Protective sleeve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for covering a weld line, comprising:
- welding together components of an airbag inflator structure; and
covering the weld line with a protective sleeve such that the protective sleeve is positioned adjacent to and extends over the weld line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are methods for covering a weld line and structures used to cover a weld line. Embodiments of the method comprise covering a weld line, such as the weld line between components of an airbag inflator structure, with a protective sleeve. This allows jagged edges and whiskers created during the welding process to be covered. The protective sleeve may comprise an annular structure adapted to be fitted over the weld line.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for covering a weld line, comprising:
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welding together components of an airbag inflator structure; and covering the weld line with a protective sleeve such that the protective sleeve is positioned adjacent to and extends over the weld line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for covering a weld line, comprising:
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welding together components of an airbag inflator structure; and stretching a protective sleeve over the weld line, wherein the protective sleeve comprises a flexible annular structure having a circumferential feature formed therein that has a smaller inner diameter than the remainder of the protective sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A protective sleeve for use in combination with an airbag inflator structure to cover a weld line in the airbag inflator structure, the protective sleeve comprising:
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a flexible annular structure configured to be fit over the weld line, wherein the flexible annular structure comprises a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end; and a circumferential feature formed in the flexible annular structure and positioned in between the first and second ends, wherein the circumferential feature has a smaller inner diameter than the remainder of the flexible annular structure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An airbag inflator structure, comprising:
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an airbag inflator comprising a weld line; and a protective sleeve positioned to cover the weld line such that the protective sleeve is positioned adjacent to and extends over the weld line. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification