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Air bag module with extruded housing

  • US 5,931,489 A
  • Filed: 05/21/1997
  • Issued: 08/03/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An air bag module for use in a vehicle, the module comprising:

  • an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas;

    an air bag for inflation upon the discharge of the inflator gas from the inflator, the air bag including axially elongated retainer bars;

    an axially elongated, open-ended, generally cylindrical extruded housing having a circular-shaped cross-section defined by a single cylindrical wall having an internal wall surface and an external wall surface, the inflator being disposed within the internal wall surface and the cylindrical wall including at least one diffuser opening therethrough for diffusing gas into the air bag;

    first and second integrally extruded air bag channels directly disposed on the external wall surface on opposing sides of said diffuser opening, the integrally extruded air bag channels for axially receiving the retainer bars of the air bag therein for attachment of the air bag to the housing whereby the cylindrical wall and the air bag channels form a generally cylindrical-shaped housing; and

    a cover having side walls including axially extending enlarged portions, and the housing including axially extending cover channels shaped for closely receiving the enlarged portions of the cover therein, and wherein the cover channels are disposed on the external wall surface such that the cylindrical wall, the cover channels, and the air bag channels form a generally cylindrical-shaped housing, and wherein the side walls of the cover serve as a deployment chute for the air bag;

    the cover including an integrally formed upper show panel extending generally perpendicular to the side walls; and

    the cover including a weakened tear seam disposed on one of the side walls and beneath the upper show panel and wherein the tear seam is invisible from the upper show panel.

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