Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (26) having a seat (24) for the occupant and a vehicle side structure (28) comprises an air bag module (22) including an air bag (70) inflatable into a position between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The apparatus (10) also comprises a bracket (20) for supporting the air bag module (22) on the vehicle seat (24). The bracket (20) comprises a first bracket portion (90) connectable to the seat frame (50), and a second bracket portion (100) for mounting the module (22). The bracket (20) includes a hinge (120) disposed intermediate the first and second bracket portions (90, 100) and interconnecting the first and second bracket portions. The hinge (120) enables the second bracket portion (100) to pivot relative to the first bracket portion (90) during inflation of the air bag (70) to affect the direction in which the air bag deploys from the vehicle seat (24).

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly (10) mounts on a vehicle steering shaft (14) which has a threaded end portion (18). The steering wheel assembly (10) comprises a steering wheel armature (20), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (80) supported on the steering wheel armature (20), an inflator (90) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (80), a hub (160) fixedly attached to the steering wheel armature (20) and for non-rotatable attachment to the steering shaft (14), and a rotatable fastener (180) rotatably supported on the hub (160) for axially forcing the hub onto the steering shaft (14) upon rotation of the fastener in a first direction. The fastener (180) has a first end portion (182) including gearing (190) for rotating the fastener and a second end portion (184) for threadedly engaging the threaded end portion (18) of the steering shaft (14) upon rotation of the fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (34) includes an inflation fluid source (12) actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid (52) to inflate the inflatable device. The apparatus (10) includes a first actuatable initiator (50) for, when actuated, effecting actuation of the inflation fluid source (12) and creating a temperature rise. The apparatus (10) also includes a second actuatable initiator (50a) for, when actuated, effecting actuation of the inflation fluid source (12). The apparatus includes an igniter (72) for actuating the first initiator (50) to actuate the inflation fluid source (12), without actuating the second initiator (50a). The second initiator (50a) can be actuated in response to a rise in temperature resulting from actuation of the first actuatable initiator (50) and at a time delay after actuation of the first initiator.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing formed by two cups interlocked to provide a tamper-proof enclosure with at least one of the cups formed with indentations for grasping by a tool to facilitate assembly of the cups. In a chamber of the housing is an initiator secured in place by a snap-fit. A canister containing tablets of gas generating material is held in the chamber by an interference fit. A filter is held in place in the housing by a ring-shaped retainer member. Passages within the housing direct gases from the initiator to the canister through the filter out of the housing into an air bag with the path of travel changing direction by at least 90.degree. to create turbulent flow for enhanced inflator gas production.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing formed by two cups interlocked to provide a tamper-proof enclosure with at least one of the cups formed with indentations for grasping by a tool to facilitate assembly of the cups. In a chamber of the housing is an initiator secured in place by a snap-fit. A canister containing tablets of gas generating material is held in the chamber by an interference fit. A filter is held in place in the housing by a ring-shaped retainer member. Passages within the housing direct gases from the initiator to the canister through the filter out of the housing into an air bag with the path of travel changing direction by at least 90.degree. to create turbulent flow for enhanced inflator gas production.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing formed by two cups interlocked to provide a tamper-proof enclosure with at least one of the cups formed with indentations for grasping by a tool to facilitate assembly of the cups. In a chamber of the housing is an initiator secured in place by a snap-fit. A canister containing tablets of gas generating material is held in the chamber by an interference fit. A filter is held in place in the housing by a ring-shaped retainer member. Passages within the housing direct gases from the initiator to the canister through the filter out of the housing into an air bag with the path of travel changing direction by at least 90.degree. to create turbulent flow for enhanced inflator gas production.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing formed by two cups. An initiator is snap fit into an opening of a cup before the cup is connected to the other of the two cups. Flexible fingers on the outer surface of the initiator are biased inwardly as the initiator is inserted into the opening and then snap radially outward into an annular groove disposed on the inside surface of the opening to hold the initiator in the opening. An O-ring is then placed around the initiator between a shoulder of the initiator and a wall of the cup to bias the initiator away from the cup to ensure that the initiator remains in position and to seal the inside of the cup from the atmosphere.