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Side impact air bag module

  • US 5,704,634 A
  • Filed: 02/15/1996
  • Issued: 01/06/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event of an impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

  • an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position adjacent to the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

    an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

    said central portion of said inflator including a cylindrical side wall of said inflator, said first end portion of said inflator including a first end surface extending transverse to said cylindrical side wall, said second end portion of said inflator including a second end surface extending transverse to said cylindrical side wall;

    a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

    means for supporting said diffuser and said inflator on the vehicle;

    said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

    said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and engaging said transversely extending first end surface of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

    said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis, said curl portion of said diffuser engaging said transversely extending second end surface of said inflator and blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction.

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