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Patent US3749282A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
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US3749282A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Sensor and trigger mechanism

Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
•
Filing: 1971-04-02
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-04-02
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Abstract

Abstract A sensor and trigger mechanism of the type including a pressure vessel having an outlet secured to a cylindrical support member and sealed by a rupturable diaphragm. An axial guide pin mounted on the support extends through an axial opening in an intermediate wall of the support and slidably supports a penetrator pin for rupturing the diaphragm. The open ends of a hollow frangible glass cylinder seat between the support wall and the pin. The particular mechanism disclosed includes a ball of predetermined weight seated on a frusto-conical pedestal and held against movement by a lever arm pivoted at one end and mounting a pressure pad on the free other end thereof engaging the ball diametrically opposite the seat. A coil compression spring engages an intermediate portion of the lever. The spring seats on an embossment of the arm and on a threadedly adjustable guide pin. The free end of the lever arm includes two lateral tangs which engage the bight portion of a torsion spring to detent the bight portion against movement. A fragmentor pin is slidably mounted on the support for engagement with the glass cylinder when engaged by the bight portion of the torsion spring. A threaded nylon member includes a deflectable tang which engages an annular groove in the shank of the fragmentor pin to releasably detent the pin against movement. When the glass cylinder is fragmented, a compression spring engaging the head of the penetrator pin moves the penetrator pin into engagement with the diaphragm to rupture the diaphragm and release the contents of the pressure vessel for inflation of an occupant restraint cushion.

Inventors

  • 👤 E Day
  • 👤 G Giannone

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 14:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/33; F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 170 words
In a sensor and trigger mechanism having a support, a source of pressure fluid sealed by a penetratable seal, a movable penetrating member engageable with the seal to penetrate the seal and release the pressure fluid, and a generally hollow cylindrical frangible glass member limiting movement of the penetrating member relative to the seal, the combination comprising, an enlongating fragmentizing member having a peripheral laterally opening groove and being movable longitudinally into engagement with the glass member to fragmentize the glass member and release the penetrating member, means for moving the fragmentizing member and the glass member into engagement with each other, columnar stiff laterally deflectable means engaging the groove to positively locate the fragmentizing member against movement with respect to the glass member, and means responsive to an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time for actuating the moving means to move the fragmentizing member into engagement with the glass member, the deflectable means being laterally deflected upon movement of the groove relative to and out of engagement therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 170 words
In a sensor and trigger mechanism having a support, a source of pressure fluid sealed by a penetratable seal, a movable penetrating member engageable with the seal to penetrate the seal and release the pressure fluid, and a generally hollow cylindrical frangible glass member limiting movement of the penetrating member relative to the seal, the combination comprising, an enlongating fragmentizing member having a peripheral laterally opening groove and being movable longitudinally into engagement with the glass member to fragmentize the glass member and release the penetrating member, means for moving the fragmentizing member and the glass member into engagement with each other, columnar stiff laterally deflectable means engaging the groove to positively locate the fragmentizing member against movement with respect to the glass member, and means responsive to an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time for actuating the moving means to move the fragmentizing member into engagement with the glass member, the deflectable means being laterally deflected upon movement of the groove relative to and out of engagement therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 187 words
In a sensor and trigger mechanism having a support, a source of pressure fluid sealed by a penetratable seal, a movable penetrating member engageable with the seal to penetrate the seal and release the pressure fluid, and a generally hollow cylindrical frangible glass member limiting movement of the penetrating member relative to the seal, the combination comprising, an elongated fragmentizing member having a laterally opening groove and being movable longitudinally into engagement with the glass member to fragmentize the glass member and release the penetrating member, releasable means on the support engageable with the laterally opening groove of the fragmentizing member to positively locate the fragmentizing member against movement with respect to the glass member, an actuator mounted on the support for movement into engagement with the fragmentizing member to move the fragmentizing member past the releasable means and into engagement with the glass member, detent means normally maintaining the actuator out of engagement with the fragmentizing member, and means responsive to an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time for releasing the detent means and permitting the actuator to move into engagement with the fragmentizing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 187 words
In a sensor and trigger mechanism having a support, a source of pressure fluid sealed by a penetratable seal, a movable penetrating member engageable with the seal to penetrate the seal and release the pressure fluid, and a generally hollow cylindrical frangible glass member limiting movement of the penetrating member relative to the seal, the combination comprising, an elongated fragmentizing member having a laterally opening groove and being movable longitudinally into engagement with the glass member to fragmentize the glass member and release the penetrating member, releasable means on the support engageable with the laterally opening groove of the fragmentizing member to positively locate the fragmentizing member against movement with respect to the glass member, an actuator mounted on the support for movement into engagement with the fragmentizing member to move the fragmentizing member past the releasable means and into engagement with the glass member, detent means normally maintaining the actuator out of engagement with the fragmentizing member, and means responsive to an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time for releasing the detent means and permitting the actuator to move into engagement with the fragmentizing member.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2468369A Cited
US2806737A Cited
US3105506A Cited
US3613944A Cited
US3625541A Cited
US3648898A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-07-30 1977-01-29 1977-07-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-07-30 1981-01-29 1981-07-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-07-30 1985-01-29 1985-07-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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