Katherine E Desimone

US Patent:

20070257476, Nov 8, 2007

Filed:

May 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/415685

Inventors:

Lloyd Green - Mesa AZ, US
William Butler - Mesa AZ, US
John O'Loughlin - Gilbert AZ, US
Halley Stevens - Mesa AZ, US
Katherine Desimone - Gilbert AZ, US

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280737000, 280740000, 280741000

Abstract:

An inflator () includes a chamber () for storing inflation () fluid under pressure. A first member () has an inner perimeter that defines an opening () for discharging the inflation fluid (). A rupturable closure member () extends across the opening () and blocks inflation fluid flow though the opening. A second member () supports a central portion () of the closure member () against the pressure of the inflation fluid () in the chamber (). Inflation fluid () flows through a passageway () defined by an outer perimeter of the second member () and the inner perimeter of the first member (). An initiator () ruptures the closure member (), forming petals () of the closure member that deflect into the passageway (). The petals () slide along an outer surface () of a portion () of the second member () while deflecting into the passageway (). The portion () of the second member () is configured not to inhibit movement of the petals () into full engagement with an inner surface () the first member ().