Patent ID: 7665763
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: B60R,F17C

Abstract:
1. An inflator for an air-bag, the inflator comprising at least one gas bottle containing pressurised gas, the gas bottle being sealed by a rupturable foil; and a support member having a base and a transversely extending support arm engaging the rupturable foil to maintain the rupturable foil in an un-ruptured state, the support arm being mounted in a position and retained in the position by a piston element, the piston element including a piston rod having a longitudinal axis with a piston head positioned at one end of the rod and extending outwardly therefrom and a support flange positioned at a longitudinally opposite end of the rod and extending transversely therefrom so as to directly engage the support arm, the piston rod extending through an axial bore in the base of the support member such that the support flange is disposed on one side of the base and the piston head is disposed on an opposite side of the base as the support flange, the piston element being associated with a squib to drive the piston element via engagement with the piston head from an initial position to a release position in which the support flange no longer engages the support arm, thereby permitting the support arm to pivot inwardly in a direction away from the foil and the gas bottle to a position in which the foil will rupture to permit gas to escape from the gas bottle.