Air bag module

• US 5,876,058 A
• Filed: 09/04/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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: Nemoto, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/923,621
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2172 the cover being connected to the surrounding part and to the module, e.g. floating mounts
• 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 (10) includes a plurality of parts which are clamped together by a fastener (24). The clamped parts include a reaction canister (16), an air bag (12) inside the canister (16), a retainer frame (60) inside the air bag (12), and a retainer sleeve (102 or 116) outside the canister (16). The fastener (24) extends through the retainer sleeve (102 or 116). The apparatus (10) further includes a deployment structure (18) supported for limited movement relative to the canister (16). A panel portion (70) of the deployment structure (18) extends across a deployment opening (48) in the canister (16). A mounting portion (72 or 74) of the deployment structure (18) projects from the panel portion (70). The retainer sleeve (102 or 116) extends through an aperture (96) in the mounting portion (72 or 74) of the deployment structure (18), and is spaced fully from the deployment structure (18) within the aperture (96). In this arrangement, clearance for movement of the deployment structure (18) is provided about the periphery of the retainer sleeve (102 or 116).

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a plurality of parts which are clamped together by a fastener, said parts including a reaction canister, an air bag inside said canister, a retainer frame inside said air bag, and a retainer sleeve outside said canister, said fastener extending through said retainer sleeve; and

a deployment structure supported for limited movement relative to said canister, said deployment structure having a panel portion extending across a deployment opening in said canister, said deployment structure further having a mounting portion projecting from said panel portion;

said retainer sleeve extending through an aperture in said mounting portion of said deployment structure and being spaced fully from said deployment structure within said aperture, whereby clearance for said movement is provided about the periphery of said retainer sleeve.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastener is a rivet having a grip extending from an inner side of said retainer frame to an outer end of said retainer sleeve.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture is one of a row of equally sized apertures, said retainer sleeve being one of a row of equally sized retainer sleeves which are interconnected by a retainer strip, each of said sleeves extending from said strip into abutment with said canister through a corresponding one of said apertures.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said mounting portion of said deployment structure has a shoulder surface facing in a direction extending outward relative to said deployment opening, said retainer strip having a flange portion with an inner side surface, said inner side surface being located adjacent to said shoulder surface and facing oppositely inward toward said shoulder surface.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said retainer sleeves has an outer diameter, each of said apertures having an inner diameter greater than said outer diameter, said inner side surface of said flange being spaced from said shoulder surface a distance which is greater than the difference between said inner and outer diameters.