Jeffrey P Harvey

US Patent:

7618060, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Feb 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/707462

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Harvey - Sterling Heights MI, US
Rickey L. Stratton - Pontiac MI, US

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Washington MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/215

US Classification:

280740, 280729, 2807431, 2807282

Abstract:

An apparatus () for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (). An inflator () provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (). The inflation fluid flow from the inflator () is transverse to a central axis () of the inflator. A shield () includes a piece of material () folded about the inflator () and having a wall portion () that is interposed between at least a portion of the inflator and the protection device () and against which inflation fluid initially exiting from the inflator at least partially impinges. The wall portion () has a plurality of tear seams () that rupture due to inflation fluid pressure acting on the shield () to enable the wall portion to form a plurality of flaps () within the protection device (). Each flap () moves away from the central axis () of the inflator () about a respective axis that extends transverse to the central axis () of the inflator to block inflation fluid contact with portions of the protection device ().

US Patent:

59755610, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Dec 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/206060

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Harvey - Sterling Heights MI
James C. Dunn - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116
F16B 1902

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

A rotatable steering shaft (12) has a surface (93) that defines a tapered locking opening (92). A mounting member (14) receivable on the shaft (12) has a first locking pin passage (70). A locking pin (16) for securing the mounting member (14) to the shaft (12) has a first portion (100) receivable in the first locking pin passage (70) in the mounting member (14). The locking pin (16) also has a tapered end portion (104) receivable in the tapered locking opening (92) in the shaft to secure the mounting member to the shaft for rotation with the shaft.