Sealing ring for vehicle occupant protection apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical inflator having a central axis;
a wall structure; and
a ring extending through an opening in said wall structure;
said ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis;
said ring having first and second parts which are bonded together, said first part having an annular shape and being formed of a first material, said second part extending circumferentially around said first part and being formed of a second, harder material;
said first part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said inflator, said second part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said wall structure;
said annular shape of said first part of said ring having a radial cross-section which is uniform circumferentially entirely around said first part.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag module (14) includes a cylindrical inflator (24), a wall structure (56), and a ring (120) extending through an opening (72) in the wall structure (56). The ring interlocks the inflator (24) with the wall structure (56) in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about a central axis (27) of the inflator (24). The ring (120) has first and second parts (160, 162) which are bonded together. The first part (160) of the ring (120) has an annular shape, and is formed of a first material. The second part (162) of the ring (120) extends circumferentially around the first part (160), and is formed of a second, harder material.
19 Citations
21 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical inflator having a central axis; a wall structure; and a ring extending through an opening in said wall structure;
said ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis;said ring having first and second parts which are bonded together, said first part having an annular shape and being formed of a first material, said second part extending circumferentially around said first part and being formed of a second, harder material; said first part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said inflator, said second part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said wall structure; said annular shape of said first part of said ring having a radial cross-section which is uniform circumferentially entirely around said first part.
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2. Apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical inflator having a central axis; a wall structure; and a ring extending through an opening in said wall structure, said ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis; said ring having first and second parts which are bonded together, said first part having an annular shape and being formed of a first material, said second part extending circumferentially around said first part and being formed of a second, harder material; said first part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said inflator, said second part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said wall structure; said second part of said ring engaging both said inflator and said wall structure to block movement of said inflator relative to said wall structure circumferentially about said axis; said first and second parts of said ring together defining an annular body portion of said ring, said second part defining a locking tab projecting axially from said body portion, said locking tab having a flat surface abutting a corresponding flat surface on said inflator. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. Apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical inflator having a central axis; a wall structure having an opening with a circular portion and a slot-shaped portion projecting radially from said circular portion, said wall structure further having oppositely facing inner and outer side surfaces; and a ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis; said ring having an annular body portion, a locking tab projecting radially outward from said annular body portion, and a locking key projecting radially outward from said annular body portion at a location spaced circumferentially from said locking tab; said locking tab being receivable axially through said slot-shaped portion of said opening upon movement of said ring to a partially installed position, said ring being rotatable from said partially installed position to a fully installed position in which an inner side surface of said locking tab abuts said outer side surface of said wall structure; said slot-shaped portion of said opening being one of a pair of diametrically opposed slot-shaped portions of said opening, said locking tab being one of a pair of diametrically opposed locking tabs on said ring, said locking key being one of a pair of diametrically opposed locking keys on said ring; said ring having an additional locking tab projecting axially from said annular body portion, said additional locking tab having a flat surface abutting a corresponding flat surface on said inflator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical inflator having a central axis; a wall structure; and a ring in an installed position extending through an opening in said wall structure; said ring and said wall structure being configured to snap together to establish a mechanical interlock upon movement of said ring to said installed position, said interlock blocking movement of said ring both axially and circumferentially; said ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis; said ring having first and second parts which are bonded together, said first part having an annular shape and being formed of a first material, said second part extending circumferentially around said first part and being formed of a second, harder material; said first part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said inflator, said second part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said wall structure; said second part of said ring engaging both said inflator and said wall structure to block movement of said inflator relative to said wall structure circumferentially about said axis; said first and second parts of said ring together defining an annular body portion of said ring, said second part defining a locking tab projecting axially from said body portion, said locking tab having a flat surface abutting a corresponding flat surface on said inflator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. Apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical inflator having a central axis; a wall structure having an opening with a circular portion and a slot-shaped portion projecting radially from said circular portion, said wall structure further having oppositely facing inner and outer side surfaces; and a ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis; said ring having an annular body portion, a locking tab projecting radially outward from said annular body portion, and a locking key projecting radially outward from said annular body portion at a location spaced circumferentially from said locking tab; said locking tab being receivable axially through said slot-shaped portion of said opening upon movement of said ring to a partially installed position;
said ring being rotatable from said partially installed position to a fully installed position in which said locking key extends axially through said slot-shaped portion of said opening to block movement of said ring rotationally relative to said wall structure, and in which an inner side surface of said locking tab abuts said outer side surface of said wall structure to block movement of said ring axially relative to said wall structure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical inflator having a central axis; a wall structure; and a ring in an installed position extending through an opening in said wall structure; said ring and said wall structure being configured to snap together to establish a mechanical interlock upon movement of said ring to said installed position, said interlock blocking movement of said ring both axially and circumferentially; said ring interlocking said inflator with said wall structure in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about said axis; said ring having first and second parts which are bonded together, said first part having an annular shape and being formed of a first material, said second part extending circumferentially around said first part and being formed of a second, harder material; said first part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said inflator, said second part of said ring blocking the passage of inflation fluid through said opening between said ring and said wall structure; said annular shape of said first part of said ring having a radial cross-section which is uniform circumferentially entirely around said first part.
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Specification