Abstract: A pressure vessel for a gas generating system is provided. The vessel is formed from a material and has a first portion and a second portion. A property of the material along the first portion has a value within a first range, and the same property of the material along the second portion has a value within a second range different from the first range.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through a housing. The apparatus includes a seal member having a rupturable portion, and a support structure configured for supporting the seal member along the rupturable portion so as to substantially prevent outward bulging of the rupturable portion.

Abstract: An initiator housing assembly includes a preformed initiator receiving portion defining a first cavity and a body portion affixed to the receiving portion and defining a second cavity. An opening leading into the first cavity is positioned within the second cavity. An initiator assembly, as gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the initiator housing assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle protection system includes an exterior airbag system housed about a vehicle exterior. The system includes at least one first airbag, at least one second airbag, and an inflator system for inflation of the airbags. The inflation system includes at least one inflator operably communicating with the airbags. A sensor system senses impending or actual collision data. The sensor system includes at least one sensor and at least one central computer processing unit for receipt and processing of the data and for selective activation of the inflator system. Upon activation of the inflator system, the at least one first airbag is inflated. The at least one second airbag is sequentially deployable after the at least one first airbag based on measurement of system operating conditions and processing of the operating conditions by the central computer processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a ball and tee may include a body, a clamshell retainer, a biasing assembly, a drive assembly and a handle assembly. The body may include a first opening, a second opening and a chamber, and a handle assembly associated with the second opening of the body. The biasing assembly may be capable of being actuated by the handle assembly. The drive assembly may be capable of being actuated by the biasing assembly. The clamshell retainer may be associated with the second opening of the body. The clamshell retainer may have a pair of clasping members movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively carry the golf ball and a portion of the golf tee between the pair of clasping members. The pair of clasping members may be moved between the open position and the closed position based on actuation of the drive assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage and a forcing member positioned in the passage. A flowable material is positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The housing is configured to enable a flow of flowable material out of the housing responsive only to a motion of the forcing member.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a gas generant material for generating gases upon combustion thereof, and an amount of liquid coolant for cooling the generated gases.

Abstract: One embodiment of a carrier for carrying articles and luggage may include a case member. The case member may include a container and a lid pivotally attached to the container. The carrier may further include a railing arrangement, which may include a plurality of telescopic members and a plurality of rail members. The plurality of telescopic members may extend from the lid, and may be extended and retracted. The plurality of rail members may be disposed horizontally on the plurality of telescopic members for extending and retracting the plurality of telescopic members. The extension of the plurality of telescopic members may enable the railing arrangement to assume an open position for configuring and defining a confined space above the lid to receive the luggage therein. The carrier may further include a plurality of wheels, which may be coupled to the container for moving the case member and the luggage.

Abstract: One embodiment of a collapsible scent distributing airgun (“airgun”) may include a body and a gas cartridge, which may be carried by the body and contain a pressurized gas. The airgun may also have a pressure regulator valve, which may be carried by the body and communicated with the gas cartridge. In addition, the airgun may also have a barrel that may be pivotally carried by the body and movable between collapsed and extended positions. The barrel in the extended position may have an end communicated with the pressure regulator valve to receive the pressurized gas. Further, the barrel in the collapsed position may have the end adapted to receive a projectile configured to emit a scent. Also, the airgun may have a trigger that may be pivotally carried by the body and coupled to the pressure regulator valve to selectively direct the pressurized gas into the barrel for launching the projectile.

Abstract: A gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container. The gas seal includes a rupturable portion and an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that a predetermined minimum force acting on the extension produces a rupture of the rupturable portion, permitting pressurized fluid flow past the gas seal. An inflator and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the gas seal are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ignition source for initiating combustion is provided. The ignition source includes an electrical delivery conductor mounted in a delivery conductor mounting structure. An electrical ground conductor is mounted in a ground conductor mounting structure and extends from the ground conductor mounting structure to a point proximate the delivery conductor to define an ignition spark gap between the delivery conductor and the ground conductor. At least one of the delivery conductor and the ground conductor are mounted in a respective one of the delivery conductor mounting structure and the ground conductor mounting structure so as to be selectively positionable with respect to the other one of the delivery conductor and the ground conductor to selectively adjust a width of the ignition spark gap.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).

Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of R3—R1—R2, wherein R1 is a benzene ring with nitro substitution, R2 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—C bond to the benzene ring, and R3 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—C bond to the benzene ring. Other fuels used in the gas generant compositions of the present invention include methylene bi(tetrazole); and 2,3-bis(tetrazolo) pyrazine. A method of making the compound is also provided. Gas generant compositions 12 containing these fuels are provided within a gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system 200 such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 180.

Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of R3—R1—R2, wherein R1 is a urea group, R2 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—N bond to the urea group, and R3 may be defined as a non-tetrazolyl, triazolyl, heterocyclic, heterocyclic amine, aliphatic, aliphatic amine, aryl, alkyl, hydrogen, or nitrogen group linked to the free nitrogen on the urea group. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition 12 containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound may be contained within a gas generant composition 12, within a gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 180.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining low temperature of a food item includes a first bowl member, a second bowl member, and a lid member. The first bowl member includes a first body portion, a first open top end portion, and a first closed bottom end portion. The first bowl member is capable of receiving a cooling material therewithin. Further, the second bowl member includes a second body portion, a second open top end portion, and a second closed bottom end portion. The second bowl member is capable of receiving the food item therewithin. The second bowl member is configured to be removably received within the first bowl member. The second bowl member includes at least one handle member for facilitating lifting and carrying of the second bowl member. The lid member covers the food item received in the second bowl member.

Abstract: An article holding device, for an elevated work platform having a railing configured by a plurality of horizontal bars, includes a body member and at least one bracing member. The body member is adapted to be disposed on the railing and the at least one bracing member is capable of supporting the body member on the elevated work platform. The body member includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a channel unit disposed therebetween. The first compartment and the second compartment include a plurality of adjustable sections configured therein. The first compartment, the second compartment and the channel unit are capable of receiving articles therein. The at least one bracing member is capable of being adjustably positioned between at least two horizontal bars of the plurality of horizontal bars of the railing for supporting the body member on the elevated work platform.

Abstract: A novel compound, tris (5-amino tetrazolo) triazine is used for example, as a gas generating fuel. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition, containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound may be contained within a gas generant composition 12, within a gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system 200 such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 180.