Patent US2540753A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3910596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Inflation apparatus for safety device
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-01
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Inflation apparatus adapted to be disposed in a vehicle for inflating a bag with hybrid gas upon impact of the vehicle is provided with gas releasing means having plural gas releasing features which function separately or collectively to inflate the bag in a highly reliable manner. The apparatus is easy to fabricate and monitor and is more reliable in operation than inflation apparatus wherein release of gas is effected by electroexplosive, mechanical or pressure responsive gas releasing mechanisms solely.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Wulbrecht
- 👤 Robert J Bishop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/272; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1647; Y10T137/1692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
Inflation apparatus adapted to be disposed in a vehicle for inflating a bag upon receipt of an electrical current from an impact detecting means responsive to impact of the vehicle, comprising: a. gas containing means provided with a pressurized gas; b. gas generating means provided with a gas generating material; c. actuating means for igniting the gas generating material and upon receipt of the electrical current to form a generated gas; d. gas releasing means associated with said gas containing means, comprising: i. housing means containing said gas generating material and having an aperture therein for permitting communication between said gas generating material and said pressurized gas; ii. outlet means in communication with said pressurized gas and with said inflatable bag, said outlet means being adapted to rupture when the pressure within the gas containing means exceeds a predetermined pressure; and iii. mechanical means disposed in said housing means between said outlet means and said gas generating material for rupturing said outlet means upon ignition of said gas generating material, whereby gas released from the gas containing means and from the gas generating means flows into and inflates the bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
Inflation apparatus adapted to be disposed in a vehicle for inflating a bag upon receipt of an electrical current from an impact detecting means responsive to impact of the vehicle, comprising: a. gas containing means provided with a pressurized gas; b. gas generating means provided with a gas generating material; c. actuating means for igniting the gas generating material and upon receipt of the electrical current to form a generated gas; d. gas releasing means associated with said gas containing means, comprising: i. housing means containing said gas generating material and having an aperture therein for permitting communication between said gas generating material and said pressurized gas; ii. outlet means in communication with said pressurized gas and with said inflatable bag, said outlet means being adapted to rupture when the pressure within the gas containing means exceeds a predetermined pressure; and iii. mechanical means disposed in said housing means between said outlet means and said gas generating material for rupturing said outlet means upon ignition of said gas generating material, whereby gas released from the gas containing means and from the gas generating means flows into and inflates the bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing means is a unitary structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said mechanical means is a piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said piston has a first end disposed adjacent to said outlet means, a second end disposed adjacent to said gas generating means and a shaft structurally connected to and having a diameter smaller than said first and second ends and said housing means includes an inner cylinder having an elongated aperture therein which communicates with said mechanical means and said pressurized gas and a conduit dimensionally defined by the interior surface of said housing means and the exterior surface of said cylinder and by the interior surface of said cylinder and the exterior surface of said shaft, said piston being slidably disposed in said cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of apertures is employed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said apertures are circumferentially spaced around said housing means at substantially equal intervals and each of said apertures has substantially the same diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said apertures collectively provide said housing with an opening having a diameter of about 1 to 2.5 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Inflation apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said predetermined pressure is in the order of about 2000 to 6000 psi.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Inflation apparatus as recitd in claim 1, wherein said predetermined pressure is obtained within about 5 to 15 milliseconds after ignition of said gas generating material if said outlet means is not ruptured by said mechanical means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an inflation apparatus adapted to be disposed in a vehicle and having means for admixing gas generated by combustion of gas generating material with pressurized gas in a gas containing means and for releasing the combined gases through an outlet means and into an inflatable bag upon receipt of an electrical current from an impact detecting means responsive to impact of the vehicle, the improvement wherein: a. each of said outlet means and said gas generating material is in communication with said pressurized gas; b. said outlet means is adapted to rupture when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure; and c. said gas releasing means includes a housing containing said gas generating material and a mechanical means, said mechanical means being disposed adjacent to said gas generating material and being operable upon combustion thereof to rupture said outlet means, whereby said gases are released from said gas containing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an inflation apparatus adapted to be disposed in a vehicle and having means for admixing gas generated by combustion of gas generating material with pressurized gas in a gas containing means and for releasing the combined gases through an outlet means and into an inflatable bag upon receipt of an electrical current from an impact detecting means responsive to impact of the vehicle, the improvement wherein: a. each of said outlet means and said gas generating material is in communication with said pressurized gas; b. said outlet means is adapted to rupture when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure; and c. said gas releasing means includes a housing containing said gas generating material and a mechanical means, said mechanical means being disposed adjacent to said gas generating material and being operable upon combustion thereof to rupture said outlet means, whereby said gases are released from said gas containing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |