Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for inflating an air bag which comprises a housing with an open joint portion connecting to the air bag and having a combustion chamber formed at the center inside the housing body wherein a high pressure gas is generated upon combustion of a gas generating agent. A partition is provided which defines a mixing chamber in a ring-like configuration by being concentrically disposed so as to be spaced apart from the opening of the housing body by a pre-selected interval whereby the high pressure gas forming a combustion chamber is introduced into the mixing chamber. A nozzle formed in a ring-like configuration is provided at the high pressure gas introducing portion so that the high pressure gas is ejected toward the opening of the mixing chamber and an air intake portion is formed along the nozzle on the housing body.

Abstract: An aspirating inflator assembly for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a housing having spaced sidewalls, a back wall and an openable front wall. An airbag is stored internally of the housing. Multiple gas generators are supported on or adjacent to the back wall of the housing. The housing has a plurality of apertures in the sidewalls thereof that are normally closed by valves which are openable to aspirate ambient air into the housing but preclude exhaust of air outwardly of the housing.

Abstract: Composition and process for inflating an automobile or aircraft safety crash bag comprising igniting a pyrotechnic composition to generate a gas which is admixed with air by means of an aspirating venturi which results in substantially non-toxic products which are thereafter utilized to inflate said crash bag.

Abstract: A motor vehicle modularized airbag assembly adapted for facilitating an aspirating flow of ambient atmosphere through the module and into the air bag to facilitate the inflation thereof and thereafter so as to vent the contents into the surrounding atmosphere. The assembly comprises a pyrotechnic inflator device; an inflatable air cushion in contact relation thereto; a retainer member for facilitating a locking engagement between the air cushion and the inflator and a mounting plate comprising a plurality of stepped levels for receiving the inflator, the air cushion and the retainer member in operative association, as well as a plurality of projecting members formed integral with a lower surface thereof to facilitate the aspirating and venting effect.

Abstract: A flow control device for use with inflatable confinements or "air bags" of vehicle occupant safety restraint systems is produced by incorporating in the wall of the confinement a fluid permeable portion which has a filamentous surface on one side in which flexible, filamentary projections align themselves in parallel relation as fluid permeates the portion and flows into the bag relatively unrestrictedly, and collapse against the surface as fluid permeates the portion and flows out of the bag relatively more restrictedly to provide rebound protection for the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A system for restraining and protecting the driver and passengers on the front seat of an automotive vehicle against injury as a result of a collision with another vehicle or object, wherein an expansible bag is stored in a folded, inoperative position in a compartment on the underside of the roof of the vehicle and generally overlying the laps of the driver and passengers. A pair of elongated arms are pivotally mounted in the vehicle for movement between an upwardly inclined, inoperative position adjacent the windshield posts of the vehicle to a downwardly inclined, operative position adjacent the inner sides of the side doors of the vehicle. The distal ends of the arms are connected to the expansible bag and serve to rapidly withdraw and unfold the same from the storage compartment when the system is triggered. After the bag is unfolded and deployed, fluid under pressure is supplied to a pair of laterally spaced compartments in the bag through passages in the arms.

Abstract: Inflatable air bag having one or several air intake openings for drawing air from the passenger compartment into the air bag, and closure means for automatically sealing the air intake openings after inflation of the air bag. The closure means may consist of bands, tubes, flaps and the like.

Abstract: A gas column type air bag system of the type in which an air bag includes a main gas column with a relatively large volume when inflated and a plurality of auxiliary gas columns with a relatively small volume when inflated, branched from the main column and extended toward a passenger, thereby rapidly expanding the air bag to inflate in case of a collision. The ratios both in volume and length among the air bag and the main and auxiliary gas columns are so selected that the air bag may be almost instantaneously expanded to the full by the inflation of the main and auxiliary columns and may be securely maintained in the desired stable inflated shape. The inflated main column serves as a knee restraining pad. The high pressure gas requirement for inflating the air bag may be considerably reduced as compared with the conventional systems.

Abstract: An air bag device designed to protect passengers in a vehicle. In the device, an inflatable gas bag is inflated by a gush of high pressure gas which is discharged from a gas supply source through a gas discharging pipe and guided by a housing. The housing has defined therein large openings to introduce ambient air, and has mounted, at the region where the inflatable gas bag are mounted, gas permeable supporting plates and valve members urged against the gas-permeable supporting plates. The gush of the high pressure gas discharged through the gas discharging pipe sucks in and mixes with the ambient air introduced through the large openings in the housing. The resultant air-high pressure gas mixture passes through the supporting plates, opens the valve members and then, flows into the inflatable bag to inflate the latter.

Abstract: Inflatable air bag having one or several air intake openings for drawing air from the passenger compartment into the air bag, and closure means for automatically sealing the air intake openings after inflation of the air bag. The closure means may consist of bands, tubes, flaps and the like.

Abstract: An improved safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident includes a confinement which is inflated to an expanded condition to restrain movement of an occupant. To effect inflation of the confinement, a fluid source is actuated to provide a high-velocity fluid stream which cooperates with a nozzle to draw a relatively large volume of air into the confinement. .Iadd.