Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for igniting gas generating material, said apparatus comprising: a container; and an ignitable material located in said container for igniting the gas generating material upon ignition of said ignitable material, said ignitable material igniting when heated to a predetermined temperature, said ignitable material comprising a homogeneous mixture of auto-ignition material which ignites when heated to said predetermined temperature and booster material which ignites at a temperature greater than the temperature at which said auto-ignition material ignites.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for igniting gas generating material, said apparatus comprising: a container; and an ignitable material located in said container for igniting the gas generating material upon ignition of said ignitable material, said ignitable material igniting when heated to a predetermined temperature, said ignitable material comprising a homogeneous mixture of auto-ignition material which ignites when heated to said predetermined temperature and booster material which ignites at a temperature greater than the temperature at which said auto-ignition material ignites.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said homogeneous mixture has a ratio by weight of said booster material to said auto-ignition material of between 1.25 to 1 and 30 to 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said booster material comprises a homogeneous mixture of 70 to 74 percent by weight of BKNO 3 , and 26 to 30 percent by weight of a homogeneous mixture of TiH 2 and KClO 4 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said homogeneous mixture of TiH 2 and KClO 4 consists of 27 to 31 percent by weight of TiH 2 , 65 to 69 percent by weight of KClO 4 and 2 to 6 percent by weight of a binder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said BKNO 3 material consists of a homogeneous mixture of 22 to 26 percent by weight of boron, 69 to 73 percent by weight of potassium nitrate and 2 to 6 percent by weight of a binder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is metal and a portion of said auto-ignition material contacts said container, and said auto-ignition material ignites upon being heated to the predetermined temperature by conduction of heat through said container.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for igniting gas generating material, said apparatus comprising: a container; and an ignitable material located in said container for igniting the gas generating material upon ignition of said ignitable material, said ignitable material comprising a homogeneous mixture of: a boron and potassium nitrate based compound, and an auto-ignition material which ignites when heated to a temperature in the range of 300° F. to 400° F.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for igniting gas generating material, said apparatus comprising: a container; and an ignitable material located in said container for igniting the gas generating material upon ignition of said ignitable material, said ignitable material comprising a homogeneous mixture of: a boron and potassium nitrate based compound, and an auto-ignition material which ignites when heated to a temperature in the range of 300° F. to 400° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said mixture of said ignitable material comprises a ratio by weight of said boron and potassium based nitrate compound to said auto-ignition material of between 1.25 to 1 and 30 to 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said boron and potassium nitrate based compound ignites at a temperature of about 700° F. and said auto-ignition material ignites at a temperature of about 350° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said boron and potassium nitrate based compound comprises a homogeneous mixture of 70 to 74 percent by weight of BKNO 3 and 26 to 30 percent by weight of a homogeneous mixture of TiH 2 and KClO 4 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 10 wherein said homogeneous mixture of TiH 2 and KClO 4 consists of 27 to 31 percent by weight of TiH 2 , 65 to 69 percent by weight of KClO 4 and 2 to 6 percent by weight of a binder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein said BKNO 3 consists of a homogeneous mixture of 22 to 26 percent by weight of boron, 69 to 73 percent by weight of potassium nitrate and 2 to 6 percent by weight of a binder.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint upon deceleration of the vehicle at a rate above a predetermined rate, said apparatus comprising: a housing containing gas generating material, said housing having mechanical properties which degrade when said housing is heated to a temperature about 650° F.; and means for igniting the gas generating material in response to being heated to a predetermined temperature substantially lower than 650° F. and in response to deceleration of the vehicle at a rate above the predetermined rate, said means comprising: a container supported by said housing adjacent the gas generating material; an ignitable material which is located in said container and which upon ignition ignites the gas generating material; and means for igniting the ignitable material in response to deceleration of the vehicle above the predetermined rate of deceleration; said ignitable material comprising a homogeneous mixture of a booster material and an auto-ignition material which ignites upon being heated to the predetermined temperature to ignite said booster material and to thereby ignite the gas generating material.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint upon deceleration of the vehicle at a rate above a predetermined rate, said apparatus comprising: a housing containing gas generating material, said housing having mechanical properties which degrade when said housing is heated to a temperature about 650° F.; and means for igniting the gas generating material in response to being heated to a predetermined temperature substantially lower than 650° F. and in response to deceleration of the vehicle at a rate above the predetermined rate, said means comprising: a container supported by said housing adjacent the gas generating material; an ignitable material which is located in said container and which upon ignition ignites the gas generating material; and means for igniting the ignitable material in response to deceleration of the vehicle above the predetermined rate of deceleration; said ignitable material comprising a homogeneous mixture of a booster material and an auto-ignition material which ignites upon being heated to the predetermined temperature to ignite said booster material and to thereby ignite the gas generating material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said booster material ignites at a temperature of approximately 700° F. and said auto-ignition material ignites at a temperature of approximately 350° F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said mixture of said ignitable material comprises a ratio by weight of said booster material to said auto-ignition material of between 1.25 to 1 and 30 to 1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein said booster material comprises a homogeneous mixture of 70 to 74 percent by weight of BKNO 3 and 26 to 30 percent by weight of a homogeneous mixture of TiH 2 and KClO 4 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein said auto-ignition material comprises a smokeless powder which auto-ignites when heated to 350° F.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for igniting said ignitable material includes a bridgewire electrically connected at opposite ends to respective conductors which are operatively connected to a power source, said bridgewire being located in said container and encapsulated by said ignitable material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 18 wherein said container is metal and a portion of said auto-ignition material contacts said container, and said auto-ignition material ignites upon being heated to the predetermined temperature by conduction of heat through said container.