, respectively, of said diffuser tube, said top and bottom panels forming a cavity in said reaction canister, an inflatable bag housed in said cavity in said reaction canister, said inflatable bag having an inlet opening for the flow of inflating gas therein positioned in cooperative relation with said diffuser tube and being attached thereto at a position closely adjacent said inlet opening, an elongated inflator having a first end and a second end and adapted to be inserted in said diffuser tube and having support means provided at each end for the retention thereof in said diffuser tube, and a portion of said second end plate adjacent the second end of said diffuser tube being cut out to allow said inflator to be inserted in said diffuser tube in cooperative relation therewith from outside the reaction canister and diffuser tube as a last operation of the assembly thereof with said inflatable bag housed in said cavity of said reaction canister.
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13. For use in an inflatable restraint system for a motor vehicle, the combination comprising,
a reaction canister having a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel, and a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion, with said diffuser and cap portions being formed in one piece with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister, and with said top and said bottom panels extending in one piece to said cover from said diffuser and cap portions, respectively, of said diffuser tube, wherein said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister each have a first edge and a second edge, wherein said diffuser tube has a first end and a second end, and wherein said reaction canister further includes a first end plate and a second end plate positioned in contacting relation with said first and second edges, respectively, of said top panel and said bottom panel and with said first and second ends, respectively, of said diffuser tube with said diffuser portion of said diffuser tube, said first and second end plates, and said top and bottom panels forming a cavity in said reaction canister.
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14. A reaction canister and diffuser combination comprising,
a reaction canister and diffuser combination for a motor vehicle inflatable restraint system characterized in that said reaction canister has a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel and said diffuser comprises a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion and is arranged to permit installation of an inflator as a last operation of assembly, and characterized in that said diffuser and cap portions are formed in one piece with said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister, and further characterized in that said top and said bottom panels extend in one piece to said cover from said diffuser and cap portions, respectively, of said diffuser tube, wherein said top panel and said bottom panel of said reaction canister each have a first edge and a second edge, wherein said diffuser tube has a first end and a second end, wherein said reaction canister further includes a first end plate and a second end plate positioned in contacting relation with said first and second edges, respectively, of said top panel and said bottom panel and with said first and second ends, respectively, of said diffuser tube, with said diffuser portion of said diffuser tube, said first and second end plates, and said top and bottom panels forming a cavity in said reaction canister, and with a portion of said second end plate adjacent the second end of said diffuser tube being cut out to allow an inflator to be inserted in said diffuser tube in cooperative relation therewith from outside the reaction canister and diffuser tube as a last operation of the assembly thereof.
Specification