Air bag module with an integral shield
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, the apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate the protection device, the inflation fluid flow from the inflator being transverse to a central axis of the inflator; and
a shield comprising a piece of material folded about the inflator and having a wall portion interposed between at least a portion of the inflator and the protection device and against which inflation fluid initially exiting from the inflator is directed;
the wall portion having a plurality of tear seams that rupture due to inflation fluid pressure acting on the shield to enable the wall portion to form a plurality of flaps within the protection device, each flap moving away from the central axis of the inflator about a respective axis that extends in a direction transverse to the central axis of the inflator to block inflation fluid contact with portions of the protection device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). The inflation fluid flow from the inflator (14) is transverse to a central axis (16) of the inflator. A shield (70) includes a piece of material (72) folded about the inflator (14) and having a wall portion (102) that is interposed between at least a portion of the inflator and the protection device (12) and against which inflation fluid initially exiting from the inflator at least partially impinges. The wall portion (102) has a plurality of tear seams (76) that rupture due to inflation fluid pressure acting on the shield (70) to enable the wall portion to form a plurality of flaps (80) within the protection device (12). Each flap (80) moves away from the central axis (16) of the inflator (14) about a respective axis that extends transverse to the central axis (16) of the inflator to block inflation fluid contact with portions of the protection device (12).
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate the protection device, the inflation fluid flow from the inflator being transverse to a central axis of the inflator; and a shield comprising a piece of material folded about the inflator and having a wall portion interposed between at least a portion of the inflator and the protection device and against which inflation fluid initially exiting from the inflator is directed; the wall portion having a plurality of tear seams that rupture due to inflation fluid pressure acting on the shield to enable the wall portion to form a plurality of flaps within the protection device, each flap moving away from the central axis of the inflator about a respective axis that extends in a direction transverse to the central axis of the inflator to block inflation fluid contact with portions of the protection device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate the protection device; and a shield comprising a piece of material having a wall portion and a peripheral edge portion, the wall portion interposed between at least a portion of the inflator and the protection device and against which inflation fluid initially exiting from the inflator impinges, at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion being secured to the protection device at a location spaced apart from the inflator; the shield comprising a plurality of tear seams that help define a plurality of flaps in the wall portion, the tear seams being rupturable due to inflation fluid acting on the shield to release the plurality of flaps to move away from the inflator to help block inflation fluid from contacting portions of the protection device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, the apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate the protection device; and a shield comprising; a peripheral portion secured to the protection device; a wall portion at least partially interposed between the inflator and the protection device; a central opening; and at least one tear seam defining a flap of the shield; the shield directing initial inflation fluid flow from the inflator toward the opening, the tear seam being adapted to rupture due to inflation fluid pressure acting on the shield, rupture of the tear seam enabling the flap to move against the protection device to at least partially block inflation fluid contact with the protection device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification