Abstract: An air bag inflator for generating gas to rapidly inflate an air bag includes a housing having spaced-apart opposite end walls with aligned outer peripheral edges, an outer side wall extending between the end walls around the peripheral edges defining an outer chamber for containing gas-generating material and a filter element. The housing also includes an inner side wall extending between the end walls in concentric, centered relation for containing an ignition squib and ignition-enhancing material and provided with ignition ports in communication with the other combustion chamber. The outer side wall is provided with a plurality of ports directing hot products of combustion outwardly to inflate an associated air bag. At least one pair of concentric crimp-formed joints are provided to interconnect the side walls and at least one of the end walls, top or bottom.

Abstract: An air bag formed of thin flexible sheet material is mounted in a housing within a motor vehicle in a deflated condition and is rapidly inflatable for protecting an occupant in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The air bag has an elongated, generally cylindrical shape when deployed to inflate for expanding directly and more rapidly from the housing into protective cushioning contact with the occupant thus reducing the chances that the occupant will be subjected to excessive movement or velocity relative to the interior of the vehicle and further reducing the possibility that the occupant will be subjected to unwanted contact with closely adjacent surfaces in a relatively small passenger compartment of the vehicle. The novel air bag is formed from three pieces including a pair of generally circular inner and outer end walls joined together with a cylindrically-shaped side wall.

Abstract: A film developing system for a microimage recording apparatus of the type including an elongated film strip movable under tension along a film path. The film strip is of the type utilizing heat for developing latent image areas formed at an exposure station, and the improved developing station includes a support for holding the film strip between spaced apart support elements extending transversely across the film strip on opposite sides of a previously exposed latent image area. A developer shoe having an outwardly convex heated surface is adapted to contact a facing surface of the film strip between the supports for developing the latent image area. The developer shoe is mounted for movement between a first position spaced away from the film path and a second position wherein the film strip is tensioned to conform to the heated surface of the shoe for developing during a selected time period.

Abstract: A film developing system for microimage recording apparatus providing computer output on microfilm utilizing an elongated film strip movable along a film path and employing heat for developing latent image areas formed on the film at an exposure station includes a support for positioning said film strip along the film path at spaced apart locations on opposite sides of a previously exposed latent image area in position ready for developing. A tensioning system is provided for exerting tension on the film strip between said support locations and a developer shoe having an outwardly convex, heated, film contacting surface is adapted to contact the facing surface of the film strip between the supports for developing the latent image area thereon.

Abstract: A microimage recording apparatus of the type utilizing an elongated master film strip movable along a master film processing path and a duplicate film strip movable along a duplicate film strip processing path for making duplicates of successive developed image areas on the master film strip includes a duplication station having a support for the master film strip to position a developed image area thereon in a duplication position along the master film strip path. Support is provided for the duplicate film strip along a segment of the duplicate film processing path merging with the master film strip path at the duplication station. The master and duplicate film strips are biased together in close contact at the duplication station against a glass platen and light is passed through a developed image area on the master film strip to create a latent, duplicate image area on the duplicate film strip for subsequent development.

Abstract: A self-contained COM (Computer Output on Microfilm) microimage recorder provides completed microfiche records of computer generated images. A master film strip travels a path including exposure, developing and duplication stations. An optics assembly at the exposure station exposes a pattern of numerous images provided serially by a cathode ray tube onto an image area of the master film strip. The entire image area is developed by heat at the developing station. A duplicate film strip moves along a path merging with the master film path at the duplication station where an entire pattern of images is duplicated onto an image area of the duplicate film strip from a developed image area of the master film strip. Duplicate film image areas are cut from the end of the strip as individual microfiche records and exit from the recorder as completed records after being developed and cleared.