Abstract: A discarding sabot projectile is disclosed which includes a smooth cylindrical projectile core with a reduced diameter nose and a sabot surrounding the projectile. A restraint device is positioned between the front of the sabot and the nose of the core for normally preventing forward movement of the projectile core relative to the sabot and disengaging from the sabot or core in response to spin-up of the sabot projectile during firing to allow substantially unencumbered separation of the core from the sabot.

Abstract: An inflating system of the type utilizing a propellant charge and stored fluid under pressure to inflate an inflatable member such as a vehicle safety bag. The propellant chamber in which the propellant burns is separated from the reservoir in which the fluid is stored by a nozzle member. Means is provided for reducing the throat area of the nozzle member upon actuation of the high or fast deployment of the system to increase the burning rate of the propellant charge.

Abstract: A self-contained propellant gas generating cartridge for use in connection with safety systems utilizing inflatable confinements. The cartridge has a tubular body portion housing a propellant charge, a head portion at one end of the body portion in which is mounted an ignitor for the propellant charge, and a nozzle member closing the other end of the body portion. In one embodiment the tubular body and head portion may be metallic while in another embodiment they may be plastic. The cartridge may also include means to reduce the effective throat area of the nozzle when a fast deployment of the system is desired.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag or the like including an ignitor, a propellant, an outlet, and a cooling chamber positioned between the propellant and the outlet. The cooling chamber is filled with hollow balls with surface openings which are an effective heat sink and a trap for undesirable particulate matter so that the gas introduced into the air bag is sufficiently cool and clean to be vented into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.