Air bag module having cover with an air bag retainer in a chamber in the cover

• US 6,367,835 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• 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: Maguire, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/702,924
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/732, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicled. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) having a retainer portion (22). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) inflates in a primary direction toward a vehicle occupant. A reaction can (12) has an opening (13) through which the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) inflates. The reaction can (12) further has at least one channel portion (60). The channel portion (60) secures the retainer portion (22) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) against movement in the primary direction. A cover (14) closes the opening (13). The cover (14) has at least one projection (90). The projection (90) defines a chamber (99) that receives the retainer portion (22) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The projection (90) of the cover (14) and the retainer portion (22) are located in the channel portion (60) of the reaction can (12).

Claims

1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a retainer, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflating in a primary direction toward a vehicle occupant;

a reaction can having an opening through which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflates, said reaction can further having at least one channel portion, said channel portion securing said retainer of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device against movement in the primary direction; and

a cover for closing said opening of said reaction can, said cover having at least one projection, said projection defining a chamber receiving said retainer of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,

said projection of said cover and said retainer being located in said channel portion of said reaction can,

wherein said projection includes a first wall and a second wall interconnected by a third wall and said third wall includes a hinge for facilitating access to said chamber of said projection.

2. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a retainer, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflating in a primary direction toward a vehicle occupant;

a reaction can having an opening through which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflates, said reaction can further having at least one channel portion, said channel portion securing said retainer of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device against movement in the primary direction; and

a cover for closing said opening of said reaction can, said cover having at least one projection, said projection defining a chamber receiving said retainer of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,

said projection of said cover and said retainer being located in said channel portion of said reaction can,

wherein said projection includes a first wall and a second wall interconnected by a third wall and said third wall includes a snap connection structure permitting disconnection of said second wall from said first wall and reconnection of said second wall to said first wall.

3. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a retainer, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflating in a primary direction toward a vehicle occupant;

a reaction can having an opening through which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflates, said reaction can further having a channel structure including at least one channel portion; and

a cover for closing said opening of said reaction can, said cover being made of plastic material and having at least one wall extending along a portion of said reaction can, said wall having a projection, said projection having a first wall and a second wall interconnected by a third wall and defining a chamber receiving said retainer of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,

said projection of said cover and said retainer being located in said channel structure of said reaction can, said location of said projection of said cover and said retainer in said channel structure comprising the only structure securing said retainer of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device against movement in the primary direction.

4. The apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said reaction can includes a C-shaped reaction can part having opposite ends and two end plates, said end plates comprising separate structures, one end plate being attached to each respective end of said C-shaped reaction can part to form a unitary structure.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said channel structure includes a second channel portion of said reaction can disposed at a directly opposite location in said C-shaped reaction can part from said one channel portion.