Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A pressurized gas supply unit according to claim 17, wherein said cap means comprises: A. a first split cap member, divided into at least two parts and engaging with said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means for retaining said releasable sealing means to hermetically seal off said discharge spout, and B. a second cap member, engaging said first split cap member at an internal end portion and an internal side portion of said second cap member, respectively, with an external end portion and an external side portion, respectively, of said first split cap member, said second cap member frictionally engaging at said internal side portion thereof with said external side portion of said first split cap member, thereby maintaining engagement between said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means and said first split cap member, said yielding portion of said end portion of said cap means comprising a border between said external end portion of said first split cap member and said internal end portion of said second cap member, each of said yielding portions of said side portion of said cap means comprising a border between said external side portion of said first split cap member and said internal side portion of said second cap member, said explosive means being mounted in said second cap member, said second cap member being released from said first split cap member along said yielding portions due to a reaction acting on said second cap member upon detonation of said explosive means thereby causing release of said first split cap member from said discharge spout.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A pressurized gas supply unit according to claim 1, wherein said second cap member has a projection extending outwardly from an external end portion of said second cap member, said explosive means being mounted in said projection to release said second cap member from said first split cap member when activated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a safety device for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury by sudden impact imposed on a motor vehicle and having an inflatable element having a deflated position and an inflated protective position, a pressurized gas supply unit comprising pressurized gas generating means storing a source of a pressurized gas for inflating said inflatable element and having a pressurized gas discharge spout communiCating with said inflatable element, releasable sealing means in closing engagement with said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means, cap means engaging with said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means for retaining said releasable sealing means to hermetically seal off said discharge spout, said cap means having an end portion having at least one yielding portion and a side portion having at least two yielding portions which cooperate with said yielding portion of said end portion, said cap means comprising at least two parts connected with each other along at least two of said yielding portions, and explosive means mounted relative to said yielding portion in said cap means for separating said at least two parts of said cap means from each other along said yielding portions to release said cap means and accordingly said releasable sealing means from said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means when said explosive means is detonated in response to a sudden impact, thereby providing communication between said discharge spout and said inflatable element so that pressurized gas is admitted into said inflatable element to inflate same to its protective position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a safety device for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury by sudden impact imposed on a motor vehicle and having an inflatable element having a deflated position and an inflated protective position, a pressurized gas supply unit comprising pressurized gas generating means storing a source of a pressurized gas for inflating said inflatable element and having a pressurized gas discharge spout communiCating with said inflatable element, releasable sealing means in closing engagement with said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means, cap means engaging with said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means for retaining said releasable sealing means to hermetically seal off said discharge spout, said cap means having an end portion having at least one yielding portion and a side portion having at least two yielding portions which cooperate with said yielding portion of said end portion, said cap means comprising at least two parts connected with each other along at least two of said yielding portions, and explosive means mounted relative to said yielding portion in said cap means for separating said at least two parts of said cap means from each other along said yielding portions to release said cap means and accordingly said releasable sealing means from said discharge spout of said pressurized gas generating means when said explosive means is detonated in response to a sudden impact, thereby providing communication between said discharge spout and said inflatable element so that pressurized gas is admitted into said inflatable element to inflate same to its protective position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A pressurized gas supply unit according to claim 3, wherein said cap means comprises at least two parts connected with each other along said yielding portions of said side portion, said explosive means is disposed in said cap means near each of said yielding portions of said side portion to divide said cap means into said at least two parts along said yielding portions of said side portion, thereby separating said at least two parts from each other along said yielding portions upon detonation of said explosive means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A pressurized gas supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said yielding portion of said end portion of said cap means comprises a hole and each of said yielding portions of said side portion of said cap means comprises a weakened portion located adjacent said explosive means and a slot which is in alignment with said weakened portion.