Inflator assembly for a vehicle occupant protection device
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorsTimothy A. Swann, Bryan W. Shirk, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable between a part (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) also comprises an inflation fluid source (24) that is actuatable to direct into the vehicle occupant protection device (14) both gas for initially inflating the vehicle occupant protection device and materials (82, 124) for forming a low-density closed cell foam material in the vehicle occupant protection device. The closed cell foam material assists in maintaining the vehicle occupant protection device (14) in an inflated condition.
Claims9
Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable into a position between a part of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;
- and
- an inflation fluid source that is actuatable to direct into said vehicle occupant protection device both gas for initially inflating said vehicle occupant protection device and materials for forming a low-density closed cell foam material in said vehicle occupant protection device, said closed cell foam material assisting in maintaining said vehicle occupant protection device in an inflated condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.