Inflatable restraint module
First Claim
1. An inflatable restraint module, comprising:
- a one-piece chamber shaped to receive an inflator and to at least partially enclose an inflatable cushion;
an opening in the chamber;
an outward extension of the chamber that projects away from the opening and is coupled to the inflatable cushion;
a curved lip of the chamber extending toward the opening to support at least a portion of the inflatable cushion;
a canister having an open side sized to receive the inflatable cushion and chamber; and
a mouth at one end of the canister dimensioned to receive the inflator.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lighter, low-cost inflatable restraint module is disclosed. The inflatable restraint module may include an inflator positioned within a heat shield. The heat shield and inflator may be disposed within an inflatable cushion. A portion of the cushion containing the inflator and heat shield is situated within a chamber. The chamber may include an opening in the chamber and an extension that projects away from the opening. Attachment of a portion of the inflatable cushion to the extension keeps the portion of the cushion away from the opening of the chamber and, thus, away from potentially damaging heat generated by the inflator. Alternatively, the portion of the cushion may be kept away from the opening by attachment to a cover which is, in turn, attached to the extension. The inflator, heat shield, chamber, and cushion may be secured within an interior region of a canister.
38 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An inflatable restraint module, comprising:
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a one-piece chamber shaped to receive an inflator and to at least partially enclose an inflatable cushion;
an opening in the chamber;
an outward extension of the chamber that projects away from the opening and is coupled to the inflatable cushion;
a curved lip of the chamber extending toward the opening to support at least a portion of the inflatable cushion;
a canister having an open side sized to receive the inflatable cushion and chamber; and
a mouth at one end of the canister dimensioned to receive the inflator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An inflatable restraint module, comprising:
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a one-piece chamber shaped to receive an inflator and to at least partially enclose an inflatable cushion;
an opening in the chamber;
an outward extension of the chamber that projects away from the opening and is coupled to the inflatable cushion;
a curved lip of the chamber extending toward the opening to support at least a portion of the inflatable cushion;
a cover shaped to cover the cushion;
a canister having an open side sized to receive the inflatable cushion and chamber; and
a mouth at one end of the canister dimensioned to receive the inflator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An inflatable restraint module, comprising:
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an inflatable cushion shaped to receive an inflator;
a one-piece chamber shaped to receive the inflator and to at least partially enclose the inflatable cushion;
an opening in the chamber;
an outward extension of the chamber that projects away from the opening and is coupled to the inflatable cushion;
a curved lip of the chamber extending toward the opening to support at least a portion of the inflatable cushion;
a cover shaped to be positioned around the cushion and chamber;
a canister having an open side sized to receive the cover, cushion, and chamber when the cover is positioned around the cushion and chamber; and
a mouth at one end of the canister dimensioned to receive the inflator. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
a set of tabs on the extension; and
a first and a second set of apertures in the cover, the first and second set of apertures each being positioned in the cover to receive the set of tabs and secure the cover around the cushion and chamber.
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22. The inflatable restraint module as defined in claim 20, wherein the cover is made from fabric.
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23. The inflatable restraint module as defined in claim 20, further comprising a heat shield shaped to receive the inflator for protecting the inflatable cushion from heat generated by the inflator when an inflator positioned within the cushion is activated.
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24. The inflatable restraint module as defined in claim 23, wherein the heat shield is made from fabric.
Specification