Inflator having gas deflector flanges

An apparatus for use in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having inner and outer surfaces;
• and
• an actuatable inflator for, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,
• said inflator including a circumferentially spaced plurality of radially extending outlet openings which are located inside said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and through which inflation fluid from said inflator is directed radially outward to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,
• said inflator further including a circumferentially spaced plurality of deflector flanges, said plurality of deflector flanges being permanently spaced radially from said plurality of outlet openings and being radially aligned with said outlet openings, said plurality of deflector flanges completely overlying said plurality of outlet openings such that, when said inflator is actuated, said deflector flanges deflect the inflation fluid flowing from said plurality of outlet openings and thereby prevent the inflation fluid from impinging directly on said inner surface of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device as the inflation fluid is being directed out of said inflator;
• said inflator including a housing, said plurality of outlet openings being formed in said housing, said plurality of deflector flanges being formed in one piece with said housing.