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Airbag

  • US 5,954,359 A
  • Filed: 05/27/1997
  • Issued: 09/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A driver'"'"'s air bag arrangement comprising:

  • an inflatable bag (2), a housing (6) for the bag, an inflator module for inflating the bag (2), the inflator module comprising an inflator initiator responsive to a crash condition sensor, and a source of compressed gas (3) responsive to the inflation initiator to release the gas to inflate the bag through an inflation inlet, wherein the source of compressed gas comprises a generally cylindrically shaped gas container (3) having an outlet for the gas located substantially at one end, the outlet being seated under non-crash conditions and being unsealed in response to the inflation initiator, and wherein the cylindrically shaped gas container (3) is shaped and dimensioned so that a substantial part of the container is locatable within and coaxial with a steering column shaft of the automobile, the arrangement being characterised by a manifold (5,14) for directing the gas issuing from the gas source (3) into the bag (2) in the housing (6) to inflate the bag (2) in an evenly distributed manner the manifold having holes arranged radially of the steering column shaft to distribute the gas flow into the bag, wherein the manifold is provided as an integral part of a securing member adapted to secure the upper steering column shaft (4) to the air bag housing (6).

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