Support device for a vehicle occupant safety apparatus

Patent 6149185 Issued on November 21, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 7, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Air bag device
Patent #: 5755457
Issued on: 05/26/1998
Inventor: Specht

Garnish members having an air bag
Patent #: 5791683
Issued on: 08/11/1998
Inventor: Shibata, et al.

Air bag device
Patent #: 5899486
Issued on: 05/04/1999
Inventor: Ibe

Airbag device
Patent #: 5921575
Issued on: 07/13/1999
Inventor: Kretschmer, et al.

Lateral impact protective device for vehicle occupants
Patent #: 5957487
Issued on: 09/28/1999
Inventor: Stutz

Support device for a vehicle occupant safety apparatus Patent #: 6022044
Issued on: 02/08/2000
Inventor: Cherry

Inventors

Assignee

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Application

No. 326943 filed on 06/07/1999

US Classes:

280/728.2, With specific mounting feature280/730.2Mounted in vehicle and positioned laterally of occupant

Examiners

Primary: Rice, Kenneth R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, Tummino & Szabo L.L.P

International Class

B60R 021/16

Abstract

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) comprises a cushioning device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition in which the cushioning device (14) is inflated between an occupant of a vehicle (12) and the side structure (16) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a fill tube (24) having a portion located in the cushioning device (14) that directs inflation fluid into the cushioning device (14) to inflate the cushioning device (14). A support device (40) has a portion that attaches to the fill tube (24) and supports the fill tube (24) and the cushioning device (14) in the vehicle (12). A fastener (170) fixedly connects the support device (40) and the fill tube (24) to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The fastener (170) has a portion that cooperates with a tool for securing the fastener (170) to the vehicle (12). The support device (40) has a fastener receiving portion (44) for blocking movement of the tool transverse to the axis (178) and preventing engagement of the tool with cushioning device (14).