William A Forbes

61060100, Aug 22, 2000

Mar 31, 1998

9/052705

William C. Forbes - Rochester Hills MI
Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

B60R 2126

280741

An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device system (10, 110) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a crash event includes a module (12, 112), which may be mounted in a vehicle and includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (24, 124). A mechanism controls flow of inflation fluid from an inflator (26, 126) to the protection device (24, 124). The mechanism also includes a first igniter (30, 130) and a second igniter (32, 132), which provide for inflation fluid flow from the inflator (26, 126) to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (24, 124). The system (10, 110) also includes a crash sensor (14, 114) for sensing a vehicle crash event and providing an activation signal. The igniters (30, 130 and 32, 132) are responsive to the crash sensor (14, 114) over a shared signal path (16, 116 and 18, 118) between the module (12, 112) and the crash sensor (14, 114). A delay device (46, 146) delays actuation of the second igniter (32, 132) for a predetermined time period after actuation of the first igniter (30, 130).

60625996, May 16, 2000

May 12, 1998

9/076770

William C. Forbes - Rochester Hills MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Lapeer MI
Jack L. Blumenthal - Los Angeles CA

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

B60R 2126

280737

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a container (12) having a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (16) under pressure in the chamber for inflating the inflatable device. The apparatus (10) includes an outlet opening (70) in the container (12) for directing inflation fluid (16) from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device. The apparatus (10) also includes an initiator (110) for, when ignited, producing combustion products (130). The apparatus (10) further includes a support member (30) for supporting the initiator means (110) adjacent to the chamber (14). An inlet opening (58) in the container (12) spaced apart from the outlet opening (70) directs combustion products (130) from the initiator (110) into the chamber (14). The apparatus (10) includes a single, one-piece burst disc (80) having a first portion (82) blocking the inlet opening (58) and a second portion (90) blocking the outlet opening (70). The first portion (82) of the burst disc (80) ruptures upon ignition of the initiator (110).